North by North East Interactive 2011 (NxNEi) June 13-19

As you know, I’m in love with Toronto and Toronto-residents (Meghan, Karim, Ryan and Pamela might have had something to do with it). The last few times I’ve been there, and in particular the last time, I fell in love.

Last year I spent a week with my good friend Meghan Warby (Without A Yard) I really fell in love with the city. So, when Meghan asked me if I would attend North by North East Interactive 2011 (which this year runs from June 13th to 19th), I began seriously considering it. NxNEi is right before I start teaching summer courses, and attending would allow me to do some cross-pollination and collaborative work with scholars in the Toronto/Waterloo area. So I’m seriously considering it.

Now in its 17th year, North by Northeast Music Festival and Conference (NXNE) has become the Canadian festival destination for new and emerging talent—unsigned bands, indie favourites, and major-label headlining artists alike. Seen as the most anticipated summer music event in Canada, NXNE Music, NXNE Film, and NXNE Interactive are an essential gathering for artists, industry, and fans.

We’re based in Toronto, but bring a global perspective to our programming. NXNE’s mission is to

• provide a forum for the best new music, in which fans can catch emerging artists – tomorrow’s stars – and today’s most popular acts at intimate club venues
• screen the year’s most exciting music-themed films
• bridge the gap between the creative industries and the interactive world
• present Toronto with an annual marquis tourist destination festival by showcasing international headline performers at huge free outdoor concerts

While it would have been impossible for me to attend SxSWi (South by South West Interactive), the fact that I don’t teach that week and that I could have other research objectives for that visit is strongly drawing me towards actually attending NxNEi. And who knows, maybe I could even speak there in the interactive portion!

You can get tickets to NxNEi here, and you can check the program here.

UPDATE – I just realized my very good friend and amazing project partner Grace Carter is speaking at North by North West Interactive. That has sealed my decision. Whether I speak or not, I will be going. Just for the fun of hanging out with my Toronto crowd again and to see Grace speak.