Sled Island

We're thrilled to announce that New York experimental hardcore trio Show Me the Body will be joining us as guest curator for Sled Island 2024, running June 19 - 23! The group’s cross-genre musical approach, ceremonial live shows, dedication to creating inclusive spaces, and commitment to fostering a global sense of community made them a very fitting choice for this role, and we’re excited to be working with them for next year’s festival.

Along with guest curator duties, Show Me the Body will perform at the #1 Royal Canadian Legion (116 7th Ave. SE) on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Sled Island passes grant access to this show (subject to capacity). 
 
Each year, Sled Island’s guest curator puts their stamp on the festival through special programming choices and their presence at the event. Show Me the Body’s curatorial selections, to be announced in the coming months, will join over 200 additional bands, comedy, film, visual art and conference programming chosen by the festival in multiple venues across Calgary.

Passes go on sale this Friday, December 8 at noon MST at a special early bird rate of 20% off, and will be available at SledIsland.com, and Lukes Drug Mart (112 4th St. NE). Payment plans and all-ages passes will also be available. For more information, visit SledIsland.com/Passes.

Unfamiliar with Show Me the Body? Start with their 2022 LP Trouble The Water, about which Pitchfork said the band “strike gold” with “daring” music in a glowing review. Also, be sure to check out some of their live footage available on YouTube to get a sense of what we're in store for this June! 

Thank you to our sponsors and funders at connectFirst Credit Union, Lukes Drug Mart, Eighty-Eight Brewing, Dandy Brewing Company, Calgary Arts Development, The City of Calgary, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Structured Abstraction, Venture for Canada, and the Government of Canada.

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This holiday season, we are asking for your help to get us to our $25,000 fundraising goal, which will be directly invested in the production of our 2024 festival. The Government of Alberta will match 30% of funds raised (up to a max of $15,000) for eligible campaigns that raise a minimum of $5,000. A tax receipt will be issued in exchange of donations of $10 or more!

To donate, visit SledIsland.com/Donate.

If you have attended Sled Island in the past, you know that it is a one-of-a-kind music festival full of new experiences, friendships and connections. Sled Island is dear to attendees, local artists, small businesses and hundreds of community partners who come together each June to celebrate our independent music and arts scene, while also welcoming exciting talents from far and wide.

Beyond our annual festival, we work hard year-round to nurture the local music scene, advocate for our sector, give opportunities to local musicians and offer you more unique shows, all while operating with a small permanent staff of four people.

Putting on a festival like Sled Island in Calgary is expensive. The current high inflation rate, coupled with the increasing price of flights and a weak Canadian dollar are putting unprecedented stress on our budget. We are committed to our event remaining financially accessible but for that, we need your help. 

Thank you for your generous support!

The always entertaining and unpredictable Sled Island Rock Lotto will make its triumphant return on Saturday, November 18!

Join us at the Palomino Smokehouse and Social Club, where we’ll bring together 25 musicians from various backgrounds and draw names from a hat to form one-off bands for one night only, with just 12 hours to write and perform new material!

This year, the event is focused on creating meaningful connections between musicians just starting their music journey in the city and artists more familiar with the Calgary music scene, with the goal of fostering a more diverse music ecosystem and increasing equitable access to creative opportunities for all.

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Prepare yourself for another legendary CJSW x Sled Island Halloween Party! 👻🎃

That’s right! CJSW, Sled Island, and Last Best Brewing are excited to present Adventure Awaits... a Halloween Party at the #1 Royal Canadian Legion on Saturday, October 28! Join us to celebrate the 2023 CJSW One Radio, Endless Adventure Funding Drive, with three floors of fun ranging from the best local bands playing your favourite epic adventure tunes on the main floor, a video dance party with CJSW VJs upstairs, and a dance dungeon in the basement!

Don’t forget to dress up, because the costume contest will be giving away some awesome prizes from CJSW, Sled Island and Last Best!

Tickets for this event are now SOLD OUT. 

Remember to support Calgary's campus and community radio station by donating to the 2023 CJSW Funding Drive by visiting CJSW.com/Donate.

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Sled Island is hiring a full-time, permanent Fund Development Manager to lead the organization's sponsorship and donation activities.

Who We Are

Sled Island is a charitable organization with the mandate of fostering understanding and appreciation of music & arts underrepresented in mainstream media, and to nurture the local artistic community through performance and educational opportunities. Our main activity is the presentation of the annual Sled Island Music & Arts Festival, a pillar of Calgary’s cultural calendar taking place each June, that brings together thousands of artists, volunteers, partners, and attendees from across the country and beyond. We also present year-round artistic and educational programming through numerous community partnerships, aimed at increasing awareness of Sled Island on an ongoing basis.

Sled Island is a community-centric organization driven by values of curiosity and diversity, on and off the stage, and committed to principles of equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression. We recognize the systemic lack of representation of equity-deserving communities in the current non-profit art space, and strongly encourage members of Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities; people with disabilities; people identifying as LGBTQIA2S+; and women to apply.

Would you require any accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact us at hr@sledisland.com so we may meet your needs.

Who You Are and What You Will Do

Working closely with and reporting to the Executive Director, the Fund Development Manager will help craft and oversee the implementation of innovative sponsorship development strategies and creative fundraising events & campaigns, as well as create systems and processes to build Sled Island’s fundraising capacity. This is a unique opportunity to leverage Sled Island’s charitable status to create a lasting impact, both within the organization and in the community.

To fill this role, we’re looking for someone passionate about advancing our mission and who can articulate, and advocate for, the importance and impact of music & arts. Our ideal candidate is a people person who’s not afraid to pick up the phone and attend networking events, and who can seamlessly navigate between the corporate and arts/non-profit world. A self-starter who likes to think outside the box and is motivated by reaching targets, in addition to meeting the qualification requirements listed further down.

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If you missed out on merch during the festival, you might still be in luck! We have posters for Liturgy, Haviah Mighty, THICK, SPELLLING, Emma Ruth Rundle, Blackwater Holylight, Cola and Helado Negro still in stock!

Not to mention, new t-shirts, totes, and enamel pins, AND restocked ball caps and keychains!

Make your purchase at the shop section of SledIsland.com.

Still rocking your Sled Island 2023 wristband? Some of our community partners are offering deals up until July 4! See all participating businesses at the list below. 

Sweet Relief Pastries (120 13 Ave SW)
10% off storefront purchases *conditions apply*
Bakeshop known for elegant cakes, cookies, macarons & pastries from scratch with local ingredients.
**Applicable for any of our ready-to-go items (does not include custom orders)**

Madison’s 12|12 (1212 9 Ave SE)
10% off *conditions apply*
A community focused and community funded restaurant located in the heart of Inglewood. A beautiful space for people to gather, create, enjoy, share and become inspired. 
**Not applicable to any discounted items, happy hour or daily specials**

Boogie’s Burgers (908 Edmonton Trail NE /  2129 33 Ave SW)
15% off
A cheery spot with kitschy decor, Boogies is one of the best burger joints in town. Their Angry Aztec milkshake and hamburger-hotdog hybrid burger, Jebb’s Doggie Burger, are where it’s at.

Magpie (#107 - 535 8 Ave SE)
15% off 
Introducing a new vegan cocktail bar located in the vibrant East Village. This bar boasts a menu of expertly crafted plant-based cocktails, created by their experienced mixologists. Whether you're in the mood for a classic cocktail with a vegan twist or an innovative creation that pushes the boundaries of mixology, this bar has something for everyone.

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General 

• Unfortunately, due to licensing issues Modern Love is no longer an all-ages venue for Sled Island 2023. Both the main floor and the patio are currently 18+ only.
   

Wednesday, June 21

• mineo kawasaki will be on CJSW 90.9 @ 3pm
   
• Fresh Wax will be on CJSW 90.9 @ 5pm

Temp-Illusion X Amir B. Ash is unable to make it to Sled Island. Their previously scheduled performance will be replaced by:

• mHz - 11pm @ Modern Love (Main Floor)
   

Bench Party is unable to make it to Sled Island. Their previously scheduled performance will be replaced by:

• Soggy Moccasins - 9:30pm @ Ship & Anchor
   

NADUH is unable to make it to Sled Island. Their previously scheduled performance will be replaced by:

• 86LOVE - 9:30pm @ Commonwealth

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LISTEN NOW

Wednesday, June 21

• 1876 @ 1pm
   
• mineo kawasaki @ 3pm
   
• Fresh Wax @ 5pm
   

Thursday, June 22

• Co-op @ 11am
   
• Grimelda @ 1pm
   
• Sunforger @ 2:30pm
   
• Neighbourly @ 5pm
   
• The Wesleys @ 6pm
   
• Paisley Fields @ 7:30pm
   

Friday, June 23

• Maassai @ 9am
   
• Faith Healer (solo) @ 11am
   
• Barbara @ 1pm
   
• Leather Jacuzzi @ 2pm
   
• Bog Bodies @ 3pm
   
• Laurence-Anne @ 5pm
   

Saturday, June 24

• Empanadas Ilegales @ 12pm
   
• Gloin @ 1pm

Thank you to everyone who came out to the annual “…But I Don’t Know Any of the Bands!” trivia night at Home & Away, and took part in our unique Google-the-answer Sled Island trivia! For anyone who missed it and wants to see what the challenge looked like, check it out! For those who participated and are dying to know the answers, see below! 

Congratulations to Jessica Ross for being the big winner of the night and scoring two Discovery Passes to Sled Island 2023! It was a close one that came down to our tiebreaker.

1. We are extremely proud to welcome Bartees Strange to curate Sled Island 2023. List all of his hand-selected picks performing this year! (No part marks!)

Gulfer, Helado Negro, JWords, KAINA, Maassai, Maneka, Pom Pom Squad, Sen Morimoto

2. Besides Bartees Strange, who playing at Sled Island this year has filled the role of guest curator?

John Dwyer (Osees)

3. Which band has someone who previously was a part of the Blue Man Group?

The Body

4. SUMAC is a supergroup that is no stranger to Sled Island, having previously played in 2015. However, they have played Sled with their regular bands as well before! What other bands have the members of SUMAC played at Sled with?

Russian Circles, These Arms Are Snakes, Mamiffer, Old Man Gloom

5. What is the name of the electronic hip-hop duo that was formed by two of the guest curator selections?

HE1R (Maassai + JWords)

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The wait is finally over! The full Sled Island 2023 schedule is here, including all the details for film, art, special events, conference programming and the return of the Ramsay Block Party! Check it all out on our online schedule, which features new improvements and once again includes the ability to build your own personalized schedule!

Sled Island's Ramsay Block Party is back! Just like last year, the free, family-friendly extravaganza will take place in Ramsay at the Lilydale Parking Lot, running from 12-9pm on Saturday, June 24! The all-day party will feature live music from Cola, Pom Pom Squad, and many more! PLUS free skateboarding from The Compound, food trucks from The Curryer, and Arepas Ranch, an art battle at nvrlnd. Arts Foundation, beer from Eighty-Eight and Dandy, cocktails from Tumbler and Rocks, ice cream from Lukes Drug Mart, Dance Dance Revolution courtesy of CBC Calgary, and face-painting, bubbles and tasty treats from our presenting sponsor connectFirst Credit Union!

Some of this year's art programming can also be found at the location of our Ramsay Block Party, including the AUArts Students’ Association Exhibit, featuring work by emerging artists from the Alberta University of Arts at nvrlnd. boutique. Also, be sure to check out our annual Sled Island Poster Show, running June 20-25 at I Love You Coffee Shop.

Sled Island Film is back with the Canadian premiere of Even Hell Has its Heroes, the story of the slowest metal band on the planet, Earth, kicking off the festival on Tuesday night at the Globe Cinema! As a bonus, the documentary will be preceded by four short films shot and composed by local filmmakers with disabilities at the National accessArt Centre.

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Since 2007, Sled Island’s thoughtful, eclectic programming and independent spirit has produced a one-of-a-kind festival experience. As presenting sponsor of Sled Island, connectFirst is proud to help bring five-days’ worth of music and arts to the community. We’re also thrilled that our contribution goes towards supporting equitable compensation for emerging artists through the Artist Equity Program. We recently sat down with Maud Salvi, Executive Director of Sled Island, to get her thoughts on the Artist Equity Program and how financial institutions can do more to support working artists.

According to Maud, the Artist Equity Program, at its core, is an acknowledgement that emerging artists need to be paid more – it’s as simple as that.

The great thing about festivals like Sled Island, that are multi-venue and multi-day, is that they draw some big-name artists who also play alongside early-career artists, giving festivalgoers an excellent variety of experiences.  There’s a misconception, however, that these emerging artists should just be thankful to have people hear their music and see them perform – that the benefit of the exposure alone should be enough compensation.

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Our full lineup is finally here, with over 200 artists set to perform at this year’s festival! 

Newly announced headliners include indie pop musician, visual artist and trans activist Vivek Shraya, experimental metal duo The Body, Portland-based heavy psych five-piece Blackwater Holylight, Montreal post-punk trio Cola (featuring past members of Ought), Mexican grunge-meets-shoegaze outfit Margaritas Podridas, Brooklyn-based art punks Gustaf, acclaimed electro-pop star and SOPHIE collaborator Cecile Believe (formerly known as Mozart’s Sister), Philadelphia-based electronic beatmaker and Bartees Strange selection JWords, poppy alt-rock group Weird Nightmare (the new side project from Metz frontman Alex Edkins), and Maneka, the genre-agnostic alternative act featuring former Speedy Ortiz guitarist Devin McKnight (also selected by Bartees Strange). These acts join already announced artists such as Osees, DEHD, Bartees Strange, Sun Ra Arkestra, Helado Negro, Akintoye, Emma Ruth Rundle, Mannequin Pussy, Amindi, Haviah Mighty, SPELLLING, and many more!

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Today we’re very excited to announce that cosmic free jazz legends Sun Ra Arkestra will be joining us for Sled Island 2023!

The pioneering afro-futurist big band will perform at Central United Church on Thursday, June 22!

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, March 17 at noon MDT. Sled Island passes grant entry, subject to capacity.

For passes, visit SledIsland.com/Passes.

About Sun Ra Arkestra

There aren’t many musical groups that are still going strong 30 years after their leader’s death, but then again, there aren’t any groups in the universe like the Sun Ra Arkestra. Since the passing of Sun Ra in 1993, the pioneering afro-futurist, avant-garde big band has been spreading the immensely influential music and philosophy of their late bandleader, Le Sony'r Ra.

With an ever-flexible lineup and a gargantuan catalog of music spanning from cosmic jazz to disco to free jazz to bop, Sun Ra’s influence can be seen in every corner of contemporary music. From legends like John Coltrane to indie icons Yo La Tengo and punk forebears MC5, Sun Ra’s influence is so far-reaching that it’s hard to imagine modern music being the same without him.

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The first wave of Sled Island 2023 artists is here! 

Joining Sled Island's previously announced 2023 guest curator, Bartees Strange, are garage rock chameleons Osees, Chicago-based indie rock three-piece DEHD, Latin folk innovator Helado Negro (selected by Bartees Strange), Toronto’s viral hip-hop sensation Akintoye, gothic folk artist Emma Ruth Rundle (playing a solo piano set at Central United Church), Philadelphia-based punk rock revolutionaries Mannequin Pussy, alternative R&B/hip-hop artist Amindi, Toronto-based rapper and 2019 Polaris Music Prize winner Haviah Mighty, and indie pop musician SPELLLING.

Also included in the first wave lineup is post-metal supergroup SUMAC, progressive black metal outfit Liturgy, experimental electro-pop duo Water From Your Eyes, bossa nova-infused psych-folk artist Sessa (formerly of Yonatan Gat), Brooklyn-based garage rock trio THICK, Montreal electronic punk duo Pelada, ambient metal trio BIG|BRAVE, genre-bending death metal three-piece Suffering Hour, and self-proclaimed “pow wow punk rockers” 1876. 

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We’re very excited to announce that connectFirst Credit Union has rejoined Sled Island as our official presenting sponsor!

Since 1938, connectFirst has been dedicated to strengthening their communities and finding ways to help Albertans build a brighter future, and for this reason we are very excited to have them back on the Sled team. Thanks to them, we are once again able to increase local artist fees this year, bringing us closer to our goal of improving equity and compensation for all artists!

After lots of exciting activations at Sled Island 2022 (remember that epic pizza ATM at the Legion?), we can’t wait to see what their team has in store for us next, and we're thrilled to have them back!

Learn more about connectFirst at connectfirstcu.com.