Evolve Festival

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Evolve Festival is an annual music and cultural festival in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, dedicated to the promotion of sustainable living and environmental awareness. The festival uses renewable energy sources, recycled and biodegradable products and endeavours to limit solid waste ^[1].

The festival was first conceived by Joe MacEachern a local Nova Scotian activist, who recruited Jim Dorey of Toronto who became the second founding member of Evolve Tribe. In 2005 the team was joined by long time supporter and Evolve tribe member Jonas Coltier of Fredericton NB. In 2006 Jimmy Dorey sold his shares To Jonas and Joe and in 2008 Joe sold his shares to Jonas to pursue an honors degree in Sociology at STFX.

The festival was first held in 2000, and presents a diverse lineup of rock, jazz, funk, world music, hip hop, bluegrass and electronica performers.^[2] In 2007, 40 musical acts played at the festival.^[3]

Performers at the festival have included k-os, The Trews ^[4], Michael Franti and Spearhead ^[5], Wintersleep, Slowcoaster, Hey Rosetta!^[3] Rheostatics, The Be Good Tanyas, Holy Fuck, Medeski, Martin and Wood, Brazilian Girls and Luther Wright and the Wrongs. Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May also spoke at the 2007 event ^[6]. In addition to its main stage, the festival also has a second stage highlighting emerging artists from Atlantic Canada ^[7].