CANADIAN FOLK MUSIC AWARDS ANNOUNCE 2021 ONLINE SHOW SCHEDULE AND PERFORMERS

Showcases: April 7-10

Gala Awards Shows: April 10 & 11

(HALIFAX, March 30th) The Canadian Folk Music Awards are excited to announce the full line-up and programming schedule for the 2021 Awards Week, featuring 6 virtual shows in all that will include 33 nominee performances over the course of five days! The 16th edition of the CFMAs take place Wednesday, April 7 through to Sunday, April 11, beginning with four different artist showcases and culminating in the two gala Awards Shows, Saturday and Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern). The Awards Shows will include the presentation of all 20 awards, interspersed with performances by an exciting and varied selection of six of this year’s nominees each night, who represent the incredible breadth, depth and diversity of Canadian folk music. 

All CFMA events will be accessible online, worldwide, and free of charge.  Performing artists are receiving honorariums. In addition, viewer donations will be accepted across all showcases with 100% of donations to be divided evenly between all performing artists. These additional donations are crucial for helping the artists continue their work during times when many income opportunities for performers have been curtailed. We ask viewers to consider donating via paypal, even a small amount will help support the performers during these trying times.

The four bilingual showcases leading up to the Awards Shows will be entirely musical, allowing the audience to be treated to more amazing 2021 nominees. “From Far & Wide 1” and “From Far & Wide 2” will each feature a different selection of performers from across Canada, representing a variety of genres ranging from traditional instrumentalists to contemporary singer-songwriters. The CFMAs are also excited to be presenting its very first “Indigenous Music Showcase” sponsored by SiriusXM. These three shows will take place Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern).  The CFMA “Children’s Showcase” will be held at noon on Saturday for all ages to enjoy. 

During the two bilingual Canadian Folk Music Awards Shows, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern), co-hosts, Benoit Bourque and Jean Hewson will review the nominees and announce the recipients for all the CFMA categories including the Slaight Music Unsung Hero Award. 

All six shows will be streamed via the CFMA website, folkawards.ca / prixfolk.ca  on Facebook and on YouTube. 

CFMA and Music PEI are partnering to bring a new Buyers Program to the event. The Export Buyers Program is designed to bring top international and domestic presenters and industry professionals to the CFMAs to see performances by the award nominees during the showcases and Awards concerts. This will help to create a unique opportunity, which the CFMAs hope to use as a model for future years, for buyers to discover some of Canada’s leading folk, roots, and world music artists and introduce them, in turn, to their respective markets across Canada and around the world. 

Normally, each year, the Canadian Folk Music Awards are held in a different province, showcasing the vast array of talent the country has to offer. This year, by airing family oriented events online, the CFMAs are pleased to offer more opportunities for viewers to hear some of the best folk music being produced in Canada today. The two Awards Shows combine the most loved events of the Canadian Folk Music Awards – the vibrant energy of the live music showcases and the awards gala. Altogether, the six events of the CFMA Awards Week program will capture the true heart of the folk community, while celebrating the nominees and  recipients.

The 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards Schedule: 

Wednesday April 7th – 8:00pm~9:15pm ET → From Far & Wide 1 

Hosts: Vic Close & April O’Donoughue

Performers:

• The Gilberts –  NS
• Marie-Ève Laure  — QC
• Joe Nolan – AB
• Coco Love Alcorn — ON
• Aerialists – BC

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Thursday April 8th –  8:00pm~9:15pm ET → From Far & Wide 2

Hosts: Graham Lindsey & April O’Donoughue

Performers:

• Benjamin Barrile — ON
• Sarah Jane Scouten— BC
• Beauséjour – MB / NB
• Beòlach – NS
• Sussex – QC

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Friday April 9th -8:00pm~9:15pm ET → The Indigenous Music Showcase on SiriusXM 

Hosts: Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais & MJ Dandeneau

Performers:

• A.W Cardinal (Blue Moon Marquee)  – BC
• Crystal Shawanda – BC
• Julian Taylor – ON
• Burnstick – MB
• William Prince – MB
• Leela Gilday – NWT

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Saturday April 10th – 12:00pm~1:15pm ET → Children’s Performer Showcase‘ – CFMA Cross-Canada Pyjama party’ 

Host: Jocelyne Baribeau

Performers:

• Ginalina – BC
• Claire Ness – YT
• Spencer Burton – ON
• Henri Godon – QC
• Charlie Hope – ON

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Awards Show Night 1: Saturday April 10 @ 8:00PM ET

Hosted by Jean Hewson and Benoit Bourque

Performers:

• Mélisande [électrotrad]QC
• Leela Gilday NWT
• OKAN ON
• The East Pointers PEI
• Pharis & Jason Romero BC
• Julian Taylor ON

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Awards Show Night 2: Sunday April 11 @ 8:00PM ET

Hosted by Jean Hewson and Benoit Bourque

Performers:

• Sultans of String ON
• Guillaume Arsenault QC
• Big Little Lions BC
• Catherine MacLellan PEI
• Zal Sissokho QC
• William Prince MB

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Please “like” our facebook page here for easier access to the live stream →  https://www.facebook.com/prixfolkawards/

The CFMAs gratefully acknowledge the financial funding support of FACTOR through the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters. 

We also wish to thank and acknowledge all of our funders: Peter Coffman, the Edmonton Folk Festival, Penguin Eggs Magazine, Fogarty’s Cove Music, Calgary Folk Club, SOCAN Foundation, True North Records / Stony Plain Rights Management, Slaight Music Group, Music PEI, Fish Creek Concerts, Wavelength Media, and SiriusXM.

Our official hashtag is → #CFMA2021 and #PMFC2021 

CFMA website → https://folkawards.ca/

Listen to CFMA 2021 nominees Spotify playlist →  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2aOsbji9MfCjnVJ6Y3EeI5?si=6e0a7415246542b7

Full list of Canadian Folk Music Awards 2021 Nominees: https://folkawards.ca/nominees/

Engage with CFMA | PMFC online → 

Facebook →  https://www.facebook.com/prixfolkawards/

Twitter → @FolkAwards

Instagram →  @CanadianFolkMusicAwards

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