HEARTS Brings Something Unique to Hawkesbury

After watching much of her beloved industry crumble away in the wake of COVID, one Hawkesbury musical talent decided to do something to encourage emerging artists to stay the course.

Meera (Belle) Webster has a lot of arrows in her musical quiver, but more about that later.

For now, we want to talk about HEARTS - Hawkesbury Entertainers and Artists Regional Theatre Society.

“I watched my industry get smashed,” Ms Webster said.

“We lost 30 per cent of our artists worldwide coming out of COVID.”

A vocal teacher herself, Ms Webster met the people who bought the Regent Cinema with the aim of putting on shows that would showcase local talent.

“HEARTS was developed with an eye to mentoring, supporting and facilitating paid work,” she said.

“I see it like a Junction Box, where artists can meet venue owners and connect.”

She is joined on the committee by venue owners, people who own an artist agency, hospitality experts, and representatives from all genres of music - people who can provide mentorship and support for up-and-coming artists.

“The Hawkesbury Jazz Club died over COVID,” Ms Webster said.

“I approached the Jazz Club and asked what they thought if HEARTS took over the Jazz Club.

“They said, “Go for it.”

“We put on the first Jazz Club in July.”

Jazz Club takes in all ages and stages, so any musician or singer interested in taking part can contact Ms Webster via her Facebook page. “We have a house band.

“We’ve been fortunate to have funding grants from Bendigo Bank.”

Ms Webster also acknowledged the support of The Regent Richmond for hosting their events.

Jazz Club takes place on the last Wednesday of the month, showcasing an astonishing array of talent.

Ms Webster said that opportunities like these were few and far between; that a lot of adult musicians were belting it out in a garage somewhere or working in drinking holes where you BYO crowds, get no feedback, no income and no development.

Head to The Regent Richmond on Wednesday, October 25 for the next Jam and find out more, and keep an eye out for more right here with The Hawkesbury Phoenix and we learn all there is to know about Ms Webster and her quiver of musical arrows.

Ms Webster said she kept looking around for what else she could do - something she said probably came from her mother who was well-recognised for her community work.

“She often said that some people needed a helping hand because someone who is able has not extended that hand,” Ms Webster said.

“I always think that if more people did that we’d have a much healthier world.”

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• Music and Entertainment
• Community Groups