Yesterday, Oct. 3, the House of Blues Music Forward Foundation announced they will be bringing back their All Access Fest music industry job fairs to select U.S. cities later this month. Following the event's launch last year, it will return to New Orleans, Las Vegas, Chicago and Los Angeles, and kick off in Orlando.
Registration is free and open to youth ages 16-22 interested in learning more about different music-related career paths and meeting potential employers. The first of the five events takes place next week, on Oct. 8, in New Orleans, followed by Las Vegas on the 17th, Orlando on the 21st, Chicago on the 24th and finally Los Angeles on Oct. 31. All are held at House of Blues/Live Nation run venues.
"We are thrilled to present our second annual All Access Fest for youth interested in music careers—on and off stage," Music Forward Foundation Executive Director Nurit Siegel Smith said in a statement. "This unique program offers young people from under-represented communities free resources and networking opportunities to help them navigate a career in music."
The foundation, via Billboard, reveals that the Recording Academy, House of Blues/Live Nation and Ticketmaster are among the companies represented at the job fair, and notes there will also be "experiential lounges" from GRAMMY U, CD Baby and others.
Hands-on learning stations will also be offered, as well as panels on topics like "The Working Musician's Experience" and "Gender Equality in the Music Industry." Each event is slated to run from 9 a.m. to noon and will, additionally, host performances from alumni of the foundation's artist development programs.
Experts will be on hand from Live Nation, along with and exhibitions by GRAMMY U, CD Baby, Full Sail, Hercules, Hurdl, Massive Act, Music Supervisor and Novel Effect for attendees.
The fairs run from 9 a.m. to noon and also include panels, hands-on technical learning stations, local employers and representatives from post-secondary schools, as well as live performances by alumni from Music Forward's artist development programs.
The foundation was established by the House of Blues in 1993 to bring music and the arts to schools and youth, especially in underserved communities. Recently, the organization announced a new mentorship program, the Ambassadors Council, where established artists including Carlos Santana, Khalid and Lauren Daigle can directly connect with and inspire these communities.
For more info on All Access Fest, including registration, please visit their webpage.
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