Tune it or die

Harpies' Camp
"Where we have not a fret in the world"

Harpies' Camp is an institution about to start at the Walnut Valley festival. It is the moral and spiritual home of harps, harpists, and harpies. The first rule is that only a single guitar can play at a time. All types of fretted instruments must take turns playing one at a time. All except harps must learn to take turns. The Harpies often think that there is not enough discipline at the festival. Harpies are known for making you sorry you were in the wrong. Learning to take turns will be good for you. Providing discipline to you will be fun for the harpies. 

We actually want to make a meeting place for players of harps, harps with plucked strings, not harps that people blow, nor harps that are half mechanical. We have nothing against harmonicas and mechanized zithers, we just think they should have their own camp--say "Camp Honk and Chang." We want to have jam sessions that allow the harps to be heard. Well, OK, ... we would like a herd of harps too.

 The scene depicted in the engraving above captures a famous Walnut Valley moment. This moment is sometimes known as the "Revenge of the Autoharp Operator." Other people have referred to it as "Justice At Long Last." Only the poorly informed refer to the moment as "Tune That Harp or Die." The moment occurred, historically, when an unsuspecting harpy told a three-time winner of the Walnut Valley Autoharp Contest that an autoharp was not a harp, but a mechanized zither. 
See the "Five Constipated Men in the Bible" here; hear about them on Carp Camp's CD.

Harpies' Camp Tune List and music files [Click here]

Where to find Harpies' Camp:
We shall be in the main campground. We plan to set up a tarp canopy south of the Boat Ramp. If you drive past Carp Camp coming from the Main Gate (It should be on your left), keep to the right at the fork. Look hard to the right after you pass the boat-launching ramp. If you turn the wrong way at the fork you will pass Stage Sex. 
Tongue in cheek
Much of this Web site is done with a sick attempt at humor. If you find it offensive, please send your flames to gwbush@govenor.tx.gov.
Contact the Head Hancha Harpie
eMail: Elaine Davis, Harpist   940/387-4204
All the rest
Click if you want to see all of the camps that you should pass by on the way to Harpie's Camp; also if you want to see where Harpies' Camp is on a map, look at West Main Campground:
     Click Here for Virtual Winflied
 
L to R:  Mark "Maddog" Davis, Head Hancha Harpie ("Elaine Davis"), 
The Late & Great  Dave Peters,  Diehl "Lucky in Love" Moran.

Harpies' Camp Anthem
"Strike the Gay Harp" a jig by Sean Keane; learn it today.
Here is the ABC file to download.
Here is the .jpg (63K).

Page by the Great Poobaugh, Leon Peek, non-harpist, 07/2000.