By Josh LaBella
Voice Reporter
More than 50 kids have signed up to play during Friday’s open mic night at the West Haven Community House.
The event, which is held monthly, is hosted by Rock House School of Music and Teach Kids Music. But this time there is a special guest – Carmine Appice. Appice is a Teach Kids Music ambassador who is famous for his work with Rod Stewart, Vanilla Fudge, Jeff Beck and Ozzy Osbourne.
According a press release from Rock House owner John McCarthy, Teach Kids Music is a non-profit that partners with Rock House for open-mic nights to help children learn to play instruments. He said West Haven has a growing community of young musicians that gather each month to “jam and meet other musicians learning their craft.”
McCarthy said the school and Teach Kids Music have been partnering to host open mic nights for over four years. He said he and his staff donate their time each month to run the event.
“The kids have a great time; they practice all month to get ready to perform and it is great to see the smiles of accomplishment when they are done,” said McCarthy. “We are so proud to help these local children. We hope to build a music community that blossoms into a new music scene in the New Haven area, five years from now this can be the new Seattle with lots of new bands.”
McCarthy said the Community House offers a safe home for the monthly bash and many local restaurants donate snacks and food for the children.
“We have a great list of Music Ambassadors that also feel the passion for helping children learn music,” said McCarthy. “They come and inspire the children to do positive things in their lives. Just them taking the time to come and listen to them can change their lives in a positive way. We want to keep planting “Musical Seeds” that will continue to grow throughout a child’s life.”