Paul Helou
Garden City, New York, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
“His opening act was brilliant. Mr. Helou from the start imbues the children with his amusement . . . the room would fill with laughter . . . everyone had an exciting, fun-filled and wonderful musical time with Paul . . . the event was very interactive and everyone is appreciative
. . . Mr. Helou did such a great job that the staff has asked if we can have him come back and perform again.”
- Citizens Advice Bureau
“Paul Helou delighted the hearts of the young and old and everyone in between last Friday at Happenings on Main Street. As he lead the children around the gazebo, his original lyrics of Bernie the Hedgehog slivering through the web-filled caves as a dancing asparagus, he awakened the child within me . . . that still wants to come out to play. This kind of fun with the children is really very therapeutic. It gets you out of the cares of life and into the innocence and joy of life quickly.” - Town of Northport, NY
“I want to thank you for your marvelous interactive performance with the children at our street fair. Your energy and receptivity were very impressive. You really helped make our rainy day fair special.”
- Washington Market School, NY
“Created for children, the cuts are part storytelling/part song, with lyrics well thought out to help teach young ones a reverence for nature, life, themselves, and their position in the natural world . . . [the] lyrics . . . gladden the heart, and make this CD a joyful experience.” - Creations Magazine Oct/Nov 2006
"The kind of family artist that has great passion for the art he creates along with the talent that appeals to grown-ups and children alike." - Skirball Cultural Center
I am writing in support of artist Paul Helou. As the Theater Manager for the Long Island Children's Museum (LICM)I have worked with many performers. It is my pleasure to recommend Paul to you. Recently Paul Helou performed two sets at the Museum Row Family Festival, in Garden City, NY. I was most impressed by Paul's show because of the interactive nature of his performance. This is the type of programming we specialize in at the LICM Theater. He was totally in the moment with his audience, engaging them through original songs and improvisation; in fact, he would turn on a dime and change a song based on he spontaneous reaction with the audience. The performances engaged the adults as well as the children, and were very family friendly. Paul's material is timely, substantive and quality. Paul's songs focus on nature, animals and the environment. He teaches as he entertains, but always with a sense of inclusion with his audience. We enjoyed having him be part of our festival and the audience enjoyed interacting to his songs and his improvisation. I know I will be hiring Paul as part of the Long Island Children's Museum's programming in the coming year. - James Packard
Discography
Bears, Bees & Butterflies: A Musical Journey with Paul Helou
Photos
Bio
Paul is equally adept at performing interactive songs with children, as well bluegrass/folk for adults (a few of his bluegrass folk tunes have won national awards).
Latest News!
Bears, Bees & Butterflies is a finalist in the 2009 Independent Music Awards, placing with artists such as Dan Zanes.
In 2007, Bears, Bees & Butterflies won a Parents' Choice Award.
Paul is a 2006 semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, described by The New York Times as "the songwriting contest to take note of." Over 14,000 songs were submitted for 2006.
Paul will be featured in the family showcase for the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis Feb 21-25, 2007. The showcase will start in the Marriot on Friday morning at 11 a.m.
Hi is proud to announce that his debut children's CD, Bears, Bees & Butterflies, has just won a 2006 Children's Music Web Award in the category Best New Artist for Preschoolers. The music is great for school age children as well (and even adults). Paul likens this CD to a family movie that can be enjoyed by all ages. His tagline for the CD is "100% hand-made, organic music." Go to www.paulhelou.com, listen to clips, and find out why!
With a masters in literature and a background as an award-winning freelance writer for The New York Times, Paul is a musician, songwriter, theatrical improviser and actor who has performed in venues across the country, including various camps, schools, hospitals and special events.
As an actor, he has done Shakespeare, Chekhov, and Pinter (to name a few), and been in improv shows – including a lead role in a play that won first place in New York’s 2005 Strawberry Festival.
His song, Sweet Janine, won first place in the bluegrass song category at the 2002 Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas (oldest bluegrass festival in the U.S.). Another of his songs, Listen to the Mockingbird, placed in the top ten songs in the 2002 New Song Festival sponsored by Mountain Stage, national radio show.
In addition to other awards, he won third place in the Mount Airy [North Carolina] Fiddler’s Convention bluegrass guitar competition in 2003. He is currently a participating artist on the Arts in Education Demonstrator Roster of the Mississippi Arts Commission. He also brings the healing power of the arts to hospitals through Hospital Audiences, Inc.
With a sense of humor, kindness, and a respect for children, Paul pours his passion into songwriting, performance and the exploration of the creative process.
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