The East Coast Music Awards: Festival and Conference (ECMA) celebrate their 35th anniversary with a five-day, non-stop musical event showcasing and recognizing the best of East Coast artists and music from Wednesday, May 3 to Sunday, May 7 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
There are a number of incredible events taking place during the week. Learn more via their website.
Today, we want to tell you about our top five recommendations for you to check out from May 3 to 7th in Halifax, other than the main event, which is, of course, the East Coast Music Awards, taking place on May 4, which celebrate the biggest night in East Coast music at the 35th East Coast Music Awards Presented by Rogers on Thursday, May 4 at the Scotiabank Centre. Hosted by This Hour Has 22 Minutes’ Trent McClellan, this anniversary event will be sure to have you laughing, cheering, and dancing while celebrating the immeasurable impact of Atlantic Canada’s music scene. Get more information here.
ECMA ALL-STAR CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is thrilled to announce the first annual ECMA All-Star Charity Basketball Game, taking place on Wednesday, May 3rd at 6:00 PM, at the Saint Mary’s University Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness (920 Tower Road, Halifax, NS).
The All-Star Charity Basketball Game is a brand new addition to the exciting list of events coming to Halifax as part of the 2023 East Coast Music Awards: Festival and Conference. This fun, friendly competition will see two teams of musicians, industry professionals, basketball players, and other community members vying for the title of ECMA All-Star Basketball champions while raising money for Hot Cocoa Boys, a local, Halifax-based social enterprise within the Hope Blooms organization.
The Hot Cocoa Boys came together because they wanted to build a basketball court for children in their community and create a seating area with benches and flower gardens for seniors in their community to enjoy. They created this social enterprise during the COVID-19 pandemic and were able to achieve their initial goal successfully; now, 100% of their proceeds go back to their community gardens to fight food insecurity in their neighborhood.
The Hot Cocoa Boys have a new objective: to create a mobile studio in their community that will be used as a teaching piece for youth interested in starting music careers. Proceeds from the sales of their product go towards reaching this goal. Donations will be accepted at the door in support of Hot Cocoa Boys and will also be accepted online here.
Get more information here.
WIJE’WINEN CULTURAL CIRCLE
Wije’winen in Mi’kmaq means ‘come with us.’ This May 3 – 6, the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre (MNFC) is inviting people to join in their daily program in honour of the 2023 East Coast Music Awards.
“We are especially pleased to be able to share, stage and highlight our rich Mi’kmaq culture in the centre of Kjipuktuk as we transform the Grand Parade into the Wije’winen Cultural Circle,” said Pam Glode Desrochers, MNFC Executive Director & ECMA LEC Co-chair. “We applaud the organizers of ECMA 2023 and HRM for providing this incredible opportunity to showcase our community and our people.”
Halifax’s Grand Parade will come alive with various activities and performances running daily from 12 – 4 pm. The program begins on May 3rd with a sunrise ceremony at 9 am followed later by an opening blessing and program kick-off at 12 noon, including special remarks and a performance of the Honour Song.
Get more information here.
DAIRY FARMERS OF CANADA ECMA FAN FEST
To help celebrate a monumental 35th anniversary in style, the East Coast Music Association, in partnership with Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, proudly announces the Dairy Farmers of Canada ECMA Fan Fest!
Happening on Saturday, May 6th, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm, this free, all-ages event will take over Argyle Street in downtown Halifax with live performances by fan-favorite East Coast artists, meet and greet opportunities, activities, and games, and so much more for the entire family to enjoy.
The highlight of this event will undoubtedly be the exciting lineup of artists that will be taking to the stage. ECMA is thrilled to announce that the Dairy Farmers of Canada ECMA Fan Fest will include performances from DeeDee Austin, JRDN, Kellie Loder, and Neon Dreams.
Get more information here.
ECMA CUP – CHARITY HOCKEY GAME
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA), in collaboration with the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, proudly announces the return of the ECMA Cup as part of the 2023 East Coast Music Awards: Festival & Conference.
The ECMA Cup is a charity hockey game raising funds for Sound Minds, a named grant to support Nova Scotia Mental Health. It will be taking place on Saturday, May 6th, from 3:30 – 5:30 PM at the Halifax Forum (2901 Windsor Street, Halifax, NS) as part of the 35th Anniversary ECMA celebrations May 3 – 7, 2023. Attendance is open to all ages and is free to the public. Everyone is welcome!
The ECMA Cup features two teams comprised of musicians, former NHL and professional hockey players, media figures, celebrities, and legends in their own minds facing off in a fun, friendly competition on the ice in support of a very good cause. Fearlessly leading our all-star teams will be esteemed curlers Mark Dacey and Colleen Jones, joining us as celebrity coaches in a game guaranteed to deliver drama and excitement.
Get more information here.
SOCAN SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is excited to officially announce our grand finale for the 2023 East Coast Music Awards: Festival & Conference: The SOCAN Songwriters’ Circle!
Taking place on Sunday, May 7th, 2023, at 2:00 PM in the beautiful Schooner Room at Casino Nova Scotia, this show is an annual tradition that closes the ECMA festival by highlighting a selection of East Coast songwriters whose music and lyrics have made an impact in the industry.
Follow along as hosts O’Sound (NS) and Fortunate Ones (NL) take you on a journey through storytelling and songs. Joining them on stage is a roster of some of Atlantic Canada’s most prolific songwriters: Adam Baldwin (NS), Breagh Isabel (CB), Jason Benoit (NL), Joce Reyome (PEI), Lisa LeBlanc (NB), and Mo Kenney (NS).
Please note that this show is primarily a ticketed event, with a very limited number of seats available on a first-come, first-serve basis to VIP Pass holders. Access to the SOCAN Songwriters’ Circle is not included with a standard Festival Pass or Weekend Warrior wristband.
Tickets are on sale now at $40 plus HST and fees; click here for more information or to purchase yours now.