FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2003

Music creates a bond between Stirling and northern Labrador students
Encouraging self-esteem amongst Native youth in isolated communities through a co-operative exploration of the arts is at the heart of a unique venture by students at Stirling Senior School. Students are hoping members of the community will donate musical instruments—an old harmonica, keyboard, ukelele, guitar, recorder, tin whistle, or any other instrument—to the ArtsCan Circle, an organization that collects donated, used musical instruments for distribution to youth in northern communities (see attached backgrounder).

With the help of teachers and volunteers from Blue Skies in the Community, and financial assistance from the Quinte Arts Council, a group of 20 students in Grades 7 and 8 is organizing the project plus a benefit concert. Scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th, the concert will feature legendary harmonica player Mike Stevens and the Stirling Senior Public School Band and Recorder Club at
7:30 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium.

“This benefit will help Mike Stevens continue his critical work with Native young people in Labrador,” says Debi Chatreau, the teacher who first suggested the project to her students. “Mike’s focus is to capture the interest of these young people and turn their attention to music, as many of them suffer from social problems and lack of opportunities.” Stevens personally delivers instruments to Sheshatshui and Davis Inlet. On each trip, he takes along a group of musicians to play concerts and conduct workshops with the local young people.

At this point, Stirling students are busy writing promotional articles, making phone calls, designing posters, organizing volunteers, and getting the stage ready for the benefit.

“We have a lot to do,” says Grade 8 student Stephanie Hannaberry. “We have to do everything from performer hospitality to publicity, from set-up to clean-up. It’s exciting. We’ve divided up the jobs into the different hats we have to wear.”

“Students are learning about responsibility, civics, and teamwork,” remarks Chatreau.

The benefit concert is free, with financial donations or used musical instruments accepted to support ArtsCan Circle. Instruments can be dropped off at The Quinte Arts Council at 36 Bridge Street East, Arden's Music at 23 College Street West, or any of the Stirling schools before or after the concert. Instruments can also be brought to the concert.

“Some kids are not as lucky as we are,” says Hannaberry. “We hope people will help us to share the music by donating instruments and coming out to the show on March 25th.”

For more information, call 395-3389 and speak with:
• Debi Chatreau, Teacher at Stirling Senior Public School
• Stephanie Hannaberry or Paul Brogee, Sudent Sokespersons
• Murray Spencer, Principal

Backgrounder on the ArtsCan Circle
The ArtsCan Circle is an independent, volunteer-run support group dedicated to linking creative artists with Native youth at risk in Canada. Our hope is to encourage self-esteem amongst Native youth in isolated communities through a cooperative exploration of the arts.

The ArtsCan Circle was inspired by the work of Mike Stevens, a multi-talented harmonica player who has been travelling to communities in Labrador, at his own expense, to share his music with youth. On these visits, Mike has distributed hundreds of harmonicas to help his young listeners discover music for themselves.

Our aim is to support small groups of musicians and artists who will accompany Mike to work with kids in remote Northern communities. Through music and other creative arts, we hope to facilitate a positive outlet in communities suffering severe problems related to poverty, lack of work, family dysfunction, and solvent abuse.

Of course, we are not offering a solution to the deep malaise that affects these areas, but we hope to encourage a positive creative environment by bringing creative resources to troubled young people on an ongoing basis.

Mike Stevens
Hailed as an innovative musician and author, this artist transcends the perceived limitations of the instrument in virtually every musical genre. His aggressive soulful approach to the harmonica takes audiences on an incredible journey. Best known for his groundbreaking work in the bluegrass field with legendary Grand Ole Opry members Jim & Jesse with whom he has performed at The Grand Ole Opry over 300 times, the artist has created an original, much sought after and often opied, style of playing the harmonica.

Mike hails from Canada, and has won the Entertainer of the Year at the Central Canadian bluegrass awards five consecutive years after which time he was retired in this category. To his credit, Mike adds many other accolades, including: Best Selling Album of the Year in 1992 for his recording on the Pinecastle label - Blowin Up a Storm; Album of the Year 1990 for Harmonica; and in 1994 he was made a Kentucky Colonel for his accomplishments in bluegrass music.

In 1998, this master instrumentalist and composer gained new fans with the release of the recording entitled Normally Anomaly. This recording is a blend of musical influences that begins with a base of bluegrass, adds a healthy dose of Son House, equal parts of Gamelan music and Middle-Eastern rhythms and is often performed live, solo and with no samples or synthesizers.

This musical versatility enables Mike to perform in many different situations. His performance schedule includes bluegrass dates with Jim & Jesse, The Lewis Family, and The McLains, as well as selected dates with other bluegrass bands. He performs solo harmonica concerts combining his musical influences, as well as selected dates as a duo with Raymond McLain. In addition, he books shows as The Mike Stevens Project—a group of musicians that perform original rocking blues-based music. Mike can also be booked to perform in various musical situations.