Image: Suzy holding a harmonica outside in front of red flowers

Happy New Year! 🎉🍾 

Hello everyone, I hope you enjoyed your break over the festive period. Whilst you finish off any leftover mince pies, I’ll introduce you to our January 2023 newsletter

Over the last few weeks we've been working on our website, www.harmonica.uk; the website of course has our Newsdesk and Events pages which keep you informed with the latest tutorials, workshops, gigs and interesting facts, and you will also find we have a member's section. HarmonicaUK plans to offer more exclusive content for our members, which is where the members page will be worth checking out on a regular basis - back issues of all our recent magazines can now be found here. 

Anyone fancy Harmonica fun, workshops and friendship in Brighton? Then join Richard Taylor and his great team at the Harpin' by the Sea weekend event Friday 3 - Sunday 5 February 2023.

What about joining us at our very own Chromatic Weekend at the Hillscourt hotel in Birmingham? We have some great artists planned to join us for the weekend this year, including Isabella Krapf and Phil Hopkins. There will be lots of learning opportunities for all levels of Harmonica player, fellowship and fun, a great venue and good food. Workshops will be held all weekend with the artists and other experienced tutors, as well as a chance for us to perform on stage on Sunday, or simply sit back, relax and let the artists show us how it is done on the Saturday evening concert. So save the date… Friday 28 - Sunday 30 April 2023.

Don’t forget to come along to our Open Mic on Saturday 7 January, 5pm GMT. Join Dave Colclough and I for a relaxed and fun hour of harmonica playing. Spectators welcome including friends and family, complete beginners to seasoned players. Giving all of us the very valuable experience of playing in front of others in a safe environment.

Just before I sign off, remember our coffee morning every Friday at 11 am GMT for an hour. Everyone is invited to come along and chat with like-minded people and meet with friends. Please help us to help you by sending in any harmonica facts, information, reviews, tips and jokes etc. so that we can share them with other members. Send any information to me at [email protected]. All harmonica-based information is most welcome and thank you in anticipation. 

Until the next time, keep warm and cosy. I’m going back into hibernation!!🥶 

Many thanks everyone, 

Suzy

Suzy Colclough, Communications Manager


Image: Barry playing harmonica with a microphone

Happy New Year Harmonica Fans!

I hope this newsletter finds you warm and well. Here at HarmonicaUK Central we've all had a well deserved rest, and are now preparing to pick up tools as we make our way into 2023, and get back to work on our live events, magazine, website and other projects. 

We've been giving the website some thought as Suzy mentions above, and are keen to improve the Member's section of the website. We've added the most recent back issues (and accessible versions) of Harmonica World magazine, and we are planning some video content for this area too. If you have any ideas for content that you think would fit well and be useful to you in the Member's area, please email your ideas to me: [email protected]

Finally, I was sent a video of HarmonicaUK Ambassador CY Leo playing in a New York City event recently, it really is an amazing watch, I suggest you head on over to newsdesk to read the article and watch the video!

That's all from me this time, I hope to see you at our Open Mic this Saturday, or at a Friday coffee morning this month, or perhaps at Harpin' By The Sea in Brighton! Drop by and say hi!  

Happy Harping,

Barry

Barry Elms
Chair, HarmonicaUK


Image: Newsdesk header, Microphone and harmonicas on a wooden table

Newsdesk brings you a selection of items from the HarmonicaUK Newsdesk this month. Click "Read more..." to read the full news item.

The Brilliance of CY Leo - HarmonicaUK Ambassador
To welcome in 2023, Leo took to the stage in Times Square, New York City to delight the crowds on New Year's Eve. Read more, and see the amazing video!

Learn to play harmonica in Cardiff
Aidan Sheehan harmonica lessons starting 1st February 2023. Six weekly lessons – bring diatonic harps in Key of C and of A. Ideal for beginners and improvers. Read more…

Review of Toots Thielemans tribute at 606 Club
Patrick Byrne wrote to Newdesk with a review of this event in London on 30th November. Adam Glasser teamed up with the Mike Del Ferro quartet for this tribute to the great man. Read more…

Mixing desk setup for Yamaha MG10XUF
Michael Heath put his technical knowledge to good use by sending in details of how to set up this mixing deck. It was raised as a discussion on a Friday coffee morning. Read more…

Second Tuesday Club Open Mic sessions
Details of Aidan Sheehan’s Second Tuesday Club. Held every month at The Whitchurch Rugby Club in Cardiff. All welcome Read more…

Other News
Much of last month’s content was Christmas related and included:
Tabs for 17 Christmas carols to play on diatonic harmonica.
Learn 25 Christmas songs.
Blues harp Wirral – Festive session. 
Joe Powers’ Very Harmonica Christmas Concert.          

Read about these items and more on our Newsdesk page...

Image: Events Header, hand holding up a harmonica

Events this month - Read more and Zoom links on our Events Page

Friday Coffee Morning – 6th January 11am
Join us on Zoom for a chat about harmonicas, music and more!
Meeting ID: 999 3719 8697 and Passcode: 178801

HarmonicaUK's Open Mic – 7th January 5pm
All levels, all styles, and a friendly atmosphere. You can also come and just listen in too.
https://www.harmonica.uk/events/harmonicauk-s-open-mic-07-01-2023
Meeting ID: 935 1770 9842 and Passcode: 123666

Friday Coffee Morning – 13th January 11am 
Join us on Zoom for a chat about harmonicas, music and more!
Meeting ID: 999 3719 8697 and Passcode: 178801

Friday Coffee Morning – 20th January 11am 
Join us on Zoom for a chat about harmonicas, music and more!
Meeting ID: 999 3719 8697 and Passcode: 178801

Ben Hewlett’s Open Mic – 21st January 5pm
Everybody is welcome – all abilities, all styles, all types of harmonica.
https://playharmonica.teachable.com/p/workshops

Friday Coffee Morning – 27th January 11am
Join us on Zoom for a chat about harmonicas, music and more!
Meeting ID: 999 3719 8697 and Passcode: 178801

Harpin' By The Sea - 3rd - 5th February 
Back live for 2023 with stunning programme of workshops, guests artists, trade sponsors, kids workshop and afternoon blues jam. https://www.harpinbythesea.com/

HarmonicaUK Chromatic Weekend 2023 - 28-30th April
Join us at Hillscourt Hotel near Birmingham for a great weekend of learning, fellowship and great music. https://www.harmonica.uk/events/chromatic-weekend-2023

HarmonicaUK Festival 2023 - 27-29th October
Make a note in your diary! Details to follow.

Image: HarmonicaUK Logo

Have you got a harmonica story? Upcoming gigs? Single or album release? 
Newsdesk can help spread the word for you with our members
Please contact us at [email protected]   
HarmonicaUK - Registered Charity no. 1131484 (England & Wales)

HarmonicaUK - Registered Charity no. 1131484 (England & Wales)
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