BLUEBIRD NORTH is an intimate, interactive musical showcase hosted by the S.A.C. that brings together some of Canada’s most inspiring songwriters to share their songs and stories. During this acoustic, informal evening, each featured songwriter will perform their songs and share the ‘back story’ and inspiration about how each song was written.

Bluebird North is based on Nashville's famed Bluebird Café, which opened in 1982. The venue is well known for helping launch the careers of Garth Brooks, Ashley Cleveland and Pam Tillis. Bluebird North is endorsed by the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

Ismaila Alfa was born in Nigeria to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. He completed his early school years in Edmonton, before moving to Winnipeg. After high school, Ismaila pursued a civil engineering degree at the University of Manitoba, but stopped in his final year to pursue a music career.

Chris Burke-Gaffney is an acclaimed Canadian songwriter, musician, producer and artist manager. He signed his first record deal as a teenager and toured the country with the likes of Triumph, Guns & Roses and AC/DC. While in his 20s Chris wrote “Miracle”, his first Top 10 single. Chris has written and produced literally hundreds of songs and has helped artists in developing material, including Chantal Kreviazuk, McMaster & James, Kyle Riabko, Sierra Noble and Driver.

Michael Petkau Falk is the frontman and songwriter for Winnipeg pop/rock band, Les Jupes. He also runs Head In The Sand Records (Royal Canoe, Liptonians), produced the Record Of The Week Club, and is the Artistic Director at the West End Cultural Centre. Mike is a well-known local music producer, and has been nominated twice for Recording Engineer of The Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards.

Some may remember Arun Chaturvedi as the front man for Canadian modern rock group Driver, who performed the 2005 radio hit “She Laughed at Me”. Currently, you’d likely find the classically trained pianist behind the mixing console as the “go-to” record producer/songwriter for a host of up and coming artists, including Darrelyne Bickel, Don Amero, Little Hawk, James Struthers and many more.