Manitoba Artists Head to Ontario for Annual Folk/Roots Conference

With a long history of fostering stellar folk and roots talent, Manitoba is once again sending some of its most exciting emerging artists to the annual Folk Music Ontario (FMO) conference, which runs October 19-22 in Mississauga.

Twelve 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 homegrown acts to connect with some of this country’s most influential members of the national folk, traditional, and roots music scene. Now in its 31st year, the conference features four days of performances, workshops, special events, and panel discussions. Manitoba Music will once again host showcases on October 20 and 21, including the 10th annual Manitoba afternoon show 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 officially-selected showcasing acts Del Barber, Noah Derksen, Slow Leaves, The Small Glories, and William Prince, plus Justin Lacroix, Kevin Roy, Logan McKillop, Madeleine Roger, Micah Erenberg, Raine Hamilton, and The New Customs.

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. Manitoba Music's market development initiatives are funded by the Province of Manitoba, Manitoba Film & Music, and the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada and of Canada’s private radio broadcasters. 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.