Harps have long been symbols of otherworldly transcendence, but are rarely seen or heard these days but for special occasions. Skilled harpist Lisa Lynne will grace a Santa Maria audience with her skills and share her art form at a special concert and interactive workshop event July 8 at Mission Hope Cancer Center.
“Through the past eight years, we have offered several musical-type programs because we know music soothes the soul,” said Katherine Guthrie, regional director of cancer services for Dignity Health on the Central Coast. “And research has shown music has healing powers and helps reduce stress.”
Lynne will perform Celtic, traditional, and contemporary harp music at the concert and share stories about her music, where it has taken her, and how it has helped people.
“Well, for the first half, I play several pieces of music, and I tell the story of the harp, and the story of the Columbine student I met who found healing using the harp,” Lynne said. “I talk about the history of the instrument—I even have a slideshow—but by that time people are just champing at the bit to play.”
She brings with her a collection of harps and invites attendees to join in the music-making by playing either small lap harps or larger standing ones.
“The harp is the purest of the stringed instruments,” she said. “There is no other instrument that sounds so beautiful to the beginner’s touch.”
The instruments Lynne brings are traditional Irish harps, which have hollow-sounding box bodies, allowing for a more resonant and warm-sounding tone. She tunes all 17 harps the same, so everyone can collaborate and play music together, if even for the first time.
“If you can play the harp, and you didn’t realize it, imagine all the other things you do,” she said. “This is so dear to my heart because I love sharing music-making with people and all these harps that I have.”
In addition to working on her numerous albums and touring performances, Lynne makes time to tour hospitals and care facilities up and down California. She has launched hospital music programs, guided care facilities in procuring their own harps for patients, and inspired individuals to take up the instrument.
“People forget they don’t feel well,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s serotonin, but they feel so empowered by playing music. That is what I see.”
On her visits, Lynne also takes time to set up her harp in the hallways of the hospitals she is visiting to play and share the unobtrusive music with patients, doctors, and caregivers. She invites everyone to join in on the transformative journey that music can provide.
“By the time the concert is over, it is a free-for-all where anybody can jump on a harp and have fun,” she said. “I realized it wasn’t enough just to play the harp; I had to get harps for people to play, too.”
Red, white, and Bluegrass
Temple Beth El holds its annual Fourth of July barbecue and bluegrass music party featuring Amaya Rose and her band on July 4 at 11:30 a.m. at Temple Beth El, 1501 E. Alvin Ave., Santa Maria. Cost is $18. More information is available at 929-6071.
Brass in the park
A Fourth of July Celebration held by the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee will include live music by a brass ensemble made up of Lompoc Pops Orchestra members performing patriotic music on July 4 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Centennial Park, Lompoc. More info: 736-4567 or lompoc.com.
Equaling out
Equalsequals performs a dance concert on July 5 at 9 p.m. at Shaw’s Steakhouse, 714 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. Cost is $5. More info: 925-5862 or on facebook.com.
Park yourself
Concerts in the Park is a free concert series featuring live music, including Unfinished Business performing live on July 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park, Santa Maria. Free. More information is available at 925-0951, Ext. 260, dsmitherman@cityofsantamaria.org, or cityofsantamaria.org.
Get flowing
The Creative Juices Lounge in Guadalupe presents St. Vincent Folk performing July 11 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the lounge, 874 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. More information is available at 219-0518 or creativejuiceslounge.com.
Riding the Rail
The Blacklake Golf Resort presents a Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series featuring Rail on July 9. The Blacklake Golf Resort is located at 1490 Golf Course Lane, Nipomo. More info: 343-1214, Ext. 400, or blacklake.com.
All are welcome
Ca’ Del GreVino Café and Wine Bar presents Manny Mestas performing on July 9 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the café and wine bar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Santa Maria. More info: 937-6400 or dcp@grevino.com.
D’Vine music
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features Sean Wiggins and Paul Houston on July 5, an audition night on July 8, and Dan Mally on July 9 with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. at the D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro, 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More info: 430-8356 or facebook.com.
Maverick country
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment each weekend, including Celebrate America Nite with the Jimi Nelson Band on July 4 at 8 p.m. Concert on the Deck with Jimi and Friends is July 5 at 3 p.m. The Jimi Nelson Band performs July 5 at 3 p.m. Suds, Songs, and Sandwiches with The Belmores is July 6 at 3 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 3-10, 2014.