Nobody rains on our parade! Sled Island Thanks everyone for the  overwhelming support of their community, including attendees, artists and our numerous partners, The Sled Island Music and Arts Festival returns following the devastating Alberta floods that caused the cancellation of the 2013 edition of the festival just two days into its four day program. Facing losses of up to $200,000, nearly 70% of those people who had passes for Sled Island 2013 chose to forgo their refund or re-invest their pass purchase to ensure the festival’s long term viability. Sled Island will be back in 2014, bigger and better than ever!

Today organizers are thrilled to announce its 2014 guest curator, Kathleen Hanna, celebrated musician, feminist activist and zine writer. Each year, the guest curator helps to set the direction and tone of the festival through specialized programming choices and with their presence at the festival. Past curators have included: John Dwyer (Thee Oh Sees), Tim Hecker, Andrew WK, Colin Newman (Wire), Fucked Up, Scott Kannberg (Pavement) and more. As long-time admirers of Hanna’s work across artistic media, the festival couldn’t be more excited to see the shape the festival takes with her thoughtful input.

Kathleen Hanna
Kathleen Hanna, a Portland, Oregon native, has been involved in underground music and art since the 80’s. Both a contributor to the zine riot grrrl and co-founder of the movement of the same name, Hanna cemented herself as one of the most important voices in feminist activism in pop culture and punk rock. That voice and a do-it-yourself sensibility were primary drivers of one of her early bands, Bikini Kill. In 1998, Hanna paired her left-wing politics with an electroclash musical direction to form Le Tigre. In 2010, following a battle with late stage Lyme Disease, Hanna formed The Julie Ruin, releasing their debut album in September 2013 on Dischord Records. That same year, a Sini Anderson-directed documentary, The Punk Singer, documenting Hanna’s work, premiered at SXSW.

About The Festival
Sled Island is an annual five-day music and arts festival in Calgary, Alberta, that brings together over 300 bands, artists, comedians and filmmakers in more than 30 venues throughout the city. Since 2007, Sled Island’s innovative, eclectic and thoughtful programming and independent spirit have combined with Calgary’s youthful energy to produce a largely unique festival experience. It was recently voted one of the top 10 music festivals in Canada by listeners of CBC Radio 3. Please visit www.sledisland.com for more information.

http://www.sledisland.com/