Contact East 2024 will take place September 26-29 in Charlottetown, Epekwitk/PEI.

OPPORTUNITY Artist submissions now open for Contact East 2024

Deadline: Thursday, February 29, 2024
Artist submissions are now open for Contact East 2024, taking place in Charlottetown, Epekwitk/PEI from September 26 – 29. Contact East is Atlantic Canada’s premiere performing arts booking conference. The event brings together performing arts presenters, managers, and agents to see top-quality performances from a diverse range of artistic genres, including but not limited to: music, cabaret, dance, Deaf, Disability and Mad arts, circus arts, theatre, comedy, youth-oriented programming, and cultural performances.

About Contact East

Contact East is the Atlantic Presenters Association’s hallmark event and Atlantic Canada’s performing arts booking conference. The annual event provides an essential and inspiring experience for delegates bringing together regional, national, and international performing arts presenters, managers, and agents, to see performances which showcase a diverse range of artistic genres, including but not limited to music, cabaret, dance, disability arts, circus arts, comedy, youth-oriented programming, and cultural performances.

Contact East is a four-day showcase and professional development conference complete with approximately 30 artist performances, showcase and pitch sessions, as well as an unprecedented opportunity for presenters to network and learn from some of the best in the business from the Atlantic Provinces, across Canada, and internationally.

APA is further committing to its mandate to present a diverse range of artists from a variety of backgrounds. APA acknowledges that past artist selection processes were not fair or equitable and understands the value that lived experiences and community-based practices have when it comes to making decisions. APA is committed to implementing and upholding equitable practices in choosing artists to perform at Contact East 2024 and beyond.

The artists chosen by the selection committee shall have equitable representation across populations, including Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, Deaf, Disability, and Mad arts communities. Atlantic Presenters Association is dedicated to providing a space that is accessible, inclusive, and free from oppression, harassment, and discrimination.

To further ensure a fair selection process, APA will be putting out a call for applications for interested individuals to be on this year’s selection committee. In the past, Contact East’s selection committee has been hand-picked from APA’s membership rather than opened up to the larger presenting community. The goal of this change is to make sure the committee represents a cross-section of different artistic genres and cultural backgrounds, resulting in an overall diverse representation of committee members to ensure the selection process is as fair and equitable as possible.

About Woody Point, NL

It is with great delight that, on behalf of Friends of Writers at Woody Point, we welcome you to Contact East 2023, which runs from September 21st to 24th, 2023.
We acknowledge the island of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) as the unceded, traditional territory of the Beothuk and the Mi’kmaq. And we acknowledge Labrador as the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Innu of Nitassinan, the Inuit of Nunatsiavut, and the Inuit of NunatuKavut.
 

A note for our friends, especially those making their first trip to Woody Point.

While you work to finalize travel and accommodation details, we want to give you a bit of information about the area that may be helpful. Woody Point is home to our festival in the heart of Gros Morne National Park, on the shores of Bonne Bay. The community is a fishing village with a thriving tourism industry, but the town does have limited amenities.

The town is very compact, and you will find the venues are a short walk or drive from the accommodations and restaurants. When you arrive in Newfoundland, the airport in Deer Lake, Woody Point is a forty-five-minute drive. There are rental vehicles available at the airport, but we will also be assisting with transportation between Deer Lake and Woody Point. If you prefer to use the transportation provided, we will need flight arrival and departure information from you preferably by the end of August. 

While there are a variety of accommodations, they can book up quickly, so we have reserved/held several rooms with accommodation providers in the area. These rooms will be held until the end of June 2023 at which time they will be released to the public. We encourage you to book sooner rather than later and will provide our contact information if you have any specific needs, we are happy to help suggest options that will suit you best. Whether you are renting a car or are on foot there are local taxi services and shuttle buses to help get you where you need to be without any stress – but if you do plan to rent a car choosing accommodations a little further from town centre would be helpful for those who do not. There are few spots in Norris Point to be had, which is A-OK because there will be a beginning and end-of-day water taxi service that will make getting to the activities in Woody Point a breeze. There are also Airbnb options that you’ll need to search out yourself. There will be morning and evening shuttles to Trout River, Birchy Head and Glenburnie, so make sure to check out those areas too!

We have a few small general stores and there is no pharmacy. You may want to stop at a supermarket or pharmacy in Deer Lake before heading to Woody Point, should you have any last-minute needs. For those we are assisting with transportation to and from Woody Point, the drivers of the local transportation companies are happy to stop at a grocery store or pharmacy and will answer any questions you may have.

As hosts, we will do our best to assist and ensure that your time in Woody Point is enjoyable. Diana can be reached if you have questions, by email at diana@writersatwoodypoint.com or by telephone at 306.308.0036 (C).

Once again, we look forward to seeing you in Woody Point and hope you love it as much as we do.

Friends of Writers at Woody Point 2023

Schedule

Subject to Change

Wednesday, September 20

4:00 pm

Various Locations

Shuttle Bus - Trout River and Glenburnie to Woody Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

4:30 pm

Norris Point – Cat Stop

Water Taxi - Norris Point to Woody Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Heritage Theatre

Music NL Presents!

Sponsored by Music NL

Get a taste of Newfoundland’s vibrant music scene at MusicNL Presents, a pre-conference showcase event highlighting the best and brightest talent the island has to offer. Join us for a night of toe-tapping melodies that capture the spirit of one of Canada’s most culturally-rich provinces.

Featuring: 

9:30 pm

Woody Point Dock

Water Taxi - Woody Point to Norris Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne 

10:00 pm

Woody Point Public Library

Shuttle Bus - Woody Point to Trout River and Glenburnie

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

Thursday, September 21

8:30 am

Various Locations

Shuttle Bus - Trout River and Glenburnie to Woody Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

8:30 am

Norris Point – Cat Stop

Water Taxi - Norris Point to Woody Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

8:30 am - 10:00 am

Woody Point Royal Canadian Legion

Breakfast

Sponsored by Confederation Centre of the Arts

Come to the Legion for a by donation home-cooked breakfast every morning of the conference. Your donations will be in support of the community groups preparing the breakfasts and will also assist with the cost of the food. Suggested donation is $10 per meal.

12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Woody Point Public Library

Registration Desk Open

10:30 am - 2:30 pm

Various locations

Adventure Activities (Optional)

Extra cost applies

1:00 pm

Woody Point – Cat Stop

Water Taxi - Norris Point to Woody Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

3:00 pm

Woody Point Public Library

Catch the Bus to Opening Activities

4:15 pm - 6:30 pm

Green Gardens Trail and Parks Canada Discovery Centre – 3:30 pm bus pick up in downtown Woody Point (unless you have your own vehicle)

Welcome & Opening Activities

Sponsored by Capitol Theatre

Travel with us from Woody Point to Gros Morne National Park for an opening event like no other. Behold the sublime and ageless beauty of this land as L’nu Mi’kmaq artists Jenelle Duval and Sarah Prosper offer an original performance against the backdrop of the Green Gardens Trail. Delegates will then retire to the Gros Morne Discovery Centre, where they will learn about the Indigenous history of the region before connecting over food and drinks. We will also be handing out this year’s APA Award, an honour presented annually to a deserving individual who has made a significant contribution to the performing arts touring sector in Atlantic Canada.

10:30 pm - 12:00 am

Downtown Woody Point

World's Smallest Pub Crawl

The first showcase may be over, but that doesn’t mean the fun is! We’ll be breaking into three groups of conference-goers and hitting the street(s) of Downtown Woody Point to experience the world’s smallest pub crawl! We’ll be hitting up every watering hole, bar, and tavern (there are 3!) that this 250-person town has to offer for snacks, drinks, and conversation. 

10:45 pm

Woody Point Dock

Water Taxi - Woody Point to Norris Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne 

12:00 am

Woody Point Public Library

Shuttle Bus - Woody Point to Norris Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne 

12:00 am

Woody Point Public Library

Shuttle Bus - Woody Point to Trout River and Glenburnie

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne 

Friday September 22

7:30 am

Various Locations

Shuttle Bus - Trout River and Glenburnie to Woody Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne 

7:45 am

Norris Point – Cat Stop

Water Taxi - Norris Point to Woody Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne 

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Woody Point Royal Canadian Legion

Breakfast

Sponsored by Confederation Centre of the Arts

Come to the Legion for a by donation home-cooked breakfast every morning of the conference. Your donations will be in support of the community groups preparing the breakfasts and will also assist with the cost of the food. Suggested donation is $10 per meal.

9:15 am - 11:00 am

Woody Point Dock

Water Taxi and Bus to Cow Head

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

1:15 pm - 2:30 pm

Shallow Bay Conference Centre

AGM Lunch

Sponsored by Kings Theatre Annapolis Royal

APA members are invited to join us for our 2023 AGM Lunch, where we  hear about the year that has passed from an organizational standpoint, vote on any organizational changes and nominate the new slate of Board of Directors. The meeting is open to all delegates.

2:45 pm - 3:45 pm

Myra Bennett Performing Arts Centre – Studio

PD Session - Rural Presenting: The Joy and the Pain

Sponsored by Debut Atlantic

Moderated by Skip Taylor with panelists Lindsay Connolly, Marshall Feit and Hannah Prior.

Bringing community together for the shared experience of live performance can be an effective way to connect people across their differences. Rural presenters face unique challenges, now more than ever, that make their jobs truly a labour of love. Join this panel of rural presenting icons in a conversation about why they do what they do, and how they make it work in this post-pandemic, societally divided, climate challenged world.

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Myra Bennett Performing Arts Centre 

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Myra Bennett Performing Arts Centre

Dinner

Sponsored by Fredericton Playhouse

Join fellow delegates after the showcases for a delicious three-course, locally-sourced meal from the kitchen of the Nurse Myra Bennett Performing Arts Centre before heading back to Woody Point for the night. 

8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Bus and Ferry travel back to Woody Point via Norris Point

Travel Back to Woody Point

9:30 pm - 12:00 am

Woody Point Royal Canadian Legion

End of Day Wind-Down

Relax and unwind after a long day of conferencing at the Woody Point Legion. We know that Contact East can be a little hectic, so take this time to enjoy a beverage and a salty snack, chat with friends (or make new ones!), and look forward to another exciting day of programming ahead. 

10:45 pm

Woody Point Dock

Water Taxi - Woody Point to Norris Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

12:00 am

Woody Point Dock

Water Taxi - Woody Point to Norris Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

12:00 am

Woody Point Public Library

Shuttle Bus - Woody Point to Trout River and Glenburnie

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

Saturday, September 23

8:00 am

Various Locations

Shuttle Bus - Trout River and Glenburnie Woody Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

8:00 am

Norris Point – Cat Stop

Water Taxi - Norris Point to Woody Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

8:30 am - 9:30 am

Woody Point Royal Canadian Legion

Breakfast

Sponsored by Confederation Centre of the Arts

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Bonne Bay Academy

One-to-One Meetings

Time to get down to business. One-2-ones are a networking opportunity designed specifically for delegates to engage in business discussions. This is your opportunity to connect and meet with artists, agents, managers, and presenters to discuss bookings, availability, seasons, markets, etc. This industry is all about connections, and these meetings offer time and space to create new relationships and nurture existing ones. If you are looking to talk shop at Contact East, this is your chance! 

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Woody Point Town Hall

Lunch

Sponsored by Imperial Theatre

Take a break from your business meetings and grab a delicious boxed lunch from the Town Hall. There will be seats inside the hall or you can find a spot outside and take in the views of beautiful Bonne Bay while you enjoy a break and a bite.

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Bonne Bay Academy 

One-to-One Meetings

Time to get down to business. One-2-ones are a networking opportunity designed specifically for delegates to engage in business discussions. This is your opportunity to connect and meet with artists, agents, managers, and presenters to discuss bookings, availability, seasons, markets, etc. This industry is all about connections, and these meetings offer time and space to create new relationships and nurture existing ones. If you are looking to talk shop at Contact East, this is your chance! 

4:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Heritage Theatre

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Woody Point Royal Canadian Legion

Final Party

Sponsored by Fairway Honda

Shindig, soiree, get-together, bash—whatever you want to call it, there’s nothing quite like a party! Join us on Saturday night for a closing celebration (and after party) at the Woody Point Legion. Cap off the conference with some delicious food, cold beverages, live music and dancing as we bid farewell to another great year of showcases, learning, and gathering with industry friends new and old.

10:00 pm - 12:00 am

Woody Point Royal Canadian Legion

After Party

10:45 pm

Woody Point Dock

Water Taxi - Woody Point to Norris Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

12:00 am

Woody Point Public Library

Shuttle Bus - Woody Point to Trout River and Glenburnie

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

12:00 am

Woody Point Public Library

Shuttle Bus - Woody Point to Norris Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

Sunday, September 24

8:30 am

Various Locations

Shuttle Bus - Trout River and Glenburnie to Woody Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

8:45 am

Norris Point – Cat Stop

Water Taxi - Norris Point to Woody Point

Sponsored by Creative Gros Morne

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Woody Point Royal Canadian Legion

Breakfast

Sponsored by Confederation Centre of the Arts

9:30 am - 11:15 am

Merchant Warehouse Retro Cafe & Wine Bar – Upstairs

Member Meeting

That’s a wrap! Connect and regroup with other members and APA staff after a whirlwind three days of conferencing. As always, we will discuss programming and have a chance to connect meaningfully, member to member, before we head our separate ways. Meeting is open to APA members only.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Various locations

Adventure Activities (Optional)

Extra cost applies

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Merchant Warehouse Retro Cafe & Wine Bar

Volunteer Appreciation Party

Sponsored by Jack Byrne Arena

That’s a wrap! Connect and regroup with other members and APA staff after a whirlwind three days of conferencing. We’ll have a demonstration of the Arts Touring Connector with developer Ross Paton. This is a brand spanking new block booking tool being launched this Fall! And as always we will discuss programming, and have a chance to share our plans for the rest of the season before we head our separate ways.

Artists

Showcasing

Pitching

Past Artists

Awards and Nominations

Initiated in 1998, Contact East sponsored a series of awards to recognize excellence and achievement in the field of live performance touring and presentation. The Contact East Awards of Excellence celebrate the growth of the industry and recognize the accomplishments of presenters and performers who comprise the touring sector in Atlantic Canada.

Beginning in 2015, Contact East streamlined its awards into one honour, the Atlantic Presenters Association Achievement Award.

Awards Categories

History

Beginning in 1975, the event was produced by the Touring Office of the Canada Council for the Arts. In 1982, the event was managed by a steering committee of representatives from the four Atlantic Provinces. With the incorporation of the Atlantic Presenters Association in 2001, the organization took over management of the event and has been producing quality conferences ever since.

According to the Atlantic Presenters Association’s records, Contact East has been held in the following years and locations:

2022 – Nova Scotia – Halifax (Neptune Theatre)
2021 – New Brunswick – Moncton (Capitol Theatre)
2020 – Contact(less) East
2019 – Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown (Florence Simmonds Hall at Holland College)
2018 – Newfoundland & Labrador – St. John’s (Arts and Culture Centre)
2017 – Nova Scotia – Membertou, Cape Breton (Membertou Trade & Convention Centre)
2016 – New Brunswick – Saint John (Imperial Theatre)
2015 – Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown (Confederation Centre of the Arts)
2014 – Nova Scotia – Pictou (deCoste Centre)
2013 – Newfoundland & Labrador – St. John’s (Arts and Culture Centre)
2012 – New Brunswick – Fredericton (Fredericton Playhouse)
2011 – Prince Edward Island – Summerside (Harbourfront Theatre)
2010 – Nova Scotia – Antigonish (The Keating Millennium Centre)
2009 – New Brunswick – Moncton (The Capitol Theatre)
2007 – Nova Scotia – Liverpool (The Astor Theatre)
2005 – Prince Edward Island – Summerside (Harbourfront Jubilee Theatre)
2003 – Newfoundland & Labrador – St. John’s (Arts and Culture Centre)
2001 – New Brunswick – Saint John (Hotel Courtenay Bay/Imperial Theatre)
1998 – Nova Scotia – Wolfville (Old Orchard Inn/ Atlantic Theatre Festival)
1996 – New Brunswick – Saint John (Delta Hotel/Imperial Theatre)
1994 – Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown (Confederation Centre)
1992 – Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown (Confederation Centre)
1990 – Nova Scotia – Dartmouth (Holiday Inn)
1988 – New Brunswick – Saint John (Delta Saint John/Saint John High School)
1985 – Nova Scotia – Halifax (World Trade Centre)
1983 – Massachusetts – Boston
1982 – New Brunswick – Sackville (Mt Allison University)
1979 – Nova Scotia – Halifax (Lord Nelson Hotel)
1978 – New Brunswick – Moncton (Hotel Beauséjour)
1977 – Nova Scotia – Halifax (Lord Nelson Hotel)
1976 – Nova Scotia – Halifax (Chateau Halifax)
1975 – New Brunswick – Fredericton (Lord Beaverbrook Hotel)