News Article

Music PEI kicked things into high gear at May Run Music Festival on Friday night with a number of concerts and showcases happening in Charlottetown and Summerside.Performances across the province included a breathtaking Songwriter’s Concert at the new Florence Simmons Performance Hall, a trad show at the Olde Dublin Pub, pop showcase at Fishbones and a blues and r & b show at the Pourhouse. The always popular Country Jubilee at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside kicked off the night with a songwriter’s circle that featured some of the Country Recording of the Year nominees before the Legends of PEI Country, Kim Albert, Neil Matthews, Charlie Hansen and Lester MacPherson took the stage backed by a house band made up of members of Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys.

“We love being able to do shows like the Country Jubilee at the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside. It’s such an incredible venue and the support that we’ve received from Summerside has been incredible.” says Music PEI Executive Director Rob Oakie. “It’s always nice to return to where it all began in Summerside which was where the first Music PEI award ever was handed out.”

Mulitple Music PEI award nominee Tim Chaisson, came away from the night with his first award of the week, the Country Recording of the Year award for his latest release Lost in the Light.

The Classical/Jazz Recording of the Year award will be handed out at the Classical Show presented by PEI Symphony Orchestra at the Florence Simmons Hall on Saturday night. Twenty four awards will be handed out at the newly created Music PEI Awards Party on Sunday afternoon leaving two awards, Group Recording and Album of the Year to be presented at the grand finale to May Run Music Festival, the Closing Concert presented by Cavendish Beach Music Festival, this Sunday night at the Delta PEI Convention Centre.

A full schedule of events for May Run Music Festival can be found online at www.mayrunmusicfest.com. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.mayrunmusicfest.com or www.ticketpro.ca, by telephone at 1-866-908-9090 or in person at the May Run Music Festival box office which is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the festival at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel until Sundaywhen the box office will move to the Delta PEI Convention Centre and be open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Music PEI programs and activities are made possible through the ongoing support of the provincial departments of Economic Development and Tourism, Education, Advanced Learning and Culture and Innovation PEI as well as ACOA and FACTOR (Funded by the Government of Canada and the Public Broadcasters of Canada).