New Open Mic in Hopkinton: First Feature is Jere Shea

HOPKINTON, MA — The Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) announces a new monthly series, First Friday Open Mic, hosted by singer-songwriter Barbara Kessler. The first open mic is scheduled for Friday, March 4, from 7-10 p.m., and features Tony-nominated actor Jere Shea.

Singers, players, songwriters, poets, storytellers of all ages, and the general public are invited to attend. Sign-ups for performers begin at 7 p.m., with music starting at 7:30 p.m. A $5 suggested donation is welcome at the door. The event is free for HCA members. Open mics will take place on the second floor of the newly renovated barn at the HCA, 98 Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton. For more information and additional dates, go to www.hopartscenter.org/openmic.

Barbara Kessler is a former national touring singer-songwriter with five CDs, numerous awards and hundreds of song credits on TV and Film. She co-wrote, performed, and produced the end credit theme song “Dreaming My Way Home” for the SONY Playstation game Rogue Galaxy and her songs are featured on such shows The Voice, All My Children, NCIS, Jag, and One Life to Live among many others. In addition to coaching up and coming artists of all ages, Kessler also produces and records demos and EP’s for other singer-songwriters and bands. Her latest album, What you Keep, was self produced and features ten new songs.

Boston native Jere Shea is a classically trained actor, who has starred on Broadway in “Guys and Dolls,” “Damn Yankees” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Passion” (Theater World Award, Tony Award Nomination, Drama Desk Nomination). He also has several film and TV credits, including a role in the Boston based feature film “Southie” (1998). An accomplished singer, songwriter, and guitarist, he performs in venues across New England. Shea can be heard on the Grammy Award winning Original Broadway Cast Recording of “Passion.”

Information and photos : HCA