Martha Gallagher

press release: Music, stories and in-the-moment inspirations will fill the Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ on Sat., Sept, 17, beginning at 7:00 PM, when multi-faceted performer Martha Gallagher shares her spirited one-woman show, presented by The Madison Folk Harp Society. Tickets are $15. and will be available at at the door.

Gallagher, an acclaimed singer, songwriter, actress and storyteller, adds an unusual twist to her music; her instrument of choice is the harp. Gallagher delightfully dispels the stereotypical image that often surrounds the harp, playing primarily original music that ranges from wailing blues to Latin grooves, from touches of Celtic to classical inspirations, and from swingin' jazz to richly varied contemporary Americana/folk/roots.

With the many facets of daily life as her muse, Gallagher creates an engaging, vibrant living tapestry of songs and stories, from heartfelt to humorous, that touch a collective spirit with her audiences. With three “voices”; her own plus that of her one-of-a-kind harp, known as The Orphan Harp, she infuses her one woman shows with artistry, a compassionate world vision, a spontaneous sense of humor, and a delight in the wonders that make up our lives, from the mundane to the miraculous.

Gallagher adds a third “voice” to her shows; that of a small harp that she plays in unusual places; from the mountaintops of the Adirondacks to the beaches of Florida to the deserts of Arizona. Her newest CD, scheduled to be released this Fall, is a collection of meditative music inspired by time spent on a beach during a month-long creative retreat.

For over 35 years Gallagher has captivated audiences in her home region of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, where she is affectionately known as The Adirondack Harper, and abroad. Her tours have taken her across the US and Canada, with several tours sponsored by The National Endowment for the Arts. She has performed as a featured artist with six-time Grammy winners The Chieftains. Her theatre experiences range from works at the renowned Celebration Barn to intensive studies with Shakespeare & Co. She has been featured on BBC TV, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, North Country Public Radio, and Good Morning Arizona. She has produced and recorded seven CDs of primarily original music on her independent label, Singing Strings.

Gallagher will also be presenting two workshops for harpers and harpists on Sat., Sept. 17 during the afternoon. These workshops will take place at Orchard Ridge UCC. For more info and registration for workshops, please visit The Madison Folk Harp Society at: www.madharpers.org