Indie Trade Forum April 14, 2007

TORONTO ALLIANCE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (TAPA) ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR THE
2007 INDIE TRADE FORUM

TORONTO – The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) in association with Harboufront Centre and Buddies In Bad Times Theatre is thrilled to announce the upcoming annual Indie Trade Forum (ITF) to be held on April 14, 2007 at the York Quay Centre, Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West).

The Indie Trade Forum is a not-to-be missed source of information for the inquisitive independent artist. This year the ITF is offering participants a broader range of topics with a more international flair as the TAPA works in conjunction with Harbourfront Centre’s New World Stage international performance series.

Those partaking in the sessions planned for the ITF can look forward to discussions and workshops including: Web 2.0 technologies hosted by Blair Francey and Sean Howard (SpinGlobe), Board of Directors development (moderated by Jacoba Knaapen), international and national touring from the perspective of local, national and international artists and presenters, funding discussions and an informal discussion about career paths and the nature of indie work featuring Ann Powell (Puppetmongers Theatre), Jon Kaplan (NOW Magazine), Lindsay Ann Black (Scenic painter), Hume Baugh (Actor and playwright), Liza Balkan (Actor, director, dancer), Mimi Beck (DanceWorks) and moderated by Allyson McMackon (Theatre Rusticle). More panelists to be announced soon!

Returning once again is the ITF Marketplace offering attendees the chance to chat one on one with representatives from various cultural, funding and service organizations. This is a great opportunity for participants to find out what services are out there to help them create their art.

New this year is the ITF Soap Box – a chance for attendees to let the entire group know about an upcoming production, a new initiative they’re working on, a great show they saw, the fact that they need a lighting designer, whatever it is they’re looking for, the ITF Soap Box is a chance for participants to have their say.

Also new this year is the chance for attendees to continue the discussion after the ITF is over with the ITF Mixer held at the Lakeside EATS in the south end of the York Quay Centre. This will give attendees a chance to informally network while having a drink before heading over to the free performance of Trudeau: Long March/Shining Path (Enwave Theatre), commissioned by Fresh Ground new works, a Harbourfront Centre initiative to commission new multi-disciplinary Canadian artworks. A special sneak peek at the new opera from creative team D.D. Jackson (composer) and George Elliott Clarke (librettist), this staged recital gives audiences a rare glimpse into the process of opera in its early stages, before its ultimate premiere.

More information on the Indie Trade Forum, as it becomes available, will be posted online at www.tapa.ca.

The Indie Trade Forum will be held on Saturday April 14, 2007 at the York Quay Centre, Harboufront Centre (235 Queen’s Quay West) from 10am – 5:30pm, ITF Mixer from 5:30pm – 7:00pm followed by the Trudeau: Long March/Shining Path performance at the Enwave Theatre at 7:30pm.

Registration is open and available through the Harbourfront Centre Box Office by calling 416 973.4000 or in-person at the York Quay Centre, Tuesday – Saturday, 1pm – 6pm.

The cost is $30 for TAPA Members and $40 for non-TAPA Members.

Attendees wishing to see Trudeau: Long March/Shining Path are asked to send an email to [email protected] or call 416 952.0786 to reserve a seat. Seats will be held until 7:15pm; the performance will begin at 7:30pm.

Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts:
The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts is an arts service organization that represents nearly 200 professional theatre, dance and opera companies in the City of Toronto and works to create an environment in which the performing arts may flourish and maintain its leadership role in the vitality and liveability of the City of Toronto.

Among the programs and services provided by TAPA are: the T.O.TIX Booth - Toronto's One-Stop Ticket Shop at Yonge-Dundas Square and online at www.totix.ca; the Dora Mavor Moore Awards; the Go Live Theatre Guide with current listings for theatre, dance and opera performances; www.goliveto.ca featuring comprehensive show listings; The City Special, offering free performing arts tickets to members of communities-at-risk; hipTIX, sponsored by BMO Financial Group, offering $5:00 tickets to students between the ages of 15 and 25; 5 Star Experiences, unique and affordable theatre packages; and the Commercial Theatre Development Fund.

For more information visit www.tapa.ca.

Official Website: http://www.tapa.ca/doras