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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Departure
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T114500
DTSTAMP:20260430T141228
CREATED:20260409T161834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T182714Z
UID:10000115-1778065200-1778067900@departureto.com
SUMMARY:A Seat at the Table presented by Music Canada
DESCRIPTION:Join artist and cultural policy advocate Miranda Mulholland for a dynamic conversation spotlighting artists who have stepped beyond the stage to influence and shape cultural life in meaningful ways. Bringing together voices from across disciplines\, this panel explores how artists contribute unique perspectives to policy spaces—bridging creativity\, community\, and decision-making. Through real-world examples and candid discussion\, panelists will share stories of impact\, challenges\, and successes\, revealing what happens when artists are in the rooms where decisions are made.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/a-seat-at-the-table-presented-by-music-canada/
LOCATION:Focus Stage (St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts)\, 27 Front St E\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5E 1B4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Departure
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_TDAnnounceAssets_WebBanner-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T121500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260506T124500
DTSTAMP:20260430T141228
CREATED:20260408T023128Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T192222Z
UID:10000104-1778069700-1778071500@departureto.com
SUMMARY:Sound Break Live Performance w/ Tyra Jutai
DESCRIPTION:Step into the upstairs lobby at the Bluma Appel Theatre for an intimate Sound Break performance by Tyra Jutai presented by TOLive. Designed as a close-up musical moment within the energy of Departure\, this stripped-back set offers a rare opportunity to experience emerging and established artists in a more personal\, immersive setting. \nWith the audience just steps away\, Sound Break highlights the power of live performance at its most immediate and authentic. A chance to pause\, discover\, and connect\, this is where new sounds cut through and lasting impressions are made.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/sound-break-live-performance-3/
LOCATION:Focus Stage (St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts)\, 27 Front St E\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5E 1B4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Departure
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_TDAnnounceAssets_WebBanner-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260507T114500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260507T123000
DTSTAMP:20260430T141228
CREATED:20260407T174618Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T184217Z
UID:10000082-1778154300-1778157000@departureto.com
SUMMARY:The Queen Who Built Canadian Hip Hop
DESCRIPTION:Long before Canadian hip hop had a global presence\, Michee Mee was already breaking barriers. As the first Canadian rapper signed to a major U.S. label and one of the earliest artists to bring Canadian hip hop to an international audience\, she helped define the foundation of the genre in this country. From JUNO recognition to being honored by Canada Postwith a commemorative stamp\, her impact spans generations. \nIn this intimate fireside chat\, acclaimed music journalist Karen Bliss sits down with Michee Mee to reflect on the evolution of hip hop in Canada—from its earliest days to its current global influence. Together\, they’ll explore the barriers she broke as a female artist in a male-dominated space\, why more women still struggle to break through at scale\, and what needs to change to create a more equitable future. \nFrom legacy and representation to ownership\, influence\, and cultural impact\, this is a rare opportunity to hear directly from a true architect of Canadian hip hop—and to understand what comes next.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/the-queen-who-built-canadian-hip-hop/
LOCATION:Focus Stage (St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts)\, 27 Front St E\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5E 1B4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Departure
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_TDAnnounceAssets_WebBanner-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260507T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260507T133000
DTSTAMP:20260430T141228
CREATED:20260408T022113Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T182934Z
UID:10000099-1778158800-1778160600@departureto.com
SUMMARY:Sound Break Live Performance w/ the neverminds
DESCRIPTION:Step into the upstairs lobby at the Bluma Appel Theatre for an intimate Sound Break performance by the neverminds presented by TO Live. Designed as a close-up musical moment within the energy of Departure\, this stripped-back set offers a rare opportunity to experience emerging and established artists in a more personal\, immersive setting. \nWith the audience just steps away\, Sound Break highlights the power of live performance at its most immediate and authentic. A chance to pause\, discover\, and connect\, this is where new sounds cut through and lasting impressions are made.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/sound-break-live-performance-2/
LOCATION:Focus Stage (St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts)\, 27 Front St E\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5E 1B4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Departure
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_TDAnnounceAssets_WebBanner-2.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260507T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260507T150000
DTSTAMP:20260430T141228
CREATED:20260408T023350Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T183002Z
UID:10000105-1778162400-1778166000@departureto.com
SUMMARY:Recapturing Culture — The New Wave of Tastemakers
DESCRIPTION:This VP Records–sponsored panel will explore the evolving landscape of Caribbean music and its growing influence on the global cultural ecosystem. Bringing together emerging cultural leaders\, the conversation will examine how Caribbean music continues to shape international sound and culture\, while spotlighting the next generation of promoters\, curators\, and tastemakers driving grassroots movements across scenes. \nAs the global music industry continues to scale\, this discussion will focus on the renewed importance of bespoke\, community-driven creation. Panelists will share how artists\, independent promoters\, and cultural leaders are reclaiming the narrative\, building authentic audiences\, and creating new pathways for global collaboration and discovery. \nThrough the lens of Barbados and the wider Caribbean\, the panel will also explore the evolution of Caribbean music\, its role in shaping global pop culture\, and the opportunities for emerging artists to navigate today’s increasingly interconnected music ecosystem.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/recapturing-culture-the-new-wave-of-tastemakers/
LOCATION:Focus Stage (St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts)\, 27 Front St E\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5E 1B4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Departure
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_TDAnnounceAssets_WebBanner-2.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260508T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260508T114500
DTSTAMP:20260430T141228
CREATED:20260407T174828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T184235Z
UID:10000083-1778238000-1778240700@departureto.com
SUMMARY:The Global Sound of K-Pop
DESCRIPTION:K-pop isn’t just a genre—it’s one of the most influential forces in global music. This panel brings together the Canadian songwriters helping shape its sound from behind the scenes\, offering a rare look into how the world’s biggest pop movement is built. \nFeaturing hitmakers August Rigo\, Sofia Kay\, and Sophie Simmons\, whose credits span artists like BTS\, NewJeans\, TWICE\, SEVENTEEN\, aespa\, and more\, the conversation will explore how cross-border collaboration\, genre fusion\, and songwriting innovation have driven K-pop’s global rise. \nFrom crafting melodies that resonate across cultures to navigating the intersection of Western and Korean pop systems\, this session will break down what makes a K-pop hit—and where the sound\, business\, and creative process are heading next.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/the-global-sound-of-k-pop/
LOCATION:Focus Stage (St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts)\, 27 Front St E\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5E 1B4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Departure
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_TDAnnounceAssets_WebBanner-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260508T121500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260508T124500
DTSTAMP:20260430T141228
CREATED:20260408T021714Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T184247Z
UID:10000097-1778242500-1778244300@departureto.com
SUMMARY:Sound Break Live Performance
DESCRIPTION:Step into the upstairs lobby at the Bluma Appel Theatre for an intimate Sound Break performance presented by TOLive. Designed as a close-up musical moment within the energy of Departure\, this stripped-back set offers a rare opportunity to experience emerging and established artists in a more personal\, immersive setting. \nWith the audience just steps away\, Sound Break highlights the power of live performance at its most immediate and authentic. A chance to pause\, discover\, and connect\, this is where new sounds cut through and lasting impressions are made.
URL:https://departureto.com/event/sound-break-live-performance/
LOCATION:Focus Stage (St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts)\, 27 Front St E\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5E 1B4\, Canada
CATEGORIES:Conference,Departure
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://departureto.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DEP26_TDAnnounceAssets_WebBanner-2.jpg
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