Artists and Industry Converge on Kelowna for BreakOut West 2010

Artists and industry from across Canada converge on the picturesque Okanagan Valley this weekend. Breakout West, which runs October 21-24, takes over Kelowna for its eighth annual festivities -- the first under its new name -- which includes a three-night music festival, two awards shows, a conference, and more.

Forty-six acts from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon will showcase at various downtown venues during this year's festival. Manitoba acts taking the stage include: Maiko Watson, Royal Canoe, Grand Analog, Quinzy, Del Barber, Eagle & Hawk, The Lytics, and Genevieve Toupin. Click here to see the full schedule.

Manitobans will also be on stage for the Western Canadian Music Awards Gala on October 24. Continuing the tradition of pairing two acts together for rare performances at the gala, the WCMAs have Doc Walker on stage with Albertan Shane Yellowbird, Grand Analog with BC's You Say Party!, and Genevieve Toupin with the Yukon's Annie Lou. Hall of Fame inductee Daniel Lavoie, who was born in Dunrae MB, will also take to the stage for a special performance. Click here for more info on gala performers.

Manitoba artists and industry are nominated for 35 WCMAs in 22 categories this year, including 20 artistic nods. Nominees include The Weakerthans, Doc Walker, The Wailin’ Jennys, Grand Analog, Magnum K.I., The Lytics, Madame Diva, LuLu et le Matou, Geneviève Toupin, Del Barber, Will Bonness, Eagle & Hawk, Lost Priority,  Fresh I.E., Amanda Falk, Quinzy, Maiko Watson, Casimiro Nhussi, and Sid Robinovitch. Industry professionals up for awards include Gilles Paquin and his company Paquin Entertainment Group, The Weakerthans' Stephen Carroll, West End Cultural Centre, Mike Petkau, Paradise Alley Productions’ Dale Penner, Winnipeg Folk Festival’s Chris Frayer, Arbor Records, Low Budget Productions, and five out of six album design nods for releases by The Weakerthans, The Wailin’ Jennys, Patrick Keenan, Oh My Darling, and Del Barber. Click here for the full story.

For the first time in its eight-year history, the WCMAs will be broadcast nationally on CBC Television and Radio Canada.

MANITOBA MUSIC AT BREAKOUT WEST FESTIVAL 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 

Streaming Café
8:00pm Del Barber
11:00pm Geneviève Toupin 

Greatful Fed
11:45pm The Lytics 

Gotcha Nightclub
11:45pm Maiko Watson 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23

Habitat
9:00pm Royal Canoe

The Keg Lounge
10:00pm Del Barber 

Greatful Fed
10:00pm Maiko Watson 

O'Flannigans
10:00pm Eagle & Hawk 

Gotcha Nightclub
9:45pm The Lytics
12:45am Grand Analog 

Bohemian Café
9:45pm Geneviève Toupin 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24

Mini BreakOut West Family Festival
Rotary Centre for the Arts - Atrium
1:30pm Grand Analog

Click here to see the full schedule.

Festival wristbands are available for $20, allowing access to all venues for all shows for the entire weekend.