We have just learned that we have suddenly lost 50% of our annual operating funding, which makes it impossible to present what would have been our 21st annual festival. This has come as a shock to the EE festival organization, as we are sure it will be to the many artists, musicians, and performers who we were excited to invite to present at this year’s festival, and for all festival attendees and participants.

For the past 20 years, it has been a great honour to host our annual festival celebrating the creativity of our local, national, and international community of sound artists, musicians, and media artists. When we began with our first festival in 2006, we could only hope to achieve the success that EE turned out to be, as it grew from year to year. That success was created by the participation and dedication of so many internationally-acclaimed artists as well as those lesser-known, but no less deserving of recognition, creative sound experimenters and musicians of all types and backgrounds. The ever-growing and expanding audience, combined with EE regulars and faithful followers, have been a vital part of the experience every year.

EE organizers and support staff have been essential to the success of the festival since our beginnings 21 years ago, from our co-founder Chris Worden, who helped steer us through our first 13 years, to our production manager Charlie Murray, and the many support staff and volunteers who enthusiastically helped organize the event each year, including Gita Kikauka, Tony Conrad, Michael Evans, Vanessa Rieger, Julia White, Becky Katz, Zoe Thurling, David Chevalier, Brian Renton, Ian Sequeira, Reinhard Reitzenstein, Joshua Bergeron and Sarah, Harper Quee, Garrett Gilbart, Jiva Mackay, Carl Hamfelt, Algis Kizys, Tim Rivers, Mau Weinsten, Joshua Richardson, Tim Sweet, Chip Flynn, Rich Young, Danielle de Picciotto, Alexander Hacke, Fabio Roberti, Lary 7, Dwight Siegner, Colby Richardson, Tobi Christiansen, and Brandon Maclean, and not to mention our esteemed board members Steven White, Gayle Young, Philly Markowitz, Sandor Ajzenstat, Mark Monahan, Norman White, and Kathy and John Kerr (we apologize if we missed mentioning anyone!).

We do not yet know whether there might be future manifestations or projects of EE to come, but at this point we are putting everything on hold, with no idea what the future may or may not bring.

(Anyone who bought an advance ticket will be reimbursed in full.)

With thanks to all,

Your EE hosts and organizers,

Gordon Monahan and Laura Kikauka