Harwood alumni to perform at Zenbarn Dec. 28 to boost HU auditorium project

December 15, 2025  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

Update: This post was updated on Dec. 26 with more details on the lineup.

Harwood Union High School alumna Reid Parsons plays Dec. 28 at the HARP benefit at Zenbarn. Courtesy photo

Harwood alumni will present an evening of comedy and music at Zenbarn on Dec. 28 to support the Harwood Auditorium Revitalization Project. 

The $1.3 million campaign is underway to make needed upgrades and renovations to Harwood Union High School’s auditorium, which was last updated in 1997. 

So far, the effort has raised just over $17,000, according to Harwood music teacher Molly Desrochers. Organizers hope to divide the various project elements into several phases. The goal for phase one is to raise $500,000 by spring 2028 to cover replacing all of the theater rigging equipment and curtains, and bringing the space’s electrical system up to modern code.

Stand-up Comedian and HUUSD graduate Jackson Greenleaf. Courtesy photo

The Harwood Alumni Music Night at Zenbarn aims to “bring the community together to celebrate Harwood's talented graduates and fundraise for the music department, which fed their musical passions,” Desrochers said. 

The program will include opening and closing open-mic sessions, stand-up comedy, and performances by bands composed of Harwood alumni performers. Some program highlights: 

The first open mic will start off the evening at 6 p.m., when anyone can hop on stage to play up to two songs; guitar, piano and mics provided. A second open-mic opportunity at 10 p.m. will wrap up the evening, following the scheduled performers. To sign up in advance, use this online form.

At 7 p.m., Waterbury Center native and 2019 Harwood graduate Jackson Greenleaf will entertain the audience with some of the stand-up comedy that he’s been sharing as a regular on Burlington’s comedy scene. He’s opened shows for Rory Scovel with his observations on life that reveal the world’s many ironies. 

Following Greenleaf, Harwood 2011 graduate and singer-songwriter Reid Parsons will take the stage for an hour-long set. Raised with early folk, blues and jazz influences, Parsons’ songwriting landed the top spot at the 2017 Advance Music Singer/Songwriter competition, which resulted in Parsons recording a five-song EP in 2018. Parsons this year released a debut album, “Back to Back.”

Writing for Seven Days, Jordan Adams said this about Parsons’ style: “Parsons has a warm spirit. Even though her tunes touch on hardships and dark times, they impart a sense of hope that’s lately in short supply.” 

Josh McHugh’s SEAJJ SUPERTEAM five-piece band will crank out the dance tunes for HARP. Courtesy photo

The HARP fundraising raffle drawings will take place during the program, around 8:30-9 p.m. Then at 9 p.m. Harwood alum Josh McHugh and SEAJJ SUPERTEAM—a five-piece band composed of past and present Harwood musicians—will rock the house. A jam band covering famous tunes with influences from across the musical spectrum, SEAJJ promises to get everyone out on the dance floor. The second open-mic session will close out the evening.

Get tickets ($10+$1.67 fee) online here. Doors: 5:30 p.m.  

Learn more about the auditorium project online at harpvt.org. Sponsorships are available at many levels, including purchasing a new auditorium seat ($500) or a wireless microphone ($1000), up to major-donor levels that include naming opportunities. 

Donations are tax-deductible through the Harwood Boosters Club. Contributions can be made online or by check. For more information, contact Molly Desrochers, Vocal Music Teacher, at mdesrochers@huusd.org.