News Article

Music PEI is pleased to announce that Canadian folk icon David Francey will host the S.A.C. Songwriters Concert presented by The Eastern Graphic as part of Metro Credit Union Music PEI Week 2012. The S.A.C. Songwriters Concert takes place January 19th at the gorgeous Kings Playhouse in Georgetown. One of the most anticipated events during Music PEI Week, the concert will feature performances by Francey and the 2012 Music PEI nominees for SOCAN Songwriter of the Year. Tickets are available at the Kings Playhouse box office or online at www.kingsplayhouse.com.

David Francey is a three time Juno winner with numerous other awards and accolades to his name. “I am honoured to be part of Music PEI Week,” says Francey. “I always enjoy my time in PEI and look forward to returning for this event.”

Music PEI is also happy to announce that critically acclaimed musician, author and filmmaker Dave Bidini will deliver the keynote address on January 20th during Music PEI Week. The keynote address will take place in Studio 1 at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Bidini was a member of the revered Canadian Indie band the Rheostatics and currently performs with BidiniBand. He is also an accomplished author having published ten books, with his book “A Cold Road” recently being named as a finalist in CBC’s Canada Reads 2012 competition.

“We are genuinely excited to have David Francey and Dave Bidini taking part in Music PEI Week,” says Music PEI Executive Director Rob Oakie. “We’re pleased to be able to bring artists of this calibre to PEI to share their music, stories and experiences with local artists and all Islanders.”

Tickets are now on sale for all Music PEI Week 2012 concerts and events. Music PEI has also confirmed that revered Island singer songwriter Lennie Gallant will headline Music Mosaic presented by the PEI Co-operative Council at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside on January 18th. The concert, presented in collaboration with the Fédération culturelle de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, features a unique blend of French and English artists and performances. Ashley Condon and Caroline Bernard round out this line up with further guests to be announced at a later date. Tickets can be purchased at the Harbourfront Theatre box office or online at www.harboutfronttheatre.com.

In addition, tickets are selling fast for CBC Presents ‘Just Biding My Time’: A Tribute to Gene MacLellan taking place at Zion Presbyterian Church on January 14th. The concert will be broadcast by CBC and will also serve as the closing event of the 2011 Cultural Capital designation for the City of Charlottetown. Performers include Catherine MacLellan, Ron Hynes, Lennie Gallant, Meaghan Blanchard, Haunted Hearts and Scott Parsons. Tickets are on sale at www.ticketpro.ca and all Ticket Pro locations in Atlantic Canada including That’s Entertainment and Timothy’s in Charlottetown.

Lastly, tickets for the 2012 Music PEI Awards Gala presented by Ocean 100 and K-Rock 105.5 are on sale at the Confederation Centre of the Arts box office or online at www.confederationcentre.com. The gala will be hosted by actor, writer, and native Islander Jonathan Torrens and will feature a dozen live music performances. This event sells out annually and is the pinnacle of Music PEI Week.

Music PEI programs and activities are made possible through the ongoing support of the provincial departments of Tourism and Culture and Innovation and Advanced Learning as well as ACOA, Canadian Heritage, the City of Charlottetown and FACTOR.