BE SURE TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

SEE THE VIDEO -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM

And this is where Oprah makes Pharrell cry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYFKnXu623s

THE BACK STORY

THE HAPPY VIDEO: American singer songwriter Pharrell Williams hit his stride when he released his first solo album in 2003. Seven Grammy’s later he has become an international sensation with his song and video simply titled “Happy” that comes from the soundtrack of Despicable Me and now appears on his March 2014 album titled Girl. The Happy video spawned the first 24 hour video ever produced by an artist. The original video has acquired close to two-hundred million hits on YouTube at this date and growing daily. Even more remarkable is the international community that has created over 1,000 versions of “Happy” in their own towns and cities. Inspired by this global phenomenon the website http://www.wearehappyfrom.com was created by a couple from France to showcase those videos.

Why has this song become such a phenomenon? We can only speculate that the world is ripe for some positive news and energy in the face of all of the negativity and bad weather that surrounds us. We simply want to let go and be happy if even for a short spell.

WE GOT INSPIRED: Through the Antigonish Downtown Business Association (ADBA) most all downtown merchants are participating in a day long endeavour called HAPPY ANTIGONISH. They are theming their stores, painting the windows and sidewalks and offering Tax free purchases as well as in-store goodies for customers. It’s important to note that downtown Antigonish is a phenomenon in itself in this day and age. For the most part our entire Main Street consists of independent merchants who have creatively crafted their own venues without the direction of urban headquarters. This gives us the freedom to turn on a dime and have fun with our downtown. Hence the Happy event.

MAKING OUR OWN HAPPY VIDEO: Also involved is The Antigonish County Adult Learning Association (ACALA) a not for profit organization dedicated to providing adult learning opportunities. A recent division is ACALA TV that produces films highlighting community news and issues. It operates out of the Peoples Place Library and will be on hand to film Antigonishers as they provide their own renditions of the “Happy” dance.

THE HAPPY FASHION SHOW: The day’s events will culminate in a fashion show that same Wednesday evening – at the library at 6:30 p.m. Downtown fashion merchants presenting are Aphrodite, Antigonish 5 – $1.00, Botica and Beautiful. Shoes will be provided by Perfect Fit. Models will energetically present a great variety of spring fashions for women and men. Local restaurateurs will provide trays of finger foods and sweets and beverages will be donated by the local pharmacies. Organizers are requesting a $10 donation at the door, $5 for students that will go back to ACALA for enhanced equipment to enable more education and production. After the show, everyone will be invited to join the dancing as the event is filmed.

BE A PART OF IT: Amateur videographers and professionals alike are invited to offer their own videos to the mix. The object will be to edit all footage and create our own HAPPY ANTIGONISH video that will be posted on YouTube and in the http://www.wearehappyfrom.com online community. Not only will this be a positive event for our population that is climbing out of the doldrums after a very long and hard winter, but we hope it will act as a video that showcases the beauty and vitality of Antigonish town and county.