SMART | entertainment


Manitoba artists win big at the Western Canadian Music Awards


nadian Music Awards (WCMA) in Edmon- ton, taking top artistic honours for hip hop, electronic/dance, blues, and visual media composition while highlighting Manitoba’s strong live music community. Celebrating the accomplishments of some of Western Canada's best and brightest, the envelopes were opened at a concert on September 14 that kicked off the BreakOut West festivities and at an industry brunch on September 16. World-touring hip hop heroes Te Lyt-


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ics earned the award for Rap/Hip Hop Artist of the Year. Powerhouse singer/ songwriter IsKwé won in the Electronic/ Dance Artist of the Year category. Legend- ary guitarist Big Dave McLean picked up Blues Artist of the Year. Composer and Royal Canoe member Matthew Schel- lenberg landed Visual Media Composer of the Year for his work on the Winnipeg- produced movie, Lovesick. Manitoba’s industry entrepreneurs


and music companies earned accolades at the Industry Awards. Paquin Artist Agency was recognized for its Impact in Artist Development. A double winner this year, venerable venue West End Cul- tural Centre built on last year’s win for the Community Excellence Award adding a second award for Impact in Live Music. Te awards are part of BreakOut West,


which features a professional develop- ment-focused conference and export de- velopment showcase festival. Tis year’s showcasing acts include Manitoba artists 3PEAT, Alpha Toshineza, Attica Riots, Bright Righteous, Hearing Trees, Joce- lyne Baribeau, Kayla Luky, Kelly Bado, Madame Diva, Mobina Galore, Mobina Galore, Moon Tan, Rayannah, and VI- KINGS. Read more about the BreakOut West Festival BreakOut West presents an important


opportunity for emerging and established artists to be a part of the Western Cana- dian music community. Participating artists and other music professionals have the chance to meet key industry stakeholders, creating the opportunity for a new wave of exciting industry develop- ments from record deals to international tours. Article courtesy of Manitoba Music www.manitobamusic.com


rtists and industry from Manitoba picked up hardware in seven cat- egories at this year’s Western Ca-


Partners in entertainment


Manitoba artists earn nods from Indigenous Music Awards in the U.S.


Country singer/songwriter Billy Simard is a double nominee


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hree Indigenous recording acts from Manitoba have landed nominations for the Native American Music Awards (NAMA) and Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA).


Te nominations for 17th annual NAMA gala, which takes place


October 14 in New York State, includes two local artists. Country singer/songwriter Billy Simard is a double nominee for his album Being Free, which earned him nominations for New Artist or De- but Artist of the Year and Best Country Recording. Also a double


 Tird + Bird Continued from page 1


Tird + Bird began as an idea Chandra


had to showcase local artisans skills and products with the intention to fundraise money for global and local initiatives, in- cluding Winnipeg art programs and Nepali Women's Co-op. Charla responded to the vision enthusiastically and determinedly, joining Chandra in providing support for those who needed it. It was a hobby of the utmost passion and drive for both women. "And it's been magic ever since," Chandra says with a laugh. For five years they gave every penny of the


money raised back to communities. In 2013 they now boasted an incredible and thriving market scene and with their original idea of celebrating local businesses and artisans still in mind, they transformed their suc- cessful hobby into a successful business. "It was a really natural step," Chandra says, "Every step along the way has been so natu- ral and so progressive and it's been a really great journey." Since its business establishment in 2013,


Tird + Bird has come a long way, including partnerships with Te Bay Downtown and Te Forks and the addition of a Spring Mar- ket on top of their very popular Christmas


Chandra and Charla. Photo by Rosie Haberl at Simply Rosie Photography.


market. Teir Spring Market alone generated over $500,000 in revenue for their vendors and brought out more than 6000 shoppers, a huge milestone that Chandra and Charla are optimistically confident they will surpass in the upcoming Christmas Market that takes place November 25th and 26th. Chandra comments on their Spring Market milestone, making their appreciation for their shoppers infinitely clear, "Tat's revenue that stays in Manitoba. People are supporting individuals that are truly labouring over every detail and ethically sourcing their product, something that makes us so proud and so appreciative for shoppers that value and help grow our community." Te application process for becoming a


vendor for the Tird + Bird markets is quite extensive and thorough. Te application it- self is available online for ten days typically three months before the Christmas Market and Spring Market, with a jury reviewing and selecting if and which vendors will be present at the market events. Te waiting list for being a vendor is also quite extensive so many will have to be patient and trust the process. Te background check on confirm- ing that the artisan or business is 100% local and homegrown is the most pivotal part of the selection, "Tis way shoppers don't have to question the authenticity of what we're advertising as a 100% locally based urban market." explains Charla. Chandra and Charla advertise tirelessly


for their vendors, making sure that they are a recognized feature even before the market or event takes place. Tey will receive their own Instagram post on the Tird + Bird ac- count and an entire vendor page on the Tird + Bird website. Tis is a unique commitment


12 Smart Biz www.smartbizwpg.com


and show of loyalty to Tird + Bird as it is not a typical action of other urban markets to ad- vertise so in depth for their vendors. Tey’re also careful not to oversaturate the type of business or sales goods their vendors present with, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity of generating business and personal revenue as well as advertisement for their product. Tey encourage strongly for their vendors to make their individual area in the market as imaginative and appealing as what they're selling, pushing for creativity and originality in their sales space. Tird + Bird's goal for giving local busi-


nesses and artisans a larger platform is unparalleled to any other business of its kind, with the business's goal repeatedly and beyond successfully achieved each year. With the ten-year anniversary of Chandra and Charla's vision approaching next year, they are both in agreement when Chandra says, "Tere are some really awesome things coming in 2018." For the remainder of 2017 however, you can


join in and help support their vision by enjoy- ing their upcoming annual Christmas Mar- ket that takes place November 25th and 26th at the Hudson's Bay Downtown. Tickets are a $5 general admission at the Vaughn Street entrance with market hours on the 25th of 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. and the 26th 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. Tere will also be a Christmas Popup at the Forks Market during December 2nd and 3rd and the following two weekends afterward. For further details about the markets, ven- dors and more on Tird + Bird you can visit their website at thirdandbirdevents.com "We are curated, modern, fresh and con-


temporary. We are truly Winnipeg's largest Urban Market." -Chandra Kremski


November 2017


Classical singer Rhonda Head.


nominee this year, classical singer Rhonda Head added another to her growing list of accolades with a nod for Best Female Artist and Best Gospel/Inspirational Recording for Kisahkihitan. Nominations for the ISMA were also recently announced,


including three nods for Indian City for songs off its Here & Now album. “Tree of Life” picked up a nod in the country category, "Seasons" in the pop category, and the album's title track is nomi- nated in the rock category. Te hardware will be handed out on September 9 in Milwaukee, WI. ISMA is run in conjunction with Indian Summer Festival and recognizes and promotes the very best in Native American music created by both established and emerging artists. Story courtesy of Manitoba Music www.manitobamusic.com.


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