Introducing EVERYSEEKER
We’re excited to be ringing in 2020 with a new name and vision. For the past 12 years, we’d been operating in K’jipuktuk / Halifax as OBEY Convention, a curatorial platform that sought constant, punk-inflected reinvention. From harsh noise, deep psych, swamp rock and hardcore to free jazz, contemporary classical, hip-hop, ambient and so much more, OBEY eschewed genre-specific programming while remaining decidedly different in our offerings. Last Valentine’s Day, we received a cease-and-desist from the Los Angeles-based street art and clothing brand OBEY Giant demanding that we stop operating under our original name.
The process of having to reimagine our identity has given us an opportunity to reflect on our past, filled to the brim with exciting, heady, inspiring, mysterious and challenging moments. We’ve been dreaming big and planning carefully; taking stock of our successes, our shortcomings and—most crucially—how we can move forward with greater clarity, care and impact.
So here we are: EVERYSEEKER. You might recognize this name from some of our past programming--we used it previously as a label for our educational lectures and workshops. Coined in 2014 by Sheryl Haws (partner of festival founder Darcy Spidle) legend has it that ‘every’ and ‘seeker’ were plucked from the beginning of a poem Haws had been reading while Spidle was trying to name this new aspect of the festival.
Along with this new identity and vision, we’re announcing a winter series of monthly performances and workshops. We’re looking forward to visits from four incredible artists: Chicago’s hottest spiritual jazzer Angel Bat Dawid, Toronto’s incendiary club queen Chippy Nonstop, Philadelphia’s afrofuturist punk Moor Mother and Brooklyn’s astral flautist Ka Baird. Each of these headliners will be taking part in a ticketed, pay-what-you-can show and a free public workshop. A broad range of local talents support throughout the series including New Hermitage, NAT Chantel, Delvina Bernard, Fragment, BLKRWK, Tangent, Maximata, DJ Regalia, DJ Fancy Pants and DJ HIIGH KEE.
More boundless programming arrives this summer in the form of a four-day festival, our first as EVERYSEEKER. Set for June 18 - 21st 2020 in our beautiful coastal city, this celebration promises a carefully curated, genre-fluid exploration of radical sounds and new ideas, with program rollout beginning mid-February.
EVERYSEEKER’s design is by Jayme Spinks, a designer and printer based in Lunenburg, NS
Financial support for this project comes from: Heritage Canada, Arts Nova Scotia, the Province Of Nova Scotia, the City Of Halifax, Propeller Brewing Company and other fine folks