New producer, new season and 50 + performances this fall by Jann Arden, Diana Krall, Whitehorse and many more make up National Arts Centre 2017 Fall Lineup.

Heather Gibson’s passion for music and her devotion to the thriving Canadian music industry led her, back in September 2016, to take on the exciting role of Executive Producer of NAC Presents & Variety Programming. The NAC Presents series, in partnership with BMO Financial Group, is now extremely proud to unveil Heather’s fall programming of shows taking place from September to December 2017.

“I am proud to announce the first 50 shows of NAC Presents. It is an honour to be able to program such a wide variety of Canadian songwriters in genres ranging from blues to funk, folk to rock,” explains Heather Gibson. “The role of the National Arts Centre is to shine a spotlight on Canada’s stars while also helping to develop our newest and brightest artists.”

Bruce Cockburn

Bruce Cockburn photo credit Kevin Kelly

Amongst the big names gracing the Southam Hall stage are Diana Krall , Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Jesse Cook, Bruce Cockburn, and to celebrate the holidays, Jann Arden. Another beloved Christmas special is back this year by popular demand; the Good Lovelies will be performing their holiday show in the Theatre on November 25. Numerous other concerts will be taking place in the intimate Studio, artists such as Sarah Slean, David Francey, Catherine MacLellan, Gadelle and Shakura S’Aida.

To cater to Francophone music lovers, Xavier Forget, NAC Presents Associate Producer, has once more chosen some of the best and brightest stars from the Francophone music scene, showcasing a vibrant range of talented performers including Kevin Parent, Klô Pelgag and Pierre Kwenders.

Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar perform at RBC Bluesfest photo by Sean Sisk

Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar perform at RBC Bluesfest photo by Sean Sisk

NAC Presents is also pleased to announce a new and exciting initiative called “Fridays at the Fourth”, a weekly concert series which offers casual, fun live music experiences in the revitalized Fourth Stage. Officially opening its doors in October, this space will once again become a prime spot in the city for your favourite performances in a cabaret/bar setting.

Toronto Four Chords Dakota Tavern

Jessica Mitchell at The Dakota Tavern – Photo: Mike Highfield (Click image for high res.)

“With the re-opening of the Fourth Stage, NAC Presents will be showcasing great new Canadian songwriters like never before. We will welcome local and national emerging artists, long time Ottawa favourites, and some of Canada’s most beloved performers,” says Heather.

During Fridays at the Fourth, the Fourth Stage will open early so people can drop in for a drink after work or come early for the show, with the performance starting at 8:30 pm. Fridays at the Fourth will feature emerging artists from across Canada like Kayla Luky and Tomato/Tomato as well as local musicians like Rebecca Noelle and BLAKDENIM. Tickets will be accessible for the cost of $15 or $10 for students.

For the first time, the NAC Presents series is pleased to offer music-lovers the chance to buy a package of concerts. When buying 3 or more shows, ticket buyers will save 10%. Tickets for the new concerts as part of NAC Presents 2017-18 season go on sale Monday, May 15 at 10 a.m.

FALL 2017 LINEUP

BRUCE COCKBURN BLACKIE AND
THE RODEO KINGS JESSE COOK
JANN ARDEN DIANA KRALL

WHITEHORSE GOOD LOVELIES
PIERRE KWENDERS/LA BRONZE SARAH SLEAN
DAVID MYLES CATHERINE MACLELLAN
SHAKURA S’AIDA SALLY FOLK ● KLÔ PELGAG
RHAPSODY QUINTET TOMI SWICK
AND JESSICA MITCHELL NOMADIC MASSIVE GADELLE
KEVIN PARENT DAVID FRANCEY SKYDIGGERS

LUKE NICHOLSON ERIN COSTELO CARACOL BEYRIES KAYLA LUKY PHILIPPE B
WILLIAM PRINCE ANDREA RAMOLO KYRIE KRISTMANSON CATRIONA STURTON TEN
STRINGS AND A GOAT SKIN EMIE R. ROUSSELL TRIO BLAKDENIM OH SUSANNA SARAH MACDOUGALL TOMATO/TOMATO WITH OLD MAN GRANT FORWARD MUSIC GROUP REVUE
HARROW FAIR DYLAN MENZIE WITH AHI SAMANTHA MARTIN AND DELTA SUGAR ISKWÉ
ÉMILE BILODEAU CÉCILE DOO-KINGUÉ TRIO IRISH MYTHEN
PONY GIRL MIGUEL DE ARMAS LEONARD SUMNER
REBECCA NOELLE SAMUELE HER HARBOUR

Southam Hall Theatre Studio Fourth Stage

For a full list of upcoming performances, dates and showtimes visit  the NAC’s website www.nac-cna.ca

ABOUT HEATHER GIBSON

Originally from Manitoba, Heather Gibson built her career in the performing arts in Halifax where she graduated from Dalhousie University. She has done everything from run the Halifax Jazz Festival, to open her own club, to own an artistic management company.

An active volunteer, Ms. Gibson has served as the Chair of the East Coast Music Association, member of the board for CAPACOA (The Canadian Arts Presenting Association), The Khyber Centre for the Arts, and The Western Roots Artistic Directors.

Heather Gibson was the award-winning Executive Director of the Halifax Jazz Festival, and Founder and Artistic Producer of the In the Dead of Winter Music Festival.

ABOUT NAC PRESENTS

NAC Presents thanks title partner BMO Financial Group for their long-standing leadership support of this series. NAC Presents is grateful to the Slaight Family Foundation, whose Slaight Family Fund for Emerging Artists supports performances by emerging artists featured in the NAC Presents 2017–18 season.

NAC Presents would also like to acknowledge its official hotel partner, The Metcalfe Hotel, and the official car of NAC Presents, Mark Motors of Ottawa – Audi.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

  • In person at the Welcome Centre/Satellite Box Office;
  • At all Ticketmaster outlets; • By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS); and
  • Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website www.nac-cna.ca).

*A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster.

NAC Presents Fall 2017 Poster