Jesse Merineau among northern artists taking part in online concert series

NEWS RELEASE
CULTURAL INDUSTRIES ONTARIO NORTH
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SUDBURY – On Thursday, April 30, 10 northern musicians will take the stage in their homes and participate in the MusicTogether livestream concert series curated by Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION). This is all part of MusicTogether’s province-wide streaming series that is aimed at helping Ontario’s musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were very excited to be a curator partner with MusicTogether,” said Tammy Frick, associate executive director of CION. “Not only does this project provide direct support for these artists, but also helps promote and create new audiences for some of the great talent that we have here in the north.”

Since the beginning of April, MusicTogther has been accepting submissions from musicians from across Ontario to take part in this streaming concert series. In addition, MusicTogether has reached out to 15 different music and cultural groups in the province to each curate a day of music in their respective areas. As such, CION was asked to curate a list of ten artists from across Northern Ontario to take part in this initiative.

The line up Includes:
    •    Céleste Lévis (Timmins)
    •    Kutch (Thunder Bay)
    •    Edouard Landry (Sudbury)
    •    Jean-Paul De Roover (Thunder Bay)
    •    Jennifer Holub (Sudbury)
    •    Jesse Merineau (Sault Ste. Marie)
    •    Matt Foy (Sudbury)
    •    Melody McKiver (Sioux Lookout)
    •    McLean (Sudbury)
    •    Rose-Erin Stokes (North Bay)

“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic these artists have seen not only shows but whole tours cancelled,” said Frick. “This initiative from MusicTogether and the Ontario Government is a great way to help artists and catch some great acts live.”

Details about how to watch these performances is posted at MusicTogether.ca, and MusicTogether is still accepting applications from musicians to take part in this project.

MusicTogether was created in an effort to provide a cash injection to Ontario musicians impacted by the effects of COVID-19. Members of the Canadian music community with support from the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries have come together to create an emergency relief fund totaling $300,000. Arts and Crafts and Shopify Inc. collectively donated resources to create and develop MusicTogether.ca – a web platform where artists can apply for funding, and where audiences can find information on upcoming live-streamed performances by Ontario musicians.

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