A New Season for Mr. H Presents Events!

Hi gang;

Mr. H here. Are you ready? I know I am, but I have just one, simple request of you for this year: make your voice heard.

In seven years, I have seen hundreds of students attend - and at least a hundred of them perform -  at over a hundred different events. At various concerts, four conferences, countless open stages, and other unique events (see: In Session), I have attempted to give young people more opportunities to experience live music.

Why? Because I think it's important.

We all have something to say, something to express and, if you're like me, sometimes words fail. Music then, can be such a powerful tool for expressing the inexpressible. The more avenues for self-expression available to young people, the better. This is why my stages aren't just for musicians, but also poets, and essayists, and comedians, and more: because your voice is important, and it deserves to be heard.

So please, raise that voice - my stage is for you. And, please, talk to me! Not just about what they mean to you, but about what you'd like to see at these events. Students participating in Mr. H events have changed in the last seven years, as have their wants and needs, and I'm doing the best I can to respond, but I'm 41. I haven't been a teenager since the mid-90's. Even working young people for a living, I can get it wrong, so speak up. Let me know how you would be better served by my events, and I will do what I can. I promise.

Finally, please let others hear your voice, and do so in two ways: tell friends about my shows (and bring them to those shows), and attend the shows - even if you're not performing - so that you can cheer on your peers. More than anything, this year, I want to see young performers building each other up. This is how we will continue to strengthen our community.

Thank you for your time, and I'll see you soon.

Make Music Happen #4

On the off-chance there's a young musician who doesn't have Facebook and, therefore, cannot see the event page posted there, I will re-create it all here.

This two-day event is designed to help aspiring young musicians improve their songwriting and performance skills through a variety of workshops lead by professional artists.

The musicians leading songwriting workshops at MMH:
- Gary & Whit
- Joanna Barker
- Kelly McMichael
- Steve Maloney

In addition, live performance workshops will be lead by:
- Dave Connors
- Louise Gauthier
- Nick Hamlyn

Susan Quinn Lemessieur, the Janeway's Music Therapist, will deliver a key-note address on the positive effects of music on mental health.

Space for the workshops is limited to twenty five students, and we are already 60%, so don't hesitate to sign up. Registration is $60, and that includes two days of workshops, lunches and snacks both days, and admission to both the songwriters circle (Saturday night) and the student showcase (Sunday afternoon). To register, or to find out more, write me: paul.heppleston@gmail.com

Ask any of the dozens of students - not to mention the workshop leaders - who have attended in previous years, and they'll tell you: special things happen at Make Music Happen.

Make Music Happen Conference 3

It's time to Make Music Happen! This conference is an opportunity for aspiring young songwriters to workshop their songs with professional artists. Because everybody involved enjoyed last year's conference so much, we decided to add a second day to the event.

With 15 of 25 slots already filled, we've only got space for 10 more students, and we sold out last year, so act quickly!

Check the Facebook event profile for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1687154588168378/

An Open Stage for the Underage: Stephenville

We are taking the show on the road! On Sunday, April 10th, for the first time ever, Mr. H Presents is going to Stephenville, and taking over the Arts & Culture Centre. 

What are the young people of the Bay St. George area up to, anyway? Who's making music? Who needs a stage? 

Aspiring musicians aged 12-18 are invited to prepare 3-4 songs (up to 15 minutes), though set times will depend on the final number of performers who sign up to play. 

Corner Brook regulars Bailey Jordan-Neil, Caylie Hopkins, and Bridget Swift & Dahlia Waller, will fill out the lineup. 

The show will run from 2-4pm, and performers should arrive by 1:45 to sign up. Admission is $5, and tickets are available now at the ACC box office. 

The new series: In Session

For years now, I have been watching for other ways to involve touring artists as they pass through Corner Brook; if I can't book them for a show, I'll try to get them into a classroom, at the very least.

Several years ago, feeling I could do more, I imagined an interactive workshop, one where students could listen to an artist perform AND talk about various aspects of live performance: practice, song selection, instrumentation, crowd banter, and so on. After numerous conversations with artists, and a handful of best-intentions, the stars aligned, and we have ourselves a show. 

(*check it: https://www.facebook.com/events/1576961372628380/)

Sunday, March 13th, at 2pm, young musicians are invited to join us at Swirsky's for the first-ever In Session event. Allie Duff and Heather Nolan are great musicians from St. John's, and I couldn't be happier to be launching this new series with them.

Admission is $10. Parents are welcome to attend (certainly welcome to pay ;) ), but everyone should please remember the event is student-oriented.

Please take some time to check them out online using the links below:

Allie: https://allieduffandthehappycampers.bandcamp.com/


Heather: http://ladybrettashley.com 

Open Stage for the Underage!

We are heading back to Swirsky's for another Open Stage for the Underage! 

Bring your songs, poems, jokes, and essays, and the mic is yours! Use your own instruments or free to use the guitars, keyboard, and drums waiting for you on stage. 

Open to performers of all types, aged 12-18. Last time, we had a PACKED lineup, so get down by 645 to sign up; you'll have up to 10-12 minutes, depending on how many performers we've got.

Admission is $2, with all funds going to offset expenses and upcoming events. 

Busy days ahead!

In the next week or so, I will be announcing three events, and two of them are new ones!

Je suis tres stoked.

First up, on March 9th, we are heading back to Swirsky's for another Open Stage for the Underage. The last one was JAM-PACKED, so if you want to play, get down early to sign up.

Secondly, on March 13th, we are having our first-ever up-close and personal event with two artists playing Swirsky's later that same night. Allie Duff and Heather Nolan are two dynamite songwriters who agreed to do an exclusive event with Mr. H performers; they'll be talking performing, recording, touring, songwriting, AND they'll be playing some songs for us as well. Stay tuned for the official announcement, and the catchy and clever name (*still working on the name...it may not be clever).

Thirdly, we are taking the show on the road! Sunday, April 10th, we are doing our first-ever show in Stephenville, at the Arts & Culture Centre. Stay tuned for the official announcement, coming soon.

All this, AND I haven't event gotten to talking about the Make Music Happen Conference (3), coming May 14-15. You'll have to wait a bit for that one though...