Afrigather ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL, October 11, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ — After a rollicking last spherical of performances Tuesday night time, Arlington Heights venue Hey Nonny topped Sean Heffernan and his tune Pioneer Park because the winner of its first songwriting contest. Heffernan took house a verify for $1,000, a trophy, and the dedication of a future performing spot at Hey Nonny.
Hey Nonny’s first-ever songwriting contest was centered on songs that ultimately have been in regards to the Northwest Suburbs. That gave songwriters with a neighborhood connection an edge and served to make the competition’s last occasion Tuesday night time a neighborhood celebration.
“We needed to make use of this to find and develop the fascinating tradition we’ve within the Northwest Suburbs,” mentioned Hey Nonny co-owner Chip Brooks. “Our space is turning into far more than an ordinary swath of suburbia. The competition songs helped to shine a light-weight on what’s particular and distinctive in our space.”
Heffernan’s profitable tune did all that, specializing in a wild array of his youthful experiences in and round Arlington Heights’ Pioneer Park.
“My mother and father got here in from Holland, Michigan for this last present,” mentioned Heffernan. “They actually received a kick out of being right here for my efficiency – and particularly seeing me win.”
The $400 second prize went to longtime Arlington Heights resident Roger Bain for his The Arlington Heights Track, which extolled the virtues of a city the place “the Mayor wears tights” – a reference to former Mayor Arlene Mulder, not present Mayor Thomas Hayes. The $300 third prize went to native highschool scholar Mallory Leno for her tune “Bus Crush.”
The Hey Nonny Songwriting Contest Last Spherical was judged by three skilled songwriters/performers: famous poet, writer, and songwriter Jenny Bienemann, Delmark Information President (and ace guitarist) Julia Miller, and Rockford’s best, Miles Nielsen (of Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts).
“Our judges took this extremely critically and have been troubled as a result of they’d heard far more than three nice songs,” mentioned Brooks. “They every had their very own preferences, however in the long run, they agreed that Sean Heffernan’s tune was the winner.” The decide’s praised Heffernan’s tune for its refined musical construction and its “particular however common” lyrics.
The lead sponsor for the Contest was the native private damage lawyer Ron Wittmeyer of the Law Office of R.F. Wittmeyer. “Ron’s a real music lover,” mentioned Brooks. “He contributed prize cash, trophies, certificates, and promoting. His concepts and vitality have been essential to creating this occasion so profitable.”
The songwriting contest struck a chord with the neighborhood – contestants entered over 60 songs and every of the competition reveals was a sell-out. “The ultimate consequence exceeded our wildest expectations,” mentioned Brooks. “It ended up being extra about neighborhood and enjoyable than only a contest.”
Hey Nonny is contemplating whether or not to make the songwriting contest an annual occasion.
About Hey Nonny:
Hey Nonny is a bistro and music venue positioned within the coronary heart of downtown Arlington Heights. The bistro, now beneath new Chef Mauro Berruti, serves an array of contemporary seasonal Midwestern comfort-food-with-a-twist and a seasonally altering menu. The music venue is without doubt one of the finest new “listening rooms” within the nation, and hosts reside music six days every week, that includes the most effective Chicago and touring acts taking part in jazz, blues, nation, folks, and rock.
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