For everyone who was looking forward to celebrating the New Brunswick Day weekend at Area 506 in Saint John, you now have the opportunity to enjoy the festival from anywhere. The festival’s organizers announced today that they’ll be going online this year.
“COVID-19 may have changed how we gather and celebrate New Brunswick Day this year, but it will not stop us from showing and sharing our love of our province,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “In the past few months, across the province, New Brunswickers have shown resilience and unity for a common cause. It was important for the provincial government to find a creative way to celebrate our people and honour our history and cultures.”
Not only will the festival showcase the diversity of New Brunswick’s music industry, showcasing performances from ironic locations from around the province, Area 506 will also be incorporating video of performances from past years. Hello, July Talk!
“We have always been focused on bringing to the fore the music, culture and goods that make New Brunswick such an amazing place to live, work, and create,” said Ray Gracewood, Area 506 chair. “This year, we obviously had to change our plans due to COVID-19, but we still wanted to find a way to celebrate and show our New Brunswick pride. This event is a great way to support our amazing artists in the province at a time when live shows are few and far between. It is a way to be together, yet apart – at home or at a cottage with friends and family. We are so pleased to partner with the province to be able to present this show.”
Area 506 will have announced a few well-known New Brunswick acts but organizers say there will a few more surprises to come.
The current line-up includes Chloé Breault, Sacred Wolf Singers, Jamie Comeau & the Crooked Teeth, Bleum, The Hypochondriacs, Les Hay Babies and David Myles.
The New Brunswick Day online show can be viewed Monday, Aug. 3, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the Area 506 YouTube, Facebook and at AREA506.ca.