Heath the Businessman

All The Masses, or The Masses, for short, was formed with the idea of helping creative people in multiple disciplines find a way to express and market their talents.

From their website:

"The Masses is a collaboration of directors and artists united by a passion for music and driven by unique and diverse cinematic visions. Our goal is to connect with the audience, inspire the crowd, and function as a factory of ideas without losing the ideal. Within the intersection of art and commerce, we find the message and deliver it to the masses by the most powerful, visionary and authentic means possible, be it film, music, advertising, or multi-platform content.

We are all connected. We, the consumers. We, the creators. The Masses creates for the fundamental spirit in all of us."

The first act The Masses unveiled was a young Australian jazz & blues singer from Perth that Heath met through his younger sister.  He became her manager, and in February 2007,  brought her to the states, where on behalf of The Masses, introduced her to the public at The Edison Lounge, in preparation for doing an album and video.  That singer was Grace Woodroofe, who has since toured with Ben Harper, and whose album will be released in 2010.  Ledger helped choose the music for Woodroofe's album, and directed and shot her first music video, a cover of David Bowie's Quicksand.

The Five Leaves

When Heath met Jud Mongell at a mutual friend's wedding, the two hit it off famously.  Both were new fathers with young daughters the same age; both enjoyed the same NY restaurants, same music, skateboarding, and the edgy Nevada arts festival Burning Man. 

After getting back to NY, the two became fast friends, eventually discussing plans to open a restaurant/bar in Williamsburg, a suburb of Brooklyn.  While skateboarding around MacCaren Park, Heath found and fell in love with a  little corner building with a vacant first floor.  Mongell, who had years of restaurant experience,  tried to show him other spaces, but Heath was adamant on this one. 

So having settled on the location, the two began preparation for their restaurant which, facing the sunny side of the park,  Heath had tentatively  named "Bright Side".   He  poured himself into the planning stages, drawing out the floor plans by hand, collaborating on creative touches that would make this bar unique, nautical etchings on each marble table, one with an engraved chess board, and a special family table where he  hoped their family and friends could gather "to hang". 

Heath intended to bartend and DJ at the restaurant, which plays classic Jazz and vintage Rock on vinyl using a small turntable on the corner of the bar.  He and Jud chose a theme and carefully considered the menu which would use only organic and local ingredients; paperwork and permits were underway, and a launch was planned for late summer 2008. 

Because the restaurant was such an exciting dream for both Heath and his dear friend, Jud, Heath's father Kim decided to donate the funds to  help the restaurant open.  After over a year of planning, The Five Leaves, named after a Nick Drake album, opened in September 2008.

The Five Leaves has thrived since it opened, serving quality Australian and American food.  The laid-back atmosphere, edgy but comfortable decor, classic music on the turntable, and laughter in the booths are a testament to the the love and careful attention given it by Jud and his wife, Kathy, in honor of a much beloved friend.

Although the engravings have now worn off the delicate marble tabletops, Heath has left his indelible mark on this location, the locals who frequent it, and the friends who now own it.

 

 

Rocking Chair Records