ARTWORK BY NATE HANSEN
HTTM XII
August 29th & 30th 2026
MARK YOU CALENDARS!
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The Hike To The Mic
Music and Arts Happening
Is A Donation Sponsored Event.
Performers For 2026
Hike to the Mic XI1
TAZ
The twenty-two-year-old phenom has commanded festival headlining stages, including Coachella and Met Life Stadium opening for The Rolling Stones.
Will Evans
Will Evans creates music as an open invitation—to drop your guard, tune in, and move through the world a little more freely.
Jake Swamp and the Pine
Jake Swamp and the Pine is an Americana band born out of Boston, Massachusetts. Led by singer, songwriter and guitarist Drew Zieff, the band features 8 time Boston Music Award winner Jonathan Ulman on drums, Chris Haley on electric guitar, pedal steel and backup vocals, and Austin Beveridge on bass, among other talented musicians who sit in on special occasions.
Charlie Widmer
Connecticut State Troubadour for 2026 – Charlie Widmer is an award-winning multi-genre singer, songwriter, guitarist, arranger, actor, and producer based in Connecticut.
The New Brew
The New Brew is a funk and soul-pop band from Hartford, CT.
Mad Agnes
Mad Agnes has won hearts on two continents with their signature intricate harmonies and compelling songwriting
Roost
ROOST is a musical powerhouse of high octane chemistry and genre-defying creativity.
KC Sisters
Featured on season 1 of Nickelodeon’s brand new show “America’s Most Musical Family”, Connecticut based five-some the KC Sisters – ranging in age from 19-25 – stir up an explosive Americana flavored vocal/instrumental mix of country, R&B, gospel and more.
The Rosy Tones
The Rosy Tones is an artist collective local to New England and NYC.
Tessa Brown
Tessa Brown is a storyteller. Her songs meld the honest nature of folk with a blend of sounds like indie, jazz, and rock.
The Orbit
The Orbit is an interstellar groove machine powered by second from the sun energy and cosmic chemistry. Formed somewhere between a basement jam and a meteor shower, the band channels a spacey, playful vibe that feels deeply human and ethereal.
Doss
Doss is the Boston-based project of Alianora, supported by Justin Schaefers, Denver Knuckolls, and Pat King.
Returning for his 12th Year
Sunday Morning Jazz curated by Chris Casey
An active pianist, composer and arranger, Chris has performed extensively throughout New England and the New York area. He has performed with such greats as Jackie McLean, Nat Reeves, Steve Davis, Claudio Roditi, Slide Hampton, Houston Person, Jacomo Gates, Bob Berg, Jimmy Greene, and Greg Banaszak. Mr. Casey’s works have been commissioned by Jackie McLean, Curtis Fuller, Steve Davis, PBS Television, and The Polish National Chamber Orchestra of Slupsk. Recordings include “Double Vision”, “Jazz in the Wild”, “Sounds of Hartford”, “Head over Heals”, and “Imagination”. Other faculty appointments include The Greater Hartford Academy for the Performing Arts and Choate Rosemary Hall.
Bassist Michael Gold
Michael has performed with Larry Coryell, Warne Marsh, Lee Konitz, Hank Jones, Sheila Jordan, Tal Farlow, Michael Kanan, Art Baron, Bill McHenry, Larry Ham, Dave Glasser, and many others. His mentors include Sal Mosca, Miroslav Vitous, Dave Holland, Chuck Israels, and Jimmy Guiffre.
Artist in Residence – Kris Jensen
Saxophonist, multi-winds artist, composer, and arranger Kris Jensen has been an active performer and music educator for over 30 years. He has toured 44 US states, Canada, the Caribbean, Switzerland, and Thailand with some of the world’s best-loved jazz and rock artists, including the late trumpet star Maynard Ferguson and with 3 founding members of jam rock pioneers The Allman Brothers Band, including Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, and Jaimoe (Jai Johnny Johnson). He both studied and taught Jazz Saxophone at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School with the late saxophone legend Jackie McLean and has been helping to develop young artists since 1990. Jensen has served as a Master Teaching Artist in Hartford, CT at The Bushnell’s celebrated “Jazzicians” educational program and has taught general music and jazz in the New York City public schools. Kris has appeared with trombone master Curtis Fuller, alongside saxophone legend Phil Woods, piano master Larry Willis and has recorded with trumpet legend Dr. Eddie Henderson, NEA Jazz Saxophone Master George Coleman, the legendary drummer Victor Jones, venerated bassist Dennis Irwin and legendary pianist John Hicks. Jensen has also toured with blues master Kim Wilson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds and has appeared on recordings with indie rock legends Joan Osborne and Natalie Merchant.
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Featured Artist: Nate Hansen
Nate Hansen is a vibrant and innovative artist known for his bold and colorful creations that aim to uplift and inspire. Often referred to as the “Corn Man,” Nate has been making waves in the art community since 2009, particularly with his unique painted skateboards. His work, which can be seen on streets from Los Angeles to Barcelona, is celebrated for its ability to bring joy and a sense of wonder to viewers around the globe.
Nate Hansen, the “Corn Man”, is an independent North American artist. He has produced many works, ranging from pen and ink to large scale murals, but is most known for his project, Corn Skateboards. Each Corn Skateboard is a one-of-a-kind, high quality, hand–painted skateboard manufactured on the East Coast.
Nate has been selling his hand-painted boards and pursuing art as a vocation. He attended the University of Hartford, Hartford Art School, where he graduated with a degree in illustration. Shortly after, Corn Skateboards made its debut on the West coast when Hansen moved to Venice, California. He was inspired by Venice’s skate culture and began producing and selling Corn boards full-time. Nate also gained notoriety in the greater Los Angeles area installing murals and street art, most memorably, his giant corn cob on the Venice Art Walls.
Check out CornSkateboards
https://cornskateboards.com/
Instagram: @cornskateboards
OUR SPONSORS
Food Sponsors
Here is you chance to see Connecticut’s professional soccer team take on local rivals, Rhode Island FC in our final match of the season.
For each ticket purchased, $3.50 will be donated to help the enhancement and preservation efforts of Heublein Tower.
Click the below for details!
Access, Parking & Directions
The Heublein Tower and the Hike to the Mic event will be accessible only on foot through the Talcott Mountain State Park. The Park closes at sunset.
There are three locations to park and carpooling is recommended.
Simsbury Parking
Please click name to connect to their website for further instructions.
TALCOTT MOUTAIN STATE PARK: Summit Drive, Simsbury, CT 06092
PENWOOD STATE PARK: 560 Simsbury Road Bloomfield, CT 06002
West Hartford Parking
Please click name to connect to their website for further instructions.
MDC Reservoir Number 6: Route 44, West Hartford CT 06117
Alternate Parking
The Friends of Heublein Tower, Inc – Mission Statement
The Heublein Tower in Talcott Mountain State Park educates the visiting public about the natural beauty and rich history of Connecticut. An architectural landmark since 1914, the Tower provides a unique destination for recreational and educational opportunities, and a 360 degree “royal view” into Connecticut’s past, its present, and future. The Friends of Heublein Tower, Inc., a non-profit community-based organization formed in 1984, supports and assists the State of Connecticut by restoring, improving, and interpreting the Heublein Tower and its surrounding grounds. The restored Tower serves as a museum and a place of learning, gathering, and exploration for the enlightenment and social benefit of those who visit.
