Contact East Registration Now Open
Contact East 2026 is happening April 8–11 in Saint John, New Brunswick!
Contact East brings together performing arts presenters, agents, managers, and industry leaders for four days of genre-spanning artist discovery and network development. Register here.
As Atlantic Canada’s premiere performing arts booking conference, Contact East is where new touring relationships are formed, future seasons take shape, and industry connections deepen.
This year promises to be one of our most exciting editions yet! Contact East 2026 will feature:
- Four packed days of showcases, pitches, networking, and professional development
- Approximately 30 live performances and pitches across a diverse range of disciplines
- Access to presenters, agents, and industry leaders from across Atlantic Canada, the country, and beyond
- A dynamic mix of music, cabaret, drag, dance, Deaf, Disability and Mad arts, circus arts, theatre, youth-oriented programming, and cultural performances.
Accommodations info:
Join us at our beautiful conference hotel, the Delta Saint John! APA has secured a special room rate for our Contact East guests of $179/night (plus taxes and fees). There are only a few rooms left, so get them before they’re gone! Click here to book your room.
If there is no space left at the Delta, you can grab a room at the nearby Holiday Inn for $189/night (includes parking and breakfast) using this link.
Sponsor Contact East!
Want to become a Contact East sponsor? Click here to view our sponsorship package!
Contact East is the premier performing arts showcasing conference on the east coast. Regional, national, and international artists and presenters from all the performing arts disciplines – music, theatre, dance, circus, comedy, you name it! – gather to make connections and develop their professional networks.
Our delegates run and program venues of all sizes in metropolitan and rural communities. These organizations are complex and require support from many industries, including insurance, ticketing software, hospitality, technical equipment, marketing, and more. By participating as a sponsor, your organization will benefit from extended exposure through media campaigns and promotional efforts directed toward the supporters of Contact East. But more importantly, it will show the extended arts ecosystem that you are choosing to invest in the return, rebirth and renewal of the arts in Atlantic Canada and beyond.
Calling all performers: artist submissions for Contact East 2026 are NOW OPEN! 🎉
Contact East is the Atlantic Presenters Association’s biggest biennial event and Atlantic Canada’s longest-running multi-disciplinary performing arts booking conference. The event brings together performing arts presenters, managers, and agents to see top-quality performances from a diverse range of artistic genres, including but not limited to: music, cabaret, dance, Deaf, Disability and Mad arts, circus arts, theatre, comedy, youth-oriented programming, and cultural performances. This is your opportunity to get in front of the people who decide what audiences across Atlantic Canada will see on stage!
Contact East 2026 will take place in Saint John, New Brunswick from Wednesday, April 8 to Saturday, April 11, offering artist showcases and pitch sessions, professional development sessions, and numerous opportunities for presenters, artists, agents and managers to network and discuss booking opportunities.
The application deadline is Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 11:55pm Atlantic Time.
APA acknowledges that not all past selection processes were fair or equitable to all and acknowledges the value that lived- and community-based experiences and practices have in creating fair artist selection processes. APA is committed to implementing and upholding equitable practices in choosing artists to perform at Contact East 2026 and beyond. We will provide any needed support to ensure fair, adequate, and accessible representation. We will be selecting artists that represent the wide diversity of artists that we are committed to bringing to Contact East. The artists chosen by the selection committee shall have equitable representation across communities, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, disability, and MAD arts communities.
If the submission fee of $50 is a financial barrier, please write to us at crystal@atlanticpresenters.ca. All communications are confidential.
Schedule
Subject to Change
Tuesday, April 7
Cocktails: 6:00 pm Music: 7:00 pm
The Haven Music Hall (201 Union St)
Music New Brunswick Artist Showcase
Join us for an evening of outstanding East Coast music at this Music New Brunswick–presented showcase. Featuring performances by Zack Ingles, Catherine Kennedy, and Kylie Fox, this relaxed night out is the perfect way to ease into the week, connect with colleagues, and experience the depth of talent coming out of New Brunswick.
No pass required—just let them know you’re attending Contact East.
Wednesday, April 8
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Delta Saint John – Cloak Room
Registration Open
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
TBA
Keynote Address with CBC’s Elamin Abdelmahmoud
We officially launch Contact East with a keynote from author, cultural commentator, and CBC radio host Elamin Abdelmahmoud. Known for his sharp insight, warmth, and ability to connect big ideas with everyday experience, Elamin brings curiosity, humour, and humanity to every room he’s in. After the keynote, APA Board President Raeesa Lalani will join Elamin for a fireside chat-style, conversational question-and-answer session. Kick off the conference with a shared moment of reflection, inspiration, and conversation.
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Delta Saint John – McAvity Room
First Timer's Orientation/Reception (Presenters Only)
Are you a Presenter? Is this your first time at Contact East? This welcoming orientation is designed to help first-time delegates hit the ground running. Learn practical tips for navigating the conference, making meaningful connections, and getting the most out of showcases, meetings, and networking opportunities.
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Imperial Theatre
Showcase #1
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Market City Square
Welcome Reception
Join us for the official Contact East opening reception at the historic Saint John City Market. Enjoy a festive cocktail hour with alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, delicious bites from local vendors, and a high-energy performance by hip-hop artist Wolf Castle. The evening also includes the presentation of the APA Achievement Award.
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Imperial Theatre
Showcase #2
10:15 pm - 12:00 am
Imperial Theatre
End of Day Wind Down
Relax and unwind after a long day of conferencing at the Imperial Theatre. 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.
Thursday, April 9
8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Delta Saint John – Cloak Room
Registration Open
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location TBA
Connecting Through Culture: A Slow Networking Experience & Indigenous History Walk
Day two begins with two parallel opportunities for connection and reflection.
Slow Networking invites delegates to connect in a more relational, less transactional way. Choose a table activity—such as a recipe exchange, pet talk, friendship bracelet making, board games, puzzles, or colouring—and enjoy easy conversation while building genuine connections.
At the same time, the Indigenous History Walk offers a guided experience exploring the overlooked Indigenous history of the Saint John area. Learn about Wolastoqey and Mi’kmaq presence along the Beautiful River—Wolastoq, walk historic portage routes and archaeological sites, and hear teachings passed down through generations about stewardship, resilience, and respect for the land.
Groups will rotate between the two experiences.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Delta Saint John – Ballroom
Lunch & Learn
CAPACOA has launched the Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP), a new national initiative focused on strengthening the ability of performing arts organizations to adapt to the realities of a changing climate. The program looks beyond mitigation to address resilience, preparedness, and long-term sustainability across the performing arts sector.
Developed in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts, the CCAP is currently in its initial research phase. This Lunch & Learn offers an overview of the project, its scope, and its early direction, highlighting how climate change is impacting the performing arts across Canada’s diverse bioregions and why this work matters for the future of the sector.
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm
Delta Saint John – Trinity Room & McAvity Room
Affinity Group Meetings
Affinity Groups create a dedicated space for people working in similar roles or genres to connect, share knowledge, and problem-solve together. Separate gatherings are available for presenters, agents, managers, and artists—supporting honest conversation and peer learning across the sector.
2:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Imperial Theatre
Showcase #3
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Various restaurants across downtown Saint John
Hot Topic Dine Arounds
Hot Topic Dine-Arounds are informal dinners at local restaurants that offer a hosted opportunity for topical networking, stimulating conversation, and peer learning. Each table focuses on a specific topic, guided by a host who helps spark discussion and keep things flowing. Diners cover their own meals.
1. Earlier Showtimes — Trend or Foe?
with Darcy Campbell, Confederation Centre of the Arts, PEI
Earlier curtain times are popping up everywhere—but are they actually helping? Darcy Campbell shares what they’ve learned from real data, audience feedback, and hands-on experience at Confederation Centre. This conversation will dig into who earlier shows work for, who they don’t, and why. Expect an honest look at the trade-offs, plus ideas for testing new times without risking attendance.
2. When Organizational Values Clash with Rental Profit Potential
with Bethany Stout, Imperial Theatre, Saint John, NB
We’ve all faced it: a rental opportunity that looks great financially—but doesn’t quite sit right. Bethany Stout opens up a candid conversation about navigating those tough calls. Through real examples, this conversation explores how to weigh revenue against mission and values. You’ll leave with clearer ways to make decisions you can stand behind.
3. So You Want to Present Classical Music
with Sarah Hagen
Building a classical audience? Sarah Hagen shares tips on building a classical audience through her experience with developing numerous successful concert series over the years. Ideas for discussion will include: curating a series, building community, concert timing and lengths.
4. Audience Development Through a Thriving Membership Program
with Kim Rayburn of the Capitol in Moncton, NB
In 2015, the Capitol replaced traditional subscriptions with a membership model that puts audience experience first—and it changed everything. What began as a goal of 100 households has grown into 2,200 members across five tiers, generating $120,000 annually. Join this dine-around to learn how strong benefits, great service, and team-wide alignment continue to drive growth year after year.
5. Climate Change and the Performing Arts
with Erin Kennedy of CAPACOA
How is climate change showing up in your work? This dine-around invites presenters to compare notes on how climate impacts are affecting the performing arts across Canada’s diverse bioregions. From extreme weather and infrastructure challenges to shifting touring realities and community needs, the conversation will explore what’s changing where you live and how those changes are shaping the sector.
6. Agents & Managers Table
Host TBA
An informal dinner for agents and managers to connect, compare notes, and discuss shared challenges in a peer-driven setting.
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Imperial Theatre
Showcase #4
10:00 pm - 12:00 am
Imperial Theatre
End of Day Wind-Down
Relax and unwind after a long day of conferencing at the Imperial Theatre. 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, April 10
8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Delta Saint John – Cloak Room
Registration Open
9:30 am - 10:30 am
BMO Studio – Saint John Theatre Company
Pitches
10:45 am - 11:45 am
BMO Studio – Saint John Theatre Company
HR Question Salad
HR Question Salad for Presenters is a peer-led, supportive space to talk through human-resources challenges in the presenting sector. This is not a legal advice session—rather, a thoughtful forum for sharing experiences, asking questions, and learning from colleagues who’ve been there.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Delta Saint John – Ballroom
Lunch
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Imperial Theatre
Showcase #5
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Delta Saint John – Ballroom
Contact Room & One-to-One Meetings
Time to get down to business. Back after many years, the Contact Room returns as a cornerstone of Contact East, offering a focused networking opportunity designed specifically for meaningful industry conversations. Connect directly with artists, agents, managers, and presenters to discuss bookings, availability, touring plans, markets, and upcoming seasons.
With dedicated time and space to talk shop, these meetings are ideal for building new relationships and strengthening existing ones—making them one of the most valuable and productive parts of Contact East.
6:10 pm - 7:00 pm
Delta Saint John – McAvity Room
Members Only Block Booking Meeting
Held immediately following the Contact Room, this members-only session offers a focused space for presenters to explore block-booking opportunities and shared touring strategies.
6:10 pm - 7:00 pm
Delta Saint John – Robertson Room
International Buyers Meeting
7:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Woodchucks
Final Party
Shindig, soiree, get-together, bash—whatever you want to call it, there’s nothing quite like a party! Join us on Friday night for a closing celebration at Woodchucks featuring axe throwing, karaoke, a live DJ, dancing, plenty of food, and a cash bar. Cap off the conference as we bid farewell to another great year of showcases, learning, and gathering with industry friends new and old.
Saturday, April 11
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Delta Saint John – Trinity Room
Farewell Breakfast
One last chance to connect before heading home. Share a final meal, exchange goodbyes, and reflect on a full and energizing week at Contact East.
Artist Lineup
Showcasing
Abigail Lapell
Call it Prairie Noir or Canadiana Desert Rock: Abigail Lapell sings haunting, gorgeous modern folk songs. Her Juno Award-nominated album Anniversary (2024), co-produced by Tony Dekker of Great Lake Swimmers, is an evocative collection of original love songs. Over the past six years, Lapell has won four Canadian Folk Music Awards and reached a staggering 60 million + streams across digital music platforms. Based in Toronto, she tours widely across North America, Europe and the UK, performing on vocals, piano, harmonica and signature finger-style guitar.
Her new album Shadow Child, an exploration of pregnancy and parenthood, arrives Mothers Day Weekend, May 8, 2026 on Outside Music.
Aquakultre
Aquakultre is the artistic voice of Lance Sampson — an uncommonly versatile singer, rapper, filmmaker, and storyteller from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Aquakultre came to national prominence in 2018 after winning CBC’s Searchlight songwriting competition with the second song he ever wrote. He has gone on to release multiple singles, EPs, collabs and two full albums, 2020’s Legacy and 2022’s Don’t Trip, both of which were long-listed for the Polaris Music Prize along with numerous East Coast Music Awards and other nominations and wins. Aquakultre’s co-directed video for Pay It Forward won the Audience Favorite at the 2021 Prism Prize Awards.
In October 2024, Lance presented his first major audio-visual installation titled Matriarchs as an Anchor Artist at Nocturne, Halifax’s annual art-at-night event. In October 2025, Aquakultre was honoured with the 2025 Creative Nova Scotia Black Artist Recognition Award. He is the inaugural Artist-in-Residence at the Black Cultural Centre in Cherry Brook, NS.
Driven by his passion for history and culture, Lance is creator, host, and director of the TV documentary television series GeneratioNS: Black Memories; the first season was nominated for two Screen Nova Scotia awards; season two is on air now, seasons 3 and 4 are in production.
Lance’s third full-length Aquakultre release, 1783, will be released worldwide on February 6, 2026 via Next Door Records. The title refers to the year when over 3000 people of African descent boarded 81 ships and sailed out of New York. These were the so-called Black Loyalists: some of them free people, many of them still enslaved, who fought for the British in exchange for the promise of land and freedom. Arriving in Nova Scotia, they were given the poorest housing, little food, few supplies. Yet they survived and went on to found Black settlements across the province.
Descended directly from those first settlers, Aquakultre has created a profound concept album that is deeply rooted in his own rich family history. The 17-track album comprises 11 full-length songs and six interludes, with each track describing Lance’s life, Black Nova Scotian history, family stories, and intergenerational reflections on carrying the torch passed on to him from elders, acting as a beacon of light for a brighter future.
Produced by 2 x Music Nova Scotia Producer of the Year Erin Costelo, mixed by 2 x Grammy winner Qmillion (Robert Glasper), and mastered by multiple Grammy nominee Chris Athens (Drake), 1783’s musical direction seamlessly blends a range of historically Black musics, with hints of gospel, blues, jazz, and soul, mixed in with vintage R&B overtones. Standout tracks include the first single, “Scotia Born”, a catchy, celebratory anthem of regional pride. Second single, “What Are You Sayin’” is a smooth and heartfelt R&B tribute to the block. The hard-hitting “Gallows” gives voice to Aquakultre’s great-great-grandfather Daniel P. Sampson, a WW1 veteran who in 1935 was wrongfully convicted of murder and became the last man to be executed by hanging in Halifax. “The Avenue” takes listeners on a breezy, nostalgic stroll along the main street of a historically significant Black neighbourhood in Dartmouth that has since been nearly gentrified out of existence. The noteworthy and intentionally poignant musicianship throughout the album, highlighted by strong horn and string arrangements, provides just the right backdrop for Lance’s big, warm vocals to shine through. Guest musicians include a who’s who of African Nova Scotia’s best kept musical secrets, including blues diva Linda Carvery, R&B vocalists Haliey Smith and Gary Beals, gospel legends The Sanctified Brothers, and celebrated soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee. At once sweeping and intimate, 1783 pays tribute to a uniquely resilient corner of the Black diaspora that is being brought to the musical fore – it’s quite literally an album for the ages.
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Aquakultre is a deep collaborator and lover of many genres. He has performed and co-written with a long list of Canadian and international hip hop artists (Junia-T, Phoenix Pagliacci, Tafari Anthony…) as well as pop, roots, and jazz artists like Jenn Grant, Jah’Mila, and James Shaw’s Vesuvius Big Band. Known for delivering an uplifting get-down live show, Aquakultre, backed by a killer 10-piece band, played the CBC Road to the Junos series, broadcast to national audiences in March 2024. Most recently, he co-composed and performed (alongside Jeff Reilly, Jon Hargreaves, DJ Uncle Fester, and a 16-piece chamber orchestra), what is almost certainly the world’s first Afro-futurist Hip Hop Cosmic-Concrète Chamber Piece/song cycle, titled My Bad, Europa.
Through his creative works, via poetic lyrics and straight-up jams, Aquakultre is on a mission to share his love for his unique and beautiful corner of the diaspora. Through his community work (LOVE, iMove Arts and others), his recordings, performances, and collaborations, Aquakultre delivers a poignant reflection of his personal evolution and his place in community as a Black Nova Scotian.
Corpuscule Danse
Corpuscule Danse is dedicated to the development of an inclusive dance practice grounded in the encounter between artists, whether or not they live with visible or invisible disabilities. Through the creation and presentation of works, research, training, education, and cultural mediation, the company contributes to the inclusion, recognition, and professionalization of artists with diverse functional and bodily realities.
Socials: Facebook
Daniel James McFadyen
Rising indie-folk artist Daniel James McFadyen continues to evolve with his latest album, Back To The Country. Recorded with close friends in a rented cabin on British Columbia's Shuswap Lake, the songs capture a raw, Americana-inspired sound that brings new depth to McFadyen's work. Known for his interactive shows, McFadyen’s tours across Canada have sold out iconic venues, including Toronto’s Great Hall and Halifax’s Marquee Ballroom, drawing fans into his vivid storytelling and charismatic performances.
In 2023, McFadyen’s award-nominated EP, Songs to Show Your Friends, marked a creative leap from his “stomp and holler” folk roots to more intricate, melody-driven compositions. Produced by Montreal’s Quinn Bachand, the EP delves into themes of love, loss, adventure, and home. With “Landmine” setting the stage, McFadyen’s music continues to explore new sounds and stories, cementing his place in Canada’s folk and indie scenes.
Durham County Poets
Durham County Poets are a true band in every sense of the word—dynamic, versatile, and deeply rooted in storytelling. Formed in 2011 in a small café in Ormstown, Québec, their music has since carried them to festivals, concert halls, and clubs across Canada and the United States. With an infectious love for songwriting and performance, the Poets have carved out a unique place on the Canadian roots and blues scene, weaving together blues, soul, folk, R&B, gospel, and Canadiana into a sound that is both timeless and distinctly their own.
At the heart of the Poets is the warm, soul-stirring voice of Kevin Harvey, whose expressive delivery has been called a Canadian treasure. Harvey, who has used a wheelchair since 1981, refuses to let physical challenges define or confine him. His presence radiates strength, humor, and spirit, embodying the band’s ethos of resilience and community. Harvey is joined by Carl Rufh (bass), Rob Couture (drums), and Rob MacDonald (guitar), with saxophonists Mark Leclerc and Kaven Jalbert appearing regularly as guests, adding fire and texture to the band’s rich sound.
The Poets’ debut album, Where the River Flows, was a grassroots success, recorded with the help of volunteers and fueled by peanut-butter sandwiches. It laid the foundation for their reputation as authentic songwriters and performers. With the support of a growing team, they released Chickaboodah Stew and Grimshaw Road, further honing their craft and expanding their reach.
Their fourth album, Hand Me Down Blues (2019), remained on the Roots Music Report’s Canadian Top 50 for over 12 months and earned a 2020 JUNO Award nomination for Blues Album of the Year. It also brought Maple Blues Award nominations for Recording/Producer of the Year (Bill Garrett) and Songwriter of the Year (Kevin Harvey).
The band’s growing list of honors includes:
2022 Maple Blues Awards: Male Vocalist of the Year (Kevin Harvey – nomination)
2022 Penguin Eggs/Roots Music Canada Critics’ List: #4 Album of the Year (Out of the Woods)
2021 Maple Blues Awards: Producer of the Year (Bill Garrett – nomination); Songwriter of the Year (Kevin Harvey – nomination)
2020 JUNO Awards: Blues Album of the Year (Hand Me Down Blues – nomination)
2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards: Traditional Singer of the Year (Kevin Harvey – nomination)
2019 Maple Blues Awards: New Group of the Year (nomination)
2019 Blues and Roots Radio: Top-5 Folk Song of the Year (Help Me to Change)
In 2022, the Poets released Out of the Woods, produced by Bill Garrett, which received widespread acclaim and landed on multiple Top 40, Top 20, and Top 10 “Best Album of the Year” lists. The album showcases their versatility—from rollicking blues to heartfelt gospel—and was celebrated by critics as one of the standout Canadian blues releases of the year.
The Poets have toured to many festivals in North America, including Ottawa Blues, Rochester Jazz, Mt-Tremblant Blues, WinterGrass, Deep Roots, Southside Blues and more.
HEIST
As a leading live art company in Kjipuktuk/Halifax and beyond, we are committed to playful queer work that is innovative and genre-bending. Our organization has a clear and strong commitment to diversity within culture, abilities and gender. Since our inception in 2016, HEIST has been nominated for over thirty Theatre Nova Scotia Awards and has been awarded eight of them, including Outstanding Production in 2022 with our show Frequencies. HEIST was also a finalist for the Nova Scotia Masterworks Prize in 2021 with their original show The Princess Show. HEIST has toured work across the country, been a part of the National Arts Centre season and was featured at Spotlight Canada in Edinburgh in 2022. HEIST is led by Richie Wilcox, Aaron Collier & Sylvia Bell.
Jing Xia
Jing Xia is a professional guzheng artist and ethnomusicologist based in Newfoundland, Canada. Born and raised in Hunan, China, Xia began her musical journey at the age of six, mastering the guzheng and eventually earning degrees in Music Performance (B.A.), Arts Management (M.A.), and Ethnomusicology (Ph.D.). Her recent accolades include the 2023 East Coast Music Award for "Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year" and the 2023 MusicNL Award for "Album of the Year" for her solo album The Numinous Journey. She was also named the 2023 MusicNL “Solo Artist of the Year” and 2022 MusicNL "Rising Star of the Year".
John Muirhead
John Muirhead is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter crafting big-hearted indie-folk songs for dreamers, wanderers, and hopeless romantics. From fingerpicked confessionals to foot-stomping, full-band singalongs, John’s award-winning songs have connected with listeners from all around the world. With over 150K followers across social media, 5 million+ streams, and 8.5 million+ TikTok views, John is building a vibrant community rooted in story, sincerity, and connection.
John has toured extensively across Canada and Europe, recently completing a 37-date SOLD OUT tour of Canada in support of his new album The Nomad. John has appeared at festivals like Winnipeg Folk Festival, CityFolk, Burlington Sound of Music, and Sawdust City Music Festival, and has provided support for some of Canada’s top acts, including Glass Tiger, Whitehorse, Joel Plaskett Emergency, and Craig Cardiff.
John’s new album The Nomad, produced by JUNO Award-winning producer Ryan Worsley, has amassed over 1.1M streams and features collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Simon Ward (The Strumbellas), Michigander, Jon Bryant, and many more. Capturing John at his most vulnerable and expressive, songs from The Nomad have received extensive play on Canadian alternative radio, SiriusXM North Americana, and CBC, as well as adds on Spotify’s “Folk & Friends”, and “Highway One”, Apple Music’s “New In Americana”, and Amazon Music’s “Canada Now” and “Acoustic Chill” playlists.
With a new album arriving in June 2026 and a spring tour across Germany and the UK, John continues his journey outward, carrying songs born in quiet rooms to stages around the world.
Socials: Instagram, TikTok
Justin Fancy
Justin Fancy is an award-winning Canadian country music artist recognized as one of the genre’s most exciting emerging voices. Known for polished, radio-ready songs and authentic storytelling, he blends modern country production with classic country heart, delivered through a fresh and commanding vocal style.
Justin is a multiple-time MusicNL Award winner and East Coast Music Award recipient, with over 7.4 million streams across major platforms. His music has earned significant industry recognition, including charting singles and media features across major Canadian outlets. With a rapidly growing fan base and continued momentum, Justin Fancy is firmly establishing himself as a standout voice in Canadian country music.
Little Misty
Little Misty is the project of singer Kathryn Samman and guitarist François Jalbert, longtime friends and creative partners. Based in Montreal, the duo crafts cinematic music blending folk, indie, bluegrass, and progressive rock, where each song unfolds as a self-contained narrative.
Coming from a jazz background, François Jalbert trained at Université de Montréal and McGill University, received the Montreal International Jazz Festival’s Jazz Guitar Scholarship twice, and was recognized by La Presse as one of the most influential guitarists on the Québec music scene. Kathryn Samman holds a bachelor’s degree in jazz voice and a master’s degree in jazz/pop voice, and balances her career between teaching and performing, bringing technical mastery and sensitivity to the project.
Following a self-titled debut released in 2020, Little Misty unveiled Nowhere Land in spring 2023. Joined on stage by virtuoso collaborators, the band delivers an immersive live experience. Little Misty has showcased at Folk Alliance International, Folk Music Ontario, and RIDEAU, toured extensively in the U.S., and is currently working on a new album to be released in winter–spring 2027 under the Quartier Général label.
Logan Richard
Logan Richard (pronounced: Re-shard) is one of music’s rarest creatures—a sharp, versatile songwriter and an electrifying guitarist, bringing both talents together on his new full-length album, Character Traits.
Raised on Prince Edward Island and influenced by blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as John Mayer, Jason Isbell, and his Acadian musical roots, Richard began performing live at just 12 years old. Over the past decade, he’s built a reputation as both an in-demand session player and a standout solo artist, developing a genre-fluid style that spans slick pop, spacey R&B, and soulful folk.
Produced by David Myles and Joshua Van Tassel, Character Traits is a masterclass in versatility and heart. Songs like the autobiographical title track and the shimmering “Up From Here” reflect on identity, relationships, and the search for belonging, while tracks such as “Feels This Way” and “Feel The World Spinning” showcase Richard’s melodic instincts and guitar chops. It’s a record that reveals the wide scope of his artistry—every song a different piece of the puzzle.
Richard’s music has already landed over two dozen sync placements, including Hudson & Rex, Ginny & Georgia, and Workin’ Moms, introducing his heartfelt songs to a wider audience. Along the way, he has picked up multiple Music PEI Awards and nominations and has been recognized by the East Coast Music Awards.
Socials: Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, Apple Music
Mat Hughes
More than singer-songwriter and piano ace, Halifax-based Mat Hughes is a storyteller and performer of unique magnetism who makes each audience member feel like they’re catching up with an old friend. From playing dive bars and DIY house shows to touring across Canada and gracing hundreds of stages in his home province, he’s quickly made a name for himself as one of Nova Scotia’s most original talents.
For all its foot-tapping, hi-fi instrumentation and subject matter liable to make you laugh out loud—from hot garbage to a bird flown headfirst into a window—Hughes’ third EP “South-Facing Dumpster” may at face value feel like a lighthearted pop album à la John or Joel. Upon closer listening, Mat’s juxtaposition of upbeat melodies and wry, metaconscious lyricism exposes both the absurdity of our contemporary moment and the all-too-human ways we cope with it. Going for a walk to ward off the doom; sticking your head in the sand when the truth is too hard to swallow; mistaking light pollution for a sunrise. Mat’s reflexive acumen extends even to his own songwriting, when he sings about taking a trip outside the city: “convince yourself you’re coming back with some new wisdom, make it rhyme.” These songs teem with the platitudes of a thinly veiled nihilism, each terse line a live wire straight to the vein.
A cohesive continuation yet refined departure from his previous releases, “South-Facing Dumpster” asks what programmed motions steer us through an often-unforeseeable future; how the sun persists in its orbit despite all odds. And how on a road leading nowhere, full of streetlights illuminating nothing, we somehow find a way to enjoy the drive.
Natasha Blackwood
Natasha Blackwood is a singer/songwriter, composer, and saxophonist from Newfoundland, Canada. Her 2024 album of original songs, Love Songs for Good Machines, received national and international critical acclaim and radio play, as well as multiple nominations for ECMA and MusicNL Awards, and a win for MusicNL 2025 Jazz Artist of the Year.
Blackwood's performances have been described as refreshing, humourous, humble, and playful at the same time. Her voice, quiet yet confident, flits effortlessly through complex music with ease, tenderness and sass, paired with her tenor saxophone stylings like a fine wine. For her showcase at Contact East 2026, she will be performing with her quartet, though she has been known to appear solo on piano, or as a duo, septet, or even with a full Jazz Orchestra, when the stars align. Ian Lomax of The Jazz Journal (UK) described her original compositions as "...a delight. Fun and entertaining at one level, but worth a deeper dive into the lyrics to explore exactly where she is coming from... a rare talent".
Music has brought her to Brazil, Europe, and all over Canada, but she’s always a baygirl at heart. She can de-bone a fish, boost your car, drive stick with a hydraulic clutch, and make a mean jiggs dinner. She has been compared to Joni Mitchell and she's obsessed with Ella Fitzgerald, but she'll always make time to play campfire chords on guitar and sing "fishing in the dark" with her family.
Oktopus
Oktopus is a bold Canadian ensemble that reinvents the musical memories of Eastern Europe through a distinctive blend of klezmer, classical influences, and contemporary creation. With dazzling virtuosity, inventive arrangements, and a deeply human storytelling sense, the group transcends genres to create concerts that are festive, refined, and emotionally resonant.
More than a klezmer band, Oktopus stands at the crossroads of chamber music, world traditions, and modern folk. Their signature project — Brahms, Balkans & Bagels — reveals how traditional melodies have shaped European classical masterpieces, opening a vibrant dialogue between heritage and innovation. Each performance becomes a space of celebration and connection, where audiences are invited into a living, breathing musical journey.
Oktopus brings an unmistakably Canadian voice to European traditions — fresh, daring, and unmistakably contemporary.
Socials: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Pony Girl
Pony Girl is a shape-shifting art rock band described as “pure magic to see live” (Ottawa Showbox) and “astonishing to experience in person” (Exclaim!). They are recipients of Le Prix du Festival d’Été du Québec.
Blending artful pop, rock guitar, jazz drumming and electronic textures, Pony Girl crafts an immersive sound that transforms the familiar into something surreal. After self-releasing two albums, the band signed with Paper Bag Records to unveil two more acclaimed records, Enny One Wil Love You, and Laff It Off. Their music has charted across North America (#1 on CBC Radio 3).
Rube & Rake
Rube & Rake is an award-winning folk music duo based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Josh Sandu and Andrew Laite, natives of Canada’s West Coast and East Coast respectively, sing about a 21st century Canadian experience, unconfined by a single region or musical style. Their original songs reflect on the nature of home, the passage of time, and the spaces where aspiration and obligation intersect. The Rube & Rake live performance combines musical precision and sensitive vocals with the pair’s approachability and easygoing humour. They have released three full-length albums, most recently Good Time After Bad in 2025.
Sophie Lukacs
Sophie Lukacs is a Budapest-born, Montreal-based kora player, singer-songwriter, and composer whose music bridges West African tradition with contemporary folk. After seven years studying in Mali with Grammy winner, kora legend Toumani Diabaté, she has developed a distinct voice on the 21-string instrument. Performing in all the languages she speaks: English, French, Hungarian, and Bambara, Sophie's debut album Bamako won Global Roots Album of the Year at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Her second album Reverie releases spring 2026.
Tanya Davis: Mass For Shut-Outs
Tanya Davis is a writer and performer based in rural Epekwitk / Prince Edward Island, where she served as Poet Laureate from 2023-2026 and was also named Artist of the Year in 2024. She works across artistic discipline, creating for the page, the stage, the stereo, and the screen. Her new show, Mass for Shut-Outs, explores enduring questions through a queer, critical, and comedic lens. It is a shout out to anyone grappling with the complexity of faith, the inconsistency of awe, and the politics of organized religion.
Alongside Mass, Tanya is also touring a one-person show called Seeker, a droll take on our meandering search for meaning. With characteristic wit and clarity, she sifts through church, state, and wellness culture to parse our best intentions from our worst practices.
The Dusty Halos
The Dusty Halos combine the textures of fingerstyle guitar, upright bass, and sweet and crunchy vocals to create warmly-sung songs of melancholia.
Since forming in 2022, the Halifax-based folk duo has garnered attention for their songcraft and intimate vocal chemistry. Following their debut at a folk festival in a barn outside Antigonish, they have performed on stages in Nova Scotia, Toronto, and Montreal. Highlights include Full Circle and Deep Roots Festivals in Nova Scotia; The Seahorse Tavern in Halifax; The Dakota Tavern in Toronto; Bar de Courcelle in Montreal; and showcases at Nova Scotia Music Week in Wolfville and Yarmouth.
The Dusty Halos released their debut record in 2023, a self-titled EP featuring five emotion-laden tracks that weave themes of heartbreak and longing into tuneful tapestries. In 2025 the duo released their follow-up EP, Keep Us This Night, featuring the haunting single “With You."
Fans of old time acoustic sounds and original songwriting (e.g. The Be Good Tanyas, Neko Case, Gillian Welch, Adrian Lenker) will find much to savour in the music of The Dusty Halos. Their songs explore the interplay of light and darkness, finding solace in the shadows.
Socials: Instagram
Tina Leon
Tina Leon, born Marie-Christine Depestre, is a Montreal-based singer-songwriter whose sound blends soul, Motown influences, and contemporary jazz, funk, and pop. Trained in music from an early age, she gained significant stage experience through her work with the Generation Motown musical revue.
Released on Ensoul Records, her EPs PUSH (2022) and PULL (2023) led to the release of her debut full-length album, Push & Pull (2025), which brings together highlights from both EPs along with new material, including a striking cover of Sade’s Love Is Stronger Than Pride. Since winter 2024, Tina Leon has performed over 40 concerts across Quebec and appeared at major showcases and festivals.
In 2023, she joined the Résonances agency for booking and show production. Following a successful first tour of British Columbia in summer 2025, she will return in March 2026, including a performance at the iconic Frankie’s Jazz Club in Vancouver, further solidifying her growing national presence.
Tocani
Tocani is a multidisciplinary project inspired by pre-Hispanic cultures of the Americas. Anchored in acoustic instruments, Tocani began with the Mexica instruments Huehuetl and Teponaztli, but its musical palette extends far beyond, incorporating instruments like the marimba, shakers, ocarinas, electric bass, megaphone, and more. This blend of ancient and modern elements fuels their exploration of sounds, rhythms, and innovative compositions.
As a young and ambitious project, Tocani has already captivated over 2,000 spectators with a handful of meaningful performances. Their unique blend of rhythms, immersive staging, costumes, and storytelling transforms each presentation into a full sensory experience.
The ensemble consists of five core members—Camilo Giraldo, Luis Rojas, Guillermo Lopez, Alfonso Sierra, and "El Tlacuahe", with regular collaborations, including with Isaias. Each member brings diverse professional expertise, enhancing the project musically, theatrically, visually, and culturally.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Tocani strives to bridge ancient traditions with contemporary creativity, frequently collaborating with other artists to develop new works. Their mission is to connect audiences with the vibrant heritage of the past, reimagined through innovative and engaging performances.
Tocani aims to connect audiences to the vibrant traditions of the past while reimagining them for contemporary exploration.
Socials: YouTube, Soundcloud
Tyler Hache
Tyler Hache is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Moncton, New Brunswick. His debut album Silent earned Music NB’s Solo Recording of the Year and opened doors to performances alongside distinguished acts like Leif Vollebekk and David Myles, as well as regular co-writing trips on Nashville’s Music Row. With songs featured in film and television, Hache’s October 2025 single “Meredith” marks the beginning of a new chapter.
Zuppa
Zuppa is an artist-run theatre company based in Kjipuktuk / Halifax. We receive annual operating funding from The Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, and The HRM. Zuppa is a member of Theatre Nova Scotia and an affiliate member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT). We have collaborated with countless other arts organizations, have been featured in various scholarly journals, and have received a number of awards for our work.
Zuppa has a long history of touring supported by presenters and government partners. Since 2004 and have been lucky to travel to national and international festivals. This has included multiple international engagements in the U.S. (Boston, New York, Cleveland) and U.K. (Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Lancaster, Preston, Tourquay, Morecambe) and across Canada, where past presenters include; FTA (Montreal), SummerWorks (Toronto), Nightwood (Toronto), In the Soil (St. Catharine’s), Tremors (Vancouver), The Shadbolt Centre (Burnaby), The Morrin Centre (Quebec City), Talk Is Free (Barrie), Theatre Replacement’s “Hold On Let Go” (Vancouver) and Magnetic North Theatre Festival (Ottawa, Halifax and Whitehorse). Locally Zuppa has toured to Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton, Charlottetown, Sydney, Antigonish, Chester, Liverpool, Annapolis Royal, Wolfville and Ross Creek. We continue to develop our local, national and international outreach.
March 17, 2026 was Zuppa's 28th anniversary.
The Final Recordings of an Almost Extinct Bird
Developed in association with The Fundy Geological Museum, "Final Recordings" had its premiere run at Eastern Front Theatre's 2025 Stages Festival. This ecstatic, bittersweet, solo performance juxtaposes a story of personal loss and grief with the scope of the cosmos and geology of Nova Scotia. Driven by Stewart Legere’s captivating performance, accompanied by seamless video and sound design, the show runs 90 minutes and contains mature content and strong language.
Pitching
Association for Opera in Canada
Association for Opera in Canada's Diffusion program connects smaller-scale, tour-ready new operas by equity-deserving Canadian creators with presenter networks across the country, bringing fresh operatic voices to community stages beyond traditional opera houses.
Program lead Joel Klein is a past opera singer and former GM of AOC. He ran BC's dance touring network for seven years, helping multidisciplinary presenters build long-term audiences for contemporary dance.
AOC is Canada's national service organization for the opera sector, supporting companies, artists, and industry professionals from coast to coast.
Axis Theatre Company
From the unceded and traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples – sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations, Axis Theatre Company draws young eyes up to engage them in interactive experiences that educate, inspire and transform. Audiences experience smart, entertaining interpretations of traditional and cutting edge physical theatre. We incorporate combinations of red-nose clown, movement, mask work, puppetry and improvisation to expand the meaning and impact of the stories presented. It is deceptively simple, completely fresh and memorable.
Where Have All The Buffalo Gone?, written by Tai Amy Grauman, is a love story through the ages. Two star people and a Buffalo, fall to earth and continue to reconnect throughout history. Our play covers seven different periods of Métis history. We bear witness to the emergence of the Métis nations across the plains, the robust colonization that arises from the fur trade, the disappearance of the buffalo and the political uprising of the Métis Association of Alberta. The story begins during creation amongst the stars and ends in the present day.
Where Have All The Buffalo Gone? specifically shares scenarios from the Callihoo family’s stories, incorporating fiddle music, jigging and a life-like buffalo puppet. Inspired by historical events of the Métis people of Canada, this original play for young audiences explores the loves, the losses and the fight of Treaty 6’s Métis people – and their love and kinship to the buffalo.
Socials: @axistheatreco | Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo, YouTube
BABES, BABES, BABES! Burlesque and Drag Show
The BABES BABES BABES show is a jam-packed, laugh out loud, adults only cabaret! The show combines burlesque, drag, comedy, extravagant costumes, showstopping group numbers and naughty humour in a raucous spectacle that will leave you wanting more! Featuring an award winning cast of cabaret artists, each at the top of their field, the BABES show is the perfect way to spice up your night!
In addition to all the sultry teases, the naughty jokes, and the sparkly thongs, the Babes celebrate sexuality, LGBTQ identities, and body confidence with inspiring performances and heartfelt moments.
So grab a ticket, grab a beverage and indulge in this special adults only evening of cabaret entertainment!
Socials: Instagram
Burnstick
Built on emotion-stirring storytelling and unmistakable vocal harmonies accompanied by a century-old instrument, Burnstick, a JUNO nominated husband and wife Folk duo, are intent on creating affecting music that inspires listeners to feel. The Manitoba based Indigenous duo features Nadia and Jason Burnstick, esteemed independent artists who united over a decade ago to create deeply moving, cinematic Folk music using their trademark vocal pairing, and Jason's mastery of the lap slide Weissenborn guitar. Five years after their nationally acclaimed debut album, Kîyânaw, Burnstick unveils Made of Sin, their remarkable and poignant sophomore album. Backed by their drummer, Tony Raybould, Nadia and Jason perform deeply resonant music that strikes a chord with audiences. With thought-provoking lyrics and engaging stories, they often leave listeners reflecting on their own experiences, feelings, and memories.
C’est une musique folk née de la complicité qui ne peut exister que chez un couple marié. Le guitariste Cri-des-Plaines, Jason Burnstick, et l’auteure-compositrice francophone-métis, Nadia Burnstick, sont deux interprètes pour qui les voix s’entremêlent avec aisance. Jason s’équipe de Weissenborns, de guitares « lap slide » et d’une écriture dure et franche tandis que Nadia rayonne grâce à ses harmonies vocales séduisantes et ses paroles pénétrantes et honnêtes – on ne peut nier la magie qu’ils évoquent lorsqu’ils sont ensemble sur scène. En 2019 ils ont lancé leur premier album folk-roots, Kîyânaw, nominé pour un prix JUNO en 2021. D'ailleurs, leur extrait Some Kind of Hell a remporté le prix "Single of the Year" aux Canadian Folk Music Awards. Ensemble, Burnstick crée une musique folk rafraîchissante et captivante.
Cause & Effect Circus
Cause & Effect Circus was founded in 2013 by Chris Murdoch and Yuki Ueda with a vision to merge contemporary juggling and theatrical storytelling, exploring social and economic themes. The company aims to cultivate a distinctly Canadian circus voice and expand the public’s understanding of juggling as an expressive, narrative art form. They have performed at theatrical festivals like the Edmonton Fringe Festival, rEvolver Festival, and world-class events like the Singapore Grand Prix.
Their latest production, Luminarium, won the 2025 Best of the Fest Award at the Vancouver Fringe Festival. Luminarium is a wordless, visually captivating show that fuses juggling, physical comedy, and object manipulation into a hopeful solarpunk fable. Powered by laughter, teamwork, and the spark of rediscovery
In 2015, the company collaborated with Pepper’s Ghost New Media & Performing Arts Collective to create Press Play, integrating juggling performance with motion capture technology. Initially presented as a 20-minute work at the Vancouver Fringe Festival 2015, it evolved into a full-length live production in 2022 with the support from the Canada Council for the Arts. The project expanded Cause & Effect’s creative scope refining their understanding of how digital media can enhance live storytelling.
Their debut production, The New Conformity (2014), examined conformity and individuality through tightly choreographed ensemble juggling. The show received the Pick of the Fringe Award at the Victoria Fringe Festival, was praised by the Times Colonist as “clever and compelling,” and toured nationally to the fringe festivals including Montreal, Edmonton, and Vancouver, where it earned the Joanna Maratta Award for growth potential at the Vancouver Fringe Festival.
Over the past decade, these experiences have shaped Cause & Effect’s creative identity and deepened their understanding of circus as a language of curiosity and shared imagination. Their work now blends clear narrative, design integration, and physical storytelling to bridge technique and meaning.
Alongside their artistic practice, Cause & Effect Circus contributes to the growth of the Vancouver circus community through productions like I Heart Circus Cabaret and Recess: Time to Play, which provide platforms for emerging artists and foster collaboration within the local scene.
Socials: @causeffectcircus | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X/Twitter
Chimera Dance Theatre Project
Chimera is an adventurous company, grounded in our vision and our commitment to fostering and nurturing long-term relationship building. Led by choreographer and Artistic Director Malgorzata Nowacka-May, for over 20 years, Chimera has transcended limits, bridging the gaps between theatre, film, and dance. We navigate the space between urban and rural duality, small and large endeavors, and reimagine traditional techniques juxtaposed with contemporary forms. Chimera seeks connections between cultures, and our work has flourished over the past decade through meaningful collaborations with acclaimed Indigenous leaders and performers including elder Shirely Horn, and artists Arik Pipestem and Sophie Dow.
La Sporée/Sarah Bronsard
The multidisciplinary works of La Sporée / Sarah Bronsard explore invisible and transient phenomena through the moving body, rooted in contemporary flamenco. Like mushrooms emerging from hidden networks, each creation reveals what is born from encounters. Centered on co-creation, La Sporée investigates the fertile tension between beings, bodies, traditions, and artistic disciplines.
Mocean Dance – PLAY
Founded in 2001, Mocean Dance is recognized nationally as a leading contemporary dance company from the Atlantic region. We provide fertile ground for artistic endeavours and potential in the field of dance. We share perspectives from our region and create opportunities to engage the local arts ecology and connect to the national performing arts community. Through our work, we aim to support Halifax as a hotspot for creation, research, experimentation, collaboration, and performance, as well as nurturing community vitality through education and community enrichment programs that celebrate dance as a vehicle for transformation. Our activities range from creation and production, touring, professional opportunities for local artists, to community based classes for youth and senior citizens.
Quartetto Gelato
For over 30 years, Quartetto Gelato has enchanted audiences with surprising programs which include classical, Cab Calloway, tangos, klezmer, blazing Roma dances and much more. Named PBS’s “Best New Artist of the Year’, widespread touring has taken Quartetto Gelato to Korea, Japan, the US, China, the U.K., Italy, Russia and the Bahamas, and all over North America. 11 acclaimed recordings and inclusion on the soundtrack of Norman Jewison’s “Only You” (with Marisa Tomei & Robert Downey Jr.) brought them national fame, and when Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk chose their CD’s for his NASA flight on the space shuttle Columbia, they were literally heard around the world!
Socials: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Roseneath Theatre
Roseneath Theatre is a professional theatre company based in Toronto dedicated to creating and touring artistically excellent, original Canadian productions that engage and inspire young audiences across Ontario and beyond. At our core is a mission to produce captivating theatre that resonates artistically, personally, and socially. Through original Canadian productions, meticulously crafted to engage and inspire young minds, we spark conversations and ignite imaginations. Our plays boldly confront contemporary issues, empowering youth to reflect on their roles within society and fostering empathy and understanding.
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
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.
Past Artists
- Ballet Kelowna
- SNAFU (Ingrid Hansen)
- Mativetsky, Amiri & Pagé
- Phin Performing Arts
- SQx Dance
- Sursaut Dance Company
- The Skeleton Dance
- Théâtre À l’Envers
- Connection Dance Works
- Adrian Sutherland
- Avery Dakin
- Bel & Quinn
- Blessing Tangban
- BUWA
- Champagne Weather
- Dee Hernandez
- Duo Concertante
- É.T.É
- Joe H Henry
- Joey O’Neil
- Kelly McMichael
- Kyle McKearney
- KnottedHawk Productions
- Leanne Hoffman
- Mimi O’Bonsawin
- Pallmer
- Pillow Fite
- Onelight Theatre
- The Bombadils
- The Hello Crows
- Tunes and Tales
- Valmy
- Ensemble Callinos
- 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.
2024 – Joe Costello, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Cape Breton, NS
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:
2024 – Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown (Confederation Centre of the Arts)
2023 – Newfoundland & Labrador – Woody Point (Woody Point Heritage Theatre)
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)