In this episode, Jennifer Roe, the executive director of Folk Alliance International, discusses her journey in the folk music industry, the importance of community and networking, and the upcoming Folk Alliance Conference in Montreal.

Jennifer shares insights into the organization's mission, the significance of building relationships within the music community, and tips for artists preparing to showcase their work at the conference.

The conversation highlights the excitement and opportunities that the conference brings to artists and attendees alike.

Jennifer Roe assumed the Executive Director position at Folk Alliance International (FAI) in April 2024 after serving as the Interim Executive Director. She joined the FAI team in 2013 and quickly transitioned into a leadership role managing the staff and contractors and overseeing the day-to-day operations. She worked in partnership with the former Executive Director to help grow the organization, doubling the budget, and stabilizing operations.

Jennifer’s career began in Washington, D.C., where she worked on Capitol Hill for the U.S. Senate Majority Leader before transitioning to serve on his Presidential campaign. She continued in the public sector at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission before managing the office of a small lobbying firm. After returning to her roots in Kansas City, Jennifer shifted gears, working with individuals with disabilities and eventually establishing an administrative services business, where FAI became a valued client.

Her dedication to the organization reflects her commitment to fostering the rich tapestry of folk music and sustaining a vibrant, interconnected community. With a political background prior to FAI, she is a strong advocate for arts and culture at both federal and state levels.

Under Jennifer's guidance, FAI's global network has expanded to include more than 3,000 members—a diverse community of cultural sector entrepreneurs and leaders encompassing artists, record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, arts administrators, diplomats, and more. Under Jennifer’s experienced leadership, the organization will continue to grow in diversity and service of the membership including scholarships, enhancing FAI’s regional chapters, and advocating strongly for the rights and interests of the independent music sector.

Find out more @folk_alliance

Lola Loops is a passionate multi-disciplinary artist residing on the unceded and illegally occupied territories of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam Nation, Aka Vancouver, BC. Her journey into the world of performance art began with a simple Hoop, where she found a captivating medium for exploring her body's movements in spiral form. This initial fascination blossomed into a diverse skill set spanning into street and contemporary dance, ritual theatrics, soft acrobatics, dynamic stilt dance, and clowning.

Having honed her craft over years of dedicated practice, Lola has cultivated a deep understanding of movement and expression, evident in every captivating performance she delivers. Her artistic endeavours serve as a testament to her unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and crafting unforgettable experiences for audiences.

In addition to her prowess on stage, Lola boasts a wealth of experience behind the scenes in event management and production. Notably, she has played integral roles within production management teams, overseeing diverse staff, conducting casting calls, show curations, auditions and ensuring flawless execution of events from start to finish.

A staunch advocate for inclusivity and diversity within the circus community, Lola brings a unique perspective to her work. She is dedicated to fostering environments where all artists feel valued and represented, championing inclusivity at every turn.

As the owner, booking manager and performer for Lola Loops Entertainment, Lola seamlessly navigates the intricate world of talent booking and client relations. Her expertise in managing artist profiles, media assets, and promotional materials ensures a polished and professional image for her company.

Her impact stretches across borders as she shares her artistry through mesmerizing performances and immersive workshops, both locally and internationally. Renowned for her expertise in contemporary circus-style hoop dancing and expressive choreography, Lolas workshops inspire creativity and forge deep connections with students, solidifying her status as a revered luminary in the global circus community.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Lola is deeply entrenched in Vancouver's vibrant arts community. She is a familiar presence on the local scene, gracing stages across the city and collaborating with a diverse array of production companies spanning burlesque, drag, variety, dance, and circus arts. Through these collaborations, Lola has cultivated meaningful connections with fellow artists and creators, contributing to the rich cultural fabric of Vancouver’s artistic landscape.

Bethany is an indie-rock experimenter who sets introspective lyrics against innovative instrumentation, resulting in music that stirs and swings in equal measure.

As a longtime member of Halifax’s venerable music scene, Bethany has led multiple outfits, wielding a Jaguar in art-rock bands and breaking it down neo-soul style in her solo project Shadow, which released a pair of concept EPs (The Dark/The Dawn) in 2019. She’s a road veteran who has charted on college radio, performed with orchestras, and travelled the Canadian festival circuit.

She's re-emerging from a time of creativity and introspection for a full-length album released, for the first time, under her given name. Recorded with her longtime band Andrew Jackson and Andrew MacKelvie (the horn section) and Casey Thompson and Shane Martin (the rhythm section), the eight songs on Handwritten Notes find Bethany moving thrillingly between guitar and piano. The songs search, reflect and question, with outcomes ranging from satisfied to resolute to unrequited. Stories told with the wisdom of experience (and a dynamic vocal range).

Bethany is a journey of the heart.

Check her out @bethany.hfx

Papa started in Public Health as a volunteer HIV and STI tester, counsellor and PrEP navigator at an outreach centre in the heart of downtown Denver, CO around fifteen years ago. He quickly became known as a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people, and people that practiced alternative sexualities such as non-monogamy and BDSM/Kink.

Throughout his career Papa Bear has worked in HIV and STI Prevention for AIDS Service Organizations and Federally Qualified Health Centers, managed a State Health Department's HIV prevention program, and is currently contracted by the CDC to provide Capacity Building Assistance and education to health departments, medical providers, outreach workers, and other HIV and STI stakeholders across the country.

He was honoured to present on the unique sexual healthcare needs of people who practice BDSM/Kink to the public health community at an international conference in Washington D.C. in 2023 and 2024.

Papa Bear has made it his personal mission to bring sex-positive, stigma-free, sexual health education to the BDSM/Kink Community as well as other often overlooked minority sexual communities while also being a political advocate protecting our right to be who we are.

Andrew Moyes, the VP of Fan Expo, discusses the preparation and highlights of the upcoming Fan Expo event.

In this episode of the podcast, we cover topics such as the logistics of organizing the event, the involvement of key partners, the two buildings of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the importance of the app for attendees, Andrew Moyes' background and role in Fan Expo, the role of volunteers, and what fans can expect at the event.

FAN EXPO Canada (August 22 - 24, 2024) is the largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Canada and the third-largest Pop Culture event in North America. The show has grown from a small comic book convention attracting 1,500 fans into a multi-faceted and multiple-day citywide event that attracts hundreds of thousands of people from around the world.

Every year, FAN EXPO Canada offers exciting family-friendly attractions, events, and world-renowned celebrities! Previous guests include Stan Lee, Patrick Stewart, Buzz Aldrin, William Shatner, Christopher Lloyd, Elijah Wood, Leonard Nimoy, Carrie Fisher, Gillian Anderson, and stars from hit television shows: The Walking Dead, Star Trek, The Vampire Diaries, Arrow, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Teen Wolf, Doctor Who, Gotham, Criminal Minds, Castle, and many, many more.

The all-ages pop culture convention expects to host over 125,000 fans in 750,000 sq. ft. of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the four-day event.

Avid Liongoren, a writer, producer, and director, discusses his animated film project, Zsazsa Zaturnnah, which is based on a Filipino graphic novel. The film follows the story of a gay man who becomes a flamboyant female superhero after swallowing a magical rock.

Avid talks about his journey in the world of animation, his work in advertising, and the challenges of making an animated film. He also shares his experience running a small animation studio and the importance of commitment and passion in storytelling.

Avid Liongoren is a filmmaker from the Philippines who is always willing to sell his internal organs to fund his projects. He is the founder of Rocketsheep, an indie animation studio.

They are currently hard at work on Zsazsa Zaturnnah, a superhero comedy about a shy gay man who swallows a magical rock that transforms him into a flamboyant female superhero :)

Support Zsazsa Zaturnnah on Kickstarter

As a successful woman, Shymilfkitty has built a thriving career. Outside of her professional life, she is a devoted mother of three grown children and a proud grandmother to her precious baby granddaughter. Balancing work and family, she finds joy in moments spent with loved ones and cherishes the laughter and memories they create together.

Her personality is a blend of extroverted charm and introverted contemplation. While she can shine in social settings when needed, she often finds solace in quieter environments. She loves making people laugh, whether through a witty remark or a well-timed joke, and she also has a knack for touching hearts and sometimes bringing a tear to the eye with a heartfelt story. Her ability to connect with others on both a superficial and deep level is one of her most treasured traits.

In her free time, she indulges in various hobbies that bring warmth and joy to her life. She is passionate about golfing and boating, and nothing compares to the bliss of a sunny day spent on the water or a challenging round on the green. Music and dancing fuel her spirit, and she never misses an opportunity to enjoy the beach and warm weather. Twice divorced, she approaches life with a sense of adventure and hope, always open to the possibility of meeting someone special who can be her partner in crime on this beautiful journey.

Connie Wang is an award-winning actress with two Canadian Screen Award nominations for Best Lead Performance.

She is a comedian, and producer with over 20 film and TV credits and has received 12 screen nominations. She won Best Lead Actress at the Apulia Web Festival for her role in Tokens the webseries.

Some of her film/TV credits include Amazon's The Boys, Tokens, and CBC's One More Time. You may recognize Connie in premier roles in numerous big-budget, national commercials.

Connie also has a hit stand-up special called, Canadian Famous.

Find out more @conniewang_