Footsteps in the Snow

***SOLD OUT***

A concert with ian hepburn on Celtic harp and Debbie Danbrook on Shakuhachi flute

There is no more glorious a meeting of instruments than that between the Japanese Shakuhachi and the Celtic Harp. Innate to both instruments is the call to improvisation. Debbie and ian will follow a concert “road map,” which will be written and then promptly forgotten. We invite the listener to close their eyes and follow the sounds wherever they go… like footsteps in the snow. 

This concert arises within the context of the duo show “Bent Light – An Exhibition of Fine Blown Glass and Fibre,” featuring the work of master glass-blower Eric Davy and handweaver ian hepburn. The exhibition takes place at Arbor Gallery from November 21 to December 15. 

Saturday, November 30 – 7pm – 8:30pm (doors open 6:30pm)

Tickets: $25 ($20 for Gallery members) ***SOLD OUT***

Info / to reserve tickets: [email protected]

About Debbie: 

Debbie Danbrook is a musician, composer and recording artist specializing in music for meditation, relaxation, gentle movement and healing. She lived in Japan for several years to study the Shakuhachi flute. Debbie is the first woman to be recognized as a Master of this difficult instrument. Her music has been embraced by healers and spiritual practitioners around the globe. She has released over 20 albums of Healing Music. Debbie has performed extensively internationally and played at EXPO in Japan and played for the Japanese Prince and Princess at the opening ceremony for a Zen meditation garden, and she was invited to offer her healing music at the Genocide Memorial in Rwanda. She is a founding member of Music Can Heal, a non-profit organization that brings peaceful, healing music to uplift and soothe those in need whether in hospital, retirement homes, long term care or palliative care. www.musiccanheal.org 

About ian:

“I heard the Celtic harp for the first time at a weaving school in Victoria, BC. The teacher played Alan Stivell’s Renaissance of the Celtic Harp non-stop. I was smitten. Then came Loreena McKennitt. Then, my dear friend Sharlene Wallace. They have all lit the way. The harp has carried me to many spectacular venues across Canada as well as to elementary schools, churches and long-term care residences. In addition, I find myself to be the harp troubadour at Hawkesbury General Hospital. My formal training is at the piano. My self-training is at the harp. It is my great honour and deepest thrill to have Debbie along for the ride in this concert. I never play the harp without the sound of her Shakuhachi playing in my mind.” 

About Debbie’s Shakuhachi: 

The instrument is made from the root-end of a bamboo tree. It is unique to Japan and came into prominence in the 15th century. The instrument was primarily used by Zen monks as a type of meditation called Suizen or “blowing Zen.” Shakuhachi are tuned to a pentatonic minor scale. 

About ian’s Harp: 

This beautiful instrument is made by Scottish harp-maker Mark Norris. Three trees have given their all: American Black Walnut (body), Canadian Sitka Spruce (soundboard) and English Boxwood (inlay). The gold-plated sharping levers are from France, and the titanium tuning pins are from Australia. The 34 gut strings are from England. Says ian, “Not happy with just one Mark Norris harp, I am pleased to say I have two… And then there are the 20 teaching harps and two therapy harps. Enough!”