Just five days ago, the East Coast Music Association (ECMA), announced that, with the news that Nova Scotia would be fighting up travel restrictions, it would be necessary for their annual festival and conference to move from a live event in Sydney, Nova Scotia to a digital format. It didn’t take long, however, before realizing that the logistics of that pivot might prove to be more challenging than first anticipated.
This afternoon the East Coast Music Association announced that they’ll be pushing back their virtual celebration by five weeks, moving from May 5-9 to June 9-13, 2021. The new timeframe is intended to allow for many of the scheduled performers to create and submit new digital showcases in time for the broadcast.
The new date for the 2021 East Coast Music Awards presentation is Thursday, June 10, and the presentation of the Virtual Music & Industry Awards has been moved to Sunday, June 13. Both award shows will be streamed online via the ECMA’s Facebook and Youtube channels.
“We want to thank each and every artist and industry professional, as well as our staff, contractors, and partners, who continue to adapt to each change with positivity and perseverance,” said ECMA CEO, Andy McLean. “We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our world-class regional talent and honouring the winners of the 2021 East Coast Music & Industry Awards in June.”
“The ECMA has once again shown the kind of leadership that has made our music industry the toast of Canada and the world,” said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister, Suzanne Lohnes-Croft. “I look forward to hearing our fine musicians perform in June, as do all Nova Scotians. Their songs and music make our culture come alive and enrich our souls.”
The ECMA note that there will still be mentorship and educational opportunities filling out the weeks leading up to the new conference dates, and that registered participants for the 2021 conference will not have to re-register for the new dates.
Further announcements regarding the June 9 – 13, 2021 East Coast Music Awards: Festival and Conference will be unveiled over the next couple of weeks.