Contact East 2024 is happening September 26-29 in Charlottetown, Epekwitk/PEI.
Registration closes on Sunday, September 22 at 9:00 PM AT.
Meals
Due to the rising costs of producing Contact East, not all meals will be included in this year’s Conference Pass. If you are registering as an APA Member or Associate Member, do not purchase the AGM Lunch option! It is included in your registration.
Included in all conference passes: Opening and Closing reception meals
Included in APA Member passes: AGM Lunch + Opening and Closing reception
Each meal is $34.50 after taxes.
Accommodations
Schedule
Subject to Change
Wednesday, September 25
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Rodd Hotel – Lobby | 75 Kent St
Registration Open
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Guild | 111 Queen St
Music PEI Presents!
Sponsored by Music PEI
Get a taste of Prince Edward Island’s vibrant music scene at MusicPEI Presents, a pre-conference showcase event highlighting the best and brightest talent the island has to offer. Join us for a night of exceptional variety and high quality entertainment to kick off this year’s conference! Featuring Tiffany Liu, Nick Doneff, Inn Echo, Logan Richard, and The Umbrella Collective.
Thursday, September 26
9:00 am - 7:30 pm
Rodd Hotel – Province Terrace | 75 Kent St
Registration Open
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rodd Hotel – Grafton/Kent Room | 75 Kent St
PD Session: Presenter 101: Advocacy - Doing it, Loving it
Facilitator: Frédéric Julien, Director of Research and Development, Canadian Association for the Performing Arts
Panelists: TBA
“Advocacy. That’s not for me!”
If this thought crossed your mind as you read the session’s title, think twice: this session was actually designed just for you.
This session brings together festival organizers and government representatives to share the ease and benefits of building relationships. A casual and informative conversation demystifies this process and will make you feel more confident in making friends with your local reps!
By the end of this panel, we will have answered every question you may have about advocacy, except perhaps: “Why didn’t I start doing this earlier?”
10:45 am - 11:45 am
Rodd Hotel – Richmond Board Room | 75 Kent St
Presenter Peer Support Session
Facilitator: Lisa Gleave (she/her), Atlantic Presenters Association
Presenter Peer Support is where people with shared lived experiences come together to promote wellness, recovery, and healing. The goal of these meetings is to develop and support a healthy community of Atlantic presenters. We will do this by providing a confidential space with an atmosphere of safety, kindness and non-judgemental sharing. The Presenter Peer Support Program is an initiative of the Atlantic Presenters Association facilitated by Lisa Gleave, with guidance and training provided by the ECMA Sound Minds Wellness Program. It is open to current APA Members.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Various locations
Enjoy lunch on your own in downtown Charlottetown
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Confederation Centre of the Arts – Outdoor Plaza | Grafton St
Opening Experience: "Rhythm of the Water" presented by Julie Pellissier-Lush and collaborators
Facilitator: Julie Pellissier-Lush
Julie Pellissier-Lush is a Mi’kmaq storyteller, photographer, actor, drummer, best-selling author, and the first Indigenous Poet Laureate for PEI.
Through her books, songs, poetry and other creative pursuits, Julie celebrates and shares the powerful stories of the Mi’kmaq on PEI. Amongst her many accomplishments, Julie helped script the play ‘Mi’kmaq Legends’, which has been performed countless times over the past 13 years across the Island.
At her essence, Julie is a cultural teacher and knowledge keeper. She finds inspiration from her elders, as they bravely share their stories, and from today’s courageous youth who are embracing and celebrating their rich culture. Her five children serve as her greatest inspiration and enduring reason for getting up each day to teach, sing, and create in celebration of her Mi’kmaw roots.
Julie will be welcoming us to Contact East in a good way, by performing with her collaborators: singers, drummers, and dancers.
2:30 pm - 4:35 pm
The Mack | 128 Great George St
Showcase #1
Theatre space donated by the Confederation Centre of the Arts
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Confederation Centre of the Arts | 145 Richmond St
Welcome Reception & APA Award Presentation
Sponsored by Imperial Theatre
Mix, mingle and celebrate the first day of Contact East 2024 (and eat some amazing food!) before heading to Showcase #2 at the Mack! There will be plenty of tasty treats on offer, a full cash bar, and time for socializing with friends new and old. We will also be handing out this year’s APA Award, an honour presented annually to a deserving individual who has made a significant contribution to the performing arts touring sector in Atlantic Canada. Food, drinks, and friends—the perfect way to ring in Contact East!
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
The Mack | 128 Great George St
Showcase #2
Theatre space donated by the Confederation Centre of the Arts
10:15 pm - 12:00 am
Rodd Hotel – Provinces Room | 75 Kent St
End of Day Wind-Down
Relax and unwind after a long day of conferencing at the Rodd Hotel. We know that Contact East can be a little hectic, so take this time to enjoy a beverage and a salty snack, chat with friends (or make new ones!), and look forward to another exciting day of programming ahead.
Friday September 27
8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Rodd Hotel – Lobby | 75 Kent St
Registration Open
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Rodd Hotel – Grafton/Kent Room | 75 Kent St
PD Session: Digital Discoverability for Presenters
Note: concurrent session with “Digital Discoverability for Artists & Managers”
Facilitator: Dessa Hayes, Canadian Association for the Performing Arts
As an event organizer, you spend a lot of time entering event information on your website and on events listings. But is this information fully optimized for discovery via search engines? Can it be reused across digital platforms? In the age of AI, could a machine “recommend” your events to artsgoers?
In this session, you will learn how structured data, entity SEO and other discoverability tools can boost your digital presence. You will also learn how sector-owned infrastructures such as the Artsdata knowledge graph may have already lent your organization a helping hand. By putting a few key recommendations into practice, you can harness the power of these technologies to reach new audiences!
While this session builds upon previous “digital presence” sessions delivered by CAPACOA, there will be useful advice both for participants who are brand new to the topic and those with more advanced digital literacy.
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Rodd Hotel – Provinces Room | 75 Kent St
PD Session: Digital Discoverability for Artists & Managers
Note: concurrent session with “Digital Discoverability for Presenters”
Facilitator: Frédéric Julien, Director of Research and Development, Canadian Association for the Performing Arts
As a performing artist, you spend a lot of time entering event information on your website and on events listings. But is this information fully optimized for discovery via search engines? Can it be reused across digital platforms? In the age of AI, could a machine “recommend” your events to artsgoers?
In this session, you will learn how structured data, entity SEO and other discoverability tools can boost your digital presence. By putting a few key recommendations into practice, you can harness the power of these technologies to reach new audiences!
While this session builds upon previous “digital presence” sessions delivered by CAPACOA, there will be useful advice both for participants who are brand new to the topic and those with more advanced digital literacy.
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Rodd Hotel – Victorian Lobby | 75 Kent St
Break
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Rodd Hotel – Grafton/Kent Room | 75 Kent St
PD Session: Don't Step on my Blue Suede Shoes - A Conversation on Microaggressions in the Arts
Note: concurrent session with “Agents & Managers Meeting”
Facilitator: Evelyn Bradley
This interactive workshop with Evelyn Bradley from Bradley Consulting will explore microaggressions within the arts as they relate to cultural contexts, existing disparities, and how our biases affect our choices. This session will explore:
- The power dynamics of microaggressions
- Communication missteps and how to navigate them
- How bias affects our ability to discern our impact versus intent
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Rodd Hotel – Richmond Board Room | 75 Kent St
Agents & Managers Meeting
Note: concurrent session with “Don’t Step on my Blue Suede Shoes – A Conversation on Microagressions in the Arts”
Join us for the AASPAA Canada meeting, where performing arts agents will gather to discuss profession-specific topics, share ideas, and exchange best practices. This 60-90 minute session promises valuable collaboration and professional development opportunities. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with fellow agents and enhance your expertise in the field!
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Rodd Hotel – Georgian Ballroom | 75 Kent St
AGM Lunch
APA members are invited to join us for our 2024 AGM Lunch, where we hear about the year that has passed from an organizational standpoint, vote on any organizational changes and nominate the new slate of Board of Directors. We are extra excited about this year’s AGM Lunch as we will also be launching our new Strategic Plan! This meeting is open to all delegates.
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
The Mack | 128 Great George St
Showcase #3
Theatre space donated by the Confederation Centre of the Arts
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Various locations
Dinner on your own
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
The Mack | 128 Great George St
Showcase #4
Theatre space donated by the Confederation Centre of the Arts
10:45 pm - 12:00 am
Rodd Hotel – Provinces Room | 75 Kent St
End of Day Wind-Down
Relax and unwind after a long day of conferencing at the Rodd Hotel. We know that Contact East can be a little hectic, so take this time to enjoy a beverage and a salty snack, chat with friends (or make new ones!), and look forward to another exciting day of programming ahead.
Saturday, September 28
8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Rodd Hotel – Lobby | 75 Kent St
Registration Open
9:30 am - 10:30 am
The Guild | 111 Queen St
10:50 am - 12:30 pm
Delta Hotel | 18 Queen St
One-to-One Meetings
Time to get down to business. One-2-ones are a networking opportunity designed specifically for delegates to engage in business discussions. This is your opportunity to connect and meet with artists, agents, managers, and presenters to discuss bookings, availability, seasons, markets, etc. This industry is all about connections, and these meetings offer time and space to create new relationships and nurture existing ones. If you are looking to talk shop at Contact East, this is your chance!
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Delta Hotel | 18 Queen St
Lunch
Sponsored by Delta Hotel Charlottetown
Take a break from your business meetings and grab a delicious lunch! Sandwiches, salads, wraps, and more will be provided by the Delta.
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Delta Hotel | 18 Queen St
One-to-One Meetings
Time to get down to business. One-2-ones are a networking opportunity designed specifically for delegates to engage in business discussions. This is your opportunity to connect and meet with artists, agents, managers, and presenters to discuss bookings, availability, seasons, markets, etc. This industry is all about connections, and these meetings offer time and space to create new relationships and nurture existing ones. If you are looking to talk shop at Contact East, this is your chance!
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
The Mack | 128 Great George St
Showcase #5
Sponsored by the Fredericton Playhouse. Theatre space donated by the Confederation Centre of the Arts
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Ponyboat Social Club | 157 Kent St
Closing Party
Sponsored by the Capitol Theatre
Shindig, soiree, get-together, bash—whatever you want to call it, there’s nothing quite like a party! Join us on Saturday night for a closing celebration at the Ponyboat Social Club. Cap off the conference with some delicious food, cold beverages, arcade games, billiards, and dancing as we bid farewell to another great year of showcases, learning, and gathering with industry friends new and old.
Sunday, September 29
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rodd Hotel – Grafton/Kent Room | 75 Kent St
Breakfast
Sponsored by Debut Atlantic
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Rodd Hotel – Provinces Room | 75 Kent St
Member Meeting
This APA members-only meeting will be a chance to debrief on the conference’s activities, discuss favourite showcases, and learn more about APA’s new strategic plan. We will wrap up with break-out affinity group meetings to give folks time to connect with like-minded organizations before saying goodbye and hitting the road.
Speakers
Adrian Sutherland
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Adrian Sutherland
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
One listen to Adrian Sutherland and you’ll know he’s unlike anyone else. Born and raised in Canada’s Far North, the roots-rocker-with-heart melds folk, roots, rock, and blues into songs that draw inspiration from his life, the land, and his Cree culture, and ripple far beyond stages.
Adrian’s second solo album, Precious Diamonds, was produced in Nashville by Colin Linden. Lead single Notawe (Father) is one of two all-Cree songs on the album, marking the first time Adrian is writing and recording music in his mother tongue.
Adrian and Colin first worked together in 2021. Cut off from the rest of the world during the pandemic, Adrian constructed a recording studio inside a shipping container to record his debut solo album remotely from Attawapiskat. When The Magic Hits earned nominations at the 2022 JUNO Awards and 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards, while Magic Hits won Best Music Video from San Francisco’s 47th American Indian Film Festival.
In addition to being a musician and songwriter, Adrian is a respected cultural leader and traditional knowledge keeper who is fluent in Omushkegowuk Cree. He is writing a book for Penguin Random House Canada about being born and raised in Attawapiskat.
One of the only professional recording artists who still resides in an isolated First Nation, Adrian cares deeply about many causes, with insightful and authentic first-hand perspective on issues like contaminated water, food insecurity, and mental health.
During this time of reconciliation, Adrian is hopeful for Canadians to walk together in love and respect.
Avery Dakin
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Avery Dakin
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Steeped in vintage sensibilities and powerful emotion, paired with her dreamy, delicate vocals, Avery Dakin fuses old and new in her sun-kissed Pop/R&B music.
Hailing from Nova Scotia, Canada, Avery's soft-hearted, soulful accounts of life’s most intimate moments are both youthfully charming and reflective of an old, contemplative soul. Cushioned within lush harmonies, bathing in soft sweetness, Avery’s music implores you to sway along to the earnest sounds of a woman in bloom.
Bel and Quinn
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Bel and Quinn
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Accompanied by the unmistakable sound of Quinn's electric guitar, the duo Bel and Quinn entices the audience with their warm voices and captivating harmonies. The two sisters of Haitian origin perform in French, Creole, and English, bringing to life electrifying music mixing jazz, soul, and the rhythms of Haiti. The themes of self-acceptance and healing resonate with the public and envelop them with a comforting feeling.
Bel writes the lyrics while Quinn composes and arranges the original pieces brilliantly, in addition to establishing herself as a talented jazz guitarist. Committed to promoting female artists, the duo surrounds itself with some of Canada’s most talented musicians, including award-winning drummer Salin Cheewapansri, award-winning saxophonists Beth McKenna and Marie-Josée Frigon as well as trumpeter Josiane Rouette.
Members of the Conseil Québécois de la musique (CQM), they launched a very promising EP, Fanm nan dife, in September 2021. They have been invited to perform at numerous festivals, including the festival Québec jazz en juin, the Festival Nuits d’Afrique and Haiti en folie. In 2021, they participated in the popular show Belle et Bum, broadcast on Télé-Québec. In October 2023, the duo launched their first album, Donte sann yo. Thanks to this new project funded by the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA), Bel and Quinn received their first nomination for the 2024 Juno Awards in the “Global music album of the year” category.
Blessing Tangban
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Blessing Tangban
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Blessing Tangban is an award-winning, Nigerian afro-folk singer-songwriter and guitarist. Her sound is a unique fusion of emotionally stirring Afro- folk melodies that melds evocative storytelling with the ethereal sounds of her finger-picked acoustic guitar.
With a vocal style that is reminiscent of Norah Jones, Blessing’s music resonates with the richness of African soul and contemporary resonance; Radr Africa calls her music ‘a juxtaposition of African folklore and futuristic soul’.
With one album, two EPs and two high-profile musical collaborations with Johnny Drille and M.I Abaga, Blessing has amassed over 80,000 followers across social media platforms and over one million streams for her music across music streaming platforms.
She has earned an award for her vocals, performed in renowned festivals like Splashy Fen in South Africa and Carnival Calabar in Nigeria. She has also shared the stage with renowned musicians like Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, 2Baba, Adekunle Gold, Timi Dakolo.
To support her most recent single release 'Teach Me' (released February, 2024), Blessing has embarked on a Canadian tour of six cities including Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton. She is also a recent graduate of NSCC music business program.
That’s a wrap! Connect and regroup with other members and APA staff after a whirlwind three days of conferencing. We’ll have a demonstration of the Arts Touring Connector with developer Ross Paton. This is a brand spanking new block booking tool being launched this Fall! And as always we will discuss programming, and have a chance to share our plans for the rest of the season before we head our separate ways.
Artists
Showcasing
Adrian Sutherland
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Adrian Sutherland
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
One listen to Adrian Sutherland and you’ll know he’s unlike anyone else. Born and raised in Canada’s Far North, the roots-rocker-with-heart melds folk, roots, rock, and blues into songs that draw inspiration from his life, the land, and his Cree culture, and ripple far beyond stages.
Adrian’s second solo album, Precious Diamonds, was produced in Nashville by Colin Linden. Lead single Notawe (Father) is one of two all-Cree songs on the album, marking the first time Adrian is writing and recording music in his mother tongue.
Adrian and Colin first worked together in 2021. Cut off from the rest of the world during the pandemic, Adrian constructed a recording studio inside a shipping container to record his debut solo album remotely from Attawapiskat. When The Magic Hits earned nominations at the 2022 JUNO Awards and 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards, while Magic Hits won Best Music Video from San Francisco’s 47th American Indian Film Festival.
In addition to being a musician and songwriter, Adrian is a respected cultural leader and traditional knowledge keeper who is fluent in Omushkegowuk Cree. He is writing a book for Penguin Random House Canada about being born and raised in Attawapiskat.
One of the only professional recording artists who still resides in an isolated First Nation, Adrian cares deeply about many causes, with insightful and authentic first-hand perspective on issues like contaminated water, food insecurity, and mental health.
During this time of reconciliation, Adrian is hopeful for Canadians to walk together in love and respect.
Avery Dakin
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Avery Dakin
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Steeped in vintage sensibilities and powerful emotion, paired with her dreamy, delicate vocals, Avery Dakin fuses old and new in her sun-kissed Pop/R&B music.
Hailing from Nova Scotia, Canada, Avery's soft-hearted, soulful accounts of life’s most intimate moments are both youthfully charming and reflective of an old, contemplative soul. Cushioned within lush harmonies, bathing in soft sweetness, Avery’s music implores you to sway along to the earnest sounds of a woman in bloom.
Bel and Quinn
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Bel and Quinn
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Accompanied by the unmistakable sound of Quinn's electric guitar, the duo Bel and Quinn entices the audience with their warm voices and captivating harmonies. The two sisters of Haitian origin perform in French, Creole, and English, bringing to life electrifying music mixing jazz, soul, and the rhythms of Haiti. The themes of self-acceptance and healing resonate with the public and envelop them with a comforting feeling.
Bel writes the lyrics while Quinn composes and arranges the original pieces brilliantly, in addition to establishing herself as a talented jazz guitarist. Committed to promoting female artists, the duo surrounds itself with some of Canada’s most talented musicians, including award-winning drummer Salin Cheewapansri, award-winning saxophonists Beth McKenna and Marie-Josée Frigon as well as trumpeter Josiane Rouette.
Members of the Conseil Québécois de la musique (CQM), they launched a very promising EP, Fanm nan dife, in September 2021. They have been invited to perform at numerous festivals, including the festival Québec jazz en juin, the Festival Nuits d’Afrique and Haiti en folie. In 2021, they participated in the popular show Belle et Bum, broadcast on Télé-Québec. In October 2023, the duo launched their first album, Donte sann yo. Thanks to this new project funded by the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA), Bel and Quinn received their first nomination for the 2024 Juno Awards in the “Global music album of the year” category.
Blessing Tangban
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Blessing Tangban
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Blessing Tangban is an award-winning, Nigerian afro-folk singer-songwriter and guitarist. Her sound is a unique fusion of emotionally stirring Afro- folk melodies that melds evocative storytelling with the ethereal sounds of her finger-picked acoustic guitar.
With a vocal style that is reminiscent of Norah Jones, Blessing’s music resonates with the richness of African soul and contemporary resonance; Radr Africa calls her music ‘a juxtaposition of African folklore and futuristic soul’.
With one album, two EPs and two high-profile musical collaborations with Johnny Drille and M.I Abaga, Blessing has amassed over 80,000 followers across social media platforms and over one million streams for her music across music streaming platforms.
She has earned an award for her vocals, performed in renowned festivals like Splashy Fen in South Africa and Carnival Calabar in Nigeria. She has also shared the stage with renowned musicians like Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, 2Baba, Adekunle Gold, Timi Dakolo.
To support her most recent single release 'Teach Me' (released February, 2024), Blessing has embarked on a Canadian tour of six cities including Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton. She is also a recent graduate of NSCC music business program.
The Bombadils
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
The Bombadils
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
The Bombadils, awarded Vocal Group of the Year by the Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2024, offer stirring lyrics with intertwining string-band arrangements, and tinges of bluegrass. Canadian arts journalist Bob Mersereau calls it "folk tunes done with musical adventure and sophistication" and Elmore Magazine, "an enchanting folk romp." Other recent accolades include Rising Star Recording of the Year at the 2024 East Coast Music Awards, and Americana/Bluegrass Recording of the Year at the 2023 Music Nova Scotia Awards.
Making their home in the foggy port city of Halifax, Canada, the band features folk darlings Sarah Frank and Luke Fraser, accompanied by guests from their extended musical community. Tour highlights include Koerner Hall in Toronto, Tivoli Gardens in Denmark, and Wintergrass festival outside Seattle. Their recent release, Dear Friend, comes after having moved to Atlantic Canada and launching straight into the rush of new parenthood, a new city, and a global pandemic. The 11-song album was recorded between lockdowns and daycare pick-ups, and it is a series of love letters of a certain kind—to family and friends, strangers and neighbours, cities and landscapes, and to each other.
BUWA
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
BUWA
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
British Columbia based, Nigerian performer Buwa is an emerging artist you want to keep on your radar. Drawing influences from the late Whitney Houston, as well as Jill Scott, India Arie, Billy Porter, and Brenda Fassie - Buwa is an exciting contemporary soul artist, with pop and R&B sensibilities and a penchant for storytelling, for whom, music has always played a prominent place. Buwa channels his creativity into poetry and performance art appearing in various stages and productions on Vancouver Island where he resides. Recognized for his infectious melodies, his versatile voice and captivating song writing, Buwa has released two EPs: Olu [2019] and Road Signs [2016], along with handful of captivating singles. He uses his music and talents to change the way the world sees Africa.
Champagne Weather
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Champagne Weather
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
In a world that seems to spin faster every day, Champagne Weather makes time stand still. With a blend of songwriting and sound sculpture, the band artfully connects folk/roots to modern minimalism. Every song is a shimmering blanket of sound with flashes of Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Appalachian fiddle and Maritime folksong. Their music wraps around the audience, creating transformative musical moments.
Champagne Weather is new music from James Hill and Anne Janelle. Separately and together, Hill and Janelle have won a Canadian Folk Music Award and garnered both JUNO and ECMA nominations. They have performed widely at venues and festivals across Canada as well as internationally from New York to London to Tokyo. With Champagne Weather, the duo explores musical territory that reflects the full breadth of their musical lives and loves. The result is both healing and haunting: strange and beautiful music for strange and beautiful times.
Dee Hernandez
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Dee Hernandez
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Dee Hernandez, a multi-faceted artist based in New Brunswick, has been nominated for the 2023 ECMA and MNB Awards. Her recent releases have garnered significant attention and acclaim, with features on CBC Saturday Night Jazz hosted by Laila Biali, Canada JazzFM.91, and East Coast Music Hour. Sass Jordan has lauded her as a "World Class Jazz Singer," while The Maritime Edit Magazine has recognized her as "The Voice of Cuban-Canadian Jazz."
Dee's musical style seamlessly blends Cuban roots, jazz, and global rhythms, incorporating elements of R&B, funk, and pop. Rooted in the East Coast, her performances captivate audiences with their vibrant energy, captivating vocals, and infectious Cuban rhythms. Dee Hernandez stands as a beacon of artistic innovation and musical freedom, offering an unforgettable experience that transcends boundaries.
Duo Concertante with Robert Chafe & Louise Moyes
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Duo Concertante with Robert Chafe & Louise Moyes
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Violinist Nancy Dahn and pianist Timothy Steeves have built an international career as artist and life partners in the Canadian chamber ensemble Duo Concertante. Outstanding musicians, champions of new music, and visionary artistic directors, Nancy and Tim forge a musical legacy through live performances, recordings and a determination to provoke thought about our world through music. Known for the passion and brilliance of their performances, critics have praised Nancy Dahn and Timothy Steeves’ “artistry, poetry, and impeccable technique” (La Scena Musicale) and “deeply integrated performances that flow naturally as if the music were being created on the spot” (Gramophone). Their busy touring schedule across North America, Europe, and China has led to performances at Wigmore Hall, Weill Recital Hall, Koerner Hall, Roy Thomson Hall, the National Arts Centre, Shanghai City Theatre and the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. Nancy and Tim’s thirteen commercial CDs include a 2011 JUNO award winner and the ECMA Classical Recording of the Year for 2017, 2018 and 2019. Their newest release of new Canadian works inspired by the climate emergency, Ecology of Being(Marquis Classics, March 2022), has been praised as “world-class…a powerful and deeply moving album” (WholeNote), and “wonderful music, superbly recorded... a balm for the soul” (Audiophilia). Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada, they hold John Lewis Paton Distinguished Professorships at Memorial University and are also Artistic Directors of the Tuckamore Festival. www.duoconcertante.com
Robert Chafe is a writer, educator, actor and arts administrator based in St. John’s, Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland). He has worked in theatre, dance, opera, radio, fiction and film. His stage plays have been seen in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and in the United States, and include Oil and Water, Tempting Providence, Afterimage, Under Wraps, Between Breaths, Everybody Just Calm the Fuck Down, I Forgive You (with Scott Jones), and The Colony of Unrequited Dreams (adapted from the novel by Wayne Johnston.) He has been shortlisted three times for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama and he won the award for Afterimage in 2010. He has been guest instructor at Memorial University, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, and The National Theatre School of Canada. In 2018 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Memorial University. He is the playwright and Artistic Director of Artistic Fraud.
Dancer and storyteller Louise Moyes (St. John’s) performs and creates Docudances: multidisciplinary and often bilingual shows and films, working with the rhythms of voices as her musical score. Combining her work as dancer, storyteller, filmmaker, and sociologist, Louise has explored her neighbourhood (Long’s Hill Walk 2018-2022), the collapse of the Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries, walking her dog (My Secret Pig), similarities between Québécois and Newfoundlanders, and the life of Franco-Acadian NL musician Florence Leprieur. The same year her Docudance company turned 25, Louise was awarded the Canada Council for the Art’s Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award for Innovation in Dance, in 2016.
Louise currently holds a three-year Canada Council Composite grant for her innovative work in immersive dance walking tours. She is creating a documentary film on Long’s Hill Walk: I live(d) here, which also enjoyed a livestream version, produced by the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and Neighbourhood Dance Works in 2020; a new walk will be produced in 2023.
In 2019 Louise produced the dance film On Hold, created and directed by the award-winning Nicola Hawkins for Louise and her father, 80-year-old dancer and actor John Moyes. It has gone on to be presented at six festivals to date including in Toronto (dance:mic), St. John’s, UK (WOFFF Festival, Prize in Experimental Film), and Cannes Mediterranean Festival. It is currently being aired on CBC GEM.
Louise has been collaborating with artists living with physical and cognitive disabilities since 1992: France Geoffroy Corpuscule Dance and Valerie Dean Montreal 1994-98; Jacinthe Giroux with Jo Leslie Quartiers Danses Festival and creation process 2016; Lee Saunders and Kim White in Long’s Hill Walk 2018-2020. Thanks to a research grant from the Canada Council, Louise has been studying primitive reflexes and their power in working with people on the autism spectrum and living with learning disabilities, through dance and storytelling, with mentor Lee Saunders.
She has performed across Canada and in Germany, Italy, Iceland, New York, Australia, France and Brazil. Louise has bachelor’s degrees in French literature and language and in Medicine from Memorial University. She studied dance and performance at Studio 303 in Montreal and with Neighbourhood Dance Works’ (NL) projects and classes.
Collaborations include dance and interdisciplinary artists: Lisa Porter, Lee Saunders, Nicola Hawkins, Jo Leslie, Anne Troake, Lori Clarke, Eryn Dace Trudell, Tammy MacLeod, Andrea Tucker, Calla Lachance, Lois Brown, Sarah Stoker, Sara Porter, Martha Carter, Suzanne Miller, Tammy Forsythe, among others; Has choreographed for theatre artists Andy Jones, Paul Rowe and Robert Chafe and singer Mary Barry. She has taught at schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador for 30 years and done several provincial tours. Louise has been Chair, Vice-chair and Board Member of Neighbourhood Dance Works. She served on the board of DanceNL 2015-2018. Louise works in documentary film and radio as researcher, writer and presenter.
Ensemble Callinos (Debut Atlantic)
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Ensemble Callinos (Debut Atlantic)
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Ensemble Callinos embodies the very essence of lyrical beauty with its captivating blend of flute, cello, and piano. The name "Callinos" draws inspiration from Calliope, the muse of poetry, and Linos, the legendary master of the lyre, perfectly reflecting the ensemble's artistic mission.
Comprised of the brilliant Edyelwys Silva (flute), Thomas Chartré (cello), and Jeanne Frenette (piano), Ensemble Callinos brings to life major works and original transcriptions for this unique instrumental trio. Their socially engaged approach ensures that music reaches diverse audiences through innovative and heartfelt projects. Since their foundation in 2022, they have partnered with organizations such as Share the Warmth, le Chaînon, and CHSLD VIGI-Reine-Elisabeth, performing concerts that support and uplift vulnerable communities.
É.T.É
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
É.T.É
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
The fruitful meeting of three young musicians with vibrant artistic journeys, É.T.É propose a dynamic and contemporary vision of Québécois trad music. With influences from jazz, progressive rock, and classical music, violinist Élisabeth Moquin, bouzouki player Thierry Clouette and cellist Élisabeth Giroux create their own trad universe with original compositions and unique arrangements of Québécois and Acadian repertoire.
Their rich vocal harmonies, their groove, their ease at their instruments and their electrifying simpatico onstage transforms the ordinary kitchen party into an unforgettable show! The group has toured extensively throughout Canada, the USA, Scotland, Belgium, Australia and France.
The Hello Crows
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
The Hello Crows
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Lessons from the past, anthems for the present, and hope in the future where truth is realized— that clear-sightedness combined with cautious optimism says a lot about what The Hello Crows are hoping to accomplish. They are not only a group of highly talented Wabanaki songwriters and storytellers, but together they stand as a collective voice representing both their people and generation simultaneously.
Formed in 2022, Judie Acquin, Dylan Ward, Mattie Comeau and Quinn Bonnell originally appeared together when they were all booked together as a Wabanaki songwriter circle.
Sharing the stage, the chemistry quickly became obvious. Not only were they all a natural fit for one another, but their combined voices only proved to further amplify their powerful messages. In that instant, making this a more permanent lineup was the only logical ‘next move’.
With The Hello Crows, the aim is to educate audiences about their beautiful culture, history and the positive things happening within their communities, meanwhile honestly sharing the social obstacles in place today. Within the group, we not only learn of the indigenous cultures, values and traditions, but also gain the perspectives of indigenous women and the LQBTQIA2+ communities as well, making The Hello Crows one of the most important acts working in Canada right now.
Celebrate the spirit of healing, humour and fortitude with The Hello Crows and their journey of putting the modern Indigenous experience and landscape to story and song.
For further info, press and booking opportunities contact The MRTI Agency.
Joe H Henry
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Joe H Henry
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
With a voice “as powerful as a freight train” Indigenous Singer-Songwriter Joe H Henry bellows the flames of gritty Americana Roots with a whole lot of Soul.
Since emerging onto the East Coast Music Scene in 2022, Henry has been making waves with his unique voice, thoughtful lyrics, and an innate ability to connect with audiences from all walks of life; stemming from over a decade spent travelling and homeless with nothing but a backpack and his guitar.
Releasing his ECMA nominated debut EP “Keep the Fire Burning” Summer 2023, he has quickly become a name to watch with MainStage performances at many of the Maritime’s biggest festivals and as part of the 2023 Wildfire Recovery Concert where he received a standing ovation from an audience of 8,000+ for his song “All Hands” written for the first responders and affected families.
Joey O’Neil
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Joey O’Neil
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Critically acclaimed Yukon folk singer-songwriter, Joey O'Neil, is bewitching audiences across Canada with hauntingly heartfelt anecdotes from a queer, woodland life. Sure to make you laugh and cry simultaneously, her performance has been described as “gentle and intimate” by Exclaim! and “absolutely touching, even a little heartbreaking” by NEXT Magazine.
Her third album, Phantom Vibes (2023), weaves poignantly personal storytelling with her signature fingerpicked guitar, her theremin's ethereal howls, and a mélange of folk-jazz instrumentation including the enchanting trills of a vibraphone, the arresting breath of a flute, a trumpet's calming croon, an organ's divine warmth, and a sentimental pedal steel voiced by producer Aaron Goldstein (Le Ren, Julianna Riolino). "In this collection of figurative ghost stories," O'Neil recounts, "I wanted to marry the modern world with the spirit realm, exploring presence in familiar forms. Tales of missed calls and 'ghosting' are made timeless by our nostalgic arrangements." Going deeper, she touches on lyrical themes of maternal love, memory triggers, and mannerism mimicry, all the while wielding bittersweet wordplay and vulnerable vocals. Her clever sincerity has earned her regular spins on the CBC, as well as a place on !earshot's National Folk / Roots / Blues chart. More than ever, Joey O'Neil has cordially invited us into her personal reflection as she hosts this soul-stirring séance… and we’re so pleased to accept.
When taking a break from chopping wood or hauling water around her off-grid Klondike cabin, O'Neil has achieved long-haul status over countless cross-country tours in her vintage camper while warming stages for Basia Bulat, Jennifer Castle, and Julie Doiron. She's been steadily collecting festival experience at Folk on the Rocks, Dawson City Music Festival, BreakOut West, Wintersong, Canadian Music Week, and NXNE. After the release of her canine-centric album, Ever Ahead (2020), O'Neil and her road-dog, Oblio, embarked on a Dog Park Tour of Canada, performing at 13 parks across five provinces.
Kelly McMichael
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Kelly McMichael
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Kelly McMichael is an artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist based in St. John’s, NL, originally from Peterborough, ON. She has toured North America and Europe and backed up The Burning Hell, Allie X, Tim Baker and Sarah Harmer. After a decade as a side player and fronting multiple DIY feminist bands McMichael’s independent debut LP had a breakthrough in 2021. ‘Waves’ garnered a spot on the Polaris Prize shortlist, three Music NL Awards including ‘Songwriter of the Year’ and the ECMA for Best Rock Recording.
Kelly’s music sits in the comfort of classic pop / rock influences while being utterly unafraid to try new things. Her sophomore album ‘After The Sting Of It’ arrives fall 2024, via LHM Records.
Knotted Hawk Productions
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Knotted Hawk Productions
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
The Greatest Robot Ever is a brand new, rhyming story presented by KnottedHawk Productions. This interactive dance theatre show is perfect for children 3-8 years and their grownups.
Glitch the little robot doesn’t feel special like all the other amazing robots living in the junk yard. With the help of their best friend, Shift, they go on a quest to find the pieces to make them stand out! Full of fun, adventure and self discovery; Will Glitch find what they were searching for all along?
Using projection, dance and storytelling, children interact with the performers throughout the show and take part in an engaging workshop exploring resilience, friendship and wellbeing.
Kyle McKearney
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Kyle McKearney
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Kyle McKearney has made a mark this year as Canada's most buzz-worthy, breakthrough Americana / Alternative-Country artist. Since January 2023, Kyle’s sophomore album 'A Traveler's Lament' (2023 Canadian Country Music Awards ‘Alternative Country Album of the Year’— winner) has garnered an impressive 25x award nominations, 10x award wins, and has gone onto be shortlisted for a 2024 GRAMMY Awards® nomination in the ‘Best Regional Roots Album’ category.
The success of the album has offered Kyle the opportunity to support names like: The Black Crowes, Lainey Wilson, Darius Rucker, Midland, Kip Moore, Terri Clark, Jon Pardi, Burton Cummings, and many more. Kyle has gone from performing local bars to arenas / major festivals in Canada and has begun exporting to the USA, Europe and recently embarked on his first UK tour at the front of 2024.
Kyle has started putting singles out from his highly anticipated third studio album that he worked on with Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson). Look out for more from Kyle McKearney as he embarks on the journey of album three.
Leanne Hoffman
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Leanne Hoffman
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Leanne Hoffman performs a tightrope walk between the sensual immediacy of pop music and poetry’s revelatory nuance. Using the swirling melodies and glitzed-up production of Top 40, the Nova Scotia-based multidisciplinary artist builds tension between soundscapes primed for pure pleasure and lyrics that address the interconnected relationship between desire and despair.
Her latest release, The Text Collector is a marked departure from her 2019 award-winning album What Remains and was nominated for an East Coast Music Award for Pop Album of the Year. Produced by Erin Costelo and Hoffman herself, The Text Collector deconstructs poetry and pop music, rebuilding the pieces into a listening experience even richer than the sum of its parts.
Mimi O’Bonsawin
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Mimi O’Bonsawin
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Mimi O’Bonsawin is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter from Northeastern Ontario.
Through her rhythm and story-driven songs, Mimi embraces the beauty of the land, all the while yielding to her Franco-Ontarian and Abenaki First Nations roots.
Tim & Joe
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Tim & Joe
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
The Duo’s Biography
In 2017 Tim and Joe joined forces and created “Mr P.P. and Joe”. In 2018 they received a CALQ creative development grant to create “Thank God for Tim and Joe”. This new duo show has toured to: Festival Internacional de Pallassos de Cornellà (Barcelona) Spain, Toronto Clown Festival, Montreal clown Festival. In 2021 they received a Travel grant from the Canada Arts Council to take the show to Festival Tendance Clown Marseille. In 2022 they performed “Thank God for Tim and Joe” in Salle Gesu Montreal for the Montreal Clown Festival. Tim and Joe have also hosted shows for Teatro Zinzanni in Seattle and Chicago.
Joe De Paul’s Biography
Canadian actor, writer, teacher, director and clown Joe De Paul Performed in various productions across Canada, ranging from classical theatre to new works. Joe began his career in the circus in 1999 and performed in numerous Cirque du Soleil productions, including his debut in the North American tour and in the Emmy award winning film version of Dralion. Joe’s unique physical comedy has brought him critical acclaim in various circuses and cabarets in North America and Europe including Salto Natale in Zurich, Palazzo in Germany, and Cirque Zanzibar in France. Joe has toured from Spain to Finland with Los Galindos street circus. Joe co-founded the “ Collectif Clown International de Marseille” for the research and development of new works. He has taught at the Geneva Circus School, FRACO clown school in France, National Theatre School of Canada, L’École National du Cirque du Canada and Concordia University. He has written comedy and directed for Cirque du Soleil’s Ama Luna, Ka, Drawn to Life and directed and starred in multiple productions of Teatro Zinzanni in The USA. Joe has authored and toured two full length clown productions, Placebo and Mr.P.P. and Joe.
Tim Tyler’s Biography
Tim Tyler and his character Mr P.P. have for over 40 years performed and hosted in variety shows around the world, including “Palazzo” Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna and Basel. Teatro Zinzanni in Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago. He has done seasons in Berlin’s Wintergarten, the Chameleon, GOP variety shows, Salle D’Etoile in Monte Carlo, Jongleur’s in London, Circus Roncalli’s “Clowns of the World” Ronacher Theatre Vienna, The Last Laugh in Melbourne, Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast Australia and several Royal Command Performances Tim Tyler’s solo theatre shows have toured Internationally to festivals such as The London International Mime Festival, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Seoul Arts Centre Korea, Melbourne Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs Festival Montreal, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Vancouver Comedy Festival, Festival d’Ete Quebec, Wellington International Festival, Hong Kong Fringe Festival and Cardiff festival.
Pallmer
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Pallmer
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Pallmer is a chamber-pop project born from late night improv sessions during a particularly snowy winter in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Emily Kennedy (cello, vocals) and Mark Kleyn (viola) had performed in classical ensembles for several years before delving into their own writing. Their first show was a short, blush-filled set at a local cafe. Since then, the duo has performed at some of the province’s most acclaimed festivals and opened for renowned artists like Daniel Lanois.
Pallmer’s 2021 EP, “Quiet Clapping” won Recording of the Year at the 2021 Prix MNB Awards. The collection of five songs was recorded in a large dance studio at the back of a church-converted-to-arts centre, taking advantage of its natural resonance, and embracing the occasional noises from old water heating. Pallmer released a limited edition, double-header vinyl run of “Quiet Clapping” & their 2019 release, “Grass Garden'' on April 9th, 2022.
The band has taken a slow but steady approach to releasing music, and after two years of writing, Pallmer returned to the studio to record their first LP “Swimming.” The duo worked with JUNO award-winning producer Joshua van Tassel, squirrelling away for five days at his secluded home studio to record the album. Their collaboration produced a tender collection of 9 songs that interweaves layers of strings, bass, synthesizers, and marimba-like percussion. Swimming was released January 12, 2024.
In order to help realize the album’s breadth live, in early 2023 Pallmer invited longtime friend and sound artist Charles Harding to join the band on both synthesizer and percussion. Since joining the band, the trio have toured from coast to coast across Canada, playing at notable festivals and participating in creative residencies like Greville Tapes Music Club.
Pillow Fite
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Pillow Fite
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Pillow Fite is Halifax, Nova Scotia’s most exciting new musical duo. Pairing tender, heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics with catchy alt-rock instrumentals and folky ballads, the genre lines get blurred in a way that keeps the project dynamic and binge-worthy while giving listeners all of the feels. As a trans non-binary fronted band, Pillow Fite strive to represent queer experiences both on and off stage, and work hard to perform in safe and inclusive spaces. Pillow Fite's debut album 'Soft Promises, Hard Feelings' will be followed by a European and US tour in the fall.
One Light Theatre
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
One Light Theatre
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Ritual Music to Cure a Lover is the story of today’s Iran. It is the story of youth rising up against their fathers’ choices. It is the story of love overcoming hate; of light destroying darkness. A modern-day love story rooted in ancient Iranian myths. A transformative storytelling experience.
Tunes and Tales
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Tunes and Tales
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
As a musical storytelling group, Tunes and Tales is a unique performance group dedicated to child development, we share our stories in schools, libraries and festivals. We use musical storytelling with high-quality instrumental arrangements, three-part harmony and hand-tailored artwork presented on a “crankie”.
Our mandate is to promote imagination, creativity, and social-emotional learning, through stories, music and art.
Valmy
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Valmy
Contact East 2024 Showcasing Artist
Valmy is a St. John’s-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Ontario who’s been following the ocean and making home on the East Coast. Exploring the complexities of relationship, loss, and healing, she uses her folk-influenced music to tell stories about loving and stumbling your way through the dark. In September 2023 Valmy released her debut full-length album, ‘The In Between’: a collection of songs created over the past several years, which weaved nature-inspired melodic swells and atmospheric harmonies with her contemplative writing and arrangements. The record was warmly received by listeners and thoughtfully reviewed by Tony Ploughman of Fred’s Records; “There is a cohesiveness to this full album offering meditative musings on balancing one’s own mental state in harmony with nature…Deftly produced, engineered, and mixed, “The In Between” is one of 2023’s finest NL Releases”. Valmy was nominated for MusicNL’s Folk Artist and Rising Star of the Year in 2023, an ECMA for African Canadian Artist of the Year in 2024, and she is looking forward to continuing to connect with audiences during her Eastern Canadian Tour this Autumn, 2024.
Pitching
Ballet Kelowna
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
Ballet Kelowna
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
Founded in 2002, Ballet Kelowna is the sole professional dance company in British Columbia’s Interior. The organization is committed to its role as a leader in the region through encouraging, promoting, and developing Canadian dancers and choreographers. The Company’s Artistic Director and CEO, Simone Orlando, is an award-winning choreographer and former dancer with Ballet BC and The National Ballet of Canada.
Ballet Kelowna has toured to over 80 communities including recent debuts in Atlantic Canada and Quebec and has been invited to perform at the Banff Centre for the Arts, Toronto’s Fall for Dance North Festival, Beijing’s China International Performing Arts Expo, and the 2023 Western Arts Alliance Conference. Repertoire includes commissioned works by Gioconda Barbuto, Cameron Fraser-Monroe, Alysa Pires, Wen Wei Wang, Kirsten Wicklund, and many more. Ballet Kelowna was recently named the 2024 Artistic Company of the Year by the British Columbia Touring Council.
Connection Dance Works
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
Connection Dance Works
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
Connection Dance Works is a non-profit professional contemporary dance company located in Saint John, New Brunswick. Our vision is to establish a nationally recognized contemporary dance hub in New Brunswick, connecting artists and audiences through outstanding original works of dance art.
We engage people in the expressive language of human movement. We create, present, and facilitate professional contemporary dance performance in our region.
We nurture a dynamic community of collaborative artists in New Brunswick and beyond.
Connection Dance Works was founded in 2010. The company's efforts and initiatives have engaged a growing audience in an active discussion about contemporary dance. Their multi-disciplinary collaborations — with musicians, choreographers, writers, composers, visual artists, and multi-media creators — affirm a new era of cross-pollination and a profound commitment to the notion of community.
Connection Dance Works provides opportunities for artists to share knowledge and learn from each other through its PERSPECTIVE series and annual Saint John Contemporary Dance Festival. The company has established itself as an educational forum for audiences and students alike, offering workshops, artist talks and professional development for both local and visiting artists. Connection Dance Works has worked with Julia Aplin, Marie-Josée Chartier, Tedi Tafel, Meagan O’Shae, Darryl Tracy and Lesandra Dodson. The company creates new work, collaborates with multi-disciplinary artists, and presents dance.
Mativetsky, Amiri & Pagé
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
Mativetsky, Amiri & Pagé
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
Since connecting in 2019, this trio of accomplished soloists have been quietly worldbuilding. In the midst of three distinct and daring careers, Mativetsky, Amiri & Pagé have come together, forging a remarkable triad in which multiple musical traditions are wrung out and hung along a set of unplotted constellations. Employing rhythmically imaginative tabla, a custom-built, modulated santur and processed concert harp, they make compassionate music for worlds emerging.
Based in Montreal, the group formed through mutual connections and a shared desire to push their respective practices further. What’s immediately apparent when listening to the trio is the rich sense of cohesion; complex melodies referencing Persian classical and chamber jazz combine seamlessly with inventive Hindustani rhythms. The compositions morph and sway as if to their own internal logic, each player taking turns shepherding the sound. The results are both intense and welcoming. Santurist and cultural inventor Amir Amiri describes a central part of the group’s methodology: “The music is a project of illumination, a way-showing system. As artists, we must work in uncomfortable areas, outside what is acceptable; to push through all the terrible, uncertain sounds into the beyond, to bring the audience somewhere new. We’re in the business of empowering people.”
The music of Mativetsky, Amiri & Pagé strikes an impeccable balance, appealing equally to fans of traditional modes and those in search of more abstract sounding. Rather than chopping off the root and shooting for the stars, the players ground the group’s sound in their lifelong study of music and dedicated improvisational practices.
Phin Performing Arts
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
Phin Performing Arts
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
About Phin Performing Arts:
Dance and movement are a part of every human’s life experience. Dance uplifts, entertains, inspires, grows community spirit, and fosters creativity for everyone. Based in Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Phin Performing Arts is a contemporary dance performance company dedicated to creating moving dance and multi-disciplinary works for the stage, and providing immersive and educational experiences in movement arts.
Since its establishment in 2010, Phin has become an integral part of the Atlantic Canadian dance community, engaging dance, design and production artists, providing professional dance performances and experiences for the community, developing artists’ voices and skills, and fostering mental and physical health and an appreciation for the arts through our outreach and education activities.
About Choreographer and Artistic Director Lisa Phinney Langley:
A dancer, choreographer, producer and educator with a background in scientific research, Lisa Phinney Langley’s explorations in both the arts and science are driven by a curiosity about the fabric of our existence and the threads that connect our experiences with the natural laws of the universe. Interested in the endless potential of physical exploration, and continually curious about process of constructing meaning, Lisa's work is dynamic, precise, and rich in visual imagery, with undertones in mystery and spirituality. Her work, Analogy for Solid Bones, was nominated for the 2010 Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award, and prompted one reviewer to state, “Conservationists take note: If you want people to pay attention, partner with an artist.”
Lisa lives in Kjipuktuk/Halifax with her husband, two beautiful and creative children, and one overly friendly dog.
SNAFU
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
SNAFU
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
(She/her) Raised by gregarious Danish immigrants, Canadian puppeteer Ingrid Hansen is a tree climber whose purse is always full of snacks. She puppeteers for Sesame and the Jim Henson Company. Her solo show EPIDERMIS CIRCUS just had a sold-out run Off-Broadway where it received 5 STARS and Critics Choice from All About Solo NYC.
Ingrid puppeteers Heart, a lovable orange monster on Helpsters, Sesame Workshop’s Emmy-Award-Winning series for AppleTV+. She also puppeteers on Henson’s new Fraggle Rock TV series. For the TreehouseTV show Miss Persona, Ingrid puppeteers and choreographed and directed on several music videos, including getting to direct Fred Penner and choreograph ‘Letterkenny’ comedian K. Trevor Wilson. (Both as magical in person as you would expect.)
With SNAFU, Ingrid has co-authored and co-produced 21 live shows including Epidermis Circus, Little Orange Man, Kitt & Jane, Interstellar Elder, Table Top Tales, Snack Music and The Merkin Sisters.
For the past decade, Ingrid has been a part of an ongoing collaboration with incarcerated artists at William Head on Stage, the only prison theatre company in Canada that performs for the public. She teaches workshops from kinder to adult.
SQx Dance Company
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
SQx Dance Company
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
MISSION: Use contemporary dance to promote kinship, collaboration, and teamwork.
PRIMARY ACTIVITIES: Since 2012, we have been creating and disseminating performances and performance programming. Both have a blended social-cultural theme that balances the promotion of art and culture with social change-making. Use dance to make the world a better place.
DEFINING VULNERABLE: We engage with people who have been systemically underserved in Canada’s history as well as those who currently experience hegemonic inequities (physical, economic, or social). In using the term “vulnerable,” we're not blaming or disempowering vulnerable populations. Instead, we recognize the systemic barriers that prevent people from fully participating in society. We also note that a person’s proximity to hegemonic characteristics (e.g. male, white, urban, cis, heterosexual, wealthy, able-bodied, and thin) affects their degree of vulnerability.
We have HIRING PREFERENCES because it’s critical to the identity of our organization, and it’s how we work towards continuously improving SQx and our programming and performances to ensure our work considers the experiences of diverse audiences and participants. Our goal by ensuring diverse artists are at the forefront of creation is to give voice and visibility to vulnerable populations. Each artist brings special knowledge and experiences that influence the social inclusivity outcome of our works.
What does SQx mean? A SeQuoia is a giant tree. And our programs and performances deliver a giant eXperience. All the above ensures that we’re always growing, which is why our logo is a tree and our name is derived from Sequoia tree. Big growth is part of our organizational vision. We’re a part of a forest; we’re a part of a community that nurtures us.
FR, EN, & ES: We present our work in both official languages and Spanish.
Our work is supported by Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia, Vancouver Foundation, Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation, Columbia Basin Trust, participACTION, Canadian Tire - Jumpstart, Governo dos Açores, and the European Commission.
Our has been presented across Canada as well as Portugal, Morocco, Spain, Norway, Italy, Greece, Germany, Serbia, Austria, England, Mexico, Poland, & Iceland.
Recent Highlights:
2019: Presentation at International Festival of Tale and Arts, Zagora, Morocco in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada.
2020: Creation of Active Inclusion Program: An interactive performance program using dance to disrupt discrimination, intolerance, racism, and hate.
2022: 10th Art of Management and Organization Conference: Art as Activism. Presented “Social Innovation in Interactive Performance Programming” in Liverpool, England.
2022: 2022 International Conference on Opportunities in the Arts: Create the Future in Boston, Massachusetts. Presented, “Digital Choreographic Solutions for the COVID Era”
2023: Publication of of Policy Paper, “Revolutionizing Arts Education Curriculum | Disrupting Discrimination & Racism Against Underserved Youth”
2023-24: Creation and presentation of Tidal Wave: a dance performance, outreach program, and screen dance in British Columbia, Iceland, & Portugal.
Sursaut Dance Company
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
Sursaut Dance Company
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
Founded in 1987, the Sursaut Dance Company is dedicated to the creation, production, and dissemination of dance works for young and family audiences.
Joyful, poetic and touching, the company’s productions witness to the maturity of a progressive and evolutionary artistic vision, aimed at young audiences for more than 35 years. Conscious of the intelligence, the openness, the great capacity to listen and see and the demanding nature of young audiences, the company works with seriousness, authenticity, and with the greatest respect for this audience.
Presented from coast to coast in Canada as well as internationally, Sursaut’s productions inspire and charm young and old alike, everywhere they are presented.
The Skeleton Dance
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
The Skeleton Dance
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
THE SKELETON DANCE is a play for all ages about Death (Yay!) It is a highly physical, energetic, and light-hearted play with elements of creative movement, clown, and puppetry. It is created and performed by Emma James (they/she) and Ella MacDonald (she/her). It runs approximately 50 minutes, invites structured audience participation, and is always followed by a meet-and-greet or talk back.
In THE SKELETON DANCE, two young children, Emma and Ella, process the news that their Great Uncle Trout has suddenly passed away. They consider the implications of this in an entertaining, irreverent way, where the audience is privy to their many whimsical theories about death.
Despite the subject of death being widely perceived as inherently difficult subject matter, The Skeleton Dance is playful, light-hearted and irreverent. The children in the play do not feel social pressure to discuss death as a somber event and are not inhibited in sharing their opinions.
The goal of THE SKELETON DANCE is to provoke thought about the ways in which we respond to hardship and comfort one another. It guides audiences through grief through the lens of a child: all feelings are okay, there are no bad questions, and we must process through connection and play.
Théâtre À l’Envers
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
Théâtre À l’Envers
Contact East 2024 Pitching Artist
Patricia Bergeron (director and author) is a multidisciplinary artist, director, author, actress and puppeteer. With a bachelor's degree in acting and a master's degree in theater from UQAM's École supérieure de théâtre, she toured Quebec, France and England with various companies before founding Théâtre À l'Envers in 2007. She holds the position of General and Artistic Director, developing image-based writing at the heart of her creative process. Passionate about outreach projects, she creates projects on subjects close to her heart, such as grief, tolerance, self-esteem and hypersexualization. Patricia also leads shadow theater workshops in schools in Quebec and other Canadian provinces.
Thank you to our sponsors
About Contact East
Contact East is the Atlantic Presenters Association’s hallmark event and Atlantic Canada’s performing arts booking conference. The annual event provides an essential and inspiring experience for delegates bringing together regional, national, and international performing arts presenters, managers, and agents, to see performances which showcase a diverse range of artistic genres, including but not limited to music, cabaret, dance, disability arts, circus arts, comedy, youth-oriented programming, and cultural performances.
Contact East is a four-day showcase and professional development conference complete with approximately 30 artist performances, showcase and pitch sessions, as well as an unprecedented opportunity for presenters to network and learn from some of the best in the business from the Atlantic Provinces, across Canada, and internationally.
APA is further committing to its mandate to present a diverse range of artists from a variety of backgrounds. APA acknowledges that past artist selection processes were not fair or equitable and understands the value that lived experiences and community-based practices have when it comes to making decisions. APA is committed to implementing and upholding equitable practices in choosing artists to perform at Contact East 2024 and beyond.
The artists chosen by the selection committee shall have equitable representation across populations, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, Deaf, Disability, and Mad arts communities. Atlantic Presenters Association is dedicated to providing a space that is accessible, inclusive, and free from oppression, harassment, and discrimination.
To further ensure a fair selection process, APA will be putting out a call for applications for interested individuals to be on this year’s selection committee. In the past, Contact East’s selection committee has been hand-picked from APA’s membership rather than opened up to the larger presenting community. The goal of this change is to make sure the committee represents a cross-section of different artistic genres and cultural backgrounds, resulting in an overall diverse representation of committee members to ensure the selection process is as fair and equitable as possible.
Registration is now open for Contact East 2024!
Past Artists
- Aerlialists
- Amai Kuda et Les bois
- Ammoye
- Beau Wheeler
- Charm of Finches
- Christine Friday of Friday Creeations
- DeeDee Austin
- Duane Andrews and the Hot Club of Conception Bay
- Duo Beija-Flor
- Good Dear Good
- Hilary Knee, Josh Murphy, and Candice Pike
- La Patente
- Maude Sonier
- North Barn Theatre
- Ptarmageddon
- XIA-3
- Basset
- Ebnflōh
- Élage Diouf
- Huu Bac Quintet
- janoah…anygoodjokes?
- Keonte Beals
- Liliona Quarmyne
- Mocean Dance
- Noël Wan
- Piano Heist
- Santiago Guzmán
- Tio Chorinho with Flavia Nascimento
- Zay Nova
- Zuppa Theatre
- General Khan
- Halifax Circus
- Jah’Mila
- Joce Reyome
- Kristen Martell
- M3D14
- Martha Mutale
- Meredith Kalam
- Quote the Raven
- Rube & Rake
- Satellite Théâtre
- Shalan Joudry
- Silver Wolf Band
- Valmy
- Andrew Waite
- Big Little Lions
- BRIDGE & WOLAK
- Calum Graham
- Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita
- Charlie A’Court
- Countermeasure
- Dr G
- Emily Jean Flack
- Fara
- Geri Hall and Gary Pearson
- Jacques Surette
- Jennah Barry
- Kim Harris
- La Terza Classe
- Laila Biali
- Lizzy Hoyt
- Melody Johnson
- Nive and Deer Children
- Papagroove
- Raine Hamilton
- Rebecca Perry
- Ripopee
- Rozalind MacPhail
- Ryan McMahon
- Sarah Hagen and Brendan McLeod
- Shaun Boothe
- Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch (Axis Theatre)
- Svetlana Shmulyian
- The Myrtle Sisters
- Theatre New Brunswick
- Trio Fibonacci
- Twin Flames
- Vishten
- West of Mabo
- Alex Zerbe
- Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland – Between Breaths
- Axis Theatre Co – ‘Robinson Crusoe’
- Bev and Marc
- Blue Moon Marquee
- Christine Tassan et les Imposteures
- Christopher Hall and the Comic Quartet
- Compania Carmen Romero
- Dione Taylor
- Fretboard Journey
- GoldenOak
- Ian Foster
- Janet Cull
- Jeremy Dutcher
- Jeremy Fisher
- Les Tireux d’Roches
- Lucas Bohn
- L’Aubergine – ‘TerZettto’
- Ndidi Onukwulu
- Norman Foote
- Paul Power – ‘Crippled’
- Preetam Sengupta
- Pretty Archie
- Proteus Saxophone Quartet
- Quantum Tangle
- Rachel Beck ft. The Atlantic String Machine
- Saltarello
- Terence Jack
- The Daly Family Collective
- The Kubasonics
- Van Larkins
- Wonderheads – ‘Grim and Fischer’
- André Rodrigues
- Andrew Collins Trio
- AYRAD
- Betty Bonifassi
- Chris Kirby/Kim Dunn
- CY
- Diyet
- Earle and Coffin (Pitch)
- Eric Harper
- God Is A Scottish Drag Queen (Pitch)
- Heather Rankin
- Hogtown Brass Quintet
- James & Jamesy
- Jazz Affair (Pitch)
- Kobo Town
- Lloyd Spiegel
- Matthew Byrne
- Meaghan Blanchard
- Nicolas Pellerin et les Grands Hurleurs
- Ouroboros
- Payadora Tango Ensemble
- Pierre Rancourt (Pitch)
- Rebecca Perry – From Judy to Bette (Pitch)
- Roseneath Theatre – Outside (Pitch)
- Rum Ragged
- Ryan Cook as Hank Williams (Pitch)
- Stéphane Tétreault & Marie-Eve Scarfone
- Stéphanie Morin-Robert – Blindside
- The Small Glories
- Tomas Kubinek
- Union Duke
- Video Phase
- Andino Suns
- Annie Lou
- Ariana Nasr (Pitch)
- Atlantic String Machine
- Balbir Singh Dance
- Bears of Legend
- Breabach
- Cadence (Pitch)
- Dylan Menzie
- HatFitz & Cara
- Hillsburn
- Ian Sherwood
- L’Aubergine (Pitch)
- Luke McMaster
- Mélisande [ELECTROTRAD]
- Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors
- Mud Bay Jugglers
- Neworld Theatre
- Port Cities
- Quartetto Gelato (Pitch)
- Raine Hamilton
- Rebecca Perry
- Reeny Smith
- Rosie and the Riveters
- Sarah Hagen (Pitch)
- Simon Daniel
- SNAFU! Comedy (Pitch)
- Spidey – Magician/Mentalist
- Sussex
- Tayo Aluko (Pitch)
- The Swinging Belles
- Twin Kennedy
- VC²
- Alysha Brilla
- Brianna Gosse
- Broken Turtle Productions “Pitch”
- Cheng² Duo
- Christina Martin
- Coco Love Alcorn
- Comedy in Motion with Bob Cates
- Danny Michel
- Duo Percussion
- Everything Fitz (Pitch)
- Geordie Productions “Jabber”
- Green Thumb Theatre (Pitch)
- Halifax Theatre for Young People (Pitch)
- Horse + Bamboo Theatre “Angus – Weaver of Grass”
- Irish Mythen
- Joe Trio
- Kleztory (Pitch)
- L’Aubergine “Dada” (Pitch)
- Les Bordéliques “Blind Date” (Pitch)
- MAZ
- Mulgrave Road Theatre “Watching Glory Die”
- QUARTOM
- Queen Nur
- Sherman Downey
- Stephen Fearing
- The BackYard Devils
- The Eastern Belles
- the lion the bear the fox
- The Secrets
- The Slocan Ramblers
- theatre KAPOW (Pitch)
- Tomato/Tomato
- Whiskey Jack (Pitch)
- [ZØGMA] Collectif de folklore urbain
- 6 Guitars
- Amelia Curran
- Ashley Condon (Pitch)
- Bogdan Dulu
- Chic Gamine
- Còig
- Don Amero
- Don Brownrigg
- Elizabeth Shepherd
- Huu Bac Quartet
- Infinitus
- Lemon Bucket Orkestra
- Maritime Brass Quintet
- Michael Occhipinti & Shine On (Pitch)
- Mocean Dance
- Montreal Guitare Trio & California Guitar Trio
- MOTUS O dance theatre
- Mr. E (Pitch)
- Off The Leash Creative (Pitch)
- Patricia Cano
- Ramshackle Theatre
- Red Moon Road
- Red Sky Performance (Pitch)
- Robert Post
- Ryan LeBlanc (Pitch)
- Speed Control (Pitch)
- Stephanie Cadman
- Terry Barber, Countertenor
- The Fugitives
- The Stanfields
- Theatreworks USA presents Living Voices (Pitch)
- Tim Hus
- Tom Allen’s JUDGMENT OF PARIS
- Woody Holler And His Orchestra
- Andy Sheppard’s Find the Others
- Barney Bentall
- Bon Débarras
- Christine Tassan et les Imposteures
- Compania Azul
- Constantinople
- Ensemble Vivant
- Gordie Tentrees & Hill Country News
- Green Thumb Theatre – PITCH ARTIST
- Jadea Kelly
- Jaron Freeman-Fox & The Opposite of
- Everything
- Ken Lavigne
- Kim Wempe
- Lisa Phinney Langley – PITCH ARTIST
- Lizzy Hoyt
- Magnum Opus Management – PITCH ARTISTS
- Melody A. Johnson
- Nova Dance
- Onalea Theatrical Productions
- Sarah Hagen: Pro’ject Sound
- Shannon Litzenberger – PITCH ARTIST
- Sharron Matthews
- Sherman Downey & The Ambiguous Case
- suddenlyLISTEN – PITCH ARTIST
- Ten Strings And A Goat Skin
- The Fortunate Ones
- The Navigators
- The Once
- Theatre Newfoundland Labrador
- Zandra Bell as “Shirley Best”
- Alejandra Ribera
- Anastasia Rizikov
- Andrew James O’Brien – Mentorship Artist
- Ann Vriend
- Anne Bisson
- Ash Koley
- Atlantic Sinfonia Atlantique
- Breagh Mackinnon – Mentorship Artist
- Chris Gibbs
- David Holt – North Carolina Artist
- Donna Washington
- Faustwork Mask Theatre
- Fubuki Daiko
- Gypsophilia
- H’Sao
- Harrison Kennedy
- Hey Romeo
- Irish Mythen
- Jeremy Webb – Fishing/Heroine
- Julia Mackey – Jake’s Gift
- Krista Martynes
- Leela Gilday
- Maria in the Shower
- Maria Osende Flamenco
- Matthew Hornell – Mentorship Artist
- Mike Wiley Productions – North Carolina Artist
- Norman Foote
- Owen Dacombe Steel
- Pascal Lejeune
- Patrice Servant alias Servantes
- Patrick Maliha
- Ria Mae
- Royal Wood
- Shaun LeBlanc – Mentorship Artist
- Sheesham and Lotus
- SoHo Ghetto – Mentorship Artist
- Speed Control
- Ten Strings and a Goat Skin – Mentorship Artist
- The John Brown Trio – North Carolina Artist
- The PepTides
- Tim Chaisson
- Treasa Levasseur
- Valerie Milot
- Wesli Band
- Yegor Dyachkov
- Al Simmons
- Andy Brown
- Charlie A’Court
- Chloé Dominguez
- Chris Kirby
- Compania Azul
- Daniel Matto
- Dennis Ellsworth and Haunted Hearts
- Destins Croisés
- Drumlin
- Ennis
- Ensemble Caprice
- Evalyn Parry’s SPIN
- Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys
- guy&nadina
- Ian Sherwood and Coco Love Alcorn
- James Hill
- Jayme Stone: Room of Wonders
- John Wort Hannam
- Kaha:wi Dance Theatre
- Kat Danser
- Kevin Fox
- Kevin Ramessar
- Kim Dunn
- Kim Stockwood
- L’Aubergine
- Luis Mario Ochoa Cuban Quintet
- Molly Thomason
- Quartango
- Rhapsody Quintet
- Shameless Hussy Productions
- Smokin’ Contra Band
- Suzie Vinnick
- The Divorcees
- Troy MacGillivray and Louis-Charles Vigneau
- Zuppa Theatre Co. – The Debacle
- A Christmas Carol
- Alan Gerber
- Alice Stops Time
- Amanda Martinez
- Anne-Marie Dubois
- Best of the West
- Buzz Brass
- Cadence
- Carleton Stone Drives the Big Wheel
- Daniel Bolshoy
- Digging Roots
- Down By The Docks
- Elisapie Isaac
- Elizabeth Shepherd
- Erin Costelo
- Ian Foster
- Jaffa Road
- Jessica Rhaye
- Jorge Miguel Flamenco Ensemble
- Julia Halfyard
- Kathleen Gorey-McSorley
- Ladies of the Canyon
- Laila Biali
- Marie-Josée Lord
- Mike Stevens and Raymond McLain
- Motus O Dance Theatre
- Nikkie
- Oddville Stage Company
- Pacific Curls
- Petunia
- Project Soul
- Sagapool
- Sageev Oore
- Sleepy Driver
- Story Theatre
- Stripes: The Mystery Circus
- Sue Foley/Peter Karp
- Sultans of String
- Tanya Davis
- Terry Penney
- The Adam Growe Comedy & Quiz Showe
- The Navigators
- The Sojourners
- Tim Chaisson & Morning Fold
- Triolet d’Nord
- Vishtèn
- Will Stroet and The Backyard Band
- Amelia Curran
- Andrew White & Brendan Power
- Annabelle Chvostek
- Ballet Creole
- Brockway Biggs
- Chris Kirby and the Marquee
- Christina Martin
- Dave Carroll
- Down by the Docks
- Dr. Zoo
- Fred Piston (Frédéric Demers)
- Ian Sherwood
- Jenn Grant
- John Connolly
- John Sheehan
- Kellylee Evans
- Kevin Fox
- Maria Osende Flamenco Company
- Marshall Button
- Meaghan Blanchard
- Mel Keith & The Strombachs
- Njacko Backo & Kalimba Kalimba
- Nudie and The Turks
- Pascal Lejeune
- Pat Braden
- Patricia O’Callaghan
- Patrizia
- Quebec Viennese Music Society
- Ralph Shaw
- Rémi Bolduc Jazz Ensemble
- Rum for the Money
- Ryan LeBlanc Introduces…
- Sébastien Lépine / Antoine Bareil
- Sherman Downey
- Shoestring Opera
- Sierra Noble
- Susanna Hamnett – Nearly Lear
- The Grass Mountain Hobos
- The Keats
- The Olympic Symphonium
- The Twisters
- The Zodiac Trio
- TorQ
- Violin on a String
- Yadong Guan
- Air Traffic Control
- Alexander Sevastian
- Andy Jones
- Asia & NuGruv
- BLOU
- Cantabile
- Carmen Townsend
- Catherine MacLellan
- Chris Colepaugh & the Cosmic Crew
- Chuck & Albert
- Dance Party of Newfoundland
- Darrell Grant
- David Myles
- Dini Petty
- Duane Andrews
- Dufflebag Theatre
- Dust Poets
- Faded Blue
- Genticorum
- Gypsophilia
- Hong Xu
- In Good Company – God’s Middle Name
- Jessica Rhaye
- Jill Barber
- K’Ryne
- Kevin Ramessar
- Maritime Marionettes
- Mary Barry
- Mocean Dance
- Montreal Guitar Trio
- Motus O
- Old Man Luedecke
- Rose Cousins
- Ross Neilsen
- Sarah Joy Stoker
- Sepastian Lepine & Arturo Nieto-Dornates
- Steve Poltz
- Taxi Chain
- The Divorcees
- Theatre du Gros Mecano
- Theatre L’Aubergine
- Thom Swift
- Three Pianos
- Tim Chaisson Band
- Tom Fun Family Orchestra
- Wicked All Together
- Zuma
Awards and Nominations
Initiated in 1998, Contact East sponsored a series of awards to recognize excellence and achievement in the field of live performance touring and presentation. The Contact East Awards of Excellence celebrate the growth of the industry and recognize the accomplishments of presenters and performers who comprise the touring sector in Atlantic Canada.
Beginning in 2015, Contact East streamlined its awards into one honour, the Atlantic Presenters Association Achievement Award.
Awards Categories
The Atlantic Presenters Association Achievement Award is presented annually to a deserving individual who has made a significant contribution to the performing arts touring sector in Atlantic Canada, thereby furthering the objectives of the Association. The recipient is selected by the APA Board of Directors.
2023 – Andrew Chandler, Chester Playhouse, Chester, NS
2022 – Shahin Sayadi, Prismatic Arts Festival, Kjipuktuk/Halifax, NS
2021 – Angela Campbell, Imperial Theatre, Saint John, NB
2020 – Jenelle Duval, First Light Centre for Performance & Creativity, St. John’s, NL
2019 – Pam Leader, The Savoy Theatre, Glace Bay, NS
2018 – Tim Yerxa, The Fredericton Playhouse, Fredericton, NB
2017 – Steve Butler, Paquin Artist Agency, Toronto, ON
2016 – Heather McGean, Dalhousie Arts Centre, Halifax, NS
2015 – Erick Bickerdike, Chester Playhouse, Chester, NS
(formerly the Performing Arts Touring Award of Excellence)
To recognize the commitment and contribution of an individual to touring performance presentation in Atlantic Canada, such as long term involvement, commitment to excellence, or contribution to community life and/or to touring sector growth.
2014 Celtic Colours International Festival, Cape Breton, NS
2013 Peter Brzezicki, Riverview Arts Centre, Riverview, NB
2012 Sue Urquhart, Charlottetown, PE
2011 Debut Atlantic, Halifax, NS
2010 Dick Stoker, Desmond Maillet, Marcel McKeough, and Harry Holman
2009 Peter D. Smith, Imperial Theatre, Saint John, NB
2007 Michael Steinitz, Antigonish Performing Arts Series, Antigonish, NS
2005 Rindy Austin, Council of the Arts, Fredericton, NB
2003 John C Perlin, CM, CVO, St.John’s, NL
2001 Pamela Kinsman, Atlantic Presenters Association, Windsor, NS
1998 Mary Ryan, Performing Arts Sponsors of Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS
Betty Tompkins, New Brunswick Arts Council, Saint John, NB
To recognize excellence and achievement by an individual or organization in a volunteer capacity to present touring performances, such as long term involvement, commitment to excellence in programming, or contribution to community life. This award was no longer presented after 2014.
2014 Mount Allison Performing Arts Series, Sackville, NB
2013 Deep Roots Music Cooperative, Wolfville, NS
2012 Errin Williams Spidle, Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women and Song, Lockport, NS
2011 Les Productions Le Moulin, Saulnierville, NS
2010 Fred Chipman, Acadia Performing Arts Series, Wolfville, NS
2009 Russell Easy, Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society, Lunenburg, NS
2007 Carleton-Victoria Arts Council, Perth-Andover, NB
2005 Barbara Butler, St. Cecilia’s Concert Series, Halifax, NS
2003 Hampton Concert Group, Hampton, NB
2001 Michael Steinitz, Antigonish Performing Arts Series, Antigonish, NS
1998 Rindy Austin, Council of the Arts – Fredericton, NB
To recognize excellence and achievement by an individual or organization in a professional capacity to present touring performances, such as long term commitment, commitment to excellence in programming and professionalism, or contribution to community life and/or to the touring sector in Atlantic Canada. This award was no longer presented after 2014.
2014 TD Halifax Jazz Festival, Halifax, NS
2013 Harvest Jazz And Blues Festival, Fredericton, NB
2012 David O’Leary, Evergreen Theatre, Margaretsville, NS
2011 The Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Canso, NS
2010 Live Art Dance Productions, Halifax, NS
2009 Robin Anne Ettles, Capitol Theatre, Moncton, NB
2007 Astor Theatre, Liverpool, NS
2005 Confederation Centre of the Arts, Charlottetown, PEI
2003 John Patches, Maine Center of the Arts, Orono, Maine, USA
2001 Capitol Theatre, Moncton, NB
1998 Richard Stoker, Arts and Culture Centres, NL
To recognize performers whose professionalism and cooperative spirit enhance their relationship with presenters, such as cooperation in performance promotion, technical facilitation, contract fulfillment, or service above and beyond contractual agreements, either presented or self-presented. This award was no longer presented after 2014.
2014 Jeremy Webb / Off the Leash Creative, NS
2013 Bboyizm, ON
2012 Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada, NB
2011 Kevin Fox, ON
2010 Julia McKay, Jake’s Gift, BC
2009 Chuck and Albert, PE
2007 Chris Coldpaugh and the Cosmic Crew, NB
2005 Hot Toddy / Isaac & Blewitt, NB
2003 Motus O Dance Theatre, Stouffville, ON
2001 Duo Concertante, St. John’s, NL
1998 The Quigley Ensemble, NB
To recognize exceptional achievement by business organizations that work in partnership with presenters to develop and maintain audiences, promote block booking activity, conceive innovative touring projects, and otherwise go above and beyond the basic booking of engagements. This award was no longer presented after 2011.
2011 Agence Station Bleue, Montreal, PQ
2010 Prologue to the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON
2009 Mermaid Theatre, Windsor, NS
To recognize the philanthropic commitment and contribution of an individual, or organization, to the presentation of the live performing arts in Atlantic Canada, such as long term involvement, or contribution to community life and/or to touring sector growth. This award was no longer presented after 2014.
2011 Delta Hotels
2010 Ron Outerbridge/Coast Tire, NS
2009 Doug & Debbie Hall, PE
2007 Winston Pearce, Moncton, NB
2007 Winston Pearce, Moncton, NB
2005 Moosehead Brewery, Saint John, NB
2003 RBC Royal Bank
To recognize innovative and successful initiatives to increase audiences for touring performances, such as cooperative or joint promotional ventures, series innovation, or creative sponsorships. This award was no longer presented after 2007.
2007 Mocean Dance, Halifax, NS
2005 The Playhouse, Fredericton, NB
2003 Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL
2001 Keltic Lodge’s Theatre on the Cliff, Cape Breton, NS
1998 Paula Davis, Port Hawkesbury Recreation Department, NS
History
Beginning in 1975, the event was produced by the Touring Office of the Canada Council for the Arts. In 1982, the event was managed by a steering committee of representatives from the four Atlantic Provinces. With the incorporation of the Atlantic Presenters Association in 2001, the organization took over management of the event and has been producing quality conferences ever since.
According to the Atlantic Presenters Association’s records, Contact East has been held in the following years and locations:
2022 – Nova Scotia – Halifax (Neptune Theatre)
2021 – New Brunswick – Moncton (Capitol Theatre)
2020 – Contact(less) East
2019 – Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown (Florence Simmonds Hall at Holland College)
2018 – Newfoundland & Labrador – St. John’s (Arts and Culture Centre)
2017 – Nova Scotia – Membertou, Cape Breton (Membertou Trade & Convention Centre)
2016 – New Brunswick – Saint John (Imperial Theatre)
2015 – Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown (Confederation Centre of the Arts)
2014 – Nova Scotia – Pictou (deCoste Centre)
2013 – Newfoundland & Labrador – St. John’s (Arts and Culture Centre)
2012 – New Brunswick – Fredericton (Fredericton Playhouse)
2011 – Prince Edward Island – Summerside (Harbourfront Theatre)
2010 – Nova Scotia – Antigonish (The Keating Millennium Centre)
2009 – New Brunswick – Moncton (The Capitol Theatre)
2007 – Nova Scotia – Liverpool (The Astor Theatre)
2005 – Prince Edward Island – Summerside (Harbourfront Jubilee Theatre)
2003 – Newfoundland & Labrador – St. John’s (Arts and Culture Centre)
2001 – New Brunswick – Saint John (Hotel Courtenay Bay/Imperial Theatre)
1998 – Nova Scotia – Wolfville (Old Orchard Inn/ Atlantic Theatre Festival)
1996 – New Brunswick – Saint John (Delta Hotel/Imperial Theatre)
1994 – Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown (Confederation Centre)
1992 – Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown (Confederation Centre)
1990 – Nova Scotia – Dartmouth (Holiday Inn)
1988 – New Brunswick – Saint John (Delta Saint John/Saint John High School)
1985 – Nova Scotia – Halifax (World Trade Centre)
1983 – Massachusetts – Boston
1982 – New Brunswick – Sackville (Mt Allison University)
1979 – Nova Scotia – Halifax (Lord Nelson Hotel)
1978 – New Brunswick – Moncton (Hotel Beauséjour)
1977 – Nova Scotia – Halifax (Lord Nelson Hotel)
1976 – Nova Scotia – Halifax (Chateau Halifax)
1975 – New Brunswick – Fredericton (Lord Beaverbrook Hotel)