ECMA Announces Local Engagement Committee Co-Chairs

ECMA Announces Local Engagement Committee Co-Chairs

Committee to Host Benefit Concert for the Alberta Fires

Dean Stairs, Board Chair of the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is pleased to announce Chuck Teed and Lisa Gribbons as Co-Chairs of the Local Engagement Committee for ECMA 2017, to be held in Saint John, NB April 26-30, 2017.

“Chuck has been a fixture at ECMA for over 15 years,” says Stairs. “Chuck has worked the event from every angle imaginable, and is currently our 2nd Vice Chair. His knowledge of ECMA and the industry will be a definite asset when it comes to engaging Saint John’s arts community for our event.”

Lisa Gribbons first became involved with the ECMA 15 years ago. An integral member of the 2002 bid committee and Host Team, she worked on several committees over the three years leading up to and including Saint John’s host year. An event planner specializing in corporate and community events, Lisa also has a long history of volunteerism in the city.

“Chuck and Lisa are great complements to each other”, says Stairs. “Between the two of them, they have just about every sector in the city covered.”

“I am so excited to be involved again with the ECMAs,” says Gribbons. “It has been a while, but going to Sydney for ECMA 2016 brought it all back. The excitement on the street, the music everywhere, it was such a great vibe. I can’t wait for the people of Saint John to experience it all over.”

Teed concurs: “People in Saint John have a pent up desire for ECMAs to come back. Since we made the announcement back in the fall, I have had people stop me everywhere to talk about it and find out how they can be involved.”

As a kick-off to ECMA 2017, the Local Engagement Committee is hosting Alberta Bound, an Alberta Fires Appeal Concert May 19 at O’Leary’s Pub. Alberta Bound will feature musical performances by Marcel Cassie & Christine Violette, Arianne Caissie, Brian Baker & the Memphis Knights, Interaction School of Performing Arts, Hilary Ladd, Jason Ogden/The Penny Blacks, Bonnet House, Sadie Donaghue, Denise Fogelin, Mike Biggar, and the Brent Mason Band.

“Musicians are always quick to step up and support worthy causes, so this was an absolute no brainer,” said Teed. “We probably could have done an entire weekend worth of music, based on the response we’ve received thus far.”

Gribbons came up with the idea last Wednesday while watching the devastation on television. A message was sent Thursday morning to Teed, local promoter Jeff Liberty, and local musicians Mike Biggar and Brent Mason. By Thursday night, almost everything was in place. “This is such an amazing community. No artist said no to us if they were available, O’Leary’s stepped up to host the event and we are lining up a few fantastic auction prizes from local companies.”

“This is such a great way to kick off ECMA 2017 in Saint John,” says Teed. “We are thrilled to be able to host this event and help out in any way we can. We are working in concert with the Red Cross, so any personal donations received that night will be matched by the federal government, therefore doubling our efforts.”

Donations for Alberta Fires Appeal will be accepted at the door the evening of the event, which starts at 6PM.

For more information, please contact:
Lisa Gribbons
Co-Chair, ECMA 2017
506-647-8302
[email protected]

Chuck Teed
Co-Chair, ECMA 2017
506-214-2831
[email protected]