For Immediate Release
October 3, 2022
BreakOut West to return to Kelowna in 2023
(Kelowna, BC) It’s official… BreakOut West is returning to Kelowna in 2023! The announcement was made at a hand-off party in Calgary over the weekend.
The once-a-year event is sure to be one of the highlights of Kelowna’s cultural calendar in 2023 as musicians, industry professionals, fans, and delegates descend on the city for a 4-day music industry conference, 3-night multi-genre showcase festival at various downtown Kelowna venues, and the Western Canadian Music Awards.
Each year, a different western Canadian host city is selected, and in 2023 it’s Kelowna’s turn. Kelowna has successfully hosted Breakout West on two previous occasions in 2010 and 2018. Both times, the city was buzzing with excitement and sold-out shows.
Working closely with partners Tourism Kelowna and the City of Kelowna, a Host Committee consisting of Creative Okanagan and a small group of community volunteers have spent considerable time completing a host bid, competing against other potential host communities, to secure the event.
Karma Lacoff Nieoczym, Creative and Executive Director with Creative Okanagan and Host chair, explains:
“Kelowna has had massive success in hosting BreakOut West in the past. The event has enabled us to showcase our local artists and unique venues and further establish Kelowna as a community that loves live music. MusicBC has strongly supported us in submitting the bid. We look forward to offering our local musicians opportunities to perform at the festival, attend the conference, and submit entries for the Western Canadian Music Awards.”
Chris Babcock, Event Development Supervisor with the City of Kelowna, is delighted to see BreakOut West return:
“We love seeing Kelowna animated in a positive way for our residents. BreakOut West definitely does that, and it also helps to highlight some of the incredible talent, venues and culture we have here in our city. We also know it has a long-term net positive impact on our community. We’ve seen BreakOut West be a big success here twice in the past, and I know 2023 is going to be great too. I can’t wait!”
Local music fans will love the BreakOut West Showcase Festival featuring over 50 of Western Canada’s best emerging and established artists (and a few international acts too). BreakOut West is run by the Western Canadian Music Alliance and a volunteer committee in the host city.
BreakOut West 2023 is the 21st edition of BOW. It will take place in Kelowna from October 11-15, 2023.
President and CEO of Tourism Kelowna, Lisanne Ballantyne, says 2023’s edition will build on the success of years past:
“Kelowna has hosted successful BreakOut West events in 2010 and 2018, and 2023 promises to build on that legacy. The Central Okanagan has a strong, connected music and cultural community, terrific venues, and passionate volunteers ready to host in 2023. We are excited to welcome back attendees to our amazing four-season outdoor playground, including new live music and performance spaces. Tourism Kelowna is proud to partner on important events like Break Out West that increase economic impact while contributing to Kelowna’s quality of life. The entire tourism industry is excited for BreakOut West and the Western Canadian Music Awards to return next year, and we invite you to come and explore Kelowna during the celebration, too!”
More details will be announced in the coming months, but for now, Kelowna residents are being urged to save the date for BreakOut West 2023, October 11-15. You can learn more about BreakOut West here.
