Latest news with #HarmonyHouse
CBC
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
The rural P.E.I. music hall that makes history pop
Mike Ross and Nicole Bellamy left Prince Edward Island for Toronto many years ago to establish careers in the performing arts. Over nearly two decades, the couple became fixtures in the worlds of theatre and music. But after becoming parents, they felt the call to return to the island, and made the move back as a family of four in 2020. While settling back into their Maritime home, they came across a music hall in the town of Hunter River, P.E.I., that was for sale. Though Ross was unsure, it was "risk-averse" Bellamy who pushed to purchase the space. The couple bought the venue, known as Harmony House, in November 2020. Since opening, Ross has employed many artists from across the island, developed a loyal audience and built the majority of Harmony House's original productions himself. Ross, who previously served as Soulpepper Theatre's music director, always felt a calling to music and storytelling, and to combining these together. "If there was a certain amount of context provided around the performance of a piece of music, that always really enthralled me," he says. This fusion was somewhat satiated by theatre — which includes elements of design, storytelling and music — but once back in P.E.I., he concentrated on a format he has dubbed the "docu-concert." Harmony House's docu-concerts use pop songs as a vehicle for historical storytelling. The show Inside American Pie, for example, does a line-by-line breakdown of Don McLean's hit song American Pie, explaining references to historical events, figures and popular music, while also offering commentary related to the present. Last March, they took the show from Hunter River to Mirvish's CAA Theatre in Toronto for a run of sold-out performances. And this summer, it will be Harmony House's fifth season performing Inside American Pie on the island. They're also just about to debut a brand new show. Fifty years ago, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank beneath Lake Superior, taking all 29 crew members with it. The shipwreck was immortalized in song by the great Canadian songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. On Friday, Harmony House will begin previewing its new production, Inside the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, which explores the story of the ill-fated ship. During his time with Soulpepper, Ross created docu-concerts inspired by all sorts of subjects, including distant time periods and major historical events. "We've made shows about Paris in the '20s," he says. "[It's] post-World-War-I, everybody's traumatized and this insane art explosion came out of that … with Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein." He's even done a show about the Voyager Golden Record — the album NASA shot into space aboard the Voyager spacecrafts in 1977. To create the docu-concerts, Ross and co-writer Sarah Wilson begin by building two lists: one of songs tied to the subject matter and another of storylines they want to tell. The pair then find natural relationships between the elements. With Inside American Pie, for example, Ross selected the Creedence Clearwater Revival song Bad Moon Rising"to talk about the end of the 1960s and not knowing what was going to come next," he says. "We've always known the upbeat version; you've never heard it as the apocalyptic, dystopian song that it is." The lyrics — which go: "Hope you got your things together. Hope you're quite prepared to die. Looks like we're in for nasty weather. There's a bad moon on the rise" — are actually quite "foreboding" when you remove CCR's happy tune, Ross says. "There's an awakening happening for the listener. It's nostalgia, but it's interpreted nostalgia. It has a really wonderful energy." One of the musicians who's been working with Ross on Inside American Pie and other shows is Brielle Ansems. She has been singing and playing music since a young age, but she was unsure about making the leap into a music career because of the lack of financial stability. It was after working a season at Watermark Theatre in North Rustico, P.E.I, that Ansems was invited to perform in a festival Ross was putting together. "I remember showing up and working with him for the first time and just feeling that something clicked into place," Ansems says. Afterward, Ross asked the young performer if she was interested in joining a new show he was building with Wilson about the song American Pie. Ansems was intending to move back home, more than an hour away from Harmony House, but she wanted this opportunity to work with Ross so badly that she stayed. "I ended up staying with Mike and Nicole and their family every weekend that summer while we did Inside American Pie," she says, "and it immediately felt like this was exactly what I'd been looking for. It's rare that you come across something that is so rewarding artistically, working with people who you connect with on a really intense, emotional and artistic level." For Ansems, the experience of bringing Inside American Pie to Toronto's CAA Theatre has been surreal. "We're all honoured to be getting that kind of attention for the show that we all care a lot about. But it felt like we were just bringing a piece of home with us and just sharing that home with other people. We had three weeks where we were doing eight shows a week and it was so intense. Then we got home and … we kind of can't believe that it actually happened." Harmony House has changed Ansems's life. She is now able to work full time as a performing artist between Harmony House and other shows, while also pursuing her own musical endeavours. "It means so much to be able to do this as a career and to have found something that is sustainable, rewarding work in a place where we're treated really well." Completing its final performance earlier this month, Ansems recently led the creation of her own Harmony House show, entitled Soundtrack Songbook. Ross has seen the success of the docu-concert format and he hopes it continues to thrive long past his time at the helm. " There's a community of incredible island artists and storytellers here that have been part of these shows … that are really now starting to understand the format in a way that they can become the captains of their own shows," he says. "We're trying to expand things so that I'm not the only one making these shows."
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Millions of dollars awarded to projects in Webster, Macedon
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Multiple Finger Lakes projects, including in Webster and Macedon, have received funding from state programs. Millions of dollars were awarded to 31 transformational projects thanks to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward. 13 were awarded for Waterloo ($9.7 million), 11 were awarded for Webster ($4.5 million), and seven were awarded for Macedon ($4.5 million). Many of the projects include development, renovations to certain areas within the municipalities, and grant funds for small businesses and projects. Below is a breakdown of these projects: Webster Enhance Veterans Memorial Park ($1,100,000) Optimize Harmony House ($1,010,000) New conservatory at Kittelberger Florist & Gifts ($546,000) Enhance Wayfinding Signage ($381,000) New gateway to North End Business District ($310,000) New small project grant fund ($289,000) New Hojack Trail Gateway ($289,000) Renovate community spaces at Immanuel Lutheran Church ($255,000) Upgrade 39 West Main Street ($161,000) Transform 7 South Avenue for retail use ($89,000) Invest in marketing ($70,000) Macedon Relocate ambulance services downtown ($1,250,000) New residential campus at 2 West Street ($920,000) New mixed-use downtown anchor on 103 Main Street ($915,000) Enhance Gravino Park ($740,000) New downtown small project grant fund ($450,000) Bring auto service downtown ($125,000) New restaurant in Masonic Block B&B ($100,000) Waterloo Upgraded recreation facilities at the Waterloo Community Center ($1,658,000) Establish a multi-modal hub and gathering place ($1,372,000) Expand Waterloo Library and Historical Society ($1,271,000) Reinforce Vern's Way as a downtown connector ($1,119,000) Main Street improvements ($886,000) Revamp offerings in the Street of Shops ($845,000) Small grant for Waterloo's downtown revitalization ($600,000) New apartments at 1 East Main Street ($562,000) Develop Grange Food Hall and Entertainment Hub ($519,000) New office space at 10 West Main Street ($320,000) Branding and wayfinding initiative ($250,000) Improve American Legion facilities ($200,000) New artisan shop at 39 West Main Street ($98,000) Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
WV homeless service organizations receive $97,000 to continue missions
HUNTINGTON, — The Pallottine Foundation of Huntington has awarded the Cabell-Huntington Coalition for the Homeless and Bream Neighborhood Showers, Healthcare Outreach Program, $97,000 in grant funding to support its programming and operational needs. The two organizations offer a variety of resources to assist people experiencing homelessness in the Huntington and Charleston areas. 'These two organizations provide essential services for our community members in need,' Laura Boone, CEO of the Pallottine Foundation of Huntington, said in a news release. 'They collaborate with other providers to ensure those experiencing homelessness receive dignified care and support.' The Cabell-Huntington Coalition for the Homeless will use its money to support a new director position for the Cabell-Huntington-Wayne Continuum of Care (CoC), which coordinates services and partners with other local agencies that assist those experiencing homelessness. It also oversees the administration of funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Huntington. The new position will be fully dedicated to the CoC and will oversee operations, as well as the performance of all HUD-funded projects. The CoC director position and the coalition (Harmony House) executive director have been a dual role for several years, CoC Treasurer Melinda Midkiff, said; however, the combined role was too much for one person. Some of the money to fund the position comes from HUD. The Pallottine Foundation will supplement the funding, said Sarah Walling, president of Harmony House's board of directors. The new CoC Director Cindy Toliver was chosen because of her combined skills in grant experience, homeless services experience and management skills, Midkiff said. Toliver will be employed through Harmony House. Midkiff said the ultimate goal is for the CoC to become a 501(c)3 and become its own entity. Toliver will mainly oversee and implement approximately 15 grants the CoC receives. Last year, it distributed $3.9 million in grant funding to local homeless services. The grant awards will not be given in two-year increments. Midkiff said having a separate CoC director will improve local homeless services by allowing more time to make sure everyone is compliant with its regulations, and to ensure there are no duplicate services, which she said will serve clients more efficiently and improve relations with members of the CoC. Walling said being able to financially support a separate CoC director will create a more equal partnership between local services. 'It will be a more equal partnership by not having a lead agency,' Walling said. 'You will have someone who will be responsible for the operations of the CoC who is beholden to any particular agency, but I think where we'll see the greatest improvement in service delivery is really on the day-to-day.' Bream Neighborhood SHOP in Charleston will use the funding for operational costs, including salary support, utility costs, food for its pantry, and supplies for outreach efforts. The organization partners with a network of providers to offer resources to community members in need. On-site services include showers, laundry facilities and lockers, as well as a food pantry, clothing closet and cold-weather shelter. Through its partnerships, SHOP also provides legal services, medical care, utility and rental assistance, access to substance use disorder treatment, long-term housing, domestic violence services and family unification assistance. The Pallottine Foundation of Huntington was established in 2018 following the sale of St. Mary's Medical Center to continue the Pallottine Missionary Sisters' legacy of caring for the spiritual, emotional and physical health of the community. It supports nonprofit organizations in 20 counties across West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio through the funding of projects and initiatives that focus on health and wellness, food insecurity, mental and behavioral health, substance use disorder, capacity building, and tobacco use prevention and cessation.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Village regains community space after much-loved cafe reopens
A MUCH-LOVED café has re-opened its doors in a York village, giving its residents a community space again. Harmony Tea Room in Stillingfleet has reopened to the public after initially closing its doors in August 2022. The tearoom is part of Harmony House – a B&B run by Adele York, which provides retreats and sanctuary for those looking to 'get away' for a while – and reopened its doors in the Garden Room on March 13. RECOMMENDED READING: It is open three days a week – Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – and entirely staffed by a team of ten local volunteers, who were keen to create a new community space after the village was left without anywhere to gather after the initial closing. Adele said: 'It's the village community that's running the tearoom. They work really well together and it's so nice that people are willing to come in and give their time to us. Some of the cakes on offer (Image: Provided) 'It's just really important to get something open and available for our community.' With food cooked by local volunteers, Harmony Tea Room seats 14 people inside with a further 16 seats on the terrace. It currently offers a 'simple rustic menu with homemade food' with including goods, rustic rolls, soups, sausage plaits, and chutneys made by volunteers. There are cakes and slices are made by local baker and volunteer Mandy Daniel. Volunteers making coffee (Image: Provided) Drinks are also sourced locally with coffee from Yorkshire based roastery, CLO and an selection of speciality loose leaf and matcha teas sourced from Bird and Blend which change with the seasons. In addition to the regular offerings, Harmony Tea Room hopes to offer some new experiences with afternoon cream teas on offer and bottomless brunches available – something which has brought in visitors from nearby villages. The bottomless brunch menu includes breakfast sandwiches, eggs benedict, a vegan avocado dish, Pimm's, mimosa, and beers, in addition to non-alcoholic alternatives. Homemade soup (Image: Provided) Adele added: 'It's just got such a nice feel. It's informal, relaxed, and a really good place to just come in for a natter – people have been chatting to each other over the tables. 'We've also had repeat customers – a walking group poked their head in and are now returning as a 14-person booking.' Harmony House is open from Thursday to Saturday from 10:30am to 3pm.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Harmony House seeks volunteers to help terminally ill
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Harmony House, which provides a home for those with terminal illness, is in need of volunteers. The organization held an event Wednesday night at the Chicopee Public Library to help recruit those interested. Current volunteers and staff shared their experiences and answered questions about the home. The non-profit is looking for caregivers and those who are interested in supporting their residents in ways like through outdoor work or helping with fundraising events. Vice President Diane Dietzen told 22News, 'The more volunteers we have, the more care we can give. And we want to expand our services as much as possible. But having more people in the community to help us is going to be important to them.' 'You're making a difference in people's lives at a tough time,' says Beth Krok, a general caregiver. 'And that's our priority, is to make them comfortable and give good care.' Volunteers of all skill levels and availability are welcome. The organization emphasizes that even a small time commitment can make a big difference. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
