Departure Fest Officially Launched, What to Check Out on Day 1
Day 1 of the inaugural Departure Fest is officially underway! Today, don’t miss sessions with legendary artists Justin Bua and Danny Hastings (and mark your calendar to see a pop-up exhibit of their art at Taglialatella Galleries in Yorkville today and tomorrow!); a TikTok For Songwriters event in New Fort Hall with Gabriella Bee and Jessia; sessions with Bryan Adams, Lindsay Ell and Julie Adam, Shaggy, Grace VanderWaal, Omar Al-joulani, and the first SOCAN Songwriters Series event: a Songwriter Masterclass with Chantal Kreviazuk. Plus, a special screening of Pavements the latest film from director Alex Ross Perry who will be in attendance at 7:00 PM in the Cinema (Ground Level), and so much more.
Opening Presentation: Welcome to Departure | 8:30 AM
Victory Ballroom
Speakers: Kevin Barton (Executive Producer, Departure), Randy Lennox (CEO, LOFT Entertainment), Marina Adam (Director, Ontario Music Office, Ontario Creates)
Bryan Adams: A Legacy in Song | 11:30 AM
Victory Ballroom
Speaker: Bryan Adams (musician)
Moderators: Josie Dye & Jamar McNeil (Radio hosts/media personalities. CHUM 104.5)
Shaggy Unfiltered: Music, Legacy & Reinvention | 12:30 PM
Princes Gate Ballroom
Speakers: Shaggy (musician), Spexdaboss (Canada’s Reggae Ambassador)
Grace VanderWaal: From Spotlight to Stardom | 1:00 PM
Victory Ballroom
Speaker: Grace VanderWaal (musician)
Moderator: Bee Ramesh (Marketing Manager, Director & Artist)
SOCAN Presents: Songwriter Masterclass with Chantal Kreviazuk | 4:00 PM
Victory Ballroom
Speaker: Chantal Kreviazuk (singer-songwriter)
Moderator: Cameron Kennedy (Vice President Creative and Member Relations, SOCAN)
Pavements (Film Screening + Q&A) | 7:00 PM
Cinema
Guest: Alex Ross Perry (Director)
