BPAC’s Live & Local series promotes the development of local singers and songwriters by providing them with access to our venue and professional technical support. By featuring these talented musicians in our Community Studio Theatre, with reduced ticket prices, we encourage our patrons to explore new artists and entertainment genres while attracting new audience members to our Centre. Please join our host Brent Kinnaird, as we celebrate what our community has to offer!

Hosted by BRENT KINNAIRD

Brent has been around the music industry over the last decade, including presenting shows, artist marketing and festival production. He is the Vice President, Festival Operations for Burlington’s The Sound of Music Festival, and in his spare time co-hosts the world’s only dedicated Sammy Hagar podcast, The Bogus Otis Show. He’s a diehard Van Halen fan, and is passionate about finding the next great guitar hero to carry the torch.

LOST FACULTY

Fresh off an East Coast tour, Hamilton’s own Lost Faculty is making waves in the Canadian indie rock landscape. In just over a year, they have been celebrated for their frenetic live shows, tearing through iconic Canadian venues with sold-out performances at the Horseshoe Tavern, Casbah Lounge, Mills Hardware, and electrifying stages like Lee’s Palace and the El Mocambo. After being booked for NXNE 2024 not once, but twice, Lost Faculty’s momentum has kicked into high gear this year. Their latest release, a live cover of “Archie, Marry Me” by Canadian indie rock legends Alvvays, has been receiving regular airplay on CBC Radio across Canada. This track, along with their new releases for 2024, was recorded at Julius Butty’s Arc Recording Studio (City and Colour, Alexisonfire, Protest The Hero) in Hamilton, ON. This year’s releases capture the raw and engaging energy Lost Faculty brings to the stage, highlighting their signature blend of infectious rock and captivating lyrics. View artist website here.

CHARISSA

From busking on the streets of her hometown of Burlington to performing on legendary stages, Charissa has been honing a thoughtful, meditative approach to songwriting and has created a sound that suits her authentic self. She has built up an impressive repertoire of original music, a unique blend of earthy Americana and laidback soul with lyrics covering love, heartbreak and pain.

She has collaborated with some big names in the Canadian music scene, including the late Skip Prokop, Guitarist Colin Cripps (Blue Rodeo), Tom Wilson (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings) and Singer/Songwriter Lori Yates. After signing her first record deal with Coalition Music Records, she released her debut EP “Love and Be Loved” in 2022, produced by Cripps.

At heart, Charissa is a storyteller. “The best stories are ones that don’t shy away from honesty. As an artist, I think sharing your own truth is important. I’m going to write what I might be afraid to say out loud.” That vulnerability combined with her lush flowing arrangements and powerful vocals makes her a force to be reckoned with. Her latest single “What You’re Out Looking For” is out now on all streaming platforms. View artist website here.