Pacific Contact 2025 – Detailed Schedule

Hosted by Marek Tyler of ASKO

Led by nêhiyaw artist, facilitator, and ASKO creator Marek Tyler, Beyond Acknowledgement is an interactive workshop that explores the deeper responsibilities behind land acknowledgments. Participants will examine how these statements can shift from symbolic gestures to systemic actions aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Through guided dialogue, personal storytelling, and insights from ASKO – a performance rooted in Indigenous futurism and relationality – Marek invites presenters, producers, and arts workers to reflect on their roles in building respectful relationships with Indigenous lands, communities, and knowledge systems. This workshop offers tools for authentic engagement and lasting transformation in the arts sector.

Sponsored by The Capitol Theatre

Hosted by Briana Doyle

Whether you’re an artist, agent, or presenter, strong marketing collaboration is key to a successful tour.

This interactive workshop offers practical, scalable strategies for tour promotion—covering what marketing assets are essential, how to build early buzz, and what actually helps move the needle on ticket sales. We’ll also explore how artists, agents, and presenters can align efforts to make marketing easier, more efficient, and more effective for everyone involved.

Topics will include:

• What makes a promo kit effective (and what often gets overlooked)
• How to streamline marketing materials across a roster or season
• How to get better results from your Meta ads
• How artists, agents, and presenters can coordinate marketing to maximize reach
• Tips for presenters: what to request from artists
• Budget-friendly marketing strategies

Hosted by Danielle Lefebvre, Danielle Lefebvre Artist & Concert Agency

Being an agent is more than a job: it means spotting opportunities, building strong networks, and supporting talent with energy and conviction. But how can we thrive in this demanding role while staying true to ethics, creativity, and trust? To dive into this question, we invite you to join an interactive and friendly workshop where we’ll explore together the best practices of the agent profession. Whether you’re already working in the field or simply curious to learn more, this is the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and leave with fresh and inspiring insights.

Sponsored by ArtSpring

Co-Hosted by Aaron Schubert, Agent/BC Live Board Member & Danielle Lefebvre, President, AASPAA Canada

Agents and managers are invited to connect with colleagues from across Canada, to network, discuss topics of interest, and share best practices.

Sponsored by AIM Booking Agency

Co-hosted by Daune Campbell & Petrice Brett, Axis Theatre

This meeting offers artists and artistic companies a chance to share ideas, discuss common challenges, offer support, ask questions, and explore potential collaborations.

Sponsored by Sandy Powlik, Music Wellness Personalized Coaching

Hosted by Theresia Reid, Chilliwack Cultural Centre/BC Live Board Member

This meeting for venue managers from BC and beyond is an opportunity to connect and engage in meaningful discussions about successes, challenges, and other key topics related to venue management and programming. Representatives from Actsafe Safety Association and Spektrix will share updates and be on hand to answer your questions.

Sponsored by Actsafe Safety Association

Hosted by Kym Gouchie, Indigenous Cultural Liaison/C.A.R.E. & BC Live Board Member

BC Live is partnering with Canadian Artists for Reconciliation and Education (C.A.R.E.) to host a Circle Talk~Stories of Resilience.

C.A.R.E. was created to educate its members and the general public on all matters of the truth regarding Indigenous and Settler history while nurturing acts of reconciliation.

This Circle Talk features Marek Tyler of ASKO, who will share their powerful personal story. ASKO will also perform as part of this session, enriching the experience and creating a deeper connection for all.

Sponsored by Mary Winspear Centre

Catering by Salishan Catering / Reception includes a no-host bar

Join us for the Get to Know You Networking Reception – a relaxed and welcoming opportunity to connect with artists, presenters, and industry professionals. Enjoy light refreshments and appetizers as you mingle with colleagues and lay the groundwork for meaningful collaboration throughout the conference.

Sponsored by The Port Theatre

(6:30 pm Doors, 7:00 pm Welcome, 7:30 pm Showcase)

Welcome by Quelemia Sparrow, Musqueam Nation

Hosted by Tewanee Joseph, Squamish Nation

• Burnstick
• Ariane Racicot Jazz Trio
• Aurora Piano Trio
• Kyle McKearney
• Canefire
• Buzz Brass
• Aliya Kanani

Sponsored by Creekside Theatre

Connect with colleagues and unwind with a refreshment and light snack.

Sponsored by Ballet Jörgen

Refreshments sponsored by Surrey Civic Centres

This event takes place at Ocean Artworks an outdoor covered pavilion located in front of Ocean Concrete and next to the Creekhouse.

Sponsored by Kay Meek Arts Centre

We’ve invited presenters and festival organizers who bring Granville Island to life to share their stories and successes using the dynamic Pecha Kucha format – a fast-paced, visually-driven style that’s all about showing more and saying less. Prepare for an energetic, captivating, and fun session where you’ll discover the local events that make Granville Island such a vibrant cultural hub.

Hosted by Am Johal

Participants include:

• Duncan Watts Grant, Vancouver Fringe Festival
• Gabrielle Martin, PuSh International Festival
• Heather Redfern, The Cultch
• Jason Dupuis, New Works
• Katharine Carol, Vancouver International Children’s Festival
• Ruhamah Buchanan, CMHC and Bass Coast
• Shelby Richardson, Community Arts Council of Prince George

Sponsored by the Chilliwack Cultural Centre

Hosted by Dave Deveau

• Ombres Folles – Pomelo
• RAGMOP Theatre, Nayana Fielkov – Presto!
• The Chimera Project Dance Theatre – Silly Billy

Sponsored by Evergreen Cultural Centre

Granville Island Market features numerous vendors within its Public Market, offering a wide array of food options, along with a central food court area where you can eat and enjoy.

Hosted by Dave Deveau

• Missy D
• Ragamuffin Productions – Camp Goneaway
• Yuki The Juggler – All the Way from Japan

Sponsored by Evergreen Cultural Centre

The 5-minute Pitch & Performs provide a fast-paced, captivating glimpse of performances and tour-ready shows. Artists and artist representatives will pitch or perform for 5 minutes, offering a fun and dynamic introduction designed to spark your interest and leave you eager to see more.

Hosted by Lucas Myers

• JER
• Sursaut Dance Company
• Shirley Gnome
• Company 605 – lossy
• Kristina Lao
• Shaun Boothe & The Unauthorized Biography Series
• Holy Crow Arts – Keepers of the Salish Sea
• Vidya Kotamraju – Maktub: Ashes to Alchemy
• Foolish Operations – Baby Space Opera

Refreshments sponsored by Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils

Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure! Delegates will be dining with colleagues at the restaurant of your choosing – a perfect chance to indulge in exceptional cuisine and engage in lively conversation.

Sign-ups are done prior to the conference and at registration. Each restaurant will have a host with a list of those who signed up. We have arranged for separate cheques with each restaurant for your convenience.

(7:00 pm doors, 7:30 pm Showcase)

Hosted by Nadine Tremblay

• The Hello Darlins
• Oh Pray Tell
• Gravity Theatre – Bangs, Bobs & Banter
• The McDades
• Bria Rose N’ Thorns
• Tenise Marie
• El Balcón
• Sophie Dow & Laura Reznek – Agrimony

Sponsored by Cowichan Performing Arts Centre

Connect with colleagues and unwind with a refreshment and light snack.

Sponsored by Agence Station Bleue

This showcase takes place at Ocean Artworks an outdoor covered pavilion located in front of Ocean Concrete and next to the Creekhouse on Granville Island.

The 5-minute Pitch & Performs provide a fast-paced, captivating glimpse of performances and tour-ready shows. Artists and artist representatives will pitch or perform for 5 minutes, offering a fun and dynamic introduction designed to spark your interest and leave you eager to see more.

Hosted by Lucas Myers

• Krystle Dos Santos – A History of Motown
• Ne. Sans Opera & Dance (Take This Waltz)
• Farhad Khosravi Ensemble
• CORPUS – Mukashi, Mukashi (Once Upon a Time)
• Bel & Quinn
• O.Dela Arts – Maamawi (ᒫᒪᐏ): Together Through The Fire
• Savage Society – Feast House
• Patti Savard – A Life in Transition
• Les Productions du 10 avril – Albertine en cinq temps
• É.T.É – « Sur ces eaux »
• The Leading Ladies

Hosted by Petrice Brett

One-to-One meetings give you a dedicated opportunity to connect with artists, agents, managers, presenters, and programmers to build relationships and explore collaborations.

Details:

• Meetings take place in the Contact Room at the artist/agent’s booth.
• Sessions are 7 minutes long; a signal will indicate when it’s time to move to your next meeting.
• A map of the Contact Room is included in this guide and available at registration.

Granville Island Market features numerous vendors within its Public Market, offering a wide array of food options, along with a central food court area where you can eat and enjoy.

Hosted by Akhil Jobanputra

• Deantha Edmunds
• Waleed Kush Afro Jazz
• On The River (Houle, Sewepagaham, Dunn, Ground Zero Productions)
• Collage Trad
• Stick&Bow
• Anya Saugstad and Artists – Paper Mountains
• Bageshree Vaze – Classical Roots, Global Rhythms

The performance will run for 7 minutes.

A theatrical rendition of the sensibilities that come with a relationship. A two-voice poem about the distance, the closeness, the intimacy, the rage, the forgiveness, the passion, and the delicate tension between freedom and consequence. The movement is derived from playful fluidity and lightness, yet every gesture carries weight.

Delegates will be treated to a performance by Ballet BC artists, Jacalyn Tatro & Eduardo Jimenez Cabrera, on their way to the Contact Room, following the afternoon showcase. This performance takes place outside of the Ballet BC studios, next to Performance Works. It is part of New Works Dance’s 2025 Pop Up Dances Festival, running September 19–21 on Granville Island.

Presented by New Works in partnership with Ballet BC

(7:00 pm Dinner, 8:00 pm Awards, 9:00 pm Queer as Funk, 11:00 pm DJ)

Catering by Tayybeh, a celebration of Syrian Cuisine. Tayybeh, an Arabic word means both “kind woman” and “delicious”. A no host bar will be available.

Hosted by Suzette Amaya

The Closing Dinner, Awards & Party promises an unforgettable night filled with celebration, inspiration, and connection. Join us as we honour the outstanding achievements within our sector and enjoy plenty of opportunities to network. Dance the night away to the electrifying sounds of Queer as Funk and a live DJ! This is a celebration you won’t want to miss.

Sponsored by Dufflebag Theatre, Sandy Powlik, Music Wellness Personalized Coaching, Surrey Civic Theatres

Hosted by Petrice Brett, Block Booking Coordinator

Join Petrice Brett, BC Live’s Block Booking Coordinator, for an in-person meeting to explore your interests for the upcoming performing arts seasons. Presenters will have the chance to pitch artists, discuss potential tours through the Arts Touring Connector, and review current touring opportunities available.

Sponsored by Creekside Theatre

Hosted by Jenny Craig, Festivals Coordinator

Members of BC Live’s Festival Caucus are invited to come together for a collaborative meeting aimed at continuing important discussions and developing strategies to strengthen and support the festival network across BC. This gathering provides an opportunity to share insights, address common challenges, and explore innovative approaches that will enhance the growth, sustainability, and impact of festivals throughout the province.