Fredericton Hosts MNB Festival October 16-19
Fredericton’s Downtown will be the host of an impressive line-up of concerts for this year’s MNB Festival. More than 40 musical acts such as Thom Swift, Julie Doiron, The Motorleague and The Olympic Symphonium are set to perform in different venues all over the Capital’s Downtown from October 16-19. Aiming to expand cultural exchanges between NB and Maine, MNB and the Maine Arts Commission have partnered up to include for the first time in the event’s history, musicians from Maine : Denny Breau and Jacob Augustine.
The festival will culminate in the MNB Awards Gala on Sunday, October 19 at the Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market (665, George St). MNB Awards nominees Sleepy Driver, Earthbound Trio, Jessica Rhaye, Cédric Vieno and Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire are set to perform during the event. Fredericton up and comers Motherhood will perform a tribute to Eric’s Trip, the 2014 Directors’ Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
The MNB Festival is a four day event which showcases some of the best of the New Brunswick music industry. The festival aims to present a diverse, comprehensive and all around awesome experience for delegates and fans alike! www.mnbfestival.com
MNB Festival 2014 in Fredericton
After evaluating several excellent applications from communities across New Brunswick , the Board of Directors of MNB finally set their sights on Fredericton. MNB Chair, Richard Hornsby, explains the decision of the Board : “Fredericton is a city full of arts enthusiasts and they understand the importance of creativity and supporting festivals such as the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, Maritime CountryFest, Shivering Songs, NB Summer Music Festival, etc. Music is a very important part of the cultural fabric of this city and we know Frederictonians will understand what it is we are bringing them, and we’re confident they will support it.”
Formerly known as Semaine MNB Week, the organizing committee suggested to the MNB board that the event be rebranded to “MNB Festival” with the public in mind, something that everyone could be part of, explains Graeme Walker, member of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC): “We got the feeling that music fans believed that this was an industry exclusive event, and that they couldn’t be part of it. In fact, quite the opposite. This is an opportunity for Music NB to showcase some of the amazing artists we have in this province and we want to make sure music fans have access to not only the touring artists but also the up and coming developing artists.”
For the first time in the event’s history, MNB has partnered up with the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) to present on Saturday, September 18, a concert featuring artists from the East Coast: The BackYard Devils (NB), Tim Chaisson (PEI), Jenn Grant (NS) and Jacob Augustine (Maine, US). The ECMA’s Executive Director, Andy McLean, is proud of the partnership: “ECMA is committed to building strong alliances with all the East Coast music industry associations, and we are thrilled to collaborate with Music New Brunswick for MNB Festival,” said ECMA executive director Andy McLean. “Presenting a stellar lineup of Atlantic Canadian talent in New Brunswick is a great opportunity to align regional industry goals, and provide showcasing opportunities to artists who wouldn’t otherwise perform at MNB Festival.”
MNB FESTIVAL 2014 SHOWCASE LINE-UP
Thursday October 16
7 PM • Opening Night Concert – Charlotte Street Arts Centre (732, Charlotte St) – $15
with Olympic Symphonium, Cédric Vieno, Motion Ensemble
9 PM • Wilser’s Room presented by Ticketpro (362, Queen Street) – $8
with Force Fields, les Païens, elephant skeletons
Friday October 17
7PM • Roots Showcase – Charlotte Street Arts Centre (732, Charlotte St) – $15
with Jessica Rhaye, Shaun Ferguson
9PM • Country Blues Stage – James Joyce Pub (659 Queen Street) – $10
with Tristan Horncastle, Mike Biggar, Tomato Tomato, Shaun LeBlanc
9PM • Wilser’s Room presented by Centre Sainte-Anne (362, Queen Street) – $8
with Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire, Earthbound Trio, Eastcoast Love Story, Wanabi Farmeur
9PM • Sappy Stage @ Elks Club (218, Brunswick Street) – $12
with Julie Doiron, Motherhood, Jon McKiel, Weird Lines
10PM • Capital Bar presented by Ticketpro (362, Queen Street) – $8
with Waking Night, 60 LPs, Kill Chicago, MAYORS
Saturday October 18
7PM • Roots Showcase featuring Thom Swift – Charlotte Street Arts Centre (732, Charlotte St) – $15
With special guests Sissy and the Hobos, Ryan LeBlanc
8PM • ECMA Partnered Stage – Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market (665, George Street) – $20
with Jenn Grant, Tim Chaisson, The BackYard Devils, Jacob Augustine (US)
9PM • James Joyce Pub (659 Queen Street) – $10
with Sleepy Driver, John Boulay Duo, Joey Robin Haché, Denny Breau (US)
9PM • Capital Bar presented by Ticketpro (362, Queen Street) – $8
with The Motorleague, She Roars!, Les jeunes d’asteure, Beach Body
9PM Wilser’s Room presented by Ticketpro (362, Queen Street) – $8
with In Dreams, Phakt, The Trick, Jonah Haché
9PM • Elks Club Loud Stage Wilser’s Room (218, Brunswick Street) – $12
with Hard Charger, Hero’s Last Rite, Little You Little Me
Sunday October 19
Noon • MNB Awards Gala Luncheon – Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market (665, Queen Street) – $ 50
Earthbound Trio, Sleepy Driver, Jessica Rhaye, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire, Motherhood
BOX-OFFICE AND EVENT PASSES
The public can now purchase tickets for the 5th MNB Awards gala luncheon at the price of $50. The ticket price include a delicious meal, musical entertainment and an amazing time. This is an event you do not want to miss. Folks may also purchase the MNB Festival Event Pass ($40) which grants access to all showcases; the MNB Festival Conference pass ($30) which allows the user access to workshops and panels as well as a light lunch. (Pre-registration to conferences is required and subject to capacity.) and finally the MNB Festival Industry Pass ($50) gives all the perks of the Event and Conference Pass wrapped up in one discounted package – perfect for artists and industry professionals looking to take in the entire experience.
Gala tickets as well as passes may all be purchased at www.mnbfestival.com.
MNB FESTIVAL CONFERENCE presented by the Pond-Deshpande Centre
The MNB Festival offers many great career development opportunities for artists and music industry professionals. On Saturday October 18 the Fredericton Crowne Plaza will play host to workshops, panels, one-on-one meetings, networking opportunities and an exciting keynote presentation from Brent Staeben, music programmer of the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival who will be interviewed by CBC music journalist, Bob Mersereau. Check out the full list of conference activity and don’t miss your chance to sign up for sessions requiring pre-registration: http://mnbfestival.com/conference.
For more information on the MNB Festival : www.mnbfestival.com