Manitoba Arts Network Performing Arts Touring Program assists both community presenters and showcase artists to coordinate block-booked tours and one-time performances in venues throughout Manitoba.
We are now booking the following artists for shows in 2012- 2013
African Stages
African Storytelling
Born and raised in Nigeria, Comfort Ero was immersed in the dramatization of popular folk tales, songs and dances long before receiving a formal European theatre education. From a very young age she showed promise as a storyteller, actor and director. In school she learned historical African drama and folk tales from African teachers as well as European poetry, plays and opera.
Since her arrival in Canada in the mid-90s, Comfort regularly performs at libraries, community centres, schools, universities and festivals across the country. In 1997 she founded the Zibota African Moonlight Theatre, now called African Stages Association.
Eli Barsi
Western Roots Folk
For the last 25 years Eli Barsi has made music her profession, performing full time, songwriting & recording. Eli is originally from the prairies of Saskatchewan but throughout the years has made her home in Alberta as well as Tennessee and Missouri in the USA. To date Eli has released 11 albums, 10 Canadian radio charting singles, 3 CMT videos, and has been the recipient of many awards on both sides of the border. Her strong sincere vocal is accompanied by her unique ‘Carter Scratch’ style of playing lead and rhythm guitar, performing both with a band and on her own. Eli’s special Western Roots blend of Canadiana/Americana music as well as Gospel Bluegrass, Country & Folk, combined with genuine talent, superb musicianship and vocals, wins her audience over every time.
www.elibarsi.com
Bolero Dance Theatre
Spanish dance
Bolero Dance Theatre is a Winnipeg-based dance company committed to the artistry, beauty, and drama of Spanish dance. The Company presents a full-length program of Spanish dance and flamenco. Combining traditional forms with original choreography, productions feature a dramatic storyline incorporating solo and corps dancers. The company of approximately twelve dancers is augmented with live musical and vocal accompaniment.
www.bolerodancetheatre.ca
Annette Campagne
Acoustic rock/folk
Singer songwriter and founding member of the folk band Hart Rouge, Annette Campagne proves she is the quintessential Canadian artist; the bilingual, straight-shooting poet of a prairie girl who has seen the world but who revels in her prairie roots. She’s the hip, urban musician standing in a field of wheat singing about heartbreak and the thrill of new beginnings; about the refusal to compromise; she strives to make her performance a ‘happening’ by creating a comfortable connectedness with funny and intriguing stories, all the while delivering a mix of contemporary folk, melodic pop and acoustic rock with a sweet and soulful voice. Her piece de résistance? Three gospel songs performed with the help of local choirs!
www.annettemusic.ca
Couloir
(Classical music series co-presented with Prairie Debut)
Cellist Ariel Barnes and harpist Heidi Krutzen have emerged as two of the West Coast’s most active and inventive chamber musicians. Their new group, Couloir, explores the sound, timbre, and colour of cello and harp, a combination of instruments rarely heard together. Their mutual desire to create memorable, moving performances, reaching deeply into music’s emotional and spiritual elements, provides the foundation for their new duo. Couloir’s repertoire includes a variety of works, both old and new.
www.couloir.ca
Damsel and Swains
Classical
The trio of Damsel & Swains offers an entertainment fit for a Renaissance Royal court. Music and the poetry of love from Elizabethan England is presented in song by Josée Vaillancourt, with accompaniment by guitarist Skender Sefa, and recitation by actor Brian Richardson. This blend of an early music vocalist, a cross-genre guitarist, and a poet of the theatre; a damsel and two swains; will surprise you with how current are the messages in the writings of five hundred years ago.
Destino
Classical/Pop crossover
Destino is comprised of three handsome young men and one stunning young woman that love making beautiful music together. They have created something new and exciting – a group consisting of two very different voices and two very different instrumentalists, all of whom are able to stand on their own, but are at their best when they come together to form a truly talented and unique troupe. Destino’s performances constantly inspire standing ovations. Fans love that the group’s music is ‘real’. It is melodic, inspirational, exciting, familiar, and draws from both the past and present – today’s pop and yesterday’s classics. Destino truly is a musical reflection of the diverse backgrounds and experiences of these four friends.
www.destino4.com
My Sweet Patootie
Old Country/Vintage Jazz/Western Swing & Blues
Since 1999 their dazzling fiddle & guitar solos and joy of live performance brought fans from Canada, the USA and England to their feet at Tanglefoot shows (CFMA “Best Vocal Group” 2007). Today as My Sweet Patootie, Terry Young and Sandra Swannell embrace a forgotten brand of showmanship that’s “two parts exemplary musicianship and one part vaudeville comedy.” (Driftwood Magazine) Their clever, off-center original songs have “elements of western swing and old-timey music that updates the flapper feel and gives it a real twenty first century pizzazz… a delightful sound with a hundred years in it’s soul.” (FATEA Magazine)
www.mysweetpatootie.com
Jake’s Gift
Theatre
Since 2007, Julia Mackey and Dirk van Stralen (who make up Juno Productions) have been touring their multi-award winning one-act play, Jake’s Gift, to rave reviews in festivals and Theatres across Canada. Jake’s Gift tells the story of a Manitoban WW2 veteran reluctant to return to Juno Beach for the 60th anniversary of D-Day. In November 2010, the production played at Manitoba Theatre Centre’s Warehouse Theatre for three consecutive weeks and sold out 98% of the run, breaking all previous box office records.
The company received the BC Touring Council’s 2011 Touring Artist of the Year Award as well as Contact East’s 2010 Touring Performer’s Award.
www.jakesgift.com
Jaylene Johnson
Soul Nourishing Pop
If you watch network television, you’ve likely heard Jaylene Johnson’s music. Her soul-nourishing, melodic pop lends itself perfectly to pictures, whether ones she paints for her audiences through engaging and dynamic live performances, or ones imagined by creators of show such as Pretty Little Liars, Degrassi: The Next Generation and Being Erica. Three-time finalist in the International Songwriting Competition and Juno Nominee for a recent collaboration with Eagle and Hawk (The Great Unknown), Jaylene’s work demonstrates a beautiful and thoughtful ability to connect across generations and cultural barriers with her intelligent, inspiring and heartfelt songs.
www.jaylenejohnson.com
Evie & Jeff Sawatzky
Contemporary Classical
Delivering powerful and touching vocal performances, Evie and Jeffrey Allan Sawatzky have been described as the Josh Groban and Sarah Brightman of the Prairies. This stunning couple performs timeless favourites and contemporary classics that thrill and delight audiences of all ages. Treasured memories are made as Jeffrey and Evie serenade and dance with audience members. Sparks fly both on and off the stage as an evening is shared with these incredible vocal talents.
www.eviekoop.com
www.jeffsawatzky.ca
Alexander Sevastian
Classical with a Twist
The winner of four international accordion competitions and a remarkable musician with boundless virtuosity, Alexander Sevastian is one of the most exciting accordionists of his generation. Born in Minsk, Belarus, Alexander Sevastian is now a very active recitalist and chamber musician. Over the past five years Alex has toured extensively in Canada, the US, Italy, Japan, Korea, Sweden, Estonia, and Guatemala in various venues, from major halls to outdoor festivals. A member of the renowned Quartetto Gelato, this is an artist completely dedicated to his art. Classical music with impeccable arrangements to be played by a bayan-accordion.
www.stationbleue.com
The Travelling Mabels
Country/Folk/Roots
The Travelling Mabels are a folk/country female trio full of spunk, spirit and laughter with a highly anticipated second cd ready for the touring season. Collectively, their songs bring a wealth of life experience to the stage. Singularly, each woman can vocally stand alone, but once you hear the combined harmony blend, you will know why these three women came together. The beauty of The Mabels is that they represent three generations of women. This has opened the door to a dynamic energy both musically and in the rapport with the audiences that most wouldn’t experience every day.
www.thetravellingmabels.com
Trio Bembe
Latin World Music
Out of the snowy Canadian prairies rises a tropical breeze from a surprising source. Amber Epp, Scott Senior, and Rodrigo Munoz form this Latin World music trio. Having chased their passion to Cuba, Brazil and Chile, their mastery of Latin music drives their audiences into a rhythmic frenzy. Trio Bembe creates infectious, danceable music that moves people; they’re the party down the street, so just follow your ears.
www.triobembe.com
Richard Wood & Gordon Belsher
Celtic Instrumental
Award winning Prince Edward Island fiddler Richard Wood has performed all over the world, including Carnegie Hall with “the Chieftains”, and on “David Letterman” with Shania Twain. Combining deep-rooted traditional prowess with high-voltage rock ‘n roll attitude, each performance includes exciting elements of dance, song, and percussion, along with virtuoso musicianship and an endearing stage presence. Accompanied on guitar, vocals and bodhrán by Gordon Belsher, get ready for the best of jigs, reels, and airs played with unending energy, pounding rhythms, and intoxicating enthusiasm. …”Perfect precision, playfulness and power!”-Charlottetown Guardian
www.guernseycove.ca
www.rwood.ca |
