Explore the evolving role of the performing arts in society at CAPACOA’s 2025 Conference: Age of Relevance, taking place December 1–5, 2025. Bringing together Canada’s national and international presenting and touring sector, Age of Relevance offers engaging speakers, world-class showcases, innovative pitches, and much more.
Discover our special guests and featured artists below!
But First… Registration!
Still haven’t registered? Secure your spot at Age of Relevance by clicking the link below.
Introducing the Keynote Speaker: Carol Off
Photo: Carol Off
CAROL OFF
Keynote Speaker
Carol Off is a multi-award-winning journalist, author, and broadcaster. For over 15 years, she co-hosted CBC Radio’s flagship current affairs program, As It Happens, where she amused and enlightened supper-hour listeners in Canada and much of the United States with her unique style of feisty, witty, and compassionate interviews.
Carol has packed 4 careers into one. As a radio journalist in the 1980s, she reported on national politics in Quebec and on Parliament Hill. As a correspondent for CBC TV’s The National, she covered events around the world including the breakup of the former Yugoslavia; the war in Afghanistan; the election of Vladimir Putin; war crimes trials in The Hague; and Canadian peacekeeping missions.
Carol has published several best-selling and award-winning books such as The Lion, the Fox and the Eagle: Generals and Justice in Yugoslavia and Rwanda; The Ghosts of Medak Pocket; and her personal story of bringing an Afghan family to Canada – All We Leave Behind: A Reporter’s Journey into the Lives of Others.
She lives and works in Toronto with her husband, author and journalist Linden MacIntyre, and an omniscient cat named Caversham.
Learn more about Carol Off’s keynote address here.
Meet Our Artist Voice: Crazy Smooth
Photo of Crazy Smooth by Becki Peckham
CRAZY SMOOTH
Artist Voice
Benin born B-boy, Crazy Smooth, is one of Canada’s top street dance ambassadors, a choreographer, dancer, instructor, judge, and community leader. In 2004, he founded Bboyizm, an award-winning dance company that has earned an international reputation for authentic street dance theatre works.
Bboyizm’s In My Body won four 2022 Dora Awards including Outstanding: Performance, Original Choreography; Performance by an Ensemble; and Achievement in Design. Crazy Smooth’s contributions to street dance were recognized at the 2023 Dynastie awards in Montreal, where he was named Dancer of the Year. Later that same year, Crazy Smooth was named the Executive and Artistic Director of 10 Gates Dancing Inc, completing a conversation that he and 10 Gates founder, Tedd Robinson, had been having before Tedd’s unexpected death in 2022. Crazy Smooth brings his authentic street dance aesthetic and years of teaching experience to this new role where he plans to continue Tedd’s work promoting the development and performance of contemporary dance creations across Canada, now with a focus on the street dance community.
Crazy Smooth will be in conversation with Banff Centre’s, Chris Lorway, at this event.
Learn more about Crazy Smooth’s Artist Voice event here.
Check out the Showcase & Pitch Artists
CAPACOA’s showcase and pitch programs offer delegates the opportunity to discover and experience excerpts from some of the most exciting new touring productions. Check out the conference schedule to see when the curtains rise on each performance and pitch.
Showcase Artists
Learn more about the showcase artists by watching the video below and exploring their profiles here.
Pitches
Learn more about the artists who will be pitching their work at Age of Relevance by watching the video below and exploring their profiles here.
Explore the Delegate List & International Participants
Curious to see who’s attending? The list of international delegates is now LIVE! Find out who’s joining us from around the world here.
Stay up to date as the conference approaches. The delegate list is updated weekly!
Book Your Accommodation
Hotel rooms in the area are filling up quickly! Reserve your accommodations today to lock in the best rates and avoid missing out.
Stay tuned for a list of recommended hotels near the conference venues and transit lines, which will be posted on the conference website.
Pre-Conference Sessions: Introduction to Digital Discoverability for Events
In this beginner-friendly session, you’ll discover how structured data and GEO can enhance the digital discoverability of your events. You’ll also learn how open knowledge bases like Wikidata and Artsdata may already be giving you a helping hand.
This session is open to all cultural workers and artists. It will be especially helpful for anyone attending the Artsdata professional development session at the CAPACOA conference.
Dates:
- November 24, 8 p.m. ET (see other timezones)
- November 25, 3 p.m. ET (see other timezones)
- November 26, 10 a.m. ET (see other timezones)
[Register via the corresponding event page on the CAPACOA calendar]
Please note that this presentation will be delivered in English, but questions and comments are welcome in either English or French.
Interested in Sponsoring?
Want to be part of making the magic happen? Consider sponsoring one of our conference events!
CAPACOA cultivates national and international partnerships and networks that represent approx. 2,000 professional and volunteer organizations, associations, and companies. Partner with us to support a resilient, adaptable, and relevant arts sector where diverse voices, artists, and professionals gain the tools they need to support communities through the arts.
Want to sponsor an event and get your organization in front of hundreds of industry professionals? Contact [email protected] or click here for more information.
