Manitoba Folk & Roots Acts Head to Toronto for Folk Music Ontario

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Leonard Sumner

With a long history of fostering stellar folk and roots talent, Manitoba is once again sending some of its most exciting emerging artists to Toronto for the annual  Folk Music Ontario (FMO) conference, which runs October 15-18. Ten local acts will hit the showcase rooms at the event, which offers participants a chance to perform for influential artistic directors, presenters, as well as national and international industry organizations. Manitoba Music will present three chances to catch the artists live at the annual event. 

Manitoba Music has organized market development and showcasing opportunities for the Manitoba acts to connect with some of this country’s most influential members of the national folk, traditional, and roots music scene. Now in its 29th year, the conference features four days of performances, workshops, special events, and panel discussions. Manitoba Music will once again host showcases on October 16 and 17, including the eighth annual Manitoba Brunch on Saturday and a late night showcase room on Friday and Saturday. 

This year’s performers include some of Manitoba’s acclaimed touring acts and up-and-coming performers from the local folk and roots scene, including Leonard SumnerSweet Alibi,  Leaf Rapids, Matt Epp, Carly Dow, Raine HamiltonSlow Leaves, Kayla Luky, and Rhia Rae & The Rubies. Francophone artist Jocelyne Baribeau will also showcase during the event.

Bringing Manitoba music to new geographic areas and finding new markets to intensify trade activity in existing markets is a key component of Manitoba Music's trade and business development projects, which are funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Province of Manitoba. Through events like these, Manitoba Music is able to increase the level of awareness and connection between our province’s music industry and the broader national and international industry, which is vital to the career advancement of Manitoba artists and industry professionals. 

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