HarpCon coming to Bloomington

Come Wednesday, Bloomington will be invaded by up to 500 people, as it will play host to this year's international harp convention -- HarpCon. \nPeople from all over the world will gather in Bloomington for four days, listening to world-renowned performers, taking part in interactive workshops and basking in the surroundings that HarpCon brings every two years. \n"HarpCon is fortunate to be part of such a rich community of talented harpers," according to their Web site. \nThis is Harpcon's first visit to the Midwest, and harpists from all over the Tri-state area are up in arms about what great potential this largely popular convention will bring. Pamela Rees, a member of Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana Harpers, has been helping to coordinate this event for the last 18 months and said she is excited about all of the performers this year. \n"Everybody is the best in the world at what they do," she said. \nThe entire weekend is full of great performances. With approximately 31 different ones in this five-day span, harpists and Bloomington residents alike will all have a chance to view a wide variety of international music. \nThere will be harpists representing such countries as Romania, China, Ireland, Scotland and South America, to name a few. All performers have varying styles, moods, techniques and different forms of the harp itself; medieval harps and Chinese harps will be played alongside the more traditional harps.\n"As far as our audience goes, there will be something for everyone," said Barbara Kemp, KOIH member and assistant coordinator. "We have children performers all the way through experienced performers who have been around for 20 to 30 years." \nAlong with the performances, there will be several clinics and workshops available to any convention goer. Approximately 175 workshops will take place, all with varying subjects and skill levels from professional to beginner. There will be workshops regarding everything from how to find and work with an agent to playing jazz on a cross-strung harp. This convention will have something to appeal to the casual dilettante and to the serious harpist. \nIt is also possible to catch a number of concerts Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. There also will be concerts daily at the John Waldron Performing Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St. \nTickets to the entire concert series are $35. This includes approximately 31 performances that are open to the public. There is a $5 fee to gain access to the Exhibit Hall. The Exhibit Hall pass allows visitors access to all of the companies and exhibitors that will have booths set up, along with other interactive opportunities. \nTo experience each convention day in its entirety costs $105, but to be a part of the whole five-day conference is only $300. This is an opportunity for any and all Bloomington residents to expand their musical horizons and experience something new or different.