CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
READI - Authentic Stage Craft (Closed Session)
10:30am - 11:45am
Heritage
Speaker: Shakura S'Aida
Shakura S'Aida's Authentic Stage Craft Workshop will help emerging artists become skilled in staying focused, grounded and authentic on stage while also delivering a dynamic performance. The session will focus on: lyrical interpretation, connecting with audiences, stage presence, vocal power and expression and team work.
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READI - Making and Managing Money as a Musician (Closed Session)
1:00pm - 2:15pm
Heritage
Speaker: Maya Killtron
This session will guide attendees through the basics of building project budgets, determining artist & player rates, and acquiring basic, music-industry applicable financial literacy. The focus will be on sharing ethical and sustainable budget practices, an incredibly important skillset as artists continue to see a huge increase in costs for everything from recording to touring and promotion. This promises to offer a low barrier, focused and honest chat about the too-often taboo topic of making—and managing—money as a musician.
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READI - The Pitch: Knocking it Out of the Park (Closed Session)
2:15pm - 3:30pm
Heritage
Speaker: Sage McBride
Many artists struggle with feeling awkward about pitching themselves to presenters, industry professionals, and even the general public. This session will help to demystify the elements of a great pitch, from nurturing authentic emotional human connections, to creating quality materials that stand out and the value of preparation, clarity and follow-up. You will come away from this session with the tools you need to craft your unique, powerful and effective pitch.
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Opening Reception
4:00pm - 6:00pm
AGH
Facilitator: Lisa La Rocca
Join us for the opening reception of the Folk Canada Conference! This welcoming event sets the tone for the conference, offering a chance to meet fellow folk music enthusiasts, industry professionals, and artists. Whether you're a longtime supporter or a newcomer, this reception is the perfect way to kick off a weekend of learning, sharing, and discovering new music.
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Ontario Folk Music Awards (OFMA)
6:30pm - 9:00pm
The Studio
Host: Terra Lightfoot
The 32nd annual Ontario Folk Music Awards, honouring our nominees and recipients, will take place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at The Studio in Hamilton, Ontario.
Renowned Canadian Artist Terra Lightfoot will be the host for the 2026 Ceremony and will include performances from nominees Tanika Charles, Vicki Brittle, Jonathan Nvita, kazdoura, Logan Staats and more! The event is exclusive to nominees and Folk Canada Conference delegates and attendees. Festivities will begin at the Folk Canada Conference Opening Reception at the Art Gallery of Hamilton where there will be photo opportunities, refreshments and snacks and then we will make our way over to The Studio for an evening of music and celebrating the nominees and award winners​
Thursday, October 15, 2026
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Music Fusion: A Creative Process to Integrate Traditional and Contemporary Haudenosaunee Music
9:30am - 10:30am
MacNab
Moderator: Deanna Yerichuk
Speakers: Sadie Buck, Derek Miller
The presentation focuses on a creative process between two Six Nations artists documented in film and music: Sadie Buck, a traditional Haudenosaunee singer, and Derek Miller, a singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer. In this presentation, the artists describe their musical conversation between generations and explore how traditional Onkwehón:we music, voices and rhythms can move into a contemporary alternative-pop landscape while maintaining the spirit and power at their core. Their collaboration, documented in film, approaches the music not as something to modernize or replace, but as something living. The session will feature excerpts of a documentary by Six Nations videographer Shane Powless capturing the exchange of knowledge and music creation. Onkwehón:we musical traditions are not simply echoes of the past, but a living creative force with the power to shape contemporary music. The music created becomes a conversation across generations in which tradition moves forward without forgetting where it comes from.
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Peer Session: Festival Organizers
9:30am - 11:00am
McQuesten
Facilitator: Valerie Shantz
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This session is open to all delegates who work in Festival organizing. This session invites participants to network with fellow festival executive directors, operations managers, and administrators to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the world of festival administration, from balancing the budget and volunteer recruitment to policing and security and marketing and promotion.
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First Timers Orientation
10:00am - 11:00am
Heritage
Speakers: Cassidy Houston, Julie Fowler
New to Folk Canada and wondering how to make the most of this event? Looking at the schedule and wondering how you can fit everything in and not get overwhelmed? This gathering will set you on the right path. You'll hear a few hot tips from conference staff, be able to have your questions answered by long time attendees, and connect with other folks to start building a brand new network of folk friends and colleagues. There will be no pressure to pitch or perform, just an opportunity to meet others and make connections before all the fun begins.
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Lil Folkers
10:00am - 4:00pm
Suite 322
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ADVANCE SIGNUP REQUIRED. The Lil' Folkers Daycare room is designed to cater to the needs of children of ages around 3 to 8 years old. With licensed early childhood care professionals present, you can rest assured that your little one will be in capable hands while you attend showcases and panels. While the Lil' Folkers Daycare room provides a safe and nurturing environment, it's important to note that no food or snacks will be provided. Therefore, it is recommended that you drop off your Lil' Folker already fed or with their own snacks and water. This way, they can enjoy their favorite treats and stay hydrated throughout their time in the Lil' Folkers space. forms.gle/sdEwGpuf4Lg8PvED9
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Audio Interview Space
10:00am - 2:30pm
Hunter
This is a quiet space for audio interviews. This space is first-come, first-served, with a signup sheet posted outside the room. Interviewers must bring their own audio recording equipment.
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Art to Heal the Heart
11:00am - 12:30pm
Durand
Facilitator: Maureen Pollard
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Writing and songwriting are powerful tools for wellness. In this experiential workshop, participants will be invited to sample a variety of writing exercises focused on healing, including focused lists, free-writing, sentence starters, visual prompts, and more. Participants will be encouraged, but not required, to share their work, and all will be invited to notice themes in their writing that can be used as lyrics for early song drafting. Maureen Pollard is a licensed social worker and has led workshops on the topic of songwriting as healing modality at conferences across North America.
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Bimiwizh Indigenous Community Gathering
11:00am - 2:30pm
Ferguson
Speakers: Nimkish Younging, Amanda Rheaume
The International Indigenous Music Summit (IIMS) is thrilled to invite all Indigenous friends and relatives to this special return IIMS event within Folk Canada 2026, where we will gather to feast, connect, and discuss the things that are most important to us in the Indigenous music community, where we are now, and a vision for where we want to go together in the future.
This session is for Indigenous delegates only.
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Learning Hub: SOCAN 101 Portal Walkthrough
11:00am - 12:00pm
Beckett
Speakers: Houtan Houdania, Kristen Antunes
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Join this session for an interactive walkthrough of the new SOCAN Portal hosted by Senior Creative Executive Houtan Hodania and Publisher Relations Lead Kristen Antunes. Learn how to navigate its key features and tools with confidence, then stick around for a live Q&A where we'll answer your questions. Bring your curiosity, we look forward to seeing you there!
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Peer Session: Neurodiverse Delegates
11:00am - 12:30pm
Yorke
Facilitator: Jaymie Karn
This peer session is a space for neurodiverse folks to gather in a supportive and accepting environment. The conversation will focus on how participants can accept their differences and confidently request accommodations, and will dive into strategies and action plans for creating supportive working conditions and environments. Accommodations can be requested up to 48 hours in advance by emailing programs@folkcanada.com.
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Universal Basic Income for Artists
11:00am - 12:00pm
MacNab
Speakers: Angela Dorgan, Lala Noel
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In 2026, following a successful 3 year pilot program, the government of Ireland made the national Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) program permanent, reducing income precarity and supporting creative output for eligible artists. This program provides a weekly stipend to artists and creative arts workers, and Canadian artists and arts workers are hoping to build momentum here for a similar national initiative. Join Angela Dorgan, one of the key players in getting this program implemented, in interview with artist and advocate Lala Noel, to hear how this initiative grew from idea to implementation, and learn what steps are necessary to advocate and activate a universal basic income for artists program in Canada. This discussion will conclude with a question and answer period.
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Learning Hub: Touring in Quebec (Beyond Montreal)
12:00pm - 12:45pm
Beckett
Speaker: Briana Doyle
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What opportunities exist for artists touring Quebec beyond Montreal? Briana Doyle shares preliminary findings from a Canada Council-funded study mapping venues, presenters, and potential touring opportunities within Quebec's English-speaking communities. The session will explore the grassroots cultural spaces that often fall outside conventional touring networks, the barriers facing artists and presenters, and what a more connected touring ecosystem could look like.
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Peer Session: 55+ Delegates
12:00pm - 1:30pm
McQuesten
Facilitator: Jenny Allen
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A peer-led session for delegates 55+ to come together and discuss industry topics, encourage and support one another, and explore how to weave our wisdom and experience into both the creative and business sides of our art, while resisting hidden ageism in the industry. We will have guest agents and presenters in attendance to answer questions and provide guidance. This session is open exclusively to delegates who are 55+.
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XENOLITH EVANGELION [artist talk]
12:30pm - 1:00pm
MacNab
Speaker: M. Dudeck
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[M] Dudeck w/ Brandon Michael, Javi Avecedo + Daniel Peloquin Hopfner
Xenolith Evangelion is a new queer alien folk opera created by internationally renowned performance artist [M] Dudeck and their team of multidisciplinary collaborators. This artist talk serves as an introduction to Dudeck's queer mythmaking and worldbuilding, which has been performed/exhibited and screened in over forty countries worldwide. This talk will explore the relationship between folk culture, the speculative imagination and queer futurities, and serves as a prelude to the Xenolith Evangelion ritual presentation at the conference.
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Learning Hub: Meet FACTOR
12:45pm - 1:45pm
Beckett
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Speaker: Marcus Tamm
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Are you a recording artist or music entrepreneur interested in exploring what investment support options may be available? Bring your upcoming project ideas and questions as we guide you through the paths to becoming FACTOR-funded.
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Peer Session: 2SLGBTQIA+ Delegates
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Durand
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Facilitator: Mitra Shreeram
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This peer session is a safe space for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks to come together and build community, share experiences about careers in the music industry, and lift one another up. This will be an informal session, and is open exclusively to delegates who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.
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Peer Session: Agents
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Adelaide
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Facilitator: Carolina G'ala
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This session is open to all delegates who are agents, of small or large rosters alike. This session will be an informally led discussion on the challenges of building sustainable national touring strategies in an increasingly challenging economy, where artists and presenters face unpredictable ticket sales, climate related cancellations and market saturation. Please note: this session is not intended as a place for artists to find an agent.
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Community Music: Folk Forward
1:30pm - 2:30pm
MacNab
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Moderator: Ashley Shabankareh
Speakers: Tarek Ghriri and Nour Haadan, Rachel Naylor, Doug Friesen, Dejehan Hamilton
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What happens when music moves beyond the stage and becomes a tool for connection, participation, and community building? Community Music: Folk Forward brings together musicians who are also active community musicians to explore the ways music can create belonging, strengthen relationships, and amplify diverse voices. Community music emphasizes collaboration, accessibility, shared ownership, and the social power of music, and it can take many forms. In this conversation, panelists will share their experiences balancing careers as performing artists with community-based musical work. Together, they will consider how advocacy, participation, collaboration, and cultural exchange—and putting people first—can help build more connected, creative, and inclusive communities.
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Learning Hub: SOCAN Licensing 101
1:45pm - 2:30pm
Beckett
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Speaker: Liam Russell
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How does live music licensing work? Join SOCAN's Live Music Industry Relations Lead Liam Russell to find out! Learn about tariffs and how license fees are collected and distributed to songwriters.
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Culture in Climate Summit Opening Keynote: The Weather Station
2:45pm - 3:30pm
Heritage
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Speaker: Tamara Lindeman
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The Climate Summit opens with a keynote address by The Weather Station's Tamara Lindeman, an outspoken artist whose creative work and public discourse increasingly centers around honestly, vulnerably, and artistically reckoning with the ecological crisis we are living inside of.
Over the course of six albums, her music has moved from home recorded, mostly acoustic folk to the "ornate act of world building" (New Yorker) that was Ignorance. The throughline, though, is a focus on ideas; her lyrics walk the line between the personal and the conceptual, forever tying small moments to larger metaphysical quandaries. Nominated for three Juno Awards, a Socan Songwriting Award, and shortlisted for the Polaris Prize, her albums have made a mark both critically and conceptually.
Folk Canada is honoured to have Tamara join us for what promises to be a meaningful, resonant and insightful keynote address.
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Meet the ADs: Folk Family Feud
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Ballroom
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Facilitator: Nicole Rochefort
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This fun game show style event promises to be a fast paced and hilarious hour inspired by the classic 1970s game show Family Feud, and you can be a member of the studio audience! Teams of ADs and EDs representing festivals from across the country (and beyond) will collaborate - and compete - to answer folk-related questions and win! This will be a light, fun, and well planned session full of laughter, and offers a unique chance for the folk delegation to get to know the real people beyond their jobs. Don't miss it!
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Friday, October 16, 2026
Culture in Climate Summit: Action Plans to Meet the Moment
10:00am - 12:00pm
Heritage
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Speakers: Laura Severinac, Devin Latimer, Ellorie McKnight, Caroline Brooks, and many others
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This year's Culture in Climate Plenary gathering builds on the momentum of the Culture and Climate sessions that have taken place over the last two years, and activates the collective wisdom of our community to engage in concrete action planning for this urgent moment. The session will begin with a 15 minute presentation in which members of Folk Canada's climate committee will summarize existing climate initiatives in the folk music sector, review policy recommendations from last year's gathering, and introduce both table hosts and the session's guiding questions. Participants will then break out into smaller groups across several spaces, self-selecting the conversation they wish to join. Working collaboratively to harness the power of the group mind, with a facilitator present to harvest ideas and guide the conversation, each topic table group will come up with at least three implementable calls to action for the folk music community: one for the moment, one for the next year, and one for the long term. Session leaders will be there to answer questions, orient new arrivals, and will offer a synthesis of findings to close the plenary.
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Lil Folkers
10:00am - 4:00pm
Suite 322
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ADVANCE SIGNUP REQUIRED. The Lil' Folkers Daycare room is designed to cater to the needs of children of ages around 3 to 8 years old. With licensed early childhood care professionals present, you can rest assured that your little one will be in capable hands while you attend showcases and panels. While the Lil' Folkers Daycare room provides a safe and nurturing environment, it's important to note that no food or snacks will be provided. Therefore, it is recommended that you drop off your Lil' Folker already fed or with their own snacks and water. This way, they can enjoy their favorite treats and stay hydrated throughout their time in the Lil' Folkers space. forms.gle/sdEwGpuf4Lg8PvED9
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Peer Session: Concert Series and Venue Presenters
10:00am - 11:30am
Charlton
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Facilitator: Suze Casey
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This session is open to delegates who present concert series or program venues, and is not intended as a place for artists to solicit work. This session will be an informally led discussion with a focus on community engagement challenges and best practises, and resource sharing around strategies for attracting new, diverse and younger audiences.
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Climate Grief: Facilitated Group Discussion
10:15am - 11:45am
Yorke
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Facilitator: Maureen Pollard
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This group session, facilitated by a trained professional, invites participants into a mindful and supportive conversation around the topic of climate grief. This session is meant to address question 11 from the Climate Summit convening: How might we contend with our climate grief in the face of increasing climate collapse? This session may or may not result in actionable outcomes, and participants enter with the understanding that group process is emergent and sensitive, and all present are responsible for holding space with compassion.
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Climate Summit Breakout Working Group (low stimulus environment)
10:15am - 11:45am
Durand
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Facilitator: Liv Cazzola
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This is a secondary space for a single Climate Summit working group to discuss and brainstorm on multiple topics in a low-stimulus environment.
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Climate Summit Breakout Working Groups
10:15am - 11:45am
Beckett​
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This is a secondary space for Climate Summit working groups to discuss and brainstorm on specific topics.
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Learning Hub: Live Music Contracting with the CFM
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Beckett
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Peer Session: Managers
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Adelaide
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Facilitator: Mark Watson
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This session is open to all delegates who are managers, or self-managed artists. This session will be an informally led discussion on the challenges and rewards of management, and attendees are invited to share their best practices and build a network of colleagues. This is not a pitch session.
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Rassemblement de délégué(e)s francophones
12:00pm - 1:30pm
McQuesten
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Facilitator: Cecile Doo Kingue
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Cette session de pairs adresse la réalité des francophones œuvrant tant du côté "français" qu' "anglais" de la scène musicale canadienne. Il s'agit d'une table ronde informelle permettant de faciliter la discussion et de créer une espace de soutien mutuel. de solidarité, de prise de conscience des défis et de partage des succès. Un sujet discuté sera l'intersectionnalité (immigration, bilinguisme, accents, apprentissage du français, etc.) et sa force créative qui nourrit de nouvelles sonorités, récits et esthétiques.
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Yes Is a Garden: Listening for What Connects Us (Part One)
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Ferguson
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Speakers: Cindy Doire, Lisa Iwanycki
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Music is invisible, yet it has the power to move us, unite us, and open new pathways for change. Led by Cindy Doire and Lisa Iwanycki, this experiential workshop invites participants into the unseen power of sound through listening, reflection, and shared conversation. Together, we will explore music as a force for hope, activism, connection, and collective imagination.
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Funders and Funding Round Tables
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Heritage
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Speakers: Noora Sagarwala & Jennifer McKerral - Canada Council for the Arts/Conseil des Arts du Canada, Tamara Kater - Music NL, Ward Dilse - Ontario Creates, Marcus Tamm - FACTOR, Holly Hudson - SOCAN Foundation, Ketaki Rajwade - Ontario Arts Council/Conseil des Arts de L'Ontario, Jessica Isman - Canadian Heritage/Patrimoine canadien
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Want to learn more about what specific granting agencies are looking for before you apply for your next grant? Looking for tips and tricks on how to make your best case and impress a jury? Curious about what funding opportunities may not already be on your radar? Participants will have the opportunity to join small round table discussions and ask their questions directly to funders, music industry association leaders and industry professionals -- AND learn from each other. Delegates can stay at one table and dive deep, or float from conversation to conversation to get a broader perspective on the world of funding. Choose your own adventure and discover what you need to do to find and make your next funding application as powerful as possible.
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Learning Hub: Canada-Ireland 180
1:00pm - 1:45pm
Beckett
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Speaker: Aengus Finnan
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This presentation is an overview of a major nation-to-nation cultural project for 2027. Rooted in the 1847 migration of Irish refugees to Canada, the program seeks to remember the past, reflect on the intervening 180 years, and reimagine a shared future between the cultural sectors of both countries. With funding in place for Irish artists to travel to Canada, and support for Irish-Canadian artists, projects, and presenters to join in the celebrations, come learn about the history of the program, the funding structure, and showcases opportunities for buyers and artists alike.
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Re'Charting Roots: Diverse Voices in Folk Radio
1:00pm - 2:00pm
MacNab
Moderator: Kejo Buchanan
Speakers: Julian Taylor, Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe
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This year marks the launch of a new pilot program at Folk Canada called Re'Charting Roots for BIPOC voices in the roots radio landscape in Canada. This panel represents a public share out of points raised in an earlier affinity group discussion, focused on centring diverse voices and building a support network of peers, as well as mentoring newer voices into the conversation. This is an opportunity to listen, learn and reflect on how folk radio can continue to evolve and embody inclusion, integrity and the values of the folk music community.
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Learning Hub: CAPACOA's Climate Change Adaptation Program - Climate Impacts and Adaptive Strategies
1:45pm - 2:30pm
Beckett
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Speakers: Erin Kennedy, Sam Bean
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Unpack the research findings of CAPACOA's Climate Change Adaptation Program and explore how climate change is reshaping live performance. This session reflects on impacts experienced by organizations nationwide and highlights innovative strategies emerging across the arts community. We will review practical tools and current resources, focusing on how collective learning can strengthen the future of outdoor performance in a changing climate.
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Peer Session: Black Delegates
2:00pm - 3:30pm
McQuesten
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Facilitator: Naledi Sunstrum
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This peer-led discussion is a space for Black artists and music industry professionals to gather and discuss shared experiences working in the music industry, both in Canada and abroad, and to create connections and build community. This session is open exclusively to delegates who identify as Black or as members of the African diaspora.
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Peer Session: Pan-Asian Delegates
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Adelaide
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Facilitator: Janice Jo Lee
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This peer-led discussion is a space for Pan-Asian artists and music industry professionals to gather and discuss shared challenges, opportunities for collaboration, and strategies for building stronger global connections. The guiding question will be: how can we build a stronger Pan Asian community that thrives, with members that help and support each other?
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Learning Hub: ACTRA RACS Royalty Real Talk
2:30pm - 3:15pm
Beckett
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Speakers: Andrew Karis, Bonnie Fedrau, Catherine Alulio
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Does the concept of royalties make your head spin? Wondering if you're missing out on money you've already earned? Can you really get paid for performing on a recording? What do all those royalty organizations do? You've come to the right place.
Here's the real talk: some artists leave money on the table simply because they never registered properly. Understanding your rights, registrations, metadata, and royalty streams can be one of the most valuable business skills an artist can develop.
In this session, ACTRA RACS (the Recording Artists' Collecting Society) will demystify music royalties in Canada with a big-picture overview of all the royalty streams, to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Then we'll dig deeper into performer royalties, also known as neighbouring rights, and how to make sure you're getting paid for your work on recordings.
Come with your questions and leave with a clear path to the royalties you're owed.
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Peer Session: Delegates under 30
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Charlton
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Facilitator: Paula Sofia Morales
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A peer-led session for delegates under the age of 30 to come together and discuss industry topics, encourage and support one another, and build professional networks. This session is open exclusively to delegates who are under 30.
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Peer Session: Parents and Caregivers
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Yorke
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Facilitator: Laura Spink
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This peer session is a space for parents and caregivers to gather and discuss the topic of "it takes a village". Do folks have one? If not, how do folks go about building one? How can caregivers work without one if needed? Is paid childcare/eldercare part of a village? Depending on attendance, this group may break into sub-groups in order to dive more deeply into specific issues facing different cohorts.
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The Breath is the Event
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Ferguson
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Facilitator: Piper Hayes
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Over 15 years of voice instruction Piper has noticed a common trend across all voice users, a block that happens mentally right before they phonate/make sound. This workshop aims to revitalize your connection to the breath. Reminding the body through repetition that the breath is our way to reset, a way to create the foundation of sound. Without it we will not have optimal access to the sounds we want to make or the impact we desire. If we are not releasing deeply to breathe, we may be chronically building on mental and physical tension in the body to produce sound. In this workshop we will explore different ways into slowing down and noticing. Movement will be explored as a tool to more deeply understand how the parts of our identity connect to form the makeup of our instrument.
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Touring as a Second Language
2:45pm - 4:00pm
MacNab
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Moderator: Briana Doyle
Speakers: Sara Curruchich/Luisa Maria Gonzalez, Wesli/Heidi Fleming, Ewelina Ferenc
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Navigating the folk circuit requires more than just tuning your instrument. It demands crossing linguistic frontiers. This panel brings together diverse artists and industry representatives to share the joys, hurdles, and humor of multilingual touring. Discover practical strategies for booking gigs across cultures, connecting deeply with foreign audiences, maintaining your artistic voice in translation and turning language barriers into cross-cultural bridges.
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Learning Hub: Reading Organizational Financial Statements and Understanding Your Performance with Sympl Finance
3:15pm - 4:00pm
Beckett
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Facilitator: Natasha Qureshi
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This hands-on workshop on financial acumen for artistic/executive directors and small orgs covers key financial health metrics and what each one signals about an organization's stability, through a live walkthrough using a sample festival's financials.
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Peer Session: Family Musicians
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Hunter
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Facilitator: Tiiu Strutt
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This peer session offers a chance for folks working as Family musicians to connect, share best practices, and discuss challenges they are facing in the field.​
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Square Dance Networking Party
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Ballroom
Facilitator: Rosalyn Dennett
Join us at the Folk Dance Networking Party, led by surprise guests and callers from the Folk Canada community! This lively event is the perfect way to meet new people while enjoying a uniquely folk experience. Each dance will be taught before the music begins, making it accessible to all skill levels, especially beginners. Whether you're new to folk dance or a seasoned participant, this is a fun and engaging way to connect with others. Come ready to move, laugh, and immerse yourself in the spirit of folk - you don't have to dance, clapping and grinning are encouraged too!
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Saturday, October 17, 2026
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Aquafolk
9:00am - 9:45am
Pool
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Facilitators: Treasa Levasseur, Mike T Kerr
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Join us poolside for a fun, invigorating, beginner aqua fitness class led by a trained WaterArt instructor. Get your heart pumping and stretch your muscles, and also have a few laughs as you splash around with pals. Will there be live musical accompaniment? Show up and find out! All you need is a swimsuit and a sense of humour. No experience required.
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Lil Folkers
10:00am - 4:00pm
Suite 322
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ADVANCE SIGNUP REQUIRED. The Lil' Folkers Daycare room is designed to cater to the needs of children of ages around 3 to 8 years old. With licensed early childhood care professionals present, you can rest assured that your little one will be in capable hands while you attend showcases and panels. While the Lil' Folkers Daycare room provides a safe and nurturing environment, it's important to note that no food or snacks will be provided. Therefore, it is recommended that you drop off your Lil' Folker already fed or with their own snacks and water. This way, they can enjoy their favorite treats and stay hydrated throughout their time in the Lil' Folkers space. forms.gle/sdEwGpuf4Lg8PvED9
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Peer Session: House Concert Hosts
10:00am - 11:30am
Charlton
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Facilitator: Leonard Podolak
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This session is open to all delegates who present house concerts, or house concert series. This session will be an informally led discussion on the challenges faced by house concert hosts, including audience outreach and presenter burnout. Please note: this is not intended as a place for artists to connect with house concert hosts, artists are encouraged to reach out to hosts directly via the delegate contact list.
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Yes Is a Garden: Listening for What Connects Us (Part Two)
10:00am - 11:30am
Ferguson
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Speakers: Cindy Doire, Lisa Iwanycki
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Music is invisible, yet it has the power to move us, unite us, and open new pathways for change. Led by Cindy Doire and Lisa Iwanycki, this experiential workshop invites participants into the unseen power of sound through listening, reflection, and shared conversation. Together, we will explore music as a force for hope, activism, connection, and collective imagination.
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Audio Interview Space
10:00am - 4:00pm
Hunter
This is a quiet space for audio interviews. This space is first-come, first-served, with a signup sheet posted outside the room. Interviewers must bring their own audio recording equipment.
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Peer Session: Latiné Delegates
10:30am - 12:00pm
Adelaide
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Facilitator: Luisa Maria Gonzales
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Los creadores de música latines están haciendo cada vez más ruido. Poco a poco fue creciendo como escena, no solamente en Toronto, Montreal y Vancouver. Demográficamente esta comunidad es la que crece más rápido en Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan y ciudades pequeñas en Ontario. Pero, ¿qué nos pueden enseñar los latines con más experiencia en la industria? ¿que nos pueden compartir? ¿Puede la música de nuestra diáspora, en un lenguaje extranjero tener impacto? ¿Deberíamos crear o componer dentro del "sonido canadiense" o arriesgarnos? Y lo más importante, cómo reconciliar el folk y el folclore de las voces latinas? Can the music of our diaspora, in a foreign language, have an impact? And most importantly, how can we reconcile folk and folklore with Latine voices?
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AHI vs AI: Creativity, Resistance and the Human Heart of Song
11:00am - 12:30pm
Heritage
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Moderator: AHI
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Speakers: Cameron Kennedy, Adam Jacobs
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Join AHI for a vulnerable, open conversation about our role as artists in the age of AI. As machine-generated content reshapes the creative landscape, what does it mean to make something deeply human? Drawing on the legacy of folk music and its enduring power to bring people together, we'll explore what lies ahead—and the questions that might lead us toward hope, resistance, and authentic connection.
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Behind the Numbers, Beyond the Metrics: Follows, Fans, and Lasting Engagement
12:15pm - 1:45pm
Beckett
Moderator: Tennyson King
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Speakers: Raye Zaragoza, Desirée Dawson, Yassin and Sean Terrio, Sophie McKinnon
Have you ever dreamed of going viral and having your career take off? Have you questioned whether your social posts are really bringing people out to your shows? Do you compare yourself to other artists with large followings and wonder what it would be like to have that kind of following? This panel will be a frank, artist-focused discussion of the realities, necessities and pitfalls of social media presence growth in the contemporary music industry.
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Peer Session: Delegates with Disabilities
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Adelaide
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Facilitator: Rachel Marks
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This peer session is a safe space for folks who identify as disabled/with disability (both visible and invisible) to come together and build community, share experiences about careers in the music industry, and lift one another up. This will be an informal guided session, and is open exclusively to delegates who identify as disabled/with disability.
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Rewild Your Voice
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Ferguson
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Facilitator: Piper Hayes
The anger is real and what we do with it needs to be part of our daily rituals. Have you wanted to scream your brains out but worried about loosing your voice? Screaming can be taxing on our vocal cords, especially if we aren't backing it up with supportive technique. In this workshop we will explore the effects of making unusual sounds that emerge from within as a way to process and release unconscious holding patterns. It can taxing and dangerous to let anger take up long term space in our bodies. The effect of supported screams and primal sounds can be life changing. Learn how to conjure your inner beast and burst forth what's been stuck, all while applying technique that will help reduce negative impact on your vocal cords. Expect to warmup the voice through somatic and technique based exercises, make weird sounds conjured from deep within, connect with intuitive body movement, laugh and scream.
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Sobriety Support Circle
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Durand
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Facilitator: Mike T Kerr
Sobriety Support Circle is a welcoming space for individuals on their journey of recovery. This gathering offers connection, encouragement, and shared experiences in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. Whether you're newly sober or long in recovery, join us to build strength, find support, and walk the path of healing together.
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The Role of Family Music in the Canadian Music Industry
12:30pm - 2:00pm
MacNab
Moderator: Tiiu Strutt
Speakers: GinaLina, Matt Robertshaw, Oh Clementine
Family Music has a unique and important place in Canada's musical history, from beloved artists and recordings that shaped generations to the vibrant Family Music community we see today. But where does the genre fit within the broader industry, and what opportunities exist for its future? This panel brings together diverse voices to explore the past, present and future of the genre, looking at where it began, how it has evolved, and where it might go next. Panelists will also explore the value of investing in Family Music performances as a pathway to long-term audience development. How can presenters, funders, artists and industry partners work together to introduce families to live music, build lasting relationships with multi-generational audiences, and nurture the next generation of music lovers?
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Peer Session: Conference of Conferences
1:30pm - 3:00pm
McQuesten
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Facilitator: Jennifer Roe
This session is for conference organizers and industry event planners, and builds upon discussions had in similar sessions held at other conferences. The session is focussed on creating collaborative networks and sharing best practises. All conference planners are welcome.
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CD Club Swap'n'Shop
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Charlton
Facilitator: Emma Jane Julien
Emma Jane Julien of CD Club leads this 2-part workshop to practice selling CDs from the stage. In part 1, a few people give their usual cd sales pitch, and participants share tips and best practices. In part 2 of this interactive workshop, participants practice with each other and swap or buy CDs.
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Rising Tides Lift All Voices: A Pop-Up Collective Songshare and Anthem Creation Workshop
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Heritage
Speakers: Anna Janecek, Rebecca Campbell, Tor Lukasik-Foss, Quique Escamilla
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Calling all thinkers, dreamers, writers, singers and changemakers! It's time to put our desire for action into words—and music—and your voice is needed! This unique gathering will begin with collective singing led by some of the folks at Singing Resistance KW. We will raise our voices together to learn and sing songs of solidarity, social justice, eco-activism, and collective care. Following this, we will break out into groups to create new songs of hope, change and resistance, and reconvene to share them with each other. Come with open hearts and minds, create connection and collaborate with other creatives, and leave with a handful of new anthems you can bring back to your own communities.
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Anthem Creation Breakout
2:30pm - 3:45pm
Beckett
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Facilitators: Treasa Levasseur, Tor Lukasik-Foss, Rebecca Campbell, Anna Janecek, Maureen Pollard
Work together to create new songs that convey hope, resilience and change. They will be performed at 3.30 pm in the Heritage Room. A host will be present in the room.
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Anthem Creation Breakout: ESPAÑOL
2:30pm - 3:45pm
Durand
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Facilitator: Quique Escamilla
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Conéctate, colabora y crea conjuntamente nuevas canciones de esperanza, resistencia y cambio. Estas se compartirán a las 15:30 en la Sala Heritage (espacio principal de talleres). Se proporcionarán los materiales necesarios y habrá una ligera moderación.
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Anthem Creation Breakout: FRANÇAIS
2:30pm - 3:45pm
Yorke
Facilitator: Empress Nyiringango
Collaborez et créez ensemble de nouvelles chansons porteuses d'espoir, de résistance et de changement. Elles seront présentées à 15 h 30 dans la salle Heritage. Un animateur sera présent dans la salle.
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Leading in Stereo: Book Interview
2:30pm - 3:30pm
MacNab
Moderator: David McPherson
Speaker: Catherine Harrison
Catherine Harrison, M.Psych., has spent 35 years as a corporate leader, leadership consultant, and musician. She is the lead researcher behind Soundcheck, her national study on mental health in the Canadian music industry, and the author of Leading in Stereo: Reimagining Leadership in the Music Industry. Published in April 2026, the book names how traditional leadership structures are failing the people who fuel the creative economy, and introduces a practical, evidence-informed model that brings together performance and mental health, vision and execution, community and commerce, art and business. Leadership behaviour isn't separate from mental health outcomes. It's their primary driver.Join Catherine and acclaimed music journalist David McPherson for a conversation that traces Harrison's path to authorship, reframes leadership as layered, relational, and human-centred, and points toward what it takes to build cultures where people thrive, innovation flourishes, and success holds up over time.
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Organic Merchcraft
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Ferguson
Facilitator: Liv Cazzola
Join Liv Cazzola (The Lifers, Tragedy Ann) for this craft and chat to learn about creative, organic, and sustainable ways artists can re-imagine merchandise beyond the usual. If you are an artist or music entrepreneur who has already embraced the whimsy and freedom of creative and/or organic merchcraft, bring along your wares to show and share. Craft-making supplies will be provided to make this gathering experiential and enjoyable for all.
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OFFICAL SHOWCASE SCHEDULES
BALLROOM STAGES
THURSDAY OCT 15
7:00 PM
DANIEL JAMES MCFADYEN
7:20 PM
CALEB TOMILSON AND THE PERSEIDS
7:40 PM
TARA MONEKA
8:00 PM
TOCANI
8:20 PM
BOOGÁT
8:40 PM
BESAIDE FOLK
9:00 PM
THE NORTH SOUND
9:20 PM
SISTER GRACE
9:40 PM
TWANG
10:00 PM
PONY GIRL
10:20 PM
THE DEVIN CUDDY BAND
FRIDAY OCT 16
7:00 PM
JOCE REYOME
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7:20 PM
WESLI
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7:40 PM
OCEANIQUE
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8:00 PM
ELIZA MARY DOYLE
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8:20 PM
THE BARREL BOYS
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8:40 PM
SARA CURRUCHICH
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9:00 PM
LA DÉFERLANCE
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9:20 PM
ANDY RUBAL
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9:40 PM
PIERCE BROTHERS
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10:00 PM
SKYE WALLACE
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10:20 PM
THE SADIES
SATURDAY OCT 17
7:00 PM
VERANDA
7:20 PM
XENOLITH EVANGELION
7:40 PM
THE UNFAITHFUL SERVANTS
8:00 PM
MIDNIGHT BOOGALOO
8:20 PM
THE LUCKY ONES
8:30 PM
LOGAN RICHARD
8:40 PM
UNDER THE ROCKS
9:00 PM
BEAUXMONT
9:20 PM
BEATRICE DEER
9:40 PM
SUPALUNG
10:00 PM
DIGGING ROOTS
10:20 PM
ARIEL POSEN
MACNAB STAGE
THURSDAY OCT 15
7:10 PM
AGNEYA
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7:40 PM
TAYLOR ABRAHAMSE
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8:10 PM
TWO CROWS FOR COMFORT
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8:40 PM
JD CROSSTOWN
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9:10 PM
PONY GOLD
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9:40 PM
ORI SHALVA
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10:10 PM
THE YOUNG NOVELISTS
FRIDAY OCT 16
7:10 PM
AV & THE INNER CITY
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7:40 PM
CHINYI C
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8:10 PM
CHANCES
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8:40 PM
LACHLAN NEVILLE
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9:10 PM
OH PRAY TELL
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9:40 PM
MARIA DUNN TRIO
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10:10 PM
DIAR BAND
SATURDAY OCT 16
7:10 PM
DUANE ANDREWS AND THE HOT CLUB OF CONCEPTION BAY
7:40 PM
MALLORY JOHNSON
8:10 PM
DANA SIPOS
8:40 PM
DESIREÉ DAWSON
9:10 PM
KYARNA
9:40 PM
MURMUROSI
10:10 PM
STOMPIN' TREES
HERITAGE STAGE
THURSDAY OCT 15
7:30 PM
CASSIDY HOUSTON
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8:00 PM
REBEKAH HAWKER
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8:30 PM
LOGAN RICHARD
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9:00 PM
EVAN REDSKY
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9:30 PM
JOE H HENRY
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10:00 PM
SYMPA CÉSAR
FRIDAY OCT 16
7:30 PM
JED AND THE VALENTINE
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8:00 PM
CONOR GAINS
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8:30 PM
CLEVER HOPES
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9:00 PM
RAYE ZARAGOZA
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9:30 PM
BOREAL
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10:00 PM
DEE HERNANDEZ
SATURDAY OCT 16
7:30 PM
LAURA NIQUAY
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8:00 PM
HENDRIKA
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8:30 PM
SARA KAE
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9:00 PM
THE GODDAMSELS
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9:30 PM
JACOB BRODOVSKY
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10:00 PM
MUSIQUE À BOUCHES
SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE SCHEDULES
BALLROOM STAGES
THURSDAY OCT 15
11:00 PM
MISS ROBIN BANKS
11:20 PM
THE VAUDEVILLIAN
11:40 PM
OLLEE OWENS
12:00 AM
SPENCER MACKENZIE
12:20 AM
AV ANN VRIEND
12:40 AM
ANGELICA JONES
1:00 AM
JOCE REYOME
1:20 AM
BRANDON AGNEW & THE NIGHT SHADOWS
1:40 AM
JOE H HENRY
2:00 AM
BLUES JAM START
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PRESENTED BY
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FRIDAY OCT 16
11:00 PM
JD CROSSTOWN
11:20 PM
SARA KAE
11:40 PM
RAYE ZARAGOZA
12:00 AM
LAURA NIQUAY
12:20 AM
BEATRICE DEER BAND
12:40 AM
SARA CURRUCHICH
1:00 AM
EVAN REDSKY
1:20 AM
TOCANI
PRESENTED BY
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MACNAB STAGE
THURSDAY OCT 15
11:05 PM
EILEEN LAVERTY
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11:35 PM
MERV XX GOTTI
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12:05 AM
MARY LIV
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12:35 AM
WESTERN MEDICINE SHOW
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PRESENTED BY
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FRIDAY OCT 16
11:05 PM
CHINYI C
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11:35 PM
ANDREA KUZMICH
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12:05 AM
AGNEYA
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12:35 AM
ORBITAL ENSEMBLE
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1:05 AM
NII OSABU
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1:35 AM
BESAIDE FOLK
PRESENTED BY MUSIK BULEGO
PRESENTED BY
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BECKETT STAGE
WEDNESDAY OCT 14
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10:10 PM
[PENDING]
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10:30 PM
[PENDING]
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11:50 PM
[PENDING]
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12:10 AM
[PENDING]
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12:30 AM
[PENDING]
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12:40 AM
[PENDING]
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PRESENTED BY
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THURSDAY OCT 15
10:50 PM
CALEB TOMLINSON & THE PERSEIDS
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11:20 PM
RYAN MCNALLY
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11:50 PM
ELLORIE MCKNIGHT
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12:20 AM
DECLAN O'DONOVAN
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12:50 AM
HENDRIKA
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1:20 AM
THE LUCKY ONES
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PRESENTED BY
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FRIDAY OCT 16
10:50PM
Kieran Campbell and Dakota Cooney
11:35PM
DijahSB
12:05AM
My Son the Hurricane
12:40AM
Delhi 2 Dublin
1:10AM
Shub x Handsome
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PRESENTED BY
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YORKE
WEDNESDAY OCT 14
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10:00 PM–11:00 PM
JENNY ALLEN
BACKYARD BETTIES
JED & THE VALENTINE
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11:00 PM–12:00 AM
EMILY TRIGGS
KAELEY JADE
TONI VERE
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12:00 AM–1:00 AM
LEANNE LIGHTFOOT
OLLEE OWENS
BOREAL
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THURSDAY OCT 15
10:30 PM–11:30 PM
OLLEE OWENS
KAELEY JADE
TONI VERE
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11:30 PM–12:30 AM
JENNY ALLEN
LEANNE LIGHTFOOT
EMILY TRIGGS
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12:30 AM–1:30 AM
BACKYARD BETTIES
WRITE-ON ARTISTS
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FRIDAY OCT 16
10:30 PM–11:30 PM
AV & THE INNER CITY
LEANNE LIGHTFOOT
EMILY TRIGGS
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11:30 PM–12:30 AM
MARIA DUNN
MALLORY CHIPMAN
BACKYARD BETTIES
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12:30 AM–1:30 AM
JENNY ALLEN
KAELEY JADE
OLLEE OWENS
TONI VERE
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PRESENTED BY
ALBERTA ROOM
DAYTIME SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE SCHEDULES
BALLROOOM STAGE
FRIDAY OCTOBER 16
HIGHNOON ROOTS
/ AIM BOOKING
11:45 AM
CÉCILE DOO-KINGUÉ
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12:00 PM
MURRAY DRIVE
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12:15 PM
PIERCE BROTHERS
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12:30 PM
TENNYSON KING
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12:45 PM
THE NORTH SOUND
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1:00 PM
ARIEL POSEN
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1:15 PM
THE PAIRS
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PRESENTED BY
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MANITOBA MUSIC
1:30PM
[PENDING]
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1:45PM
[PENDING]
​
2:00PM
[PENDING]
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2:15PM
[PENDING]
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2:30PM
[PENDING]
​
2:45PM
[PENDING]
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PRESENTED BY
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SPOTLIGHT ON IRELAND
3:00 PM
FIÁROCK
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3:20 PM
PADRAIG JACK
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3:40 PM
RÍOGHNACH CONNOLLY
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PRESENTED BY
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BALLROOOM STAGE
SATURDAY OCTOBER 17
MISSISSAUGA FILM + MUSIC
12:00 PM
MATT ZADDY
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12:20 PM
CATHERINE CRESCENT
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12:40 PM
SHALLUM XAVIER
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PRESENTED BY
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ATLANTIC CANADA
1:00 PM
[PENDING]
​
1:20 PM
[PENDING]
​
1:40 PM
[PENDING]
​
2:00 PM
[PENDING]
​
2:20 PM
[PENDING]
​
2:40 PM
[PENDING]
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PRESENTED BY
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PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL
3:00 PM
KYARNA
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3:20 PM
PIERCE BROTHERS
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3:40 PM
OCEANIQUE
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PRESENTED BY
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COMMUNITY FOLK FESTIVAL
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Sunday, October 18
1 to 8 pm
Mills Hardware
95 King Street, Downtown Hamilton
Join us on Sunday, October 18th from 1 to 8pm at Mills Hardware in downtown Hamilton for the Folk Canada Community Folk Festival. We're bringing together artists from across Canada and beyond for a day of live music, folk festival style collaborative workshops, songs, stories and performances. The day kicks off with Come On Up To The House, bringing The Barrel Boys and AV & The Inner City together for gospel songs, followed by Stranger Than Fiction: Songs with a Story with Jacob Brodovsky, Dana Sipos and JD Crosstown, and The Wayfaring Stranger: Traditional Vocal Songs & Stories with Oh Pray Tell, Dane Pedersen and Sympa César. Throughout the afternoon, we'll also have spotlight performances from Duane Andrews & The Hot Club Of Conception Bay, Yassin & Sean Terrio, Desirée Dawson and Hendrika, before Beauxmont and Supalung take us into the evening.
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2026 Community Folk Festival Full Lineup:
AV & The Inner City, Beauxmont, Dana Sipos, Dane Pedersen, Desirée Dawson, Duane Andrews & The Hot Club Of Conception Bay, Hendrika, Jacob Brodovsky, JD Crosstown, Oh Pray Tell, Supalung, Sympa César, The Barrel Boys and Yassin & Sean Terrio
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