Category: Community

Debbie has been a member of IATSE Local 680 since 1991. For the last 15 years, she has been the Call Steward for the Local, crewing shows like The Rolling Stones Bigger Bang Tour, the 2006 Juno Awards, numerous WE Day shows, several Cirque du Soleil shows, the annual Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, large and small corporate events as well as all shows at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. Last year was the Local’s busiest year ever and 2020 was shaping up to be close to that volume. “The hardest thing about this shutdown has been the uncertainty of when people will be able to get back to work and just missing everyone,” Debbie says. Advocacy of the major entertainment unions has been pivotal in making sure that no one was left behind, and addressing flaws in the social safety net to government. This is especially important for workers who don’t fit in a normal work environment, such as live events where many are employed as “gig workers.”

Jennifer is the Production/Admin Assistant at The Starlite Room/ConcertWorks and former Account Manager for NASCO – A production technical staffing company for venues and event properties across Canada. Jennifer’s accounts included Rogers Centre, Budweiser Stage, RBC Echo Beach, Veld, and the Living Arts Centre. Her current role with The Starlite Room/ConcertWorks has helped establish the company as a major contributor, influence, and facilitator in showcasing international, domestic, and local artists in the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta. Jennifer is one of the founding members of the Canadian Independent Venue Coalition (CIVC), who has been advocating for live music venues and the music ecosystem in Canada. www.supportcanadianvenues.ca

With a background as a classically trained singer, Jennifer’s previous roles include tenures at Canadian Music Week, NXNE, production for AEG/Goldenvoice including Edgefest and Wakestock, and as a published music writer for BeatRoute, Hush Magazine, Abort Magazine, Punkanormal Activity, and The Spill Magazine.

Nicole Goguen is a 32-year-old technician that has been working in the live event industry for 14 years. Nicole has been instrumental in making #WeBuildEntertainment and #LightUpLive Toronto a reality. Starting her career in Saint John New Brunswick, and then moving to Toronto in 2012. After freelancing for many years in lighting she became a member of IATSE Local 58 as a board op and is currently the Head of Lighting at Medieval Times Toronto. As the founder of We Build Entertainment, Nicole works with technicians and other live event workers to bring people together and help build a stronger more unified community.

Harrison has been an instrumental past of the Live Event Community execution team since its early days as an important resource for out-of-work workers. His knowledge of technology and social media made him an ideal candidate to maintain communication though Instagram, an important conduit to younger workers. His countless hours preparing for the Light Up Live execution on 22 September definitely paid off with the result being a social reach of 9 million and almost 12k posts over the week.

Harrison has been in the live event community for 12 years. Currently he is the head of audiovideo at Isabel Bader theatre at Victoria University. He also worked at TIFF Bell Lightbox as an Assistant Booth Manager before COVID-19. Pre-covid, Harrison spent his time supporting First Nations (1492 Landback Lane), Teachers, and the Encampment Safety Network (Instagram). During the pandemic he has learned how to make scrambled eggs like Gordon Ramsay (it doesn’t involve profanity or shouting).

Once upon a time there was an incredible workforce involving thousands of people. These talented individuals ranged from musicians, actors, lecturers, creative show designers, stagehands, lighting and sound engineers, visual effects and laser technicians, transportation and logistics personnel, caterers, wardrobe assistants, bus drivers, structural engineers along with a vast array of support teams to backup and contribute their skills aiding all these people.