Montreal Fringe Festival. [June]
"A festival open to anyone to perform anything they want, with no artistic direction???? This has got to be the worst idea in the history of bad ideas? It will never fly," wrote one prominent Montreal theatre critic back in 1991 just before the first Montreal Fringe Festival. Fifteen years later, we are still going strong. Ironically outlasting the critic who made those very remarks.

The Ottawa Fringe Festival. [June] 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6E2 Canada. Tel: (613) 232-6162. Fax: (613) 232-2931.
Founded in 1997, the Ottawa Fringe Festival has enjoyed consistent growth over the years and now includes 15 venues in the heart of the National Capital. The Steam Whistle-Wellington Fringe Club – our licensed outdoor venue on the corner of Daly and Waller – serves as the heart of the Mighty Fringe and features nightly musical guests. It’s the best place to meet performers, catch the buzz on hot Fringe shows and see previews for other performances.

Vancouver Fringe Festival. [September] 1402 Anderson St. Vancouver, BC V6H 3R6 Canada. Tel: +1 604 257 0350 Fax: +1 604 253 1924
The first Vancouver Fringe Festival took place in 1985. Now in its 21st year, it has become an annual event and a September ritual. Every year, close to 100 theatre groups and performers from across Canada and around the the world perform for 11 days in diverse venues, from theatres to garages to a moving Aquabus.

Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival. [July] I74 Market Avenue, Winnipeg, MB. R3B 0P8. Tel: (204) 956-1340. Fax: (204) 947-3741
Presenting live theatre in an informal, accessible and inexpensive environment, the Fringe strives to break down traditional boundaries between audience and artist, encouraging open dialogue between theatre-goers and theatre-creators. Audiences are invited to experience the work of seasoned veterans alongside that of emerging artists. Local, national and international performing companies benefit from working together and learning from each other in a vibrant and exciting festival atmosphere. In order to stimulate artistic innovation, applications for participation in Fringe Festivals are accepted on a non-juried lottery.

Cisco Systems Bluesfest. [July] 1810 St. Laurent Blvd. (Rear Building). Ottawa, Ontario K1G 1A2. Tel: (613) 247-1188 Toll free: 1-866-258-3748 Fax: (613) 247-2220.
The Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest is one of the summer’s greatest celebrations of music; an event that offers something for everyone. From the Black Eyed Peas to the African Guitar Summit, a wide variety of genres were proudly represented; not just zydeco, but Buckwheat Zydeco; not just jam bands, but THE jam bands today’s fans want to see; not just Cuban music, but the best Cuba has to offer. The strength of this year’s event was the music programming and a festival experience that included great food, colourful pageantry on all the stages, noteworthy headliners and daily discoveries of some great emerging acts.

Roots and Blues Festival. [August] Salmon Arm Folk Music Society. Box 21, Salmon Arm, BC. Canada, V1E 4N2. Tel: (250) 833-4096. Fax: (250) 833-4097.

Funnyfest-Calgary Comedy Festival. [April-May] FunnyFest, 218 221 8 Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta, Canada. T2P 1B7.? HOTLINE: 403 228 7888. Tel: (403) 228 7888 | Fax: (403) 264 7888.
FUNNYFEST Calgary Comedy Festival, founded & produced by Stu Hughes, was conceived as a way to spread the gift of laughter by showcasing a world of hilarious stand up comics. FUNNYFEST is a true comedy event -- high brow to low brow and no sacred cows in between – FUNNYFESToffers a diverse range of belly laughs! 16 nights of comedy with 100 performers at 9 venues with over 10000 punchlines and 25 comedy themes!

FunnyFest Christmas Comedy Festival [Nov 17 - 27] HOTLINE: 403 228 7888.
Festival Favourite stand-up comics, sketch comedy & "A Comedy Christmas Carol" parody! All proceeds to fight poverty!

Funnyfest Talent Search 2006 [8 Saturdays, February 4 - March 18 @ 8 PM] HOTLINE: 403 228 7888.

The Saint John Comedy Festival. [April] Festival and Events Resource Officer. Uptown Saint John Inc. 40 King Street. Saint John, NB. E2L 1G3. 506-633-9797. Direct line: 506-642-6554 - 1-888-878-6967.
Presented by Uptown Saint John Inc. and is a fund-raiser for the Festival Initiative. The mandate of the Festival Initiative is to re-vitalize the uptown of Saint John by helping existing evnts and festivals and to attract new events to the city.

Winnipeg Comedy Festival. [April] Osborne Village Cultural Centre, the Gas Station Theatre.

Canada Dance Festival. [June] Canada Dance Festival Society. P. O. Box 1376, Station B Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5R4. Tel: 613 947-7000, ext. 576. Fax: 613 943-1399
The Canada Dance Festival was first produced in 1987 as an initiative of the Dance in Canada Association, the National Arts Centre and Dance!An Ottawa Summer Festival. Following 1987, the two dance organizations dissolved into a new, autonomous society, created to produce the Canada Dance Festival event. A separate administration was formed, and an official co-production arrangement with the Canada Dance Festival Society, and the National Arts Centre was solidified. The primary motivation in initiating the festival was the desire to showcase and promote Canada's professional dance achievements and to demonstrate the range, quality and originality of the work being produced across the country.

Toronto International Tango Festival. [May] Suite 1801 - 2350 Dundas St. West, Toronto, Ontario, M6P 4B1, Canada. Tel: (416) 536-8446.
Offering both local Toronto tango dancers and dancers from around the world an opportunity to learn from highly talented teachers and to enjoy dancing with other great dancers at some amazing milongas.

Giggleshorts-International Comedy Short Film Festival. [September] Tel: 1 - (416) 924 - 7201.
Giggleshorts is the largest comedy short film festival in the world We are expanding with Giggleshorts UK in the near future.

Montreal World Film Festival - Festival Des Films Du Monde. [August-September] 1432, de Bleury Street, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3A 2J1. Tel: 514-848-3883 Fax: 514-848-3886.
The goal of the Montreal World Film Festival (Montreal International Film Festival) is to encourage cultural diversity and understanding between nations, to foster the cinema of all continents by stimulating the development of quality cinema, to promote filmmakers and innovative works, to discover and encourage new talents, and to promote meetings between cinema professionals from around the world.

NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival. [March] Toll free at 1-800-952-9307
NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival is an annual celebration of Canadian screen achievement. Hosted each winter in Winnipeg, NSI FilmExchange ushers eminent Canadian film and television executives, writers, producers, directors and the brightest talent in the country into a dynamic and intimate atmosphere where new works generate heat and important industry connections take place. The objective of NSI FilmExchange is to further the development of Canadian film, television and new media by providing a forum in which emerging and established talent come together to exchange ideas and screen outstanding 100% Canadian short and feature films.

Toronto International Environmental Film and Video Festival. [September] Suite 304, 455 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. M5S 2G8. Tel: 416-531-1769. Fax: 416-531-8985.
Promoting the use of film and video as a catalysts for public awareness, discussion, and appropriate action on the ecological and social health of the planet. Include diverse perspectives (e.g., multi-cultural, international, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, racial, spiritual, and economic status). Promoting social and ecological sustainability in all festival operations, and forge relationships with organizations and individuals who have similar goals.

Canadian Tulip Festival. [May] Canadian Tulip Festival 112 Nelson Street, Suite 106. Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 7R5? Tel: (613) 567-5757. Fax: (613) 567-6216 Tulip Hotline: 1 800 66-TULIP or (613) 567-4447.
Millions of tulips will blossom again in May in Canada's scenic Capital Region, North America's Tulip Capital, creating an exotic mosaic of colour and beauty along a 15 km West Jet Tulip Route through Ottawa and Gatineau. Festivities include 5 Official Sites, one theme site and 15 Attraction and Partner Sites.

Calgary Folk Music Festival. [June] Folk Festival Society of Calgary. PO Box 2897 Stn M. Calgary, Alberta T2P 3C3, Canada. Tel: (403) 233-0904. Fax: 403)266-3373 The Calgary Folk Music Festival has no fear of music. It is a joyous celebration of traditional roots, musical innovation, and incredible diversity from around the globe. For four fabulous days in July, experience celtic sounds, world music, blues, bluegrass, acoustic and electric folk, roots music, alternative sounds, country, swing, and more.

The Back Forty Folk Festival. [June] Morden Park, Dead Horse Creek, 70 miles southwest of Winnipeg. [ Music includes folk,bluegrass, blues and world beat/dance]

Edmonton Folk Music Festival. [August] 10115- 97A Ave., Edmonton, AB. Mailing address P.O. Box 4130, Edmonton, AB T6E 4T2.
Staged in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in beautiful downtown Gallagher Park, happens each year in the second weekend in August.

Winnipeg Folk Festival. [July] The Winnipeg Folk Festival, 264 Taché Ave.Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2H 1Z9 Tel:204) 231-0096 Fax: (204) 231-0076.
What was originally conceived in 1974 as a one-time event to celebrate Winnipeg's Centenary and to present Folk music to local audiences, has grown to be an internationally acclaimed music event. The Festival is now the largest event of its kind in North America and one of the main summer, cultural attractions of the province of Manitoba.

Cornucopia: Whistler's Wine and Food Celebration. [November] 4010 Whistler Way. Whistler, BC. V0N 1B4. Toll free: 1-888-999-4566
Whistler's most popular event outside of the summer and winter seasons and brings a vibrant energy to the resort.

The Great Canadian Beer Festival. [September] 1237 Rockcrest Place, Victoria, BC, V9A 4W5. Canada. Chairman: Gerry Hieter. Tel: 250 383-2332. Fax: 250 595-7729.
One of the major differences between the GCBF and other beer festivals is that, every year, we sit down and discuss who we want to see at our festival. There are some high standards to meet before the call goes out: ours is a celebration of the brewing craft and we carefully consider things such as the quality of the beer and also the integrity of the brewer and the ethics of the company that owns the brewery.

Niagara Wine Festival. [September] Niagara Grape and Wine Festival 8 Church Street, Suite 100, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3B3. Tel: (905) 688-0212 Fax: (905) 688-2570.
The Niagara Grape & Wine Festival is a non-profit organization that runs a series of seasonal wine festivals in the Niagara region. The Niagara Icewine Festival, the Niagara New Vintage Festival, and the Niagara Wine Festival attract 100,000's of visitors to the area each year.

Beaches International Jazz Festival. [July] 1798 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4L 1G8. Tel: 416-698-2152 Fax: 416-698-2064.
The Festival began in 1989, when top jazz artists were booked to perform at the Kew Beach Bandshell. Now in its 17th year of operation, the festival has attracted millions of fans and made a major contribution to promoting Canadian jazz excellence in Toronto and on the world stage.

Distillery Jazz Festival. [May] Tel: 416-646-2166.
The Distillery Jazz Festival is a production of Fringe Jazz Toronto, a non-for-profit arts organization governed by a board of directors made up of jazz lover, arts marketers and musicians. Our mandate is to support the careers of local jazz artists and to create opportunities to build new audiences and present new works. We actively support alternative and emerging artists. We facilitate multi-disciplinary collaborations between jazz musicians and modern dancers, filmmakers and spoken word artists.

Guelph Jazz Festival. [September] 123 Woolwich Street, 2nd Floor. Guelph, Ontario, Canada. N1H 3V1. Tel: (519) 763-4952. Fax: (519) 763-3155.
Five days of innovative world-class music in one of Ontario’s loveliest cities. Heralded as one of the most visionary musical events in Canada, our intimate community-powered Festival celebrates its 12th anniversary this year by presenting national and international artists in concert, as well as workshops, panel discussions, lectures,  jazz on the streets  and in restaurants, a parade  featuring the 17 piece Fanfare Pourpour,  a tribute to the AACM  on its 40th anniversary, and a special program featuring over 50 musicians from Quebec.

Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival. [September] 65 York Street Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. E3B 3N4. Tel: (506) 454-2583. Fax: (506) 457-1815
From our humble beginnings, this Festival continues to grow and mature not only in terms of the numbers of people attending but also with the calibre of national and international artists we presented.

The Montreal International Jazz Festival. [June- July]Info-Jazz Bell. 822 Sherbrooke St Est. Montreal (Quebec). Canada H2L 1K4. Tel: (514) 871-1881 - 1 888 515-0515
By now, the resounding success of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal is self-evident. But it’s been almost three decades since what became the biggest festival in the world was little more than a twinkle in the eye of founder Alain Simard, whose unshakeable belief in the event finally made it a reality — as is often the case with innovators such as he.

Ottawa Jazz Festival. [July] 61A York Street. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 5T2. Tel: 613-241-2633 Fax: 613-241-5774.
For over 25 years the Ottawa International Jazz Festival (OIJF) has established a reputation for presenting outstanding jazz musicians of international renown. Our festivals have been tremendously successful, both artistically and financially, over the past several years. Increasing attendance records prove that our audience members, such as you, recognize and support great jazz music.

Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival. [] Toronto Downtown Jazz Society. 82 Bleecker Street. Toronto, Ontario. M4X 1L8. Tel: (416)928-2033 Fax: (416)928-0533
This world-class festival will showcase 1500+ of the best international and Canadian musicians performing diverse styles from traditional to fusion, blues to bebop. Hundreds of thousands of jazz fans from around the world will experience jazz at ticketed mainstage performances, in concert halls, at free indoor and outdoor stages, more than 30 clubs, hotels and lounges. Venue locations are in the heart of Downtown Toronto. The Festival mainstage is located at Nathan Phillips Square - a 1000 seat weather-protected, licensed, marquee. This venue will host free performances during the day and ticketed events in the evening.

Calgary Reggae Festival. [August] Calgary Reggae Festival Society. Chinook RPO. P.O. Box 30244. Calgary, Alberta. T2H 2V9 Canada. Tel: (403) 355-5696.
In October of 2003, 6 Calgarians came together with the same vision – to increase the awareness of Reggae Music in Western Canada and to provide an avenue where this music can be heard. The Calgary Reggae Festival Society (CRFS) was formed. CRFS is set on a mission to promote local, regional and national awareness of Reggae Music in Canada and will also strive to lobby mainstream media to give the music more airplay.

Nova Scotia Multicultural Festival. [June] 1113 Marginal Road, Halifax, N.S. B3H4P7 Tel: (902)423-6534. Fax: (902)422-0881.
Over the years, each festival has been as individual and unique as the ethnocultural groups taking part in it. Some years a parade winds proudly through the streets to the festival site heralding the event's opening; while other years traditional folkdance lessons and festive street dances into the wee hours have been highlights. Constant, however, has been the eclectic array of foods, costumes, exhibits and entertainment which keeps the crowds returning....and growing.

SAND SCULPTURE

World Championships of Sand Sculpture. [September-October]
The Exhibition of finished sculpture is Western Canada's largest outdoor art show. It runs from September 12th 'till October 10th, 2005 (Thanksgiving/Columbus Day). The gates are open from 8:30 'till dusk.