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When the JUNOs actually get here I think a lot of people will be pretty excited. Shops will be full, bars will be lubricating the populace, and if the weather keeps up, everyone will be talking about how nice it is here in Newfoundland. But the Junos are about three weeks away — and that’s a long time to look forward to something in the abstract. The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and the St. John’s Ruckus on the Edge Committee have been trying to keep the buzz growing by doling out information a little at a time, and tonight’s press conference was all about building the buzz.
To Wit: The upcoming Junos are going to be a Music Marathon, a Music Extraordinaire. They are going to be Diverse, Loud, and Over the Top. They are going to be Feverish, and indeed, things have reached a Fever Pitch. They are going to be so Feverish that they will be, literally, On Fire. They will feature True Local Culture, as well as the Rockers everyone has heard of. Right now, everyone involved wants to Fuel the Excitement, and it seems like Screech Martini’s are the go-to fuel.
In terms of actual news: The organizing committee today announced the events that will make up the two day “Juno Fest” on Friday and Saturday, April 16th and 17th. These events include a Song Writers Circle, the Juno Cup, Juno Fanfare, and music at 16 venues. Tickets go on sale this Saturday (the 27th) at 12 noon (NDT). There will also be a limited number of $30 wrist bands which will grant their bearers priority access to venues during the big to-do. Check out http://junoawards.ca/juno-week/ for details.
Juno Fanfare will be free (and in a mall) while proceeds from the Juno Cup (where musicians face off against NHL players) go to MusiCounts, Canada’s national music education charity associated with CARAS. This year the musicians are coming off a heady win at last years Junos, which almost erases the fact that they lost the previous five. Here’s a preview from years gone by.
