On September 12, 2010, Manitoba Music returns to The Forks’ Scotiabank Stage for its second annual outdoor celebration of home grown talent, The Big Show. Hosted by Hot 103’s Ace Burpee, The Big Show packs in sets by six of Manitoba’s most electrifying and innovative acts. The Big Show will feature the first major hometown performance by Nettwerk/Sony’s chart-topping pop duo Ash Koley, fresh from several Canadian dates with Lilith Fair. Joining them will be acclaimed singer/songwriter J.P. Hoe, hip hop outfit Magnum K.I., punk popsters The All Night, indie pop/rock quintet Enjoy Your Pumas, and country songstress Desiree Dorion. Mama Cutsworth will be on stage for turntable sets between bands.
The free four-hour concert caps off the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’ Ciclovia festival, which will see thousands of people streaming onto a car-free Broadway for a day of bike demos, markets, music, fitness classes, and more.
The Big Show continues the success of Manitoba Music’s Stage 8/29 event last summer, which attracted five thousand music fans with performances by five DJs and five bands in five hours. The goal of this year’s concert stays the same, says...
Now Taking Submissions for Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF) Showcases
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Thursday, August 26, 4pm
Manitoba Music will be presenting showcases at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals conference in Ottawa, October 14-17, 2010.
Now in its 24th year, the OCFF conference is a key event for Canada’s folk, roots, and traditional music community. The conference includes speakers and seminars, performer showcases, and jam sessions. Approximately 800 delegates attend the conference, including artistic directors, presenters, and provincial, national, and international industry organizations.
Manitoba Music will present a sponsored daytime showcase and two late night music-floor showcases. These showcase events offer Manitoba acts a unique opportunity to perform for and network with influential music industry professionals from the folk and roots community.
Artist selection will be made by a selection committee. Showcase dates and times will be provided to selected artists. Production costs will be covered by Manitoba Music; however artists will be responsible for their own travel...
When the envelopes are opened at the Western Canadian Music Awards this fall, Manitoba artists and industry will have 35 chances to hear their names called. The annual awards gala heads to Kelowna on October 24, when winners in 28 artistic and industry categories will be announced. Manitoba accounts for 34 nominations in 22 different categories, 20 of which are artistic awards. For first time in its eight-year history, the WCMAs will be broadcast nationally on CBC Television and Radio Canada.
Rock poets The Weakerthans lead with three nominations, including artistic nods for Rock Recording of the Year and Songwriters of the Year for their live effort, Live at the Burton Cummings Theatre. Acclaimed singer/songwriter trio The Wailin’ Jennys landed two nods for its own live recording, Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, including Roots Duo/Group Recording of the Year.
Local acts dominate the Rap/Hip Hop and Francophone categories, with three nominations in each. Last year’s winner Grand Analog, and first-time nominees Magnum K.I. and The Lytics are up for Rap/Hip Hop Recording of the Year. Children’s acts Madame Diva and LuLu et le Matou, and Manitoba-born, Montreal-based...
We're excited to announce a new addition to the Manitoba Music team. New Training Coordinator Roland Deschambault is already hard at work getting ready for the upcoming MusicWorks season and is open for consultations. Prior to joining Manitoba Music, Roland has enjoyed success for 15 years in many positions within the local and national music industries. Previously, he has worked at Paquin Entertainment as an Artist Management Assistant, at Koba Entertainment as Music Supervisor, and has worked with Glen Willows of Burning Circus Management and brother Phil Deschambault in the development of their artists, including Ash Koley. Roland has also been instrumental in the development of Manitoba artists including Bryce Pallister and Heather Longstaffe, and continues to perform as their bassist/vocalist. As a recording and touring musician for 10 years, Roland was bass player, vocalist, co-manager and tour manager for such bands as Vanderveen, Jonah Stone, and Not Going To Vegas.
You can contact Roland for consultations, help, and advice at 975.5188 or roland@manitobamusic.com.
While most bands hit the road to tour, Twin is heading out on the river. The alt.folk trio, featuring singer/songwriter Dave Fort, guitarist/luthier David Enns, and saw/violin player Lesley Brown, will take to the water by canoe on this month for the first tour of its kind: the Assiniboine River Music Armada.
Fort, who also plays in experimental electro outfit Absent Sound, will launch the Armada from the Brandon Folk Music & Arts Society and August 7 and head out for a series of shows in Manitoba. The ambitious Armada will be carrying all instruments and gear from venue to venue by canoe.
He'll will pick up a few others along the way, including Matlock folkie Zoppa, Brandon-based folk musician and organic farmer Martin Finnie, and accordion-wielding songstress Ingrid Gatin. Gatin joins the canoe in Portage La Prairie and will help take the tour back to Winnipeg.
Audiences can catch concerns in Brandon, Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Long Plains Reserve, Portage La Prairie, and finally, at Winnipeg's Lo Pub on August 18. But beyond the shows, the public is invited to hop in their canoes and join in the 10-day adventure. People can be a part of the inaugural Armada for...
Ten Music Industry Associations Join Balanced Copyright for Canada’s Campaign
REGINA – John-Paul Ellson, Chair of the Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations (CCMIA), announced, today, the CCMIA’s joining Balanced Copyright for Canada coalition, a national organization that advocates taking Bill C-32 as a starting point for bringing Canada’s copyright into the digital age. Bernie Finkelstein of Balanced Copyright for Canada’s Advisory Board welcomed CCMIA’s support. The Advisory Board of 14 members includes Roger Mooking, Steven Ellis and Andy Stochansky, among others.
Said John-Paul Ellson, “I’m pleased to announce the Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations’ joining Balanced Copyright for Canada and their taking Bill C-32, the Copyright Modernization Act, as a starting point for copyright reform. I’m honoured the CCMIA have designated me to be their representative on the Advisory Board.”
CCMIA represents 10 provincial and territorial music industry associations, including the Yukon and northern Ontario (excluding Quebec). Its membership is composed...
Country rock outfit Doc Walker continues to dominate Canada’s country music world this year, landing nominations for an impressive five artistic and six industry awards at the 2010 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA). Manitoba artists and industry have an unprecedented 20 chances to pick up hardware at the CCMAs this September.
A three-time winner already, Doc Walker will compete for its third consecutive Group of the Year title. The band is also up for the Fan’s Choice Award, Single of the Year, Songwriters of the Year, and Album of the Year. Three members of Doc Walker are also up for the All-Star Band Award, including guitarist Murray Pulver, bassist Brent Pearen, and drummer Steve Broadhurst. Doc Walker’s team picked up industry nods for Website of the Year, Album Design of the Year, and Video Director of the Year.
Singer/songwriter Ridley Bent is up for Roots Artist of the Year. His video for “Arlington” helped get Christopher Mills an industry nod for Video Director of the Year.
Manitoba-based multi-instrumentalist Grant Siemens, who plays in Corb Lund’s band, is up for the All-Star steel guitar spot.
The Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations (CCMIA), composed of 10 provincial and territorial music industry associations, announced today, a corporate restructuring designed to more effectively address current issues faced by the Canadian music industry. The restructuring includes the induction of a new executive team.
The members of the CCMIA -- Music Newfoundland and Labrador, Music Nova Scotia, Music Prince Edward Island, Music New Brunswick, Music and Film in Motion (Northern Ontario), Manitoba Music, SaskMusic, Alberta Music, Music B.C. and Music Yukon – together represent more than 5,000 registered members and an additional 3,000 associated members. All are actively engaged in the music industry and include artists, managers, publicists, agents, educators, promoters and other music industry entrepreneurs.
The CCMIA is the national voice for its members and, through its members the thousands of Canadians who contribute to Canada’s artistic and cultural diversity with a positive economic impact on the Canadian economy of hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Technological advancements have profoundly affected the...
Four Manitoba acts have landed six nominations for the 2010 Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA). The ISMAs are held annually in conjunction with the Indian Summer Festival, the largest Aboriginal festival in North America, which draws close to 70,000 visitors to the Summerfest Grounds on the western shore of Lake Michigan each year. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 11, 2010.
After picking up two ISMAs last year, rock outfit Eagle & Hawk’s “What If We Could” and “Dance” from its new release The Great Unknown, received nods this year in the Rock and Contemporary Modern Instrumental categories.
Another past winner, Kimberley Dawn’s songs “To See An Angel Cry” and “Built That Way” from her latest release, Built That Way, are nominated in the country and rock categories.
Singer/songwriter Yoza, aka Dennis Meeches, has a nod for the title track from his latest effort, Spirit Horse, in the Spiritual category.
Ashok’s “As Awaken” off Arbor Records release, Being of Enlightenment, landed a nomination in the Native American flute category.
Shakin' All Over: The Manitoba Music Experience continues its Saturdays of special music programming at the Manitoba Museum with events highlighting Aboriginal, folk, and country music over the next few weeks.
On July 24, Jerry Sereda, Little Hawk, and Krista Rey will be performing at the Museum's Alloway Hall to celebrate Aboriginal music.
Coming up on July 31, the Winnipeg Folk Festival will present a special day of folk music programming.
Cindi Cain, Chris Bigford, and Bill & Sue Hillman will be part of the country music day on August 7, which also features a songwriter's circle with Ray Martin, Harvey Levy, and more.
All performances are at Alloway Hall, noon-4pm.
The Manitoba Museum is the host of a summer-long celebration of Manitoba’s music. Shakin’ All Over is a multi-media celebration of the many facets/genres of music in the province. Visitors will see familiar faces, artifacts, and hear the great music specific to that genre. Some of the highlights include the jacket given to Fred Turner for guest-starring in an episode of The Simpsons, Juno awards won by Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Al Simmons’ one-man band and human jukebox, Daniel Lavoie’s...
An incredible line-up of local and national performers will wrap up a busy summer for Winnipeg festival goers. In its first year, the River Barge Festival will host over thirty music and performing arts acts on a floating stage at The Forks.
As part of the Winnipeg Cultural Capital of Canada 2010 Arts For All program, the inaugural River Barge Festival will be presented free of charge and feature a diverse array of singers, bands, and performing arts groups including Francophone, Aboriginal, and young artists.
“This festival is the celebration of Winnipeg as the cultural hub of Canada,” says Carol Phillips, Executive Producer of the WCCC 2010 program. “There will be something for everyone, and everyone is invited.”
Included in the line-up are singer-songwriters Romi Mayes, Greg MacPherson, and Christine Fellows. Manitoba Theatre Centre will be presenting their family-friendly show The History of Manitoba from the Beginning of Time to the Present in 45 Minutes and there will be a family day featuring Al Simmons, Fred Penner and Rocki Rolletti. On Friday, August 27th there will be a gala performance with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and local favourite Sierra Noble,...
When most people think of the Fringe Fest, they don't immediately think of music. Maybe they should. This year's Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival has a healthy dose of music, not only from the popular Old Market Square outdoor stage but also from the venue stages themselves.
There are a dozen music-related events on the schedule, from perennial favourites Die Roten Punkte and The Fugitives to expat Bob Wiseman's comedic multimedia piece about his post-Blue Rodeo solo career.
Local indie jazz/rock outfit Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers is getting in on the musical action with its new original rock opera, The Wild Things. Inspired by Maurice Sendak's classic children's book, Where the Wild Things Are, the musical follows main character Max across the ocean to the sinister Monster Island. The production comes complete with dynamic set pieces, ghoulish costumes, a small orchestra, and the band's unique musical sensibilities.
No strangers to musical theatre, Flying Fox most recently presenting two popular productions of Jesus Christ Superstar with The Liptonians.
You can catch The Wild Things at Venue 6, aka Tom Hendry Theatre at MTC...
The votes are counted and Power 97 is ready to announce the Class of 2010. Rock acts Broken Halo, Prophet, The Afterbeat, and Talk City beat out hundreds of other local bands to take the top four spots in this year's River City Rocks competition.
Each winning band will be heard on Power 97 all summer long in addition to picking up other prizes, including a membership to Manitoba Music and a gift certificate to Quest Musique.
Plans are in motion for a showcase concert in the coming months and one of the bands will be opening the Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival with Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold on October 2 at MTS Centre.
Power 97 has been running River City Rocks since 2003. This year, the station teamed up with Supernova.com to streamline the band submission process and get the public involved in naming the best rock bands in the city. Bands were able to apply online throughout May. Fan voting narrowed the search down to the Top 20 bands, from which the Power 97 panel selected their four winners.
Power 97's music director, Casey Norman says the reason behind the annual competition is simple: "To promote Winnipeg’s...
Manitoba Music is planning an afternoon/early evening of live performances at the Scotiabank Stage at The Forks on Sunday, September 12, 2010.
Building on last summer’s Stage 8/29 event, The Big Show will celebrate and promote Manitoba artists and music with a concert featuring five to eight multi-genre acts, including solo artists, bands, and DJs, on the marquee stage at The Forks. The Big Show will coincide with the outdoor downtown celebration, Ciclovia, and will be promoted widely throughout the province on radio and television, including sponsor HOT103. The event will be free and open to the public.
Artists will be compensated for their performance.
Performances must be ‘family-friendly’ in language and content.
To be considered for a showcase, you must:
• Have released new music within the past two years
• Be a member of Manitoba Music
Preference will be given to artist who:
• Have received recent radio play in Canada
• Have cultivated a significant local audience and local press
• Appeal to a wide...
“I remember going to Winnipeg Folk Fest and camping with my buddies back when I was 14, 15,” muses Romi Mayes.“We would sit around the campfire and play tunes. I would be playing a shaky G chord with my thumb and hacking my way through some covers I hardly knew. Never in a million years at that time would I have ever dreamed that I would be playing that same Main Stage that we could hear floating into the campgrounds while I was strumming that guitar.”
Mayes has come a long way since the Folk Fest campground. This year marks the singer/songwriter’s third time performing and her first time with a coveted spot on Main Stage, opening Thursday night’s line-up. In recent years, Mayes has picked up a host of awards and accolades, including four Western Canadian Music Awards and a Juno Award nomination for her most recent release, Achin’ In Yer Bones.
Mayes isn’t the only one to go from inspired audience member to Main Stage performer. Singer/songwriter Nicky Mehta, of Juno-winning folk trio The Wailin’ Jennys, has an indelible memory of her first Folk Fest, which set the stage for a life in music.
“I was a budding singer/songwriter and my boyfriend at the time bought me a...
Reporting to the Aboriginal Music Program Coordinator, the Aboriginal Music Program Administrator is responsible for providing administrative and clerical support to the Aboriginal Music Program to ensure the program’s effective and efficient operations.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Administrative
Prepare and distribute program materials such as printing and collating of contracts, course materials, and marketing materials.
Assist with marketing initiatives and research requirements on an as-needed basis.
Assist in preparation of funding applications and reporting.
Prepare general correspondence and reports.
Perform general clerical duties to include but not limited to: photocopying, faxing, mailing, and filing.
Prepare facilities for meetings, workshops, and other events.
Setup and assist in the coordination of meetings and conferences.
Record and distribute minutes, notes, and action items during meetings.
Maintain program and project files.
Maintain a comprehensive Aboriginal music community database with up to date contact information for Aboriginal artists, industry, media, festivals in Canada and the United...
What better way to celebrate that by taking in some great homegrown music this Canada Day. There's a lot going on indoors and outdoors, so grab your flag and your mosquito repellent and say happy birthday to Canada...
Osborne Village Canada Street Festival & Market
June 30 & July 1
Osborne Street shuts down for two nights and a day of vendors, food, beer gardens, and great local music. Catch The Lytics, The Paperbacks, The Oktars, and more at the Music Trader stage. Walk over to The Zoo's stage for sets by bands including The Angry Dragons, Broken Halo, The Perms, and Kyla Cederwall. The mainstage at Confusion Corner plays host to Katie Murphy, Suss, Myles Palmquist, Amuse, Dust Rhinos, Lindsey White, Grant Davison, and Oh My Darling. Check the Live Music Calendar for set times.
Canada Day at The Forks
July 1
A main gathering spot for families, The Forks' Scotiabank Stage will feature the likes of Mama Cutsworth, SubCity, Paper Moon, JD Edwards, and The Waking Eyes with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. The music kicks off at 4pm and runs until the 11pm fireworks display.
Canada Day Picnic in The Park
July 1
Head to Assiniboines Park for a full day of music...
Canada's longest running country music festival kicks off in Dauphin on July 1, offering music fans some of the best in country music as well as a variety of other genres. Dauphin's Countryfest, now celebrating its 21st year, hits the north side of Riding Mountain National Park, 10 km south of Dauphin, and runs for four days of local, national, and international entertainment on three separate stages.
This year's festival features a strong group of Manitoba performers, including country singer/songwriter Bryce Pallister, all-female bluegrass quartet Oh My Darling, fiddlers the D'Aoust Brothers, bluegrass monsters The D.Rangers, blues/roots guitarist extraordinaire Chris Carmichael, and indie rock outfit Take With Audio.
Other headliners include Keith Urban, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Kellie Pickler, Aaron Pritchett, Shane Yellowbird, Terri Clarke, and The Higgins.
Click here for all your complete Countryfest details and check out the concert listings in the Live Music Calendar.
The Manitoba Music Experience Inc. is proud to announce a summer-long celebration of Manitoba’s musical legacy. Shakin’ All Over will be the launching pad for the establishment of a permanent exhibit celebrating this province’s rich musical heritage.
The exhibit--which will run all summer at The Manitoba Museum--will be a multi-media celebration of the many facets/genres of music in Manitoba over time. Each genre will have unique pods designed by the Winnipeg-based design firm of Hilderman Thomas Frank Cram. You will see familiar faces, artifacts, and hear the great music specific to that genre. Some of the highlights include the jacket given to Fred Turner for guest-starring in an episode of The Simpsons; Juno awards won by Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Al Simmons’ one-man band and human jukebox, Daniel Lavoie’s piano, and a perfectly restored Rockola jukebox.
The music industry has partnered with us to showcase the artists who have worked so hard to create this incredible history. The genres include Country, Folk, Jazz, Classical & Opera, First Nations, Métis, Franco-Manitoban, Blues, Children & Family, and Rock n...
Music fans will have a chance to catch over 80 concerts when the Jazz Winnipeg Festival returns to stages for its June 25 through July 4 run. The annual event, which draws thousands of concert goers every year, is once again presenting a wide range of shows spanning just about every genre, from jazz standards to hip-hop to electronica to roots and blues.
Big international names performing at this year's Theatre Series include the legendary Sonny Rollins, eclectic hip-hop act and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon house band The Roots, melodic folk rockers Great Lake Swimmers, Canadian vocalist/musician Ranee Lee, and acclaimed singer/songwriter Toshi Reagon. The Theatre Series also includes special concept concerts like Martha Wainwright performing the songs of Edith Piaf and award-winning film score composer and trumpeter Terence Blanchard's "Jazz in Film" with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra.
Indie genre defiers like Deerhoof and Buck 65, emotronic party outfit Sugar and Gold, disco house band Think About Life, afrobeat act Budos Band, and roots/blues darling Little Miss Higgins, and many more will play Jazz Fest's innovative Club Series...
At the end of June, we will say goodbye to our Training Coordinator, Scott Honsberger. Scott has brought an invaluable perspective to his position, coordinating workshops and other professional development initiatives. Scott is still very much committed to representing, promoting, and helping our members and industry until the end of his term. We would like to thank Scott for his hard work and enthusiasm. We will miss him and wish him all the best.
Consultations, help, and career advice will be available throughout the summer. Please contact us at training@manitobamusic.com, 942-8650 or drop by the Resource Centre for more information.
The Polaris Music Prize has released the 2010 long list, comprising the top 40 Canadian albums of the year, and Greg MacPherson is on it. His latest album, Mr. Invitation, was put forward by the 180 member jury -- including national music journalists, broadcasters, and bloggers.
Released on Manitoba indie label Smallman Records in March, the album has already received outstanding reviews from the likes of Exclaim! and landed in the top 20 of most added albums on college radio charts in Canada and the U.S.
The prestigious Polaris Prize, now in its fifth year, awards $20,000 to the best full-length Canadian album. Past winners include Fucked Up, Final Fantasy, Caribou, and Patrick Watson. Unlike many awards, the jury makes its selection entirely on artistic merit and not sales figures.
Last year, two Manitoba acts were long listed: Christine Fellows and The Weakerthans. The Weakerthans made it to the short list for their release, Reunion Tour.
The Polaris Jury will next determine the 10 album short list, which will be revealed July 6 and the final winner will be announced on September 6 at a gala event.
The Training Coordinator is responsible for developing and administering the delivery of Manitoba Music’s professional development initiatives.
ACCOUNTABILITY
The Training Coordinator reports to the Program Manager and is responsible to the Executive Director, to Manitoba Music’s Board of Directors, and to its membership.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of the Training Coordinator are as follows:
Program Coordination
Work with the Program Manager to identify professional development needs and develop appropriate training delivery plans.
Coordinate and administer all logistics for Manitoba Music’s professional development workshop series and related training programs.
Develop learning objectives and support instructors in workshop preparation.
Develop materials such as guidelines, forms, communications, and marketing.
Assist Program Manager in preparing monthly and quarterly cost reports.
Administer and analyse program evaluations.
Compile industry data and professional development program success stories.
Other related...
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada hosts its first national event at The Forks in Winnipeg, June 16-19. The historic event is an opportunity for all people to learn more about the experiences and impacts of residential schools, meet survivors, and celebrate Aboriginal culture.
Arts and entertainment programming during the four-day event encompasses the traditional and the contemporary in every artistic medium including music, dance, visual art, film, literature, and more. Highlights include an Inuit showcase of Drum dancing and Throat singing, Metis Jamboree, Pow Wow, film screenings, storytelling, and readings.
Two big concerts at the Scotiabank Stage should draw a lot of attention, with musical performances by the legendary Buffy Sainte-Marie, hip-hop act Joey Stylez, country/rock veterans Blue Rodeo, Juno-winning vocal quintet Chic Gamine, three-time Juno-winning Inuit singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark, renowned country artist Ray St. Germain, and more.
Here's your quick guide to music at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission National Event:
On National Aboriginal Day, June 21, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra kicks off its second Indigenous Festival. Launched in April last year, the four-night festival is a celebration of different cultures from around the globe. This year's event features music and dance from North America's Aboriginal peoples, as well as traditions from India, China, and South America. The festival explores different elements of music and rhythm with performances and collaborations by a diverse group of artists, both traditional and contemporary.
The festival opens at the Centennial Concert Hall with Ritual, featuring an Intertribal Grand Entry, arranged by Charles Cozens and sung by Spirit Rising. The evening continues with a performance of Cree composer Andrew Balfour's "Manitou Sky," followed by two works by Chinese-Canadian composer and Erhu master, George Gao. Audiences will be treated to Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" featuring the world premiere dance performance by members of the Contemporary School of Dance and the Manitoba Aboriginal School of Dance, choreographed by Odette Heyn-Penner and Buffy Handel.
The Wailin' Jennys are heading to Massey Hall to honour a music legend this week.
The award-winning trio will join a host of Canadian acts paying tribute to singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn at the venerable Toronto venue on June 16. The concert, called The Canadian Songbook: 40 Years of Bruce Cockburn, is part of the Luminato Festival of Arts and Creativity. Hosted by CBC's Jian Ghomeshi, other guests include Barenaked Ladies, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Buck 65, Amelia Curran, Jason Fowler, Michael Occhipinti, Sylvia Tyson, and Hawksley Workman.
"We're excited to be part of a celebration of one of our favourite songwriters of all time,” says Nicky Mehta in a release. “It is nothing short of momentous to get the chance to interpret Bruce Cockburn's songs and share the stage with him--we're very honoured."
The band, which includes Mehta, Ruth Moody, and American Heather Masse, will be performing two Bruce Cockburn songs as well as providing some backing vocals. This isn't the first time the band has landed on stage with Cockburn; they sang backup for his main stage performance at the Edmonton Folk Festival in 2006.
The Manitoba Electronic Music Exhibition (MEME) is taking over Winnipeg. The new multi-day music and digital artist festival hits indoor and outdoor city venues June 17 and runs to June 20, with electronic music performances, large scale projection, and video installations. MEME (pronounced "meem") also features educational clinics and workshops, digital visual artists, and new media installations. Inspired by festivals like Montreal's MUTEK, and the Detroit Electronic Music Festival (DEMF), MEME is the first event of its kind in western Canada.
This year's festival features dozens of artists from four countries, including 27 Manitoba artists. This year's headliners include Mike Monday from the UK, American acts Billy Dalessandro, Pezzner, Mike Gervais, and Voodeux, and Canadians Noah Pred and Dubmatrix. Local acts include electro house trio Lebeato, electronic label Balanced Records co-founder Kasm, acclaimed producer/DJ/composer Joe Silva.
"MEME gives local electronic musicians, such as myself, a chance to showcase their work at an event tailored specifically for that type of music, namely underground dance music. This is something we had to travel out of province, or...
Ray St. Germain will be inducted to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Honour in a special induction ceremony on Friday, September 10th in Edmonton. The announcement was made by the Canadian Country Music Association on June 8 in Toronto.
“We felt it suitable that in 2010 we would honour ten artists who were pioneers and ground-breakers in our rich country music history as there were so many deserving of this induction – and what a list it is!” said Jill Snell-de Cartier, Chair of the Hall of Honour Electors Committee.“These visionaries are all legends and treasured Canadians – each carved their own path and helped pave the road for the incredible talent we see growing in this flourishing market each year. We look forward to seeing these talented recipients and their families in Edmonton this year at the Hall of Honour ceremony, sure to be this year’s most moving CCMA highlight. Congratulations to one and all on this remarkable achievement.”
Donna & Leroy Anderson, Willie P. Bennett, Marie Bottrell, Eddie Eastman, Don Harron, Fred McKenna, Wayne Rostad, Joyce Smith and Hal & Ginger Willis will also be inducted on September 10th.
A dozen Manitoba acts are heading east this month as Canada’s largest music festival and industry conference gears up to take over Toronto. Running June 14-20, North by Northeast (NXNE) features an industry conference and showcase performances by over 500 established and emerging artists in 40 different downtown venues.
Manitoba artists showcasing at NXNE 2010 include indie pop/rock acts Imaginary Cities, Boats, The Details, Quinzy, Ian La Rue & The Condor, Not Animals, and The Paperbacks, hip-hop outfits Grand Analog, Abstract Artform and Rebel Yell, pop/punk band High Five Drive, female-fronted roots/bluegrass quartet Oh My Darling, and blues rockers the JD Edwards Band.
Manitoba Music and MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC will once again team up to co-host the 15th annual Manitoba BBQ on June 18 atop the Drake Hotel. The BBQ provides Manitobans at NXNE with the opportunity to network with some of the biggest names in the industry. This exclusive, invite-only party is one of the hottest events of the conference.
For the first time, Manitoba Music will also present its own showcase of local acts on June 19, featuring performances by Oh My Darling, The Paperbacks, Imaginary...
It’s a “country meets kids” mash-up at the next Bluebird North songwriters’ showcase at Winnipeg’s Park Theatre & Café on June 8.
On the card for the next Bluebird North concert event are some of Manitoba’s biggest icons, packing huge musical muscles, incredible vocal chops and formidable talent.
Bluebird North: Where Writers Sing and Tell is a songwriters' showcase presented by the Songwriters Association of Canada (S.A.C.). Every show features a different line-up of talented Canadian songwriters, who take turns sharing songs and stories in an informal, acoustic atmosphere. In Winnipeg, Bluebird North is produced by Chris Burke-Gaffney for the S.A.C.
The June 8 event features Doc Walker frontman Chris Thorsteinson, country singer/songwriter Bryce Pallister, legendary children's performer Fred Penner, and Phil Deschambault with Ash Koley. QX104 FM radio personality Troy Westwood, aka singer/songwriter Little Hawk, will host the event.
