May Brings Music, Marathon, and More!
Fredericton is the place to be most of the time but this year I’d say May is looking especially inviting.
For the first time since 2008 The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) will return to present the 34th annual celebration of the East Coast Music Awards from May 4-8!
100+ national & international delegates from around the world will arrive in Fredericton to participate in the ECMA 2022 International Export Buyers Program. This is an exciting opportunity for music industry members from around the globe to gather (in person!) to network and to discover the phenomenal talent of our east coast artists.
The best news is that you are invited to participate and to enjoy the sights & sounds firsthand! It is said that the primary intention of the event is to showcase and celebrate our home grown talent and we can expect the city will be alive with the energy the live music experience brings.
A first in ECMA history is the TD Connected Concerts, a one venue, three-stage experience not unlike Bourbon St in New Orleans but in the beautiful ballrooms of the Delta Hotels Fredericton. Families and all ages audiences have great options from a Children’s Showcase, to afternoon shows at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, The Fredericton Playhouse, and the Hilton. Stages will be lit up across the famous Fredericton tannery venues, Dolan’s, Klube Khrome and The Cap.
Consider picking up a Weekend Warrior Pass which provides access to all ECMA 2022 stages on Friday and Saturday of the event. Individual show tickets are also available and I’d like to point out just a few of those shows below:
Thursday (May 5) will feature the televised awards show taking place at the Aitken Centre and hosted by Maestro Fresh Wes! Along with finding out who the winners are this year, we will enjoy performances by Andrew Waite (PEI), Chloé Breault (NB), Hillsburn (NS), Kelly McMichael (NL), Morgan Toney (CB), One8tea (NB), Quote The Raven (NL), The Town Heroes (CB), and Zamani (NS). With special guest performances by Lisa Leblanc (NB) and Patsy Gallant (NB).
On the Friday (May 6) laissez les bons temps rouler with 1755 at The Playhouse! The sounds from this legendary Acadian band combine folk, country and rock, with traditional folk song lyrics, and original compositions. They will perform along with Acadian stars Lisa LeBlanc and Emilie Landry. Expect a high energy night with these exceptional NB artists!
Sunday (May 8) afternoon’s Songwriters Circle is a perfect way to wrap up the weekend at the Fredericton Playhouse. Pick up your tickets and join hosts Owen O Sound Lee and David Myles for two rounds of storytelling and songs, alongside guests Breagh Isabel, Chloé Breault, Dylan Menzie, Joce Reyome, Mo Kenney, Reeny Smith, and Rube & Rake.
Be on the lookout for announcements regarding a couple of FREE ALL-AGES shows in the downtown skate park area being organized by Flourish Festival in partnership with Forward Music Group.
This only scratches the surface of all that will be offered as part of the ECMAs so I strongly suggest you visit their website here for details, the full schedule and to purchase your tickets.
As always, an event this size cannot come together to be something spectacular with the generous contribution of volunteers working side-by-side to make it all come together seamlessly. For more information on how you can contribute please click here.
While the music will certainly be running through the city so will hundreds of people as they take part in the 44th annual Stewart McKelvey Fredericton Marathon! The two-day event (May 7-8) have the following options which you may want to consider:
Saturday, May 7th -
10:00 AM - Special 8KM (5 miler) run/walk in conjunction with the East Coast Music Awards
12:00 noon - 5km run/walk
2:00 PM - Youth Fun Run 1km run/walk (ages 2 - 12; must be able to run race without parent/guardian)
Sunday, May 8th -
8:00 AM - 42.2 km run-only, 21.1 km run/walk, 10km run/walk
For those who may not be able to join us in person, virtual options are available for all events to be run at a time and place of your own choosing.
For more information and to register be sure to visit their website https://bit.ly/3txNYU4
Seeing the city come alive with activity in the spring is always exciting and these two events will surely highlight the vibrancy and the beauty we are so fortunate to enjoy here along the banks of the Wolastoq (Saint John River). What are you most looking forward to?
