By Jack Brittle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On May 30, the Burlington Lions Club hosted the first in a series of entertainment events, entitled “The Music Hall.” The event, hosted in the clubhouse of the Burlington Lions Club on 471 Pearl Street, was an opportunity for local bands and musicians to showcase their talent to the community, free of charge.
The event was held from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Admission was free until 9:00 p.m., when a cover charge was implemented.
John Fanjoy, the president of the Burlington Lions Club, said that the idea for the event came from Dave MacPherson, a newer member who saw the potential of the room for a concert event.
Fanjoy said that there was a lineup out the door before the event started.
The evening consisted of two sets, with the first consisting of solo or duet acts, who could also perform with the Lions’ backing band if they so chose. A bass, acoustic, and electric amps, keyboards, and a drum kit were also provided.
Bands performed up to three songs each during the second set, while feature bands closed out the evening. Bands were encouraged to be young and local. Attendees could also enter a 50/50 draw with proceeds going to the Lions Club Music and Arts Scholarship Fund.
Fanjoy spoke about some of the other purposes that the event served.
“I think the intent is just to help today’s youth who have social problems and social media problems, and they don’t get a chance to perform, get in front of their peers, and make some noise,” Fanjoy said.
“We’re looking for new members, obviously,” Fanjoy continued. “But we’re also looking for ideas about how we can impact the community, because that’s really what we’re trying to do, just help people out and help young people get an audience.”
Fanjoy said that the group currently has 50 members and has donated $164,000 to the community so far this year.
Paul Sharman, Ward 5 councillor and member of the Burlington Lions Club, also attended the event. Sharman said that the club recently crafted a unique strategic plan, after many years of following the International Lions Club model. Sharman said a key part of the plan is to be more representative of the entire community.
Sharman spoke about what he hopes the group will get out of the event.
“The more we can do to create attention, the more people will know that we’re here,” Sharman said. “So it doesn’t necessarily need to be directly with the goal of getting more members, although it might be that, but it’s about creating attention.”
“We have this facility, which is not being [fully] utilized by the Lions,” Sharman continued. “So anything we can do to fill it up, it’s great.”
Andrea Florian, a Lioness, Burlington realtor, and former musician, was also instrumental in bringing the Music Hall to fruition.
Florian said that she and many other parents have kids who are looking for a place to perform. She was particularly impressed with the turnout and the mix of both young and older musicians.
Sharman said that currently, the plan is to hold Music Hall events monthly, but that he’d like to see it every Friday.
To learn more about the Burlington Lions Club, visit https://burlingtonlionsclub.ca/.
