ALBERTA SHOWCASE

This weekend I attended Alberta Showcase.  An event organized bt the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta.  It's sort of a trade fair/conference for the music biz. Let me paint you a picture.  Artists of all performing genres showcase in front of presenters.  Who are presenters?  These are people who book venues, festivals, concert series, etc.  Here's how it works.  Artists and/or agents of artists apply sometimes in April to showcase at the event.  A showcase is a 15 minute slot where you perform a mini concert to give them a taste of what you would do if they hired you. Competition is tough to get a showcase so getting one is a big deal.

Over the period of the weekend presenters will sit in a theatre (for Alberta Showcase it is held at the Shell Theatre in the Dow Centre for Performing Arts in Fort Saskatchewan) and watch between 24-30 artist showcases.If presenters see soomething that they like and believe their venue and audience would like then they approach the atrtist or their agent in the Contact Room, which is essentially a room full of booths, similar to a trade fair where artists can connect with presenters for the purpose of discussing available dates, performer fees, nd just to make introductions.  For many presenters, artists, and agents, it is a chance to finally meet someone in person after spending months or years talking over email or the phone.

It was great to see artists from across the country highlighting what they do, even if it is only for 15 minutes.  Canadian legend and road warrior Valdy thrilled the crowd with a 20 minute showcase.  I have the utter most respect for this man.  Not only is he a great artist who has sold tens of thousands of albums but he just gets better and at 80 years old he is a master of the performing and songwriting crafts.