Subject to change without notice
Appropriate for Family & Young Audiences and offer School Programming
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Wednesday April 10, 2024 — Kelowna Art Gallery: Spotlight Showcase / 7:30PM
Under the Rocks
Under the Rocks is a ripping bluegrass band that makes a big sound that tips its cap to tradition while incorporating singer-songwriter music intentionally put together with clever, inventive song arrangements, emotive instrumental breaks, and powerful vocal harmony. Their shows commonly feature dancing, laughter, joyful hoots and hollers, and serene moments accompanied by tears and tranquil sighs of release or appreciation. They are a heartfelt, talented string quartet that blends uplifting energy with a reflective reverence for the difficulties of reality that marries joy and sorrow and declares “YES.” Yes, to all that it means to be alive on this planet, here and now.
Contact:
Chris Baxter
undertherocksband@gmail.com
Home Base: British Columbia
Thursday April 11, 2024 — Tugboat Beach: Spotlight Showcase / 10:00AM
Fleuve-Espace Danse – La Marée Noire
Inspired by the issues caused by an oil spill in the seas and on marine ecosystems, Chantal Caron revisits textures, forms, and oppositions in this 30-minute show. The performance puts in symbiosis two aquatic goddesses captives of the Grande Marée Noire. “A duo of dancers appears as part of nature: curious earthly doubles in original aqua-medusas. Undulatory movements, hands-fin waving, pulses and contractions of the bodies, and sound breaths act like the inspiration of a breath or a wave.
Participants are welcomed as a collective tribute to the surrounding nature in the expression of energetic movements.
Contact:
Agence Résonances
Benjamin Massicotte
musique@agenceresonances.com
www.agenceresonances.com
Home Base: Québec
Showcase 1
Thursday April 11, 2024 — Rotary Centre for the Arts: Showcase 1 / 8:00PM – 10:30PM
Mimi O’Bonsawin
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 roots.
Mimi’s music whisks you away with uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics that weave pop sensibilities with acoustic instruments. The layers of percussion and harmonies make you feel the music rather than just hear it. Mimi tours as a duo or trio ensemble and can perform in either French or English. School and community workshops are also available.
Contact:
AIM Booking Agency
Nicole Rochefort
nicole@aimbookingagency.com
www.aimbookingagency.com/
Home Base: Ontario
Ingrid Hansen – Epidermis Circus
For Ages 13+
Watch a Jim Henson Company puppeteer make a live puppet film before your very eyes, using only household objects, a camera, and her bare hands. Ingrid Hansen animates cheeky vignettes in the palm of her hand and projects them onto a huge screen. This spicy puppetry cabaret features mind-bending illusions. Get your comedy fix and stretch your brain into surreal worlds.
Ingrid Hansen puppeteers on television for Sesame and The Jim Henson Company (Fraggle Rock.) Raised by gregarious Danish immigrants, she is a Canadian puppeteer, theatre creator, and prison theatre leader, who has toured Canada, the USA, and Japan.
SNAFU has had their work presented by The National Arts Centre, The Great Canadian Theatre Centre, The Centaur Theatre, SummerWorks, Intrepid Theatre, The Port Theatre, The International
Contact:
SNAFU Society of Unexpected Spectacles
Ingrid Hansen
ingrid@snafudance.com
Home Base: British Columbia
Under the Rocks
Under the Rocks is a ripping bluegrass band that makes a big sound that tips its cap to tradition while incorporating singer-songwriter music intentionally put together with clever, inventive song arrangements, emotive instrumental breaks, and powerful vocal harmony. Their shows commonly feature dancing, laughter, joyful hoots and hollers, and serene moments accompanied by tears and tranquil sighs of release or appreciation. They are a heartfelt, talented string quartet that blends uplifting energy with a reflective reverence for the difficulties of reality that marries joy and sorrow and declares “YES.” Yes, to all that it means to be alive on this planet, here and now.
Contact:
Chris Baxter
undertherocksband@gmail.com
Home Base: British Columbia
Polky
Toronto’s Polky, led by multi-talented female musicians, delights audiences with joyful vocal harmonies and spirited and upbeat performances. Drawing deep inspiration from the rich cultural tapestry of Poland, they push musical boundaries by fearlessly blending traditional Polish music with sounds from across the globe.
Polky is undoubtedly a band that stands apart. Their music is a celebration of cultural diversity, women empowerment, an invitation to revel in the joy of life and a reminder that, deep down, we are all connected by the power of music.
Solidaridad Tango
DISTANCIA, by Solidaridad Tango, takes you on a journey that bridges the distance from Toronto, to Buenos Aires, to Kandy in Sri Lanka. This show takes you on an emotional roller coaster of a journey that is a searing portrait of our times. Featuring poetry and music by Sri Lankan-Canadian composer Aparna Halpé, as well as classic and contemporary tangos by Argentine composers, this show rocks out with rhythms and melodies that embody the diversity of this band of women who are changing the face and sound of tango. Described as “bringing tango forward” by Laura Fernandez, host of Jazz FM 91ʼs Café Latino, this show by Canadaʼs all-woman tango band is a passionate embrace of life.
Contact:
Andrew Kwan Artists Management Inc.
Andrew Kwan
andrew@andrewkwanartists.com
Home Base: Ontario
Bear Grease the Musical
Get ready for a jaw-dropping, toe-tapping spectacle! Bear Grease takes the 1978 musical, Grease, on an Indigenous joyride, with fashion that slays, humour that tickles your funny bone, and music that makes you groove! It’s a rez makeover for the beloved characters, keeping the authenticity alive while adding a burst of cultural flair.
Buckle up for an electrifying experience that celebrates Indigenous cultures and dances its way into your heart—Bear Grease is a one-of-a-kind adventure you don’t want to miss!
“We’ll see Bear Grease on Broadway”! George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones
Contact:
Bear Grease the Musical
Henry (aka Cloud) Andrade
beargreaselive@gmail.com
Home Base: Alberta
Showcase 2
Friday April 12, 2024 — Rotary Centre for the Arts: Showcase 2 / 11:00AM – 2:00PM
Beny Esguerra and New Tradition Music
Experience the dynamic fusion of spoken word, Hip-Hop’s cultural expressions, and Colombian Afro-Indigenous música de gaita with Beny Esguerra and New Tradition Music. This three-piece family band, led by two-time JUNO-nominated multi-instrumentalist and lyricist Beny Esguerra, delivers a powerful and urgent call for justice, environmental healing, and respect for ancestors and land treaties through an immersive multi-arts performance.
In this captivating experience, the stage comes alive with the infectious energy of live drumming and dancing performed by Aalexa and Aaliyah Esguerra-Carranza, two exceptionally talented young drummers who have been captivating audiences since before their first JUNO nomination in 2018. Their rhythmic beats and mesmerizing movements add a vibrant layer to the performance, creating a dynamic synergy with Beny’s thought-provoking lyrics and masterful instrumentation.
Step into a world where tradition meets innovation, where rhythms and words converge to spark conversations about justice, environmental stewardship, and the importance of honouring our heritage. Beny Esguerra and New Tradition Music invite you to join them on a journey that transcends genres, connecting hearts and minds through the universal language of music and storytelling.
Pangaea Arts – The Trollsons
Come deep into the forests of Scandinavia as four masked characters and a musician bring to life the folklore of trolls. It’s Grandpa Trollson’s 200th birthday party, but he refuses to come out of his tree stump to celebrate! With the help of some audience participants onstage, Grandpa cannot resist the power of storytelling.
Join us for three truly interactive tales based on stories by Hans Christian Andersen, featuring live music, incredible masks, physical comedy, improvisation, and good old-fashioned troll trouble! The Storyteller is a 55-minute play suitable for ages 4 to 11. Two actors play all of the characters, and are accompanied by a live musician.
The Trollsons are a family of masked Scandinavian trolls that have been performing together since 1995, and have been seen at festivals, special events, theatres and Children’s Festivals throughout the world. They have a wide range of performances, including children’s theatre, festival-stage shows, and interactive roving characters. The Storyteller had a highly successful run at the Singapore International Children’s Festival, and has also been seen at the London, Ontario Children’s Festival, Shanghai Children’s Festival, the China Puppet Theatre in Beijing, and throughout BC. The incredible troll masks were created by award winning mask designer Melody Anderson.
Contact:
KBAM! Kevin Bruce Arts Management
Kevin Bruce
kevin@kbamonline.com
www.kbamonline.com
Home Base: British Columbia
Productions Strada – The Merry Marching Band
Underpantsburg is home to a band, or fanfare unlike any other. Under the guidance of a pompous band leader by turns bossy and bird-brained, this merry band sets out to see the world. With plenty of humour, no small amount of eccentricity and a touch of poetry, the band of music-makers makes its merry way—with a honk and a toot and a rat-a-tat-tat—from Canada to Brazil to Ukraine and back, with a stopover on Planet Mars! All with a resolutely modern performance that combines world music with the clown arts.
Contact:
Productions Strada
Dominique Renaud
dominique.renaud@strada.ca
Home Base: Québec
The Myrtle Sisters
The Myrtle Sisters had always dressed, sang, danced, talked and even eaten the same. They could hardly tell themselves apart until one day through a hilarious and unexpected series of calamities their secret uniqueness was revealed! Can they keep these oddities from one another? Will they still be part of the trio if their differences are discovered?
Same Same Different is a three part harmony, tap and swing dance spectacle about self-expression and celebrating differences. Through original and historic live music and dance, The Myrtle Sisters embrace their individuality and learn to work together. Expect plenty of charm, shenanigans, surprises and mishaps in this outrageously fun and insightful experience
Come along for this silly, heartfelt, musical journey where we discover we can be our unique selves and still belong.
Matt Baker – Skillology
Experience the roller coaster of laughs, fun, and silliness with the Matt Baker Comedy + Stunt Show. With a career spanning over 20 years, Matt Baker, boasting three Guinness World Records, has showcased his comedic genius on America’s Got Talent and The Late Late Show with James Corden. As one of the top entertainers on Disney Cruise Lines, his uproarious blend of comedy and wild stunts, from catching bowling balls on his head to daring escapes from handcuffs, promises an unforgettable journey for audiences young and old. Brace yourself for a one of a kind show filled with non-stop laughter, ridiculousness and jaw-dropping moments!
Axis Theatre – Where Have All The Buffalo Gone?
Target Audience: Grade 4 – Grade 10, Run Time: 55mins
Where Have All The Buffalo Gone? follows two souls through four Métis love stories in four distinct periods of Métis history. We bear witness of 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 in the 1930s. We begin during creation among the stars and end in present day 2022. Where Have All The Buffalo Gone? shares the Callihoo family’s stories and the diverse stories of Métis peoples in Alberta, incorporating fiddle music, jigging and a life size buffalo puppet.
Inspired by true historical events of the Métis people of Canada, Axis Theatre is thankful to have completed two workshops with award-winning playwright Tai Amy Grauman; integral development work that has culminated in this original play. Where Have All The Buffalo Gone? explores the love, the loss and the fight of Treaty 6’s Métis peoples and the lessons and love stories of the buffalo.
Contact:
Axis Theatre
Daune Campbell
daune@axistheatre.com
Home Base: British Columbia
No Video Available at this time
Showcase 3
Friday April 12, 2024 — Metro Hub: Showcase 3 / 8:00PM – 10:00PM
Dana Sipos
Described as “one of the greatest songwriting talents out there,” (Folk Radio UK)
Dana Sipos is an acclaimed Canadian songwriter and consummate performer whose talent for earthen imagery, rich spiraling vocals, and textured finger-picked instrumentation sets the stage for a deeply moving performance.
Prepare to lean in and listen closely.
“Known for crafting music that is both fragile and orchestral, singer/songwriter Sipos has really produced a beautiful collection of songs on her latest release. The nine tunes manage to have both folk and jazz features all reflected through a lens that isn’t afraid to be out of focus at times.” – Vancouver Sun
Contact:
Roaring Girl Records
Dana Sipos
dana.seastar@gmail.com
Home Base: British Columbia
Ché Aimee Dorval
Vancouver artist Ché Aimee Dorval’s blend of glitter-jacked soul and hyper-lush alt-rock is a dream weaver ticket to getting lost in one’s own thoughts. Featuring rich, evocative vocals that oscillate between soothing and crushing, complementing her introspective, old-soul lyricism, Ché’s music is almost uncategorizable, and seeing Ché live is nothing less than transportive.
Contact:
0330AM
Samuel Chadwick
sam@0330am.net
Home Base: British Columbia
Tonye Aganaba
Tonye Aganaba is Black-British and African, born in London to Nigerian and Zimbabwean parents. Their musical style is dynamic and fluid – weaving playful threads of Soul, Neo-Folk, Funk, Hip-Hop and R&B. Their shows are thrilling, captivating, hilarious, and a sweet rollercoaster that ends with love! Tonye co-creates incredible experiences that are connected and intimate, always in the spirit of vulnerability. Today Tonye is bringing to life an interdisciplinary body of exciting new work, blending artistic practice and their passion for community organizing, and living carefully on the unceded ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsliel- Waututh First Nations.
Contact:
Cubbyhole Artists
Tom Landa
tom@cubbyholeartists.com
www.cubbyholeartists.com
Home Base: British Columbia
Grand Poney – Punch Line
Punch Line, a solo work by Jacques Poulin-Denis, borrows as much from the comedic style of a one man show as it does from the intimacy and depth of a confession. Through stories and anecdotes filled with joyful irony, insight and humour, he reveals himself. Characters emerge from this flow of ideas, embodying the multiplicity of our existence, the many avatars that compose us and the at times absurd strategies we use to hold our contradictions together. Jacques materializes our inner monologues into sensory experiences, both subtle and intense. He is a transmitter of words, thoughts and gestures.
Contact:
Agence Résonances
Benjamin Massicotte
musique@agenceresonances.com
www.agenceresonances.com
Home Base: Québec
Showcase 4
Saturday April 13, 2024 - Kelowna Community Theatre: Showcase 4 / 2:00PM – 5:00PM
Ballet Kelowna – Macbeth
Alysa Pires’ wildly successful theatrical ballet, Macbeth, explores the dark side of human nature. The timeless themes of ambition, power, and corruption that characterize William Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy infuse this high-stakes piece with drama and suspense. An original score of toil and trouble by Canadian composer Adam Sakiyama and stunning visuals by Okanagan artist Jane Everett set the scene for an exploration of psychological decay.
“Pires is a magician who seamlessly crafts a fresh, badass, impossibly electric story.” Attendee Valaura Jones on Macbeth
Contact:
Ballet Kelowna
Simone Orlando
ad.ceo@balletkelowna.ca
Home Base: British Columbia
Pi Theatre – Black & Rural by Shayna Jones
Black & Rural is the story of a lone Black country woman struggling to defy the monolith of what matters to Black lives. Derived from dozens of real-life interviews with Black folk tucked away in the countryside across Canada, Shayna Jones weaves together a story of vulnerability, quiet triumph, and striking humanity. The show features new folkloric tales and verbatim reflections from her interviewees.
“Spell-binding. Black & Rural awakens a deep-seated longing in many of us who live busy, noisy, urban lives and wonder why we live the way we do. One life. No rewind.” – Jo Ledingham
Black Dog String Quartet
Formed in 2007, the Black Dog String Quartet has performed at the Quartetti Festival of String Quartets, Sonic Boom Festival of New Music, and Classical Revolution Vancouver. BDSQ has also appeared on the recordings of artists such as 54-40, Marianas Trench, Bleeding Through, and others. Individual members have performed live on stage with some of the world’s top acts, including Rod Stewart, Kanye West, Sting, Michael Bublé, Mariah Carey, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Video Games Live.
The quartet’s debut album, a collection of original songs for string quartet and voice composed by violist John Kastelic, was released in April 2023.
Contact:
KBAM! Kevin Bruce Arts Management
Kevin Bruce
kevin@kbamonline.com
www.kbamonline.com
Home Base: British Columbia
Moneka Arabic Jazz
Step into the captivating world of Ahmed Moneka’s pitch session, a musical odyssey tracing his remarkable journey from Baghdad to Toronto. In a fusion of Iraqi melodies and African rhythms, Ahmed unveils a project echoing his life. With a soulful video, a heartfelt song, and the narrative of his artistic evolution, Ahmed’s pitch promises a riveting exploration of cultural harmony.
Contact:
MGAM
Luisa Gonzalez
luisa@mgam.com
mgam.com
Home Base: Ontario
Seffarine
The sounds that stir the dry winds of Southern Spain and Morocco, two countries separated by only a whisper of the Mediterranean, are the musical DNA of a beautiful, complex extended family linking North Africa and Europe.
The musicians of Seffarine, soulful Moroccan singer Lamiae Naki and flamenco guitarist Nat Hulskamp, supported by master musicians of diverse cultures, embrace and extend this rich musical legacy. Their exciting performances masterfully combine explosive flamenco footwork, exotic instrumentation and grooving bass lines. These diverse backgrounds meld, creating what Bass Player Magazine calls a “gorgeous intersection” of Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern genres and culture.
Contact:
FLi Artists
Nat Hulskamp
info@seffarine.com
www.fliartists.com
Home Base: Oregon
Rachel Therrien
Trumpeter Rachel Therrien stands out as one of the most innovative voices at the intersection of jazz and world music. Her Latin Jazz Project is the result of her postgraduate studies at the Instituto Superior de Arte, in Havana, and is also informed by her many musical experiences in Latin America and the Caribbean. With this exceptional ensemble, she offers a festive repertoire featuring original works and Afro-Latin jazz classics. From salsa to danzón and rumba to chachacha, Rachel and her band of virtuosos invite you to groove to the lively rhythms of Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, and Haiti, among others. Don’t miss this sizzling, hip-swinging show!
Contact:
Danielle Lefebvre Artist & Concert Agency
Danielle Lefebvre
danielle@agencedlefebvre.com
www.agencedlefebvre.com