You can now enjoy Aaron’s Musical Instrument Lending Library (Aaron’s M.I.L.L) in Brockville.
Willy Stevenson, President of the Do It For Aaron (DIFA) Foundation, says with COVID-19 happening right now, they’ve elected to open up for “bubbles.” He says anyone can call to make a reservation for them and their inner circle at 613-803-8766 or email [email protected]. Aaron’s M.I.L.L offers a space for musicians to jam and learn to play instruments.
Chris Hum, Executive Director of the live music library, says when someone comes in they will have the space to themselves and can have up to nine people in one reservation with a staff member there. Hum says they are following all of the health regulations for hand sanitizing and masks. He says everything that is used will be sanitized and there’s a 30 minute window after every use to clear the air, clean everything down and wait for the next group.
Stevenson’s son, Aaron, was struck and killed by a truck while skateboarding in 2013. Aaron enjoyed playing music and Stevenson says Aaron’s M.I.L.L was a way the foundation could offer this music service for basically a free deal. The library is offered to people in Leeds and Grenville.
Hum says so far they’ve had kids coming in for guitar lessons and professional musicians coming in just to sit down and play.
“A lot of people either don’t have the space or the situation where they can really let loose and play an instrument loudly. We’ve got bylaws (and) people trying to be considerate of their neighbours. At our facility, we are in the former Brockville shopping plaza, the Stingers building, and we don’t have a noise bylaw to worry about here because there’s no residents around and all of the other businesses around here are closed after hours.”
People can book a time that fits for them in the M.I.L.L. Hum adds if someone wants to come in at 11 o’clock at night to practice with their band because they haven’t seen each other in months, the doors are open for them.