Harp & Holly, the five-piece Celtic-roots group brings their enchanted world of Christmas reverie to Owen Sound on Saturday, December 21st at 8:00 pm when they return with their 6th annual concert at Central Westside United Church.
It will be the final concert in a series of six performances that include Port Credit, Toronto, Clinton, Colpoy’s Bay, Sauble Beach and Owen Sound.
Concert goers will be treated to lively Celtic jigs and reels, fresh new arrangements of ancient carols, and poignant storytelling that celebrate the Christmas traditions of Ontario and the British Isles.
“We wanted to create a Christmas show that toasts the season in a new and exciting way and is inclusive for everyone regardless of their beliefs.” said the group's singer-fiddler and violist Sandra Swannell.
At the center of Harp & Holly’s sound is the virtuosic flair of Toronto’s own Sharlene Wallace, one of Canada's most prolific and influential Celtic harpists. She is the winner of the Lyon & Healy International Pop & Jazz Lever Harp Competition as well as the International Celtic Harp Festival Improvisation Competition in Dinan, France.
“The members in our group are from all across Southern Ontario, and we each tour and perform with other musical projects throughout the year,” said Wallace. “Since 2016, we’ve been making a special effort each Christmas season to come together for this project because not only is the musical experience very joyful, it also feels like getting together with family.”
Founding members Swannell and her partner, singer-guitarist Terry Young are no strangers to the Ontario music scene. Their current regular concert season is spent touring the US and UK with their folk-jazz-vaudeville group, My Sweet Patootie. Both have extensive classical music backgrounds, are Canadian Folk Music Award winners, and are former members of the folk group, Tanglefoot.
“We are constantly looking for ways to expand the dimensions of our sound and storytelling.” said guitarist Terry Young. “In 2018 we invited Rob Ritchie, our former Tanglefoot bandmate to join us on vocals and piano.”
A storyteller fluent in many genres, Ritchie has been a contributing songwriter for Tanglefoot and folk/roots band RPR, and works regularly as a commissioned composer and arranger for the Wiarton Concert Choir. In September 2019, he released his third literary novel A Song With No Words, which draws heavily on his 25 plus years as a touring musician exploring the inner workings of a band as its members travel, tour and perform.
The 2019 season brings yet another addition to Harp & Holly with the beautiful voice and warm, humorous stage presence of contralto Juanita Wilkins of Clifford, ON. “Juanita’s voice is so wonderful, not only are her solos absolute jewels, but our four-part vocal harmonies are huge and very exciting,” said Ritchie of his new bandmate.
In addition to her work as a solo artist, singer-songwriter Wilkins fronts Juanita & The Big Deal, a classic rock & country band, and is half of a new power duo with April Wine alumnus David Henman.
"With their arsenal of instrumental virtuosity combined with alternating humour and sincerity and unflagging energy, they filled the hall with joy." said Meaford Live Music of a recent Harp & Holly performance.
Harp & Holly will be sharing more of that joy in Owen Sound this December.
Saturday, December 21th at 8:00 pm
Central Westside United Church,
310-10th Street West, Owen Sound
Admission is $25, children 12 and under free. Tickets will be available at the door. Advance tickets available at Eventbrite. Details and tour information can be found at www.harpandholly.com or call 519-379-4495.
source: media release
