Newsletter

Welcome to Cath Connelly’s April 2011 Newsletter.

Hi Everyone,

What fun it is being a musician!  When I look back over just this past three weeks it stuns me that I have had the chance to play in so many different venues and to such a variety of audiences. 

But first let me tell you the BIG NEWS!

Yes, the solo harp CD journey: celtic harp reflectionsis out! 

I am really thrilled with this album.  What it offers is a gentle, peace-filled journey to a place of stillness and reflection.  It has that unruffled feel to it.  As with all my albums, it combines both traditional tunes with original compositions.  Responding to popular request, I have included my tune Veriditas on the album, as well as including a new tune journey  that, if you like Veriditas, should appeal to you. 

Following the release of six albums over the past seven years, people have been asking me to make a solo Celtic-harp album.  The other albums - made with the stunning violinist / mandolin player Greg Hunt – have focussed on music that sits on the Celtic threshold.  This album stands as one that is deeply grounded in the Celtic tradition, yet uses both contemporary and traditional music.  The aim of this album is to provide the listener space for the senses to enter into a deeper place - a place where the music seeps into the heart of the listener.  My hope is that all who hear this album will find peace and relaxation from this experience.  

Anyway, it’s out, it’s lovely and it’s available from John Garratt Bookrooms (www.johngarratt.com.au), my website (www.cathy.com.au) or very soon (once the courier pigeon gets to the USA) via I-Tunes. 

Thanks so much to Allan Neuendorf of Baker Street Studios for recording, mixing and mastering the album, to Peter Layton of Visual Accents for the fantastic images and Belinda Cardilini from Belinda Cardilini Designs for the graphic layout.

It is always a thrill to be able to perform as our duo Liminality with Greg Hunt.  I remain in awe of his sensitivity as he plays the violin, mandola and mandolin with such empathy and joy.  During the past fortnight we have had the chance to perform for the Camberwell Music Society and to form part of the team that made up the musicians at the Port Fairy Folk Mass.  We have a couple of concerts in May, so check out the gig guide below.

Many of you are aware of the balance I try to find between music and spirituality.  St Patrick’s Day last week was one day that really moved through the extremes of performer to silence-creator!  The Irish Chamber of Commerce invited me to perform for their wonderful luncheon festivities at the Palladium, Crown Casino.  Part of the proceedings included the 600 guests being offered the wonderful treat of the surprise guests / performers Andy Irvine and Rens van der Zalm as well as the joy of watching traditional Irish dancing. A great event!  But I speak of contrasts; during the evening I was invited to play the harp whilst 100 people walked the labyrinth at Augustine Centre, Hawthorne.  Featuring Lauren Artress, labyrinth facilitator, lecturer and presenter from Grace Cathedral USA, it was a fundraiser for the Olivia Newton John Wellness Centre.  To play the harp into the total silence that occurred whilst the participants walked a large indoor labyrinth was one of those experiences of grace that occasionally we are invited to participate in.

Festival season is still in full swing.  I guess the next big one is The National Folk Festival in Canberra.  Once again I am playing my harp at the Community Arts Tent between 11.00am and 4.00pm each day.  What this means for you is that it is an excellent opportunity to come along, either with your musical instruments to jam, or as someone who wants to just hang out in the ambience of the Arts space with delightful music to enjoy.  See you there!

And talking about festivals, don’t forget to get your tickets for the 2011 National Celtic Festival (www.nationalcelticfestival.com). The Committee has come up with some fantastic new ideas for this year’s festival, including a more intentional program around the topic of Celtic spirituality, in which I’ll be one of the presenters.  Queen’s Birthday long-weekend in June, Portarlington (near Geelong).

Remember also to check out my website at www.cathy.com.au.  It is a great place to find out what’s happening in the Celtic harp world and, of course, to buy CDs!

Cath’s Gig Guide

• April 2nd: Celtic Spirituality Quiet Day, 10.00am - 3.00pm, St John's Anglican Church, 3466 Point Nepean Rd, Sorrento. Melway 157 A:5
• April 5th: Harp Concert, 11.00am, Salvation Army, 958 High Street Road, Glen Waverley, Victoria.
• April 9th: Lenten Quiet Day, 10.00am - 3.00pm. St Thomas' Anglican Church, Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria.
• April 16th: Celtic Spirituality Quiet Day, 10.00am - 3.00pm. Mt Eliza Anglican Church, 105 Koetong Parade, Mt Eliza, Victoria.
• April 21st - 25th: National Folk Festival, Canberra.  Come and play a tune with me at the Community Arts Tent.
• May 9th: LiminalityConcert, Kildara Spirituality Centre, Rear 39 Stanhope Street, Malvern.
• May 15^th : Welsh Male Choir – with Cath Connelly on harp.  2.00pm. St Faith’s Anglican Church, Charles Street Burwood.
• May 21st: Hildegard of Bingen Quiet Day, 10.00am - 3.00pm. Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 2 Pascoe St, Williamstown, Victoria.
• May 27th - 29th:Liminality is performing throughout the Celtic Festival, Birregurra Victoria.
• June 10th - 13th: National Celtic Festival, Portarlington, Victoria.
• June 16th: Celtic Spirituality Quiet Day, 10.00am - 3.00pm, Wellspring Spirituality Centre, Y Street, Ashburton, Victoria.
• July 17th - 20th: Come and join the Still Centre Team for our annual Midwinter Hibernation Retreat, Amberley Retreat Centre, Lower Plenty, Victoria.
• August 12th: Harp Concert, Adelaide.  Details to come!
• August 13th: 'Music and Spirituality' Quiet Day Adelaide. Details to come!
• September 16th - 18th: Celtic Retreat in the Blue Mountains, Merroo Christian Conference Centre, 182 Mill Road Kurrajong NSW.
• September 21st: Harp Concert, Sydney.  Details to come!
• September 24th: Brigid - Reflection on Celtic Spirituality, Quiet Day.Canberra. Details to come!
• September 23rd: Harp Concert, Canberra. Details to come!
• November 6th - 12th: Desert Retreat, Halls Gap & Little Desert, Victoria.

You can find out details on all these events by emailing me at

cathy@cathy.com.au

I have really enjoyed your feedback on this newsletter.  Keep the comments coming to cathy@cathy.com.au  Thanks!