Performer's Café
Open Mic Night at The HIVE
September 26th - 7PM
Headliner: Eli
My name is Eli (Ventzek), I was born in Meadow Lake SK, but moved to MJ at 3 and grew up here. When I got to highschool, I was introduced to lots of music and was inspired by some bands from all over the spectrum, from Metallica, rhcp, Weezer (lol), to sublime. My mom gave me my first guitar when I was 14. From the beginning, with no skill I sat for hours teaching myself one of the hardest metallica (fade to black). For most of my life guitar was just a hobby, but last year I tried busking for the first time and it really changed my life. Now I've been playing 8-10 hours a day, every day since, and I'm aiming for the big stage!
October 30 - 7PM
Headliner: TBA
November 28 - 7PM
Headliner: éemi
éemi (pronounced emmy) is a bilingual singer-songwriter from Saskatchewan. The Fransaskoise musician sets herself apart with her rich and powerful voice, minimalist lyricism and electro-folk tone. Her lyrics, though poetic and dark, play in contrast with her sense of humour on stage.
éemi released her first EP ‘Honey’ in April 2020 with her solo project, and is now working on her new duo project Beau Nectar with Franco-Ontarian artist Marie-Clo. She's had a whirlwind couple years, doing residencies at the National Arts Centre, the Banff Arts Centre, 3 cross-Canada tours spanning the Yukon, Nunavut and all provinces in between, they won 4 Trille Or awards (EP, Pop Album, Discovery, Best Song) and were featured on CBC Searchlight’s Top 100. They signed with Montreal label Indica Records in January 2023 and released their first album Two Lips on June 2nd 2023, produced by Jace Lasek (who produced Besnard Lakes, Wolf Parade, Patrick Watson etc.) .
Though éemi is focusing on Beau Nectar, she still loves to perform intimate solo concerts and collaborate with other artists when she can!
The Performers Café has been running for a number of years and is a free open mic at a local café in Moose Jaw for emerging and established artists. We feature ‘headliners’ who are intended to serve as mentors for aspiring musicians, writers, storytellers, etc.
The Performers Café provides local artists with a venue to showcase their talents while also allowing new artists to gain experience performing in front of an audience, and an opportunity to network with one another. It is a non-judgemental forum with the goal of encouraging the expression of creativity with no barriers due to age, gender, race, religion, artistic discipline, or sexual orientation.
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If you would like to be considered to be a headliner for the next season, please send an example of your work to performerscafe@festivalofwords.com.