Passion playing is straight from the harp

Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Axl Rose, Darth Vader and Dr Who all have a part to play in a special harp concert at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

On Saturday and Sunday July 5 and 6, Shelley Fairplay is the star of a special weekend dedicated to Wales’ national instrument.

She has organised a mouth-watering line-up of harp-related events including have-a-go hands-on workshops for all ages, a special fun ‘detective’ trail around the Garden as well as drawing, demonstrations, lectures and lots of listening pleasure.

The highlight will be Shelley’s concert, entitled The Three Strands: Passion, Sorrow and Joy, which she will perform at 2.30pm on both days.

She has spent six months working on, arranging, learning and composing music that reflects these three themes. The piece weaves a story through these strands using diverse musical styles, including celtic, classical and flamenco as well as Dr Who and Star Wars themes.

Says Shelley: “The harp is the national instrument of Wales yet many of people living in Wales have never touched one.

“This special weekend is a family-friendly event, a whole weekend for non-harpists to come along and enjoy the harp; to learn, to touch, to play, to hear, to experience. It’s like a harp petting zoo!

“So, come along and celebrate this beautiful instrument with us.”

For more information about Harp Weekend, go to www.harpwales.com/threestrands

For a chance to win a lap harp in Shelley’s special Harp Weekend competition, visit https://www.facebook.com/HarpistShelleyFairplay

The Garden is open from 10am to 6pm. Admission is £8.50 for adults (£7 concessions), £4.50 for children with a family ticket (for 2 adults and up to 4 children) priced at £21. There is no additional charge for any of the harp activities.

For more information, visit www.gardenofwales.org.uk or email info@gardenfowales.org.uk