Efforts underway to bring N.S. Music Week back to Yarmouth

The Yarmouth and Acadian

Shores Tourism Association (YASTA) is eyeing 2020 for what it hopes will be the return of Nova Scotia Music Week to southwestern Nova Scotia.

YASTA intends to bid on the event for 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Yarmouth hosted Nova Scotia Music Week three straight years before — from 2009 to 2011 — and the event was held in Yarmouth again in 2015.

In its quest to bring it back, YASTA is seeking financial support from its four core partners, including the three Yarmouth area municipal units.

Since 2016, the Truro area has hosted Nova Scotia Music Week and it will have it again this year, making it four in a row. This year’s event is scheduled for Nov. 7 to 10.

Nova Scotia Music Week includes professional development and showcasing opportunities and is a chance to promote the province’s music industry.

The annual event also features Music Nova Scotia’s awards celebration.

In a recent presentation to the Municipality of Argyle in Yarmouth County, YASTA executive director Neil Mackenzie spoke of the benefits of hosting Nova Scotia Music Week, including the economic spinoffs.

He cited a report that was done one of the years Yarmouth hosted the event that found the typical visitor spent an average of three-and-a-half nights during their trip to Nova Scotia Music Week.

The event “provided a significant economic impact to Yarmouth County,” the document said.

Mackenzie requested $10,000 from the Municipality of Argyle. The municipality will consider the request as part of its budgetary process.

Addressing the municipality during the Argyle council meeting of April 9, Mackenzie said the Town of Yarmouth and the Marketing and Promotions Levy Advisory Committee each have agreed to provide $10,000 for licensing fees and other associated costs to host the event.

The Municipality of Yarmouth will be approached as well about making a $10,000 contribution.

Mackenzie said Rodd Hotels and Resorts has agreed to provide 70 complimentary room nights, which would go toward the inkind contribution requirement to host the event.

Nova Scotia Music Week began in 1997. Each year the event includes a public music festival, a professional development conference, an international music buyers program and the Music Nova Scotia awards ceremony.

Professional development sessions explore various current or emerging issues facing the music industry.

Tina Comeau Natalie Lynn of Shelburne performed at Dooly’s in Yarmouth when Nova Scotia Music Week was last held in the town in 2015.

Tina Comeau Wintersleep performs at a Nova Scotia Music Week stage at the Rodd Grand Hotel in Yarmouth when the music industry event was last held here in 2015.

Eric Bourque Neil Mackenzie, executive director of the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association, speaking to Argyle municipal council on April 9.