REGINA — Tuesday it was announced that Serena Ryder would be performing live on the Juno Awards telecast, but local fans will get a chance to see her in person as well.
Ryder will headline the Mae Wilson Theatre’s Friday lineup at Junofest on April 19.
That announcement was one of many as the Juno week details begin to take shape. The Junos will have events in Regina and Moose Jaw from April 15-21 and culminate with the award show on the final night at the Brandt Centre in Regina.
One of the goals of the week was to expose the people of southern Saskatchewan to musical talent from across the country, while also exposing some of the top talent from around the province to a wider audience.
“One of the great things about having the Junos travel around is being to highlight the different communities that we are in,” said Chris Topping, vice president, events and special programing for the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and the Juno Awards.
“Saskatchewan has some amazing talent and we wanted to include them as much as you can.”
There will be 28 Juno-nominated artists performing at Junofest along with a diverse mix of performers from across the province and the rest of the country.
Junofest will take place at 16 venues in Regina and Moose Jaw on April 19 and 20. More than 100 musicians will take part and to date 70 artists have been confirmed to be taking part. That list includes Classified, Down With Webster, Ten Second Epic, Monster Truck, Great Lake Swimmers and Jason Plumb and the Willing.
The Mae Wilson Theatre, Bobby’s Place and Java Express will host acts in Moose Jaw. The full schedule — which will include who will be playing where — will be announced at a later date. Wristbands for Junofest went on sale Tuesday and will give fans access to venues in both cities.
Bringing the artists — both established and up-and-coming — to the fans has been part of the Juno mandate since the awards show branched and began to move to different host cities every year starting at the turn of the century.
“I have to say to CARAS that way back when the idea of having the Junos travel, that has been such a bonus for the country,” said Moose Jaw mayor Deb Higgins to the assembled journalists and dignitaries at Tuesday’s press conference. “It’s more than just an awards event. It really has become a celebration of Canadian talent and I can’t wait to host a number of you in Moose Jaw.”
Tickets for the Serena Ryder show are available at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre box office. Only 50 Junofest wristband holders will be granted access on a first come, first served basis.
Tuesday it was also announced that Ryder and Hannah Georgas will perform during the Juno Awards broadcast. Michael Bublé will host the show on April 21. Other performers include Billy Talent, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Sheepdogs and Marianas Trench.
The Juno organizers are hoping to have a little something for everyone at the annual event, but noted that once the activities go into full swing they begin to take on a life of their own.
“Every Juno Awards has its own flavour. I think that comes out during Juno week once we’re here,” said Topping. “We get to experience the enthusiasm that music fans bring to the event — as well as local artists from the local community — and they come together with all these big Canadian rock stars for this amazing week.”
Organizers are expecting between 15-20,000 fans will take in all, or part, of Juno week. Kevin Doherty, the provincial minister for Parks, Culture and Sport, said that an estimated $9.4 million in economic spinoff was generated when Saskatoon hosted the Junos in 2007.
“We are proud to host a number of our events in our community,” said Higgins. “It’s going to be loud, but it’s going to be great.”
The Juno songwriters’ circle will take place the afternoon of April 21 before the awards show at Casino Regina. Tom Cochrane, who will be honoured with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award during the broadcast, will host the two-hour event. Joining Cochrane will be Juno nominees: Bahamas, Classified and David Myles, Colin James, Crystal Shawanda, Danny Michel and Kathleen Edwards.
The intimate concert will feature intimate performances and some of the stories behind the songs by the featured artists.
Juno Fan Fare will allow fans to interact with their favourite artists on Saturday, Apr. 20 at the Cornwall Centre in Regina. Ryder, the Sheepdogs, Marianas Trench, Down With Webster, Dragonette and more will on hand.
To expand the events beyond Juno week there will be a number of events and exhibits in Regina taking place before and after the event.
The Regina Public Library and Dunlop Art Gallery will host ‘Film, Fashion and Forums with the Junos’
The Royal Saskatchewan Museum will host ‘The Power of Music: Sustainability & The Junos’ an exhibit featuring four Canadian musicians talking about their efforts sustainability.
The MacKenzie Art Gallery will host ‘Greatest Hits: The Juno Tour of Canadian Art and Juno Photography Exhibition.’
Information on tickets and times and locations for all of the Juno week events can be found at www.junoawards.ca
