Singer-songwriter Breagh Mackinnon plays Winnipeg, Ottawa and PEI this weekend

From the Winnipeg Folk Festival to Ottawa Bluesfest to the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Cape Breton singer/songwriter Breagh Mackinnon is gearing up to play three major festivals in three provinces — all in the span of three days.

Breagh Mackinnon has been chosen from over 300 artists across Canada as one of three finalist in the Ottawa Bluesfest She’s The One Emerging Female Artist Competition. The three finalists will have a 20-minute slot to perform at the RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest in front of a professional jury, on Saturday, July 7. Judging will be based on performance, stage presence/showmanship, originality, musicality, audience reaction, and the ever-important ‘It’ factor.

This wonderful opportunity creates a challenging schedule for Mackinnon. She will play at three major festivals in three provinces over three days.

Mackinnon starts her weekend at the Winnipeg Folk Festival where she was selected to take part in the Galaxie Young Performers Program. The 30 young Canadian artists chosen for the program will be paired with one of the 2012 festival’s performing artists for music and marketing mentorship sessions. Mackinnon will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with New York’s Natalia Zukerman. On July 6, Breagh and the other young musicians will then have the opportunity to showcase their talent on the Winnipeg Folk Festival Shady Grove Stage. Then it’s off to Ottawa for the Bluesfest competition on July 7.

One short sleep and a few connecting flights later, Mackinnon will wrap up her weekend at the Cavendish Beach Festival in Prince Edward Island, July 8. There she will showcase on the Cavendish Farms Kitchen Stage at 2 pm.

And, just to keep it interesting, right after the Cavendish gig, Mackinnon heads home to Cape Breton for the Gordie Sampson Songcamp that starts the same night in Ingonish.

Mackinnon says, “It’s a hectic schedule but I can’t wait to get on the road. I’m grateful to have so many opportunities.” The young artist is also recording her first full length album at Lakewind Sound Studios. It’s set to be released later this summer.