I Heart Hamilton: The Playlist 4.0 (Fundraiser for Food4Kids)
This Ain’t Hollywood 345 James Street North
It’s hard to believe that this year marked I Heart Hamilton’s fourth annual bash. These events celebrate the anniversary of the website and also give back to the community. It makes me feel so inspired to see how much I Heart Hamilton has grown and to know we can make such a difference with these events. As with the previous two, I was pleased to support Food4Kids again. It has been so rewarding to see this wonderful organization grow leaps and bounds these past few years as well. I was so honoured to receive their Big Heart Award earlier this year at their Community Appreciation Awards and it made me very happy to support them again with The Playlist 4.0.
It’s exciting (and stressful) to book a show. When I start asking around, I don’t know what the final lineup will end up looking like. Somehow it all comes together each time. This year, it worked out so well that all of the acts who took part in this show had brand new music to release. It was also timed perfectly that I could host this show on the exact day of I Heart Hamilton’s anniversary (May 1st), which was a first.
I really lucked out in connecting with Munroe. Kathleen Munroe is from Hamilton and now lives in L.A. Most known so far as an actor, she has turned her focus to music and recorded her first EP here in Hamilton with Michael Keire at Threshold. The self-titled EP is out now on Hidden Pony and is absolutely beautiful; it’s one of my favourite local releases of the year. The timing just happened to work that she would be in town at the time, and The Playlist 4.0 marked her first official show in Hamilton as Munroe. I was so honoured to have her be part of this show. [Watch footage of Munroe’s performance]
The day started with my weekly episode of I Heart Hamilton at 93.3 CFMU and I was thrilled to welcome Munroe on the show. (Listen here!) It was my first time meeting Kathleen and she brought me cupcakes from Bitten, which was the sweetest thing! That’s the way to my heart, right there – baked goods!
It was another serendipitous connection to meet Wayne Petti this year. The frontman of Cuff the Duke, Wayne now lives in Hamilton where he formed a new incarnation of his other project, Grey Lands. Together with Dan Empringham and Nick Hind-Knapp, the band has a new album on the way on Paper Bag Records. I actually booked Grey Lands for this show without even seeing them live yet. My first introduction was their set during JUNOfest and I was floored. I was so stoked to have them at The Playlist 4.0 – keep an eye on these guys. [Watch footage of Grey Lands’ performance]
Fast Romantics is another band on the rise and it was such a treat to have them. They are from Calgary originally, now based in Toronto, and after a few changes in lineup, they have a new album on the way. It’s so cool that Kevin Black is in the band now because he played I Heart Hamilton’s fundraiser last year with his previous band Hands & Teeth, a neat coincidence! [Watch footage of Fast Romantics’ performance]
Last but not least, I was really pumped to have Aukland on the bill. I’ve previously booked the guys and they impress me every time I see them; they just keep getting better. The band released their debut album Rookie a month later, and it sounds fantastic. [Watch footage of Aukland’s performance]
Another awesome addition this year was collaborating with my friends Girls With Gunz. Felicia and Estée Mancini created a special I Heart Hamilton-inspired design that we had made into t-shirts and buttons. Partial proceeds from the sales went to Food4Kids as well. They had a booth set up showing off some more of their hip creations. They always come up with the coolest stuff. You can purchase the 905 tee online and at The Hamilton Store. I love rocking the 905!
Thanks to everyone’s wonderful contributions, from advance ticket sales, proceeds from the door, Girls With Gunz’ donation, as well as This Ain’t Hollywood’s donation of a portion of bar sales, The Playlist 4.0 raised $1260 for Food4Kids. Thank you so much to everyone who made this happen!
Big thank you’s to the following:
- Food4Kids for the wonderful work they do; Lena Bassford for her passion and enthusiasm to Food4Kids
- The performers: Munroe, Grey Lands, Fast Romantics, and Aukland for lending their amazing talents to the cause
- This Ain’t Hollywood for hosting and generously donating a portion of the bar sales to the cause; Lou Molinaro and Jodie Faulman; Doug Smith on sound; all of the bar staff
- Felicia Mancini and Estée Mancini of Girls With Gunz their collaboration and contribution to the night
- Darlene MacNeil for the awesome poster design
- Copy Dog for the poster printing
- Ashlina Sousa for her awesome photography
- Dr. Disc, Cheapies, Hammer City Records for selling advance tickets
- All local shops and restaurants who hung the fundraiser’s poster in their businesses
- All media who interviewed me and helped promote the show
Thank you to everyone who attended, shared the event on social media, and supported the event. It always means so much!
