Sappyfest 20! First Line-up Announcement!

Sappyfest returns to beautiful downtown Sackville NB on August 1-3, 2025 for the 20th annual festival of music, art, poetry, performance, and other forms of open-hearted expression! Artist-led and grounded in community we have traversed the years, together, still amazed by the magic and possibilities generated by participation and mutual creativity. Yes! This summer we are celebrating 20 years of an always improbable, never yet impossible, reunion and rendezvous: a shared act of dreaming ever anew!

Today we are announcing the first line-up of artists and performers taking part in Sappyfest 20: world-renowned musicians, award-winning artists, thrilling performers, amazing artists, beautiful thinkers, readers and makers. Thank you for being here with us!

Sappyfest 20
August 1-3, 2025 // Sackville, NB 

Lido Pimienta // Mama’s Broke // Alan Syliboy and The Thundermakers
Thanya Iyer // Mas Aya // Niko Stratis // North Barn Theatre // Bry Webb 
+ many more to come!

Her performance at Sappy in 2017 is legendary, her specially created performance film “Miss Colombia Medley”, projected 44 meters tall on the side of the Cube, was part of our 2020 presentation - we are absolutely thrilled to announce the return of singer, composer, producer, multidisciplinary visual artist, art critic, and curator Lido Pimienta!
 
Having spent most of the last decade in a state of near constant touring, connecting grassroots DIY communities and challenging borders between people, places, and traditions, this will be a first ever Sappyfest appearance by the deeply committed and highly celebrated folk duo Mama’s Broke! Years in the making, we couldn’t be happier to have them join us for Sappy 20!

Alan Syliboy, born and raised in Truro and living at Millbrook First Nation, looks to the Indigenous Mi’kmaq petroglyph (stone etchings) tradition for inspiration, and develops his own artistic vocabulary out of those forms. Calling upon other musicians and dancers to enhance his live performances he formed Alan Syliboy and The Thundermakers; this summer they’ll grace the Sappy stage with their award-winning Indigenous Rock and Spoken Word!

Sparkling, experimental, and enigmatic, songwriter Thanya Iyer and her collaborators Pompey, Emilie Kahn, and Daniel Gélinas craft serene, spiritual compositions, navigating rhythms of communal identity, healing, and loving within a dissonant world. Embracing mindfulness, aesthetic beauty, and the interconnectedness of all things – welcome to Sappy!
 
Mas Aya is the pseudonym of acclaimed Nicaraguan-Canadian composer, producer, and musician Brandon Miguel Valdivia. Prolific and highly respected for his contributions to the groups Not The Wind, Not The Flag, Picastro, The Cosmic Range, I Have Eaten The City, and alongside Lido Pimienta, Brandon has also been heard in collaboration with Laraaji, Bomba Estéreo, Tanya Tagaq, Sook-Yin Lee, U.S. Girls, Aidan Baker, Anthony Braxton, Michael Snow, John Oswald, and as remixer for Run The Jewels. Mas Aya’s unique and restless sonics have been celebrated by Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, the New York Times, and NPR and are guaranteed to be a Sappy favourite!

Niko Stratis is a culture writer based in Toronto, Ontario by way of the Yukon where she spent close to two decades working as a journeyman glazier before coming out as a trans woman in her late 30s and being forced to abandon her previous line of work. A long-time friend of Sappy, Niko provides a unique voice in cultural spaces seeking to work through lifelong traumas and emotional highs and lows through her work. Her reading at Sappyfest 20 will be a can’t miss event!  
 
North Barn Theatre create playful community activations and poetic puppet shows that aim to provoke thought around critical social and ecological issues. Founders Ian McFarlane and Laura Stinson are theatre makers, scenographers and puppeteers who have worked internationally across the United States, Canada and Europe with companies such as Bread and Puppet Theater, the Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry and The River Clyde Pageant. Expect magic and surprise at Sappyfest 20!

After an unfortunate last minute cancellation last summer we are happy to announce the return of singer-songwriter Bry Webb for Sappy 20! Renowned for his 3 solo albums and his work with the Constantines, Bry performs dynamic garage-folk, tender ballads, and deep story-telling. Welcome back!
 
More info about all these artists, and links to explore their work can be found on artist page. Please explore! And please stay in touch in the coming weeks as we announce more artists and special projects!

NEW DATE! SAPPYFEST AGM - MAY 6, 2025

SappyFest Inc. would like to invite its membership and those interested in becoming members to the 2025 Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:00pm ADT. To RSVP and receive the Google Meet login information please email producer@sappyfest.com ahead of the meeting.

This is an open meeting with presentations from staff and board members on the organization's activities, financials, as well as elections to the SappyFest Board of Directors. Voting in elections to the SappyFest Board of Directors requires a $30 voting membership, e-transfers accepted.

The agenda, last year's minutes, current bylaws and the agenda, are available by request.

Key agenda items will include:

-- Elections to the SappyFest Board of Directors (2 year term).

-- Approval of 2024 Financial statements.

-- President of the Board of Directors statement.

-- Questions from the floor.

Thank you for your interest and participation as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary!

EARLY BIRD SEASON!

It’s Early Bird Season! The robins have returned to Sackville and are running wild and hungry in the streets, reminding us that under this frozen layer of snow and ice summer is waiting! It seems impossible! But then this always has seemed impossible, this gathering of musicians and artists and community, here, in this place, year after year - for 2 decades!

So in the spirit of early arrival and dreaming ahead, Sappyfest 20 weekend passes are on sale now at a special “limited time only” discounted price! If you’re looking forward to your 20th Sappyfest, your first in many years, or your first ever visit, we hope you’ll join us on this special anniversary year.

Get your Sappyfest Early Bird tickets now!

Early Bird Season runs until March 21 and will culminate with a dance party at the Sackville Legion. Everyone is invited! More details coming soon!

Job Posting: Head of Operations

Sappyfest owes an immense amount of gratitude to outgoing Creative Director Andrea Vincent. During Andrea’s tenure, we saw incredibly exciting music, art, and events that brought enthusiastic audiences to the festival in a deeply challenging post-lockdown era. Sappy will be forever grateful for her vision and leadership, and we wish her the best in her next endeavours. 

Sappyfest is in the process of restructuring, and for the 2025 festival we’re looking for a Head of Operations to work collaboratively with our volunteer Board of Directors and Programming Committee, who will work together to craft the curatorial vision for the festival

Thank you for the consideration; we hope to hear from you.
 
Position: Head of Operations  
Location: Sackville, New Brunswick  
Job Type: Contract       
Term length and hours: 35 weeks - 1000 hours*
Compensation: $25.00/hour - total contract $25,000 + 4% vacation pay
Reports to: Sappyfest Board of Directors
*Weekly hours will vary over the course of the contract. Some evening and weekend work will be required. A greater number of hours will be required in the lead up to and during Sappyfest - August 1-3, 2025.
Start Date: February 3, 2024 

End Date: October 3, 2024

Application Period: December 4 - December 20, 2024                     
 
About SappyFest

Sappyfest Inc. is a non-profit organization led by a volunteer Board of Directors. We promote the growth of arts and culture in Sackville, NB and Atlantic Canada on a year round basis, with a focus on the presentation of Sappyfest, an annual, three-day music and arts festival. Over nearly two decades, the festival has built and fostered a community to experience music, art, and conversations, and created an environment that encourages real and ongoing connections between artists and audience.

We're looking for an experienced and dedicated Head of Operations to join our team and help steer the festival towards continued success and sustainability.
     
Role Summary

The Head of Operations will work closely with the SappyFest Board of Directors, and affiliated committees, to oversee the operational and logistical aspects of the festival. This position will ensure that the festival runs smoothly, efficiently, and within budget while maintaining the high standard of excellence that SappyFest is known for. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in event and/or project management, logistics, and team leadership, with a passion for delivering exceptional festival experiences.

It is optimal for the Head of Operations to be located in Sackville, NB for the duration of the contract. Sappyfest will arrange to have an office from May to August with expectation of weekday office hours and public accessibility.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direction and support of Sappyfest’s volunteer Board of Directors, the Head of Operations will provide:

●      Operational Oversight:
- Develop, refine, and implement operational processes and workflows for the festival, ensuring all logistical elements are well-coordinated and executed.

●      Team Leadership:
- Hire, supervise and provide workplace mentorship to contractual employees.
- Oversee the recruitment, training, and management of festival volunteers.

●      Budget & Financial Oversight:
- In collaboration with the Sappyfest Treasurer, manage operational budgets and ensure that financial targets are met.

●      Event Logistics:
- Oversee the setup and teardown of festival infrastructure, including stages, sound systems, food vendors, and other festival elements.
- Work closely with the Programming Committee and artists to ensure seamless coordination in providing accommodations, transportation, venues and equipment.
- Coordinate with external partners such as security personnel and first-aid teams.
- Track expenses, negotiate contracts, and ensure cost effective solutions.
- Oversee communications with audiences through website and social media, with contractual employees and Communications Committee.   

●      Stakeholder & Community Engagement:
- Maintain relationships with vendors, venues, community groups, and partners.

●      Risk Management & Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, securing permits, and coordinating with local authorities.
- Maintain a risk management plan to handle potential emergencies.

●      Reporting & Evaluation:
- Attend and participate in regular meetings with the Board of Directors by providing progress reports and participate in other discussion/committee meetings.
- Prepare post-event reports evaluating the operational success of the festival.

●      Fundraising, Sponsorship, & Grants:
- Work with the Board to identify and pursue sponsorship opportunities.             
- Oversee applying and reporting for grants, together with the Grants Committee.


Qualifications

●      Proven experience in event management, preferably arts or community events.
●      Strong leadership and team management skills.
●      Ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team of staff and volunteers.
●      Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking abilities.
●      Experience in budget management and financial oversight.
●      Knowledge of local health, safety, and permitting regulations.
●      Ability to handle high-pressure situations and solve problems creatively.
●      Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
●      Familiarity with the Sackville community and a passion for supporting local arts.

Additional Assets

● Valid driver's license
● Familiarity with Squarespace and social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
     
How to Apply
Please send your resume and a cover letter to sappyfestboard@gmail.com by December 20, 2024.

Sappyfest is committed to an equitable hiring process and strongly encourages applicants who self-identify as being part of underrepresented groups or as having additional barriers to entering or staying in the labour market.

Please contact us with any questions you may have, and let us know if there are accessibility accommodations you may require in the application and interview process.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Summer dreaming

Can you locate yourself? Do you remember what it felt like to stand in the dark and heat of the summer and let music wash over you, surrounded by your friends or reaching for your crush’s hand? We remember. Even though summer has ended it will arrive again, and with it: SappyFest 20, August 1-3, 2025. Prepare your hearts!! 💘

All sweet photos by the equally sweet @paulatwoodphoto 🖤

WELCOME HOME

Musicians have started descending on a small town in New Brunswick. The street is about to close. Friends of friends are looking for spare rooms. The tent is going up. The reunions feel so nice. The person you didn't know was coming, is here. There are shorebirds in the waterfowl park. The check one-twos drift on the marshwinds. The dancing never felt this good. That dummy looks surprisingly familiar. The ocean is warm, the lake is even warmer. The tent is alive, the hearts are even fuller. Sappyfest is nigh. We can't wait to see you.

Start planning your weekend by checking out the full schedule, it's going to be a jam-packed, jelly-packed, marmalade-packed good time! 

If you already got your pass, you'll get your wristbands at the box office kiosk on-site. If you're the last-minute-type:  grab your day and weekend passes now! 

Watch instagram for up-to-the minute news, updates and highlights!

Check out Schedule here!

Check out the Line up here!

Grab your Tickets here!

List of Accomodations to Plan your Stay

SCHEDULE SNAPSHOT

Please check the full schedule for details.
All venues outside of the Bridge Street Stage are subject to capacity limits, if there's something you really want to see, get there early! 

FRIDAY

BRIDGE STREET STAGE
6:45 pm - 12:00 am
The Drama Queenz + Kids Corner Power Jam, Absolute Losers,
Puberty Well, Sick Puppy, Slash Need

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
12:00 am-1:45 am
Sappy Karaoke

SATURDAY

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
11:00 am - 4:00 pm Sappy Zine & Craft Fair

SACKVILLE COMMONS
11:30 am New Suns Collective movement & sound performance (masks required)

BRIDGE STREET STAGE (DAY)
1:30 pm - 4:15 pm
Klarka Weinwurm, Bry Webb, All Wild Things Are Shy

MOUNT ALLISON UNIVERSITY CHAPEL
5:30 pm-7:05 pm
Rita McKeough+Felt Noise, Lee Ranaldo

BRIDGE STREET STAGE (NIGHT)
8:15 pm - 12:00 am
General Khan, The Umbrella Collective, Dog Day, Annie-Claude Deschênes

DUCKY’S PUB
12:15 am-1:45 am
ASKO, PAPAL VISIT

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
12:15 am-1:45 am
Nectar Collective: Queer DJ collective from Kjipuktuk (Halifax)

SUNDAY

SACKVILLE COMMONS
11:00 am Rita McKeough Artist Talk

BILL JOHNSTONE MEMORIAL PARK BANDSTAND
11:00 am Pete Moss Children’s Concert

BRIDGE STREET STAGE (DAY)
1:00 pm - 4:20 pm
Universal Dawn Reading Series, Blue Horse and more

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
5:30 pm-6:40 pm
An evening with expert storyteller and funny man canada.gov.ca

BRIDGE STREET STAGE (NIGHT)
8:15 pm - 12:00 am
Francine McClure, Jon McKiel, Nicolette & The Nobodies, Saltwater Hank

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
12:00 am-1:45am
Sappy Closing Party with Chillteens!

Start making plans and grab your day and weekend passes now!

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT!

Kicking off the festival is a young person power hour.  The Drama Queenz premiering the tween dream musical theatre masterpiece Chips: The Musical (is it Off-Broadway or is it On-Bridge?).  If you were hoping to sing along, you're in luck because the album just dropped on bandcamp! They will be followed by epic supergroup Turtle Magic, created in the rocking recesses of Sappy day camp Kids Corner Power Jam.

Pete Moss, Ontario's preeminent kids performer will be performing a FREE children's concert on Sunday at 11am in the Bill Johnstone Memorial Park bandstand. Bring your kid friends, your friend's kids and your friendly pets, why not!

Youth and Children are permitted at the Bridge Street Tent (the main festival grounds) and other satellite venues (excluding bars) but must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who has purchased a pass.

ARTS FOR ALL

Please check the full schedule for details. 
All venues outside of the Bridge Street Stage are subject to capacity limits, if there's something you really want to see, get there early! 

ALL WEEKEND LONG

WEave, a large-scale participatory weaving installation takes over the Struts Parking Lot at 7 Lorne Street.

Sappyfest for Dummies consists of community-made life-sized self-portrait body doubles installed in a tucked-away theatre.
Mount Allison Library 3rd floor Library Theatre, 49 York St. 
12 pm - 4 pm

It’s Giving by Lisa Smolkin is a screening and performance that examines and satirizes contemporary wellness culture. 
Film Screening ongoing throughout Sappyfest weekend
Performances: Saturday 12:30 – 1:15 / Sunday 4:30 – 5:15 pm
Struts Gallery, back gallery

FRIDAY

STRUTS BBQ
12:00 pm Cheap eats and check out the exhibitions! 

SAPPYFEST FOR DUMMIES
1 pm - 4 pm Opening Reception
Mount Allison Library 3rd floor Library Theatre, 49 York St. 

SATURDAY

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
11:00 am - 4:00 pm Sappy Zine & Craft Fair

SACKVILLE COMMONS
11:30 am New Suns Collective movement & sound performance (masks required)

STRUTS GALLERY
12:30 pm It’s Giving by Lisa Smolkin

MOUNT ALLISON UNIVERSITY CHAPEL
5:30 pm-7:00 pm Rita McKeough+Felt Noise, Lee Ranaldo

SUNDAY

SACKVILLE COMMONS
11:00 am Rita McKeough + Julia Rigby (Felt Noise) Artist Talk

BRIDGE STREET STAGE
1:00 pm Universal Dawn Reading Series

STRUTS GALLERY
4:30 pm It’s Giving by Lisa Smolkin

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
5:30 pm-6:40 pm Expert storyteller canada.gov.ca

Artwork by Deirdre Sokolowska

We need last-minute volunteers! Earn free tickets and make new friends!

Volunteers are the heart of Sappyfest. Sure, you might have waited 'til the final hour to decide you're coming, or you might already have a ticket but want to be part of the team. No problem! Let's collectively make sure everyone from audiences to artists are happy, comfortable, fed, and having fun.

Sign me up to Volunteer!

SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS
 

We'd like to thank our community partners and sponsors Struts Gallery ,  Bagtown Brewing, Ducky's Bar, Victory Pool, Mount Allison University, Community Forests International, CHMA 106.9 FM, Libra Non-Alcoholic Beer, International, 4imprint, Exclaim! and Sackville Cinemateque, Sackville United Church  for their financial, technical, and emotional support! We couldn't do this without you!

In addition we would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts, The Department of Canadian Heritage, The Government of Canada,  The Government of New Brunswick, Arts New Brunswick and the Town of Tantramar for their support of Sappyfest 19.

Special Projects Highlights + Full Schedule

Sappyfest is more than a music festival! Read below about the full slate of special projects rising from the magic of the swamp: art, performance, installation, poetry, dance and storytelling will delight and dazzle Sappy festival-goers of all ages!

Art-lovers will want to make sure they check out performance duo New Suns Collective who create a conversation through improvised violin and movement; the experimental organ performance by Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo; AND you won't want to miss tween musical theatre sensations The Drama Queenz kicking off the festival with their new hit CHIPS: The Musical.

*You heard it here first* new additions to the music line-up include Wares' Cassia Hardy performing solo, and Fredericton's Chillteens. 

For all of this and MORE explore the full lineup, schedule + grab your passes today!

Photo Credit: OSO

Struts Gallery x Sappyfest

Struts Gallery is co-presenting several exciting Sappy art projects this year! 

WEave, a large-scale participatory weaving installation by Halifax design studio OSO will take over the Struts Parking Lot. 

Sappyfest for Dummies consists of community-made life-sized self-portrait body doubles installed in the Mt Allison Library Theatre. Facilitated by superhero artist team Shary Boyle, Steven Lambke, and Graeme Patterson. 

It’s Giving by Toronto-based performance artist Lisa Smolkin is a screening and performance that examines and satirizes contemporary wellness culture. 

Mellow Yellow Bench is an interactive sculpture by Sackville-based artist Alex Keeling which will be floating around town, you can't miss it!

More information can be found on the Struts Gallery website! 

Photo Credit: Canada.gov.ca

Storytelling Stands Out at Sappy 19

Canada.gov.ca is coming to Sackville for the first time ever!? Don't miss your chance to see John Batt, the infamous and hilarious New Brunswick-born internet sensation, bring the more obscure side of Canadian history and culture to life.  Sunday August 4th, Royal Canadian Legion, 5:30PM

Universal Dawn is an annual showcase of writers that offer their gifts to the Bridge Street Stage. Prepare to be transported to fantastical planes by Colleen Coco Collins, Phoebe Marmura, Erin Brubacher, and Sue Goyette: poet-writers-artists-performers that weave fascinating webs of words. Sunday August 4th, Bridge Street Stage, 1PM

Start making plans and grab your day and weekend passes now!

Photo Credit: Amber Helene Müller St. Thomas

Artist-in-Residence Rita McKeough

Sappyfest is excited to bring back our Artist-in-Residence program with illustrious performance artist Rita McKeough! 

Rita McKeough is an installation artist and musician whose work focuses on the environmental impacts of resource extraction and demonstrates her desire to use sound to create a rhythmic voice of agency to articulate forces of resistance in the natural world. 

Artist Talk:
Sunday August 4th, 11AM
Sackville Commons

Rita's performance Felt Noise is a site-specific multimedia collaboration with artist-musicians Julia Rigby, Alec Brilling and Ursula Sokół. Felt Noise asks questions about empathy and interspecies relationships, navigating systems, and reconnections.
 

Felt Noise Performance:
Saturday August 3rd, 5PM
Mount Allison Chapel

The Artist-in-Residence program is generously supported by the New Brunswick Arts Board. 

Umbrella Collective play Saturday night on the Bridge Street Stage

The Full Schedule is Here! Get your Passes now!

Join us for three days of live music, performance art, readings, installations, artist talks, screenings plus the legendary Sappy karaoke, our Zine & Craft Fair and Sappy Street Market, Kids Corner Power Jam, and so much more!
 

Check out the schedule and visit our lineup page to learn more about these special artists.

Start making plans and grab your day and weekend passes now!

Check out Schedule here!

Check out the Line up here!

Grab your Tickets here!

List of Accomodations to Plan your Stay

REMINDER: Dance Party!

We hope you enjoyed the Very Amateur Comedy Night and Trivia! Come to Ducky's on Friday to dance the night away AND support the festival at the same time!

SAPPY SAPPY DANCE PARTY
Date: Friday July 26 at 8PM
Location: Ducky's Bar
Cover: $2 (or $3 debit)

Make new friends! Reunite with old ones! Earn free tix!

Volunteers and Billet hosts are the heart of Sappyfest.  You are the reason things run smoothly and that everyone from audiences to artists are happy, comfortable, fed, and having fun! 

Call for Volunteers

Volunteers are needed for a variety of crews, including bar, box office, band food, doors, merchandise, stage support, recycling, transportation, site set-up, band food, the safety squad,  and more.  Youth volunteers are welcome with a signed permission form. 

Working one volunteer shift gets you a day pass for the day you work, and three shifts entitles you to a full festival pass!

Sign me up to Volunteer!

Call for Billets

We are looking for Billets hosts who can provide clean, comfortable, and safe accommodations for our visiting artists.  Each year, we depend on the generosity of Sackville residents who kindly open their homes. We billet artists according to their needs and the needs of the host, ensuring appropriate matches. 

Billet hosts receive a full weekend pass!

Sign me up to Billet!

SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

We'd like to thank our community partners and sponsors Struts Gallery ,  Bagtown Brewing, Ducky's Bar, Victory Pool, Mount Allison University, CHMA 106.9 FM, Community Forests International, 4imprint, Exclaim! and Sackville Cinemateque, Sackville United Church  for their financial, technical, and emotional support! We couldn't do this without you!

If you would like to get involved as a Sappyfest sponsor, please contact us at productionassistant@sappyfest.com

In addition we would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts, The Department of Canadian Heritage, The Government of Canada,  The New Brunswick Arts Board, The Government of New Brunswick and Town of Tantramar for their support of Sappyfest 19.

The Schedule is Here! Day Passes are on Sale!

 

The schedule is LIVE for Sappyfest 19, featuring three days of live music, performance art, readings, installations, and artist talks, plus the legendary Sappy karaoke, Zine & Craft Fair and Universal Dawn Reading Series. Sappyfest is also excited to unveil more additions to the lineup including acclaimed poet Sue Goyette, ASKO - electronic music that echoes nêhiyaw life and ways of living, and Pop-Up Dark Room spearheaded by photographers Natalie Baird and Jonny Lush.

These exciting additions join previously-announced acts from Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo to All Wild Things Are Shy - a super group with super special guests performing the last album written by Richard Laviolette, musician, songwriter and dear Sappy friend who passed away in 2023.
 

Check out the schedule and visit our lineup page to learn more about these special artists.

Start making plans and grab your day or full weekend passes now!

Watch for weekly newsletters + updates as we get closer to Sappyfest19
 

Check out the Schedule here!

Check out the Line up here!

Grab your Tickets here!

List of Accomodations to Plan your Stay

Photo Credit: Rita McKeough

Art Happenings Abound!

Sappyfest is indeed a music festival, but it is also an adventure in experimentation and art-making. Renowned performance artist Rita McKeough is Sappyfest's Artist-in-Residence! On Saturday August 2nd in the Mount Allison Chapel, Rita will be joined live by Californian sound artist Julia Rigby for their project Felt Noise - an experimental collaboration that asks questions about empathy and interspecies relationships. Rita will also be giving an artist talk, check the schedule for details.

There is still time to participate in Sappyfest for Dummies, facilitated by artists Shary Boyle, Steven Lambke and Graeme Patterson. This community craft project consists of making a life-sized seated dummy of YOURSELF or a friend to be exhibited at the Mount Allison Library Theatre during Sappyfest! All dummies must be received by August 1st. 

Check out the schedule and start making plans! Grab your day and weekend passes now!

Grab your Tickets here!

Reminder: A Very Amateur Comedy Night
This Friday! July 19, 2024

Doors at 7:30pm, Show at 8pm
$15 Cover
 

Back by popular demand! Come support Sappyfest! Grab a beverage with your friends and neighbours while watching a choice group of them test out their comedic chops for the first time!
 

Hosted by the ever-charming Klarka Weinwurm and Geordie Miller, A Very Amateur Comedy Night features local first time stand up comedians (and brave souls!)

Watch for more special programming leading up to the Festival!

Trivia! Dance Party! Come out and Support Sappyfest!

We have lots of fun things planned in the weeks leading up to  the Festival. Come gather as a community and support the festival at the same time!

SAPPYFEST TRIVIA NIGHT
Wednesday July 24
Bagtown Brewery
Doors at 5pm, Trivia at 7pm
$15 cover

Be your best know-it-all self and impress us with your Sappy-deep-cuts.

SAPPYFEST DANCE PARTY
Date: Friday July 26
Ducky's Bar
8pm
$2 cash or $3 debit cover

Show off your moves and dance the night away while supporting Sappyfest!

Make new friends! Reunite with old ones! Earn free tickets!

Volunteers and Billet hosts are the heart of Sappyfest.  You are the reason things run smoothly and that everyone from audiences to artists are happy, comfortable, fed, and having fun! 

Call for Volunteers

Volunteers are needed for a variety of crews, including bar, box office, band food, doors, merchandise, stage support, recycling, transportation, site set-up, band food, the safety squad, and more. Youth volunteers are welcome with a signed permission form. For more information and to register, click the button below!

Working one volunteer shift gets you a day pass for the day you work, and three shifts entitles you to a full festival pass! 

Sign me up to Volunteer!

Call for Billets

We are looking for Billets who can provide clean, comfortable, and safe accommodations for our visiting artists. Hosting an artist not only supports the festival but also offers a unique opportunity to connect with creative individuals and be a part of their festival experience. Each year, we depend on the generosity of Sackville residents who kindly open their homes. We billet artists according to their needs and the needs of the host, ensuring appropriate matches. For more information and to register, click the button below!

Billet hosts receive a full weekend pass!

Sign me up to Billet!

Call for Vendors!

We are excited to invite vendors to participate in Sappyfest 19 this August 2nd-4th, 2024. The Sappy Street Market is an essential component of the festival experience. It provides an opportunity for festival goers, residents and visitors alike to check out regional food, craft, and products in the heart of our festival grounds on Bridge Street. 

If you're interested in selling food or other goods at Sappyfest, please find rates, details, and a registration form on our vendor page here: sappyfest.com/vendors

Link to Vendor Info Page + Registration Form

SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

We'd like to thank our community partners and sponsors Struts Gallery ,  Bagtown Brewing, Ducky's Bar, Victory Pool, Mount Allison University, CHMA 106.9 FM, Community Forests International, 4imprint, Exclaim! and Sackville Cinemateque, Sackville United Church  for their financial, technical, and emotional support! We couldn't do this without you!

If you would like to get involved as a Sappyfest sponsor, please contact us at productionassistant@sappyfest.com

In addition we would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts, The Department of Canadian Heritage, The Government of Canada,  The Government of New Brunswick and and Town of Tantramar for their support of Sappyfest 19.

SAPPYFEST 19 ADDS LEE RANALDO

Sappyfest is excited to announce that Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth is joining the lineup!

Musician, visual artist, and writer, Lee Ranaldo co-founded Sonic Youth in 1981 and has been active in New York’s downtown community and internationally since then as composer, performer and producer, also exhibiting visual art and publishing several books of journals, poetry and writings on music.

A true pioneer of sound exploration and pushing sonic boundaries with his experimental approach, on Saturday, August 3rd Lee will treat Sappy audiences to an intimate performance, with accompanying visuals by Leah Singer, in the Mount Allison University Chapel—utilizing their massive custom-built Casavant Fréres pipe organ. You won’t want to miss this rare performance!

Don’t have your Sappyfest tickets yet? Grab them here: sappyfest.com/tickets

Photo: Allex Rademakers

The Sappyfest 19 Lineup!

The Sappyfest 19 Lineup has arrived! Three days of live music, performance art, readings, artist talks, screenings, workshops plus the legendary Sappy karaoke, our Zine & Craft Fair and Sappy Street Market, Kids Corner Power Jam, everyone’s favourite Pancake breakfast from our friends at The Sackville United Church, the return of our Artist in Residence program,  and so much more!! 

Visit our lineup page to learn more about these special artists and grab your weekend pass here! Full schedule and individual day passess will be available soon + more exciting things are still to come!

Thank you to our funders: Canada Council for the Arts, The Government of Canada, Tourism New Brunswick,  the New Brunswick Arts Board/ le Conseil des arts du Nouveau-Brunswick. 

Don’t forget! We’re looking for billet hosts, volunteers, and vendors! Follow the links or find us at the Sackville Farmers Market every second Saturday (next date June 22nd). 

Artwork by Deirdre Sokolowska.

Image Description: This is a colorful illustrated poster for Sappyfest 19. It features a whimsical drawing of a joyful, stylized person holding a large bouquet of densely packed flowers displaying a variety of species and colors such as reds, yellows, and blues set on a powder blue background. The character has a child-like appearance, with rosy cheeks, and is wearing a vibrant red dress with frilled edges, pink socks, and red shoes.

The character is also adorned with a head wreath made of flowers and green leaves.To the left, above the figure's head, there is a small blue bird in flight, and to the right is a large, lit candle with dripping wax. Next to the character on the right is a muted gray almost cloud like shape that contains event details written in white. 

A large pink banner with the text "SAPPYFEST 19 Sackville, NB August 2-4, 2024" in red is featured in the top right corner.  The bottom section of the image features stylized dripping candles with faces that are reminiscent of Classical Greek-style stone busts and below that, a list of artists. 

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND BILLET HOSTS!

Volunteers and Billet hosts are the heart of Sappyfest. You are the reason things run smoothly and that audiences, artists, and crew are happy, comfortable, fed, and having fun!

Whether you are interested in assisting at the bar, working at the box office, serving food to artists, helping at the doors, selling merchandise, supporting the stage, handling recycling, shuttling folks around, or keeping folks safe through the safety squad, we need you! 

In addition to volunteers, we are also seeking billet hosts who can provide clean, comfortable, and safe accommodations for our visiting artists. By opening your home to an artist, you play a crucial role in the festival’s success and help artists put their best work forward. Hosting an artist not only supports the festival but also offers a unique opportunity to connect with creative individuals and be a part of their festival experience. Each year, we depend on the generosity of Sackville residents who kindly offer their homes to visiting artists.

If you would like to volunteer your time or your space in exchange for tickets, read more and sign up here!

Image Description: The image presents a colorful and playful illustration centered around Sappyfest’s call. The artwork features an anthropomorphic candle character wearing red overalls with its wick-head on fire, painting “Call For Volunteers & Billet Hosts” with a brush dipped in red paint. The candle character stands on a dark brown step ladder at the center of the image, reaching up to apply paint towards the top of the frame. The garland frame consists of intertwining leaves in shades of green and blue, adorned with hearts and flowers in yellow, pink, and blue. The background sports horizontal petals alternating between light blue and red. At the bottom, within the garland frame, the text "SappyFest 19" is prominent, set against a white, cloud. Below that, additional information is provided: "SACKVILLE, NB / AUGUST 2-4 2024".

SAPPYFEST 19 - All Wild Things Are Shy

As the inaugural Yes, Indeedy (I Do) weekend in honor of our friend Richard Laviolette comes to a close, we feel that now is the right time to share a project that we have been keeping under our hats, something to look forward to, something for our hearts: All Wild Things Are Shy.

All Wild Things Are Shy is the band Richard Laviolette worked with to rehearse and record his last album of the same name. Richard honed the songs on this album during the last five years of his life, in the time between his mother’s death from Huntington’s Disease and his own. The band is: Jessy Bell Smith, Rich Burnett, Ally Corbett, Jordan Howard, Matt Reeves, and Dave Snider. Together with a line-up of guest vocalists they will perform the twelve songs from All Wild Things Are Shy.

In the words of Steven Lambke, “Everything I can think to say today about love and loss and the way to celebrate life through music, Richard has said in one of his songs. They burst with life and mortality, with guts and glory, with love, justice, honesty, and a beautiful mischief.”

We’re eager to hear the messages Richard conveyed in these songs and to have them shared, interpreted, and played by his friends, confidants, and co-conspirators.

Thank you to Sophia, Steve, and all the musicians involved for making this project happen. All Wild Things Are Shy will play on Saturday, August 3rd. Full details to come, and to grab your advance weekend pass, visit the ticket page here: sappyfest.com/tickets

BIG LOVE.

Image Description: A group of seven people enjoys a casual outdoor gathering against a black brick wall; individuals show varying degrees of motion and engagement, with one woman on the right laughing mid-motion.

Call for Vendors!

We are excited to invite vendors to participate in Sappyfest 19 this August 2nd-4th, 2024. The Sappy Street Market is an essential component of the festival experience. It provides an opportunity for festival goers, residents and visitors alike to check out regional food, craft, and products in the heart of our festival grounds on Bridge Street.  If you're interested in selling food or other goods at Sappyfest, please find rates, details, and a registration form on our vendor page here: sappyfest.com/vendors

Artwork by Deirdre Sokolowska

Image Description: The image presents a colorful and playful illustration centered around Sappyfest’s call. The artwork features an anthropomorphic candle character wearing red overalls with its wick-head on fire, painting “Call For Vendors” with a brush dipped in red paint. The candle character stands on a dark brown step ladder at the center of the image, reaching up to apply paint towards the top of the frame. The garland frame consists of intertwining leaves in shades of green and blue, adorned with hearts and flowers in yellow, pink, and blue. The background sports horizontal petals alternating between light blue and red. At the bottom, within the garland frame, the text "SappyFest 19" is prominent, set against a white, cloud. Below that, additional information is provided: "SACKVILLE, NB / AUGUST 2-4 2024".

STUDENT/YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - PRODUCTION ASSISTANT INTERN

We're hiring a Production Assistant Intern for the 2024 festival! Applications will remain open until the position is filled, with interviews commencing as early as May 20th. This opportunity falls under the Canada Summer Jobs program and is open to individuals between the ages of 19-30 (applicants may be over 30 at the end of the employment period). 

Key responsibilities include supporting festival production and logistics, assisting with marketing and communications, contributing to daily office tasks, and supporting the Creative Director and Festival Operations Intern as required. 

For more information visit our employment page or DOWNLOAD THE DETAILED JOB POSTING HERE.

Image Description: The image is a pale blue box with black text. At the top right, an oval shape contains the words "SAPPYFEST 19” in bold uppercase text, with a smaller caption below stating "SACKVILLE, NB / AUGUST 2-4 2024". This oval is connected with a curved black arrow pointing down toward the main heading that reads "WE ARE HIRING". The central portion of the image presents a large, bolded uppercase text that reads "WE ARE HIRING". Below in slightly smaller font size, is a question, "Are you our next Production Assistant Intern?". The bottom part of the image contains another oval connected with a curved arrow pointing upwards towards the main text. Inside this oval, the instruction "APPLY AT SAPPYFEST.COM" is written in smaller uppercase text.

Call for Zine and Craft Fair Participants!

Calling all zinesters, printmakers, publishers, writers, cartoonists and crafters! The Sappyfest Zine and Craft Fair is back! Book a table to sell your handcrafted and original zines, prints, artwork, and more. The fair will take place on Saturday, August 3rd from 11:00am - 4:00pm. We welcome and encourage all artists to apply - we cannot wait to see your amazing work! Please find information on registration, fees, and other details here: www.sappyfest.com/zine-craft-fair. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Artwork by Deirdre Sokolowska

Image Description: The image presents a colorful and playful illustration centered around Sappyfest’s call. The artwork features an anthropomorphic candle character wearing red overalls with its wick-head on fire, painting “Call For Zine & Craft Fair Participants” with a brush dipped in red paint. The candle character stands on a dark brown step ladder at the center of the image, reaching up to apply paint towards the top of the frame. The garland frame consists of intertwining leaves in shades of green and blue, adorned with hearts and flowers in yellow, pink, and blue. The background sports horizontal petals alternating between light blue and red. At the bottom, within the garland frame, the text "SappyFest 19" is prominent, set against a white, cloud. Below that, additional information is provided: "SACKVILLE, NB / AUGUST 2-4 2024".

SAPPYFEST 19 - SNEAK PEEK OF ARTISTS!

We’re feeling too excited to keep this first group of artists who invigorate and inspire us with their new and thrilling works under our caps much longer. So! In the spirit of summer dreams and with so much love, we are delighted to share a sneak peek of artists who will be performing and presenting throughout Sappyfest 19, this August 2nd-4th, 2024, in Sackville, NB. Please welcome Absolute Losers, canada.gov.ca, Nectar Collective (aniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiita, dj decision, & dumb little bitch), Pete Moss, Puberty Well, Saltwater Hank, The Drama Queenz, and The Umbrella Collective, with Deirdre Sokolowska as Sappyfest 19’s visual artist. If you don’t already know these folks, we think you will love them!

Visit our lineup page to learn more about these incredible artists and visit our ticket page to purchase your passes. Don’t forget! Early Birds have been on sale since March 8th, and sales end TONIGHT, Wednesday, April 10th at 11:59 pm ADT. Early Bird’s are $115 + tax and fees / $90 + tax and fees for students, seniors, and under/unemployed people. On Thursday, April 11th at midnight, tickets jump in price to the Advance Weekend Pass rate of $125 + tax and fees.

We have so much fulfilling work ahead. We’re looking forward to connecting with artists for continued programming, touching base with volunteers, organizers, community members, supporters, and partners, welcoming summer staff, and so much more. This is just the start. Stay tuned for a lineup announcement mid-May! 

Image Description: This is a colorful and whimsical illustration. A large pink banner with the text "SAPPYFEST 19" in red drapes across the top of the image. The central portion of the image features stylized clouds containing red text, set against a sky-blue background. Each cloud lists a Sappyfest 19 artist: Absolute Losers, canada.gov.ca, Nectar Collective (aniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiita, dj decision, & dumb little bitch), Pete Moss, Puberty Well, Saltwater Hank, The Drama Queenz, and The Umbrella Collective. On the left and right side of the image, there are candles with faces that are reminiscent of Classical Greek-style stone busts. Melting candle wax resembles hair, and a candle flame is at the top of their heads. Each candle has a blue lupine plant beside it. At the bottom, a pink-colored banner winds across, listing "SACKVILLE, NB tickets available at sappyfest.com. 

SAPPYFEST AGM - APRIL 23, 2024

SappyFest Inc. would like to invite its membership and those interested in becoming members to the 2023 Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, April 23rd at 6:30pm ADT. To RSVP and receive the Google Meet login information please email producer@sappyfest.com ahead of the meeting.

This is an open meeting with presentations from staff and board members on the organization's activities, financials, as well as elections to the SappyFest Board of Directors. Voting in elections to the SappyFest Board of Directors requires a $20 voting membership, e-transfers accepted.

The agenda, last year's minutes, current bylaws and the agenda, are available by request.

Key agenda items will include:

-- Elections to the SappyFest Board of Directors (2 year term).

-- Approval of 2022 Financial statements.

-- President of the Board of Directors statement.

-- Creative Director's statement.

-- Questions from the floor.

And don’t forget, we are currently seeking new Board members! Please share our call for Board members widely to anyone who may be interested in contributing to a beloved community event. 

Hope to see you all there!

SappyFest is looking for new board members!

Do you love music, art and fun? Are you interested in contributing to a beloved community event? You’re in luck, because the SappyFest Board is looking for new members!

About the Board

SappyFest is an annual independent arts and music festival held in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada. SappyFest is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. SappyFest relies on the Board for expertise in areas such as development, grant writing, community outreach, marketing etc. Board meetings involve high-level discussions about strategic goals and conversations about operations. Board members are expected to support the festival on the ground during the festival dates.

The Board of Directors meets approximately once per month throughout the year, and twice per month leading up to the festival (June - August). Board members serve on the Board for a two-year term and may be re-elected for another two-year term. 

We are especially looking for individuals with knowledge in the following areas: fundraising, grant writing, finance, and board governance. Digital administration infrastructure, organizational resilience, human resources, accessibility, and strategic planning are other helpful areas of expertise.

Primary Responsibilities

• Act as passionate advocates for SappyFest

• Engage in fundraising efforts including grant writing and special events

• Provide guidance and oversight to advance SappyFest

• Engage in high-level discussions about strategic goals and operations

• Review and approve organizational governance policies and procedures 

• Guide and assist the staff

• Financial management

• Ensure effective community relations

• Support festival operations during the festival

Review Process & Contact

SappyFest’s Executive Committee will review the applications and contact interested members. If you have any questions, please email producer@sappyfest.ca with the subject “Board Member Application.“

SappyFest values diversity and inclusivity in our community and is committed to anti-discrimination and anti-racism. We encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and other racialized people; members of the 2SLGBTQIA+community; Deaf and Disabled people, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

We also encourage nominations. If you know someone who would be a good fit for SappyFest, please share this post with them.

We look forward to your submissions, and thank you!

Please take a look at the SappyFest By-laws here: CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS of SappyFest INC.

For the application form, please follow the link below.

https://forms.gle/BJhGxf7wnLDgACWT7

Please submit by Tuesday, April 9th at 11:59 pm ADT.

SAPPYFEST 19 EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

SAPPYFEST 19 -  AUGUST 2nd-4th, 2024  - SACKVILLE, NB

Hello friends! As we work towards another special in-person festival this summer, we are excited to share that Early Bird Weekend Passes for Sappyfest 19, taking place August 2nd-4th, 2024 in Sackville, NB are on sale now! 

Early Bird’s are the most affordable way to take in the entire festival, so get yours today before prices go up on April 7th and again on June 1st.

We have some new ticket tiers available, including a reduced price Early Bird for students, seniors, and under/unemployed folks, as well as a by donation youth pass. For all prices, descriptions, sale dates, and to purchase, visit our tickets and info page here: https://www.sappyfest.com/tickets.

We can’t wait to share more with you in the coming weeks and months!

Photo of Mother Tongues at Sappyfest 18 by Galen Juliusson.

What does a Sappy future look like?

We know this community is full of great ideas, and we want to hear them! What is important to you about SappyFest? How would you like to contribute? What would you like to see happen?

We got together IRL on November 28th to dream big. But we wanted to make sure everyone had an opportunity to share their thoughts with us, so we made this survey: Sappy Futures Google Form

Sappy has been hard at work with exciting and innovative programming continuing through pandemic lockdowns, lightning storms, and economic recessions. We are committed to keeping this festival community-driven and we want to create an opportunity for local folks to have their say. We’d like to keep the conversation forward-looking and hopeful, so while we know there will be gripes and grumbles, we want to know what could be done to tickle your fancies. 

Some things you can weigh in on here: community engagement, artists and performers, venues, local businesses, kids programming, and more! Answer one question or all of them. Be as thorough or as short with your responses as you like.

As a thank you for taking the time to respond, you can be entered to win a pass to Sappy19. Enter your name and e-mail at the end of the form.

We look forward to hearing from you!

xo Team Sappy