Whitehorse, Yukon – March 26, 2019 – The Western Canadian Music Alliance (WCMA) capped off BreakOut West 2018 in Kelowna with a captivating performance by Yukon’s Dakhká Khwáan Dancers. Today, the WCMA is thrilled to officially announce that BreakOut West 2019 will take place in Whitehorse, Yukon.
From October 2-6, 2019, the 17th annual conference, showcase festival and awards celebration will bring together artists, industry professionals, and the music-loving community of Whitehorse, with four days of live performances, business opportunities, career development, and camaraderie. For more information as the event develops, and for year-round opportunities supported by BreakOut West, visit www.breakoutwest.ca.
BreakOut West was last hosted in Whitehorse in 2011 when we saw 54-40 inducted into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and delegates were treated to a sold-out showcase festival and awards show, along with incredible Yukon highlight activities such as dog sledding. The 2019 event will include a three-night music festival of new talent from western Canada, a four-day career development conference and international industry program, an awards reception honouring the best of western Canada’s artists and industry, and much more.
Music Yukon is excited to see the event return to Whitehorse. “We’re looking forward to showcasing the strength and diversity of the Yukon music scene alongside top acts from the rest of the North and Western Canada,” says Scott Maynard, Executive Director, Music Yukon.
The Government of Yukon is proud to support BreakOut West. “We are very excited to host BreakOut West 2019 in Whitehorse,” remarks Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai. “This is a great opportunity for our musicians to showcase their talent and network with industry professionals. It is also an opportunity for local businesses to provide visitors with Yukon hospitality and for Yukoners to take in world-class performances.”
BreakOut West Interim Executive Director, Nathalie Kleinschmit concludes,“Whitehorse is an exciting fit for BreakOut West. As we welcome guests from across Canada and around the world, we expect to see great excitement spread across the music community, eager to see Whitehorse and the talent coming for the event, through the eyes of attendees. We are honoured with the engagement and enthusiasm expressed by our host community. We look forward to developing and celebrating our music and artists together.”
BreakOut West and the Whitehorse Host Committee will host a community “Town Hall” on March 27 to share more about the event to come and to meet with Whitehorse artists and businesses interested in being part of the festivities. In the meantime, to express interest in getting involved, please reach out to BreakOut West at info@breakoutwest.com.
2019 Western Canadian Music Award nominees will be announced at the beginning of May and BreakOut West Festival acts will be revealed at the end of June.
See BreakOut West 2017 Highlights Video below:
About BreakOut West
BreakOut West is an annual gathering to celebrate, develop and support the best of western Canadian music, taking place this year in Whitehorse, Yukon from October 2-6, 2019. Western Canadian artists are developing sustainable careers of national and international scope, and BreakOut West is an integral component of this development. Through the annual conference and festival, industry from around the world and western Canadian artists are given the opportunity to connect, share their talent, explore opportunities and grow. The event consists of the BreakOut West Festival, with over 100 shows, the Western Canadian Music Awards, as well as the conference itself with educational panels, networking events, and so much more.
The Western Canadian Music Alliance is funded in part by the six provincial and territorial governments of western Canada. BreakOut West and the Western Canadian Music Awards are generously funded by FACTOR, Musicaction, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters, along Whitehorse host partners, and event sponsors and funders, notably the Government of Yukon.
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This project is funded in part by FACTOR, Musicaction, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters.
Ce projet est financé en partie par Musicaction, FACTOR, le gouvernement du Canada et les radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada.
BreakOut West 2019 is funded in part by the Government of Yukon.