YYC Popcast

This week's episode was actually recorded a few weeks back with the wonderful Javier Vilalta!Javi was so great giving me some insight into his directing of the recently sold out show, “The House of Bernarda Alba,” that wrapped up October.1st at Sage Theatre. It was Javi’s second time directing this play, but this time with an all 2SLGBTQIA cast. We talked about the relevance of the play (originally written in 1936) to today's current climate and how it is still a lightning rod for communities...

On this week's episode, I was lucky enough to chat with the lovely and talented, Perpie Atife who was one of this year's recipients of the Alberta Lieutenant Governors Emerging Artists award!Perpie shares her journey of musicianship and how she found herself falling in love with playing the saxophone, almost by a twist of fate! Originally from Nigeria, now living in Calgary, Perpie talks about how she grew up listening to everything from Dolly Parton to Don Williams to the rich afrobeat...

I’m pumped for you all to hear this new episode with Canadian country singer,Shawn Austin!We had an awesome conversation about Shawn’s new EP, Planes Don’t Wait! Shawn is also fresh off his tour with Dallas Smith and chats about his excitement for all the festivals he will be performing at this summer,across Canada!We also get a chance to find out what shows Shawn is bingeing these days, and what the least country thing about him is! Instagram:@shawnaustinmusicTik Tok:@shawnaustinmusicT...

This week I had an enlightening and fun conversation with Neil Fleming, the executive director of Making Treaty 7 here in Calgary! We chat about Making Treaty 7’s film “Istotsi, Land We Live On,” which will have screenings at this week's 2022 “IGNITE festival of emerging artists' ' which is in its 17th year and being presented by Sage Theatre. Neil tells us about “Istotsi” and the meaning behind the collage of small films and how it went from a stage show to a film at the height of covid lock...

It was such a treat and honour to chat with this week’s guest, award winning playwright, Clem Martini!Clem tells us all about his deeply personal play, ‘Cantata, a dramatization and fictionalization of Martini’s experience as a caregiver for a brother with schizophrenia and a mother developing dementia, which is currently playing at Sage Theatre in Calgary. Clem also talks about his intentionally diverse works in the writing world and how he advises his students to write what's on their ...

I loved the convo with this week's guest, comedian, Nancy ho! Nancy talks about how she got into comedy and what it's like to be a female comedian in Canada these days! She also talks about her experience of writing comedy from her perspective, growing up as an immigrant to Canada, and how her life plays into her stand-up set. It was such a fun conversation, so enjoy!Instagram:@nancyhohahaFacebook:@nancymhoEmail:[email protected]

This week's episode we have the pleasure of chatting with the very talented and sweet, Alyssa Reid!Alyssa talks about her single, “Roses” and tells us why she has partnered with the non-profit, “The Lifeline Canada,” to do a raffle and help them raise funds. Hearing Alyssa tell us about why mental health awareness is so important to her and how she is using her platform to help others, was truly inspiring. She also explains why she felt the need to come forward with the identity behind her pe...

I loved the candid and open convo I had with this week's guest, Devin Cooper. Devin tells us about his new single, “Back Pocket,” and the upcoming release of his album, “Good Things!” We talk about the in depth process of being a contestant in Alberta’s “Project Wild,” and what he has learned about the business of music. Devin also shares the amazing story of how he helped his father survive cancer by donating part of his liver and why his Alztheimers charity organization, “Ride To Remem...

This week we have part 2 of our inspiring convo with professional performance poet, Mr. Wakefield Brewster!On part 2, Wakefield shares with us his other passion and profession, whole body wellness. As a registered massage therapist, and owner of a wellness clinic, Wakefield talks about his commitment to his clients and how wellness is integral to both circles of his poetry and massage therapy business. We also talk about some of his new shows coming up this spring! To end off this episode, Wa...

This week, we have part 1 of 2 episodes with my amazing guest, Wakefield Brewster. Wakefield talks us through his journey to now being one of Calgary’s most established resident performance poets! We talk about the many other hats he wears in the literacy world and how he uses his platform to help bring poetry to all the people and help them feel connected by his words. Wakefield wants everyone to know that Poetry is not just for the poets and poetry lovers, It's such a beautiful episod...