MARYSTOWN, N.L.— It has been a dream a year in the making for a non-profit organization Vision 360, to bring the Live at Heart music festival to the Burin Peninsula.
Evan Murray, event coordinator, said the festival is slated to run from Aug. 15-19 and will utilize facilities in Marystown, Burin and Grand Bank.
“We’re having a global music business conference,” said Murray.
He added that major players from the music industry from around the world will be taking part in the week-long event.
Murray said the focus behind securing the event for the Burin Peninsula was an effort to bring attention to the area in hopes of increase tourism, as well as an effort to attract new business to the area and opportunities for cultural exchange.
Murray said the festival will give bands the opportunity for exposure.
“We’re going to take in 10-15 bands from Newfoundland (and Labrador), we’re going to take five international (acts), and five from North America,” he said.
The festival could mean additional opportunities for the bands to play at other shows and festivals.
Murray also noted that local band/solo acts are welcome to put their name forward for a chance to be selected for a performance spot.
Murray said performers and the general public will also be given the opportunity to take part in a songwriter’s workshops.
“This will give the opportunity to people of any age to bring their acoustic guitars down and showcase their own original material in front of (industry) people,” he said.
He added that the songwriter workshop will be attended by Grammy award-winning producer Jeff Bova, who has worked with the likes of Katy Perry, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Luther Vandross, Eric Clapton, just to name a few.
Murray noted delegates will be also holding workshops on aspects of the music industry such as publishing and touring to name a few.
He said delegates will not only be aiding musicians, they will also help provide feedback to event organizers.
“They tell us who they work with, how it is possible to work with them, how they see that we can improve our region (and)…how we can improve our festival for years to come.”
Murray said that the event would not be possible if not for the hardwork and dedication of Mike Brennan.
“This guy went to bat for this for a long, long long time,” said Murray. “I don’t know when the guy sleeps, he is doing everything in his power to make his home (area) a better place.”
Funding for the event was secured from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, as well as the federal and provincial government.
“With Live at Heart we get the attention first,” said Murray, “and then the second year, and years to come we can keep adding to it, cause the music is what brings people from around the globe to begin with and then we can support that with businesses as years go on.”
