Charlotte Street Arts Centre to celebrate emerging New Brunswick musicians with upcoming weekend event.
The Charlotte Street Arts Centre is getting ready to welcome an impressive array of emerging New Brunswick musicians later this month as part of Fest Forward. Now entering its sixth year, the event has become a staple on the CSAC’s fall calendar as well as that of many musicians from around the province.
Part showcase, part career development, Fest Forward is a music festival with a difference.
Submissions for this year’s event ran from August 4 and September 23. Organizers then selected a number of artists to participate in the many career development seminars presented as part of the festival including everything from bio writing to booking tours.
“Participating musicians will receive a thirty minute showcase during the festival and Music NB is giving each musician a year membership,” said CSAC’s ArtReach Program Coordinator, Eva George. “They are facilitating a workshop on grant writing as well as a workshop on how to maximize the use of social media platforms. Kate Butler is doing a bio writing workshop and something new for this year is a workshop by Stephen Lewis on how to book a tour.”
Participating artists will also benefit from live off the floor recording session with Luke Bailey from Lab Interactive and will each receive a two hour session with a photographer. Artists will also be featured through CHSR’s programming as part of the event.
And to cap off a hyper-productive weekend, each band/artist will walk away with a performance slot at one of several NB music festivals including Paddlefest, Feels Good Follyfest, Living Roots, Flourish, Shivering Songs and Sappyfest.
George sees Fest Forward as an incredible opportunity for emerging artists and an important part of the CSAC’s role in supporting next generation artists and performers.
“This is my first time organizing Fest Forward but it’s not my first rodeo coordinating a music festival in NB,” said George. “I am on the board of directors for Feels Good Follyfest as well as on the organizing committee for Paddlefest. Follyfest and Paddlefest receive a ton of amazing artist submissions each year and it can be challenging for emerging bands to get noticed and to get their name out there. Showcasing at Fest Forward and receiving a festival performance slot as a part of their participation is really valuable opportunity for up and coming bands. Also the professional development side of the weekend could give participants the knowledge or connections required to take their act to the next level.”
Public showcase performances will take place November 18 and 19 beginning at 8 p.m.
“The audience is in for a treat,” said George. “We have a variety of genres and styles which will be showcased from hip hop to ambient and indie folk to straight up rock n’ roll. We also have incredible local headliners booked for each night. Janowski is Keith Hallet’s new band and they are not to be missed on Friday night. We also have the wonderful Hypochondriacs lined up for Saturday night.”
“I think our weekend pass is a hell of deal – $15.00 for two nights of really awesome local talent. If you can’t swing two nights of festival fun each individual show is $10. Also we have also partnered with the Capital to offer our ticket holders a discounted admission to their shows over the weekend.”
Fest Forward 2016 Lineup:
Nov. 18
The Tortoise, The Hare & The Millionaire
Andrew Moore
Rchii
Special Guest – Janowski
Nov. 19
Våras
Hum & Hollow
Jane Blanchard
Fest Forward 2K16 | November 18th-19th, 2016 | Charlotte Street Arts Centre Auditorium | 732 Charlotte Street, Fredericton | $10/night, $15/weekend | Doors: 7 p.m. | Show: 8 p.m. (each night)
The official Fest Forward afterparty will be at The Capital Complex on Friday November 18th & Saturday November 19th. Free admission to The Wilsers Room & The Phoenix with your weekend pass OR you can get into the Capital shows for a discounted price. Friday November 18th – Motherhood, Tampa & Nightbummerz Saturday November 19th – Kill Chicago & Like a Motorcycle.
