Music NL tuning up for awards in Bonavista
Repartee is in the running for 6 awards, Duane Andrews and Long Distance Runners up for 5 each
Music NL is taking its show on the road and preparing to hold its annual awards and conference in Bonavista from Oct. 13 to 16.
Glenda Tulk, executive director of Music NL, says the organization's main event is held outside St. John's every second year, but there's recently been a push to develop musical talent beyond the overpass.
"We're seeing a movement in the music industry in Newfoundland and Labrador," she said.
"Most of the talent was kept on the Avalon; now you can see that there's pockets of it springing up on the west coast, and in central and up the coast as well."
Tulk said Bonavista proved to be the perfect location for the Music NL awards and conference, for both its location and love of music.
"We felt as a board that it was time to bring it more centrally rural," she said.
"Bonavista is a great entertainment town, they understand entertainment, and they're very supportive of culture in the town, so we're very happy to support that."
The event should also support the town financially as well as culturally, Tulk said.
"As far as Music NL is concerned, we have almost 300 room nights booked already, so the economic spinoff for Bonavista is going to be huge, I think."
Following the announcement of nominations, Bonavista's mayor expressed her excitement for having the event in her community.
"I'm very, very excited about having Music NL come to my town, and I'm sure everybody else in town is excited as well," said Mayor Betty Fitzgerald.
St. John's electronic-pop group Repartee leads the way with six nominations for the 2016 Music NL awards, including album of the year.
Guitarist Duane Andrews and rockers Long Distance Runners are right behind with five nominations each.
Tulk said the majority of the nominees will be in Bonavista as part of the event, but Music NL has yet to reveal its gala lineup and some of the artist showcases.
The weekend event will also include a number of workshops for artists and industry professionals.
With files from Central Morning