Maja Bannerman
Writer ~ Singer ~ Poet
Performing Artist
Maja Bannerman is a published Canadian writer, singer, and performing artist based in the Niagara region. She first gained recognition in the 1980s as one of the pioneering artists who transformed the cultural and artistic landscape of Queen Street West in Toronto.
Since then, she has toured across Canada, presenting her unique blend of music, spoken word, and theatrical performances, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with others.
Maja has created THIS IS ANNE ~ Older & Wiser ~, a portrayal as Anne Shirley Blythe (of Anne of Green Gables fame), in her 60s, looking back on her life.
Maja’s partner, composer and guitarist, Rusty McCarthy, provides live music throughout this intimate show. Rusty & Maja also present ongoing shows as a duo and host Cabaret Niagara in St. Catharines.
ACCLAIMS
“Maja Bannerman is a mother of Canadian Spoken Word. As a performance artist and a performance poet, she helped to usher in the contemporary spoken word revolution.”
“Quirky, irrepressible, constantly surprising …she is as beautiful as she was, she sings as brilliantly, and her theatrical, witty persona remains the same. What a wonderful afternoon, what a joyful record! [Signs of Life] She is an artist not to be missed.”
“Singer/poet Maja Bannerman is one of the founders of the ‘Queen Street artist’ identity - slightly eccentric, conversant in multi-media art forms and daring in presentation.”
“Maja is a butterscotch surprise. A storyteller in a tent. I can relax.”
NEW ALBUM
WHAT A WORLD
This collection of songs embodies the best of Maja’s intentions—the attempt to maintain an unswerving gaze upon the world, with all its struggles, while simultaneously expressing her deep love of people and life.
Some of these songs were written at an earlier time when the world seemed less strained than it is now. Delving into social and political concerns has always been part of Maja’s creative output - whether in songs, poems or monologues. Now that the state of the planet has tipped even more on its axis, there is an urgency to release WHAT A WORLD and Maja hopes this album offers you both comfort and courage.
~~
AVAILABLE ON https://majabannerman.bandcamp.com
# | Title | Duration |
---|---|---|
1 | What a World! | 3:17 |
2 | Bellevue Park | 4:31 |
3 | The Big Mystery | 2:40 |
4 | Red Rock | 3:28 |
5 | Dreamer’s World | 2:57 |
6 | Via Satellite | 3:26 |
7 | Hero in Civilian Clothes | 4:05 |
8 | Stand on Guard | 3:10 |
9 | Stars Are Getting Closer | 3:49 |
10 | Moonlighting | 3:59 |
11 | Buttons | 3:27 |
12 | Good Quaker Girl | 3:29 |
13 | Seattle | 3:05 |
14 | Hey Ho | 3:44 |
15 | Ahoy! | 5:17 |
PERFORMANCE EVENTS
-
NIAGARA
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2025
TWO SHOWS
THIS IS ANNE ~ Older & Wiser ~
RUSTY & MAJA KITCHEN PARTY CABARET
at The Niagara-on-the-Lake Legion Branch 124
410 King Street
DOORS OPEN: 6:30PM SHOW: 7:00PM
ADMISSION: $20
Food & Drinks available
Tickets at the bar or by e-transfer: legion124@gmail.com~~
With Opening Set of WW1 SongsPerformed by Rusty McCarthy
-
STRATFORD
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2025
THIS IS ANNE
~ Older & Wiser ~
STRATFORD PERTH MUSEUM
4275 Huron Road, Line 34
Stratford, ON N5A 6S6SHOW: 2PM
ADMISSION: $25
~~
WithRusty McCarthy
https://stratfordperthmuseum.yapsody.com/event/index/855969/This-is-Anne-Older-and-Wiser
-
TORONTO
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
MAJA BANNERMAN
Queen Street Album Launch
Performing songs from her new album
WHAT A WORLD
with Rusty McCarthy, Doug Wilde, Steve Goldberger and Brandon Agnew
Opening for
THE GRIEVOUS ANGELS
THE HORSESHOE TAVERN
370 Queen Street West
SHOW: 3PM
Tickets $25