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Performance Residency Program: April–September 2026

Apply now to Tranzac’s performance residency program!

  • Zoom info session (see below)January 5, 2026
  • Deadline to applyJanuary 15, 2026
  • Notifications regarding residenciesFebruary 22, 2026 - March 5, 2026
  • Residency periodMarch 31, 2026 - September 29, 2025
  • Residency orientationMarch 15, 2026 - March 26, 2026

Tranzac is inviting artists, groups, curators, ensembles and organizations to apply to our performance residency for April - September 2026.

Tranzac’s intimate Southern Cross Lounge (capacity: 58, approximately 45 seated) has long been home to many performance residencies that are at the heart of Tranzac’s programming and identity. These artist-led performance residencies take place in two-hour time slots; shows are PWYC (pass the hat), and Tranzac also pays artists 10% of the bar profit (with the exception of community groups/jams). Sound is DIY (do it yourself). Tranzac has a full backline, including drums and a piano. Successful applicants will have access to sound orientation workshops and troubleshooting tech support in advance of shows.

These monthly residencies can be used as an opportunity to explore themes in curation, presentation, performance, or collaboration; to experiment with new arrangements, accompaniment, or genres; to road-test new material before recording, share new work, build audience and community, and more. All ideas welcome, in your application, please let us know what you would like to do with your proposed performance residency.

Please note all events in the Southern Cross are unticketed, pay what you can (PWYC) pass the hat and no one is turned away for lack of funds (NOTAFLOF). Additionally, Tranzac also pays artists 10% of the bar profit (with the exception of community groups/jams).

Tranzac is host to many communities and disciplines. Our multifaceted approach to programming, as well as the high volume of events we host, means that there is not a built-in audience for any given event. It is therefore the responsibility of successful applicants to promote their residency. Applicants will be asked how they plan to advertise and draw an audience. Tranzac has a promo form through which submissions are posted to our website, newsletter and social media, as well as a corkboard where you can hang posters. We are experimenting with new ways to spread the word about our residency programming, including Q&A features in the newsletter with residency artists.

The Southern Cross residency program does not receive any funding from grants or government bodies and does not take a cut of artists’ performance revenue or merch. Tranzac relies on bar sales as the source of funding for this program. It is therefore important for performers to attract an audience for the residency program to remain viable for Tranzac and artists.

Info Session

Register for a Zoom info session on Tranzac's Performance Residencies Tuesday, January 6 5 pm - 7 pm HERE.

FAQs

  • A sound orientation workshop prior to the start of your residency
  • The opportunity to practice your DIY sound set-up during daytime hours
  • Six monthly performance slots (*holidays and full building rentals may require rescheduling or missing a month) in Tranzac’s Southern Cross
  • 10% of bar sales after each performance (applies only to sales attributed to members of your audience; NA re: community jams)
  • Money from “the hat” (a jug to be passed around during events)
  • Promo through Tranzac’s website, newsletters, and social media
  • To be engaged with a variety of creative communities who call Tranzac home
  • This is a performance residency (not a development residency or rehearsal residency) - events are all open to the public
  • Time slots are two hours long
  • Time slots include: 7 pm - 9 pm and 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm (weekdays) and 12 pm - 2 pm, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm, 5 pm - 7 pm, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm and 10 pm - midnight (weekends)
  • Performances are expected to run on time and not exceed the time slot
  • Switchover times between events are short (there is typically a shared 30 minute window for tear down and set up combined) so it’s best to stick with a simple setup whenever possible
  • In your application, you are welcome to mention what days/times you think might work best for your residency, and we will do our best to accommodate successful applicants and match them with appropriate time slots, but the availability of specific requests varies
  • Performers are expected to tidy up/clear their gear off the stage at the end of their performances; and communicate with the group going on next re: switchover; the final show of the day is expected to reset the stage, put gear away and turn off the board/PA.
  • A list of backline will be provided to artists; if any extra equipment is necessary to the performance, performers are expected to bring their own gear
  • All performances in the residency are PWYC/pass the hat, not ticketed (NOTAFLOF); we do not charge cover at the door for Southern Cross shows and there are no reservations
  • The Southern Cross is also Tranzac’s main bar area, where people come in from other rooms to purchase drinks
  • The Southern Cross has DIY sound. Some amount of familiarity with basic audio equipment is expected. There will not be an audio technician or Tranzac event support person available to assist or troubleshoot during events.
  • Tranzac’s Southern Cross does not have a built-in or walk-in crowd
  • You will be expected to do monthly promo to bring people out to your events (Tranzac has a promo form; we also recommend that you will promote your residency through your own website/newsletter/social media/posters/flyers etc. as well)
  • Tranzac is a vibrant hub for the performing arts with three event spaces (the Southern Cross, Main Hall and Living Room), so there will often be simultaneous programming in other rooms
  • Tranzac underwent a soundproofing renovation but there is still some sound bleed between rooms so you may hear some sound from other performances; please close doors during shows whenever possible
  • The Southern Cross faces a residential street (Brunswick Ave) and we strive to maintain a good relationship with our neighbours by keeping music and conversations quiet/at a reasonable volume
  • The Southern Cross is a small room, so performers do not need to rely on volume to be heard. In the interest of protecting the hearing of the audience and staff, we ask that you keep your performance under 84db
  • Residency artists, guests and all performers and attendees are expected to abide by Tranzac’s Code of Conduct. The organizer/host of each residency or event is expected to embody the Code of Conduct and ensure that their guests and collaborators are aware of and follow the Code of Conduct.
  • Tell us about yourself and your artistic practice (who is part of your project?, what creative communities do you belong to?, what kind of music or poetry, comedy, etc do you create?)
  • Let us know what special guests you are planning to invite to participate in your residency (a full list of proposed guests is not necessary but can contribute to a strong application)
  • What do you think makes your residency a good fit for Tranzac’s Southern Cross? Why would you like to do a residency at Tranzac and why do you think your concept will work well in this space?
  • Let us know how you plan to engage with your audience and bring an audience out to your events - how will you spread the word about your residency series?
  • If you’re unfamiliar with performances in the Southern Cross, we recommend that you attend a few performances to see how other artists use the space/run events here. Here’s what’s coming up at Tranzac
  • Write about how your proposed residency will impact not just your artistic practice but also your wider community
  • For artistic samples, you can share links to your best work and/or links to works in progress that are related to your proposed residency; for curators/events with a variety of participating artists, you can choose two strong examples from artists involved in your residency plan
  • We strongly recommend that you write your application clearly, concisely and in your own words; please avoid using ChatGPT/AI in your applications.

Assessment Process

In your application you will be asked to describe the proposed activity of your residency and to provide two samples of your work (two active links, no downloads). Please ensure your links work and are not password protected. Due to the volume of applications received, we will not be able to follow up with you if your examples are inaccessible.

Applicants will be assessed by a peer jury made up of artists, Tranzac staff and board members.

Considerations

  • The impact of the proposed residency on the participant’s artistic and career development, and the artistic communities they are involved in
  • Is the proposed residency a good fit for Tranzac’s performance residency program? Is the concept viable given the time and space constraints and DIY setup of the Southern Cross?
  • Does the proposed residency or something similar already have a home at Tranzac or elsewhere?
  • Consideration will be given to supporting artists and artistic communities who have not previously intersected with Tranzac

About Tranzac’s Residency Program

For decades Tranzac has been hosting regular live music events in the Southern Cross that have gradually evolved and expanded into one of the largest performance residency programs of its kind in North America. Most Tranzac Southern Cross residencies are monthly two hour time slots, with the artist(s) involved often acting as composer, performer, collaborator, curator and host for the series of events, and inviting in other guest composers and artists.

Tranzac’s current performance residency roster includes 70+ artists, ensembles and jams, contributing to the 1000+ performances and events that occur annually in the Southern Cross. A few residencies also take place down the hall in the Living Room (capacity: 49), which is primarily a rental space. Though the bulk of Tranzac’s residencies remain musical, we have been expanding the program to include poetry, comedy and multidisciplinary events as well as diversifying the range of music/types of music/genres of music that the program supports.

After this residency period, which runs April - September 2026; we will repeat the call for new residencies for October 2026 - March - 2027.

Apply Now!

Questions?

Contact Sarah Greene at