The biggest and brightest of Canada's music scene have begun descending upon London as a week-long celebration of Canadian music officially gets underway in the city.
Juno Week launched on Monday with the opening of Juno House at 658 Dundas St., just east of Adelaide St. The Old East Village information centre offers visitors a chance to take a selfie with the illuminated Juno sign, buy merchandise, and win tickets to sold out Juno events. It is open to the public from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily throughout Juno Week.
Gamers and musicians team up Thursday morning for the Music + Video Game Collision conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Ballroom at 300 King St. The four and a half hour conference will see game developers, gamers, composers, producers, musicians, and fans discuss how important the two industries are to each other.
Later Thursday night, Juno Cup Jam takes over Rum Runners at 176 Dundas St. The evening will feature Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, Classified, The Reklaws, members of Born Ruffians, and Cuff the Duke. The show kicks off at 8 p.m.
Fanshawe College will host Fanshawe Live: Dundas Place, a celebration of Canadian music from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday on Dundas Street between Ridout and Richmond streets. The event is the first ever to be held on the city's new flex-street. Billed as a family-friendly celebration, the event will include live performances by Fanshawe Music Industry Arts students and graduates and Juno inspired culinary dishes crafted at The Chef’s Table, the college’s teaching restaurant.
The Juno Comedy Show takes place at London Music Hall at 185 Queens Ave. at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Ben Minor hosts the night, which includes performances by 2019 Juno Award nominees for comedy album of the year Chanty Marostica, Dave Merheje, Mayce Galoni, and Pat Thornton
At the Western Fair District Sports Centre Friday night, former NHLers Doug Gilmour, Mark Napier, and Gary Roberts will go head-to-head against Jim Cuddy, Classified, Adrian Sutherland from Midnight Shine, Born Ruffians’ Mitch Derosier and Luke Lalonde, and Jeff Giles from Jane’s Party in the Juno Cup. The charity hockey game raises awareness and funds for MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and the JUNO Awards. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
Junofest is slated for Friday and Saturday night with 15 different venues throughout the city playing host to more than 100 different bands over the two night period. A list of venues and performers can be found by clicking here.
For the little ones, Junior Junos takes place at the Wolf Performance Hall at the Central Library on Dundas Street at 10 a.m. Saturday. Children can dance to their heart's content to music from children's album of the year nominees Beppie, Ginalina Music, Sonshine and Broccoli and Splash’N Boots. There will also be crafts and interactive games.
Those looking to get a selfie with artists like Scott Helman, Killy, London's Loud Luxury, Tyler Shaw, Meghan Patrick, and Brett Kissel can do so during Juno Fan Fare from noon to 2 p.m. at centre court at Masonville Place. The free event will also feature live performances.
Juno Side Stage will be set up in Budweiser Garden's south lot in a heated tent from Friday to Sunday. It will include special performances from 2019 JUNO Award nominees Toronto rapper Killy, hip hop duo 88Glam, Anders, Loud Luxury, and Ryan Shepherd. Sunday the outdoor stage will host a red carpet viewing and the JUNO Awards broadcast viewing, and an after-party.
Billy Talent frontman Ben Kowalewicz will co-host the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards at the London Convention Centre on Saturday. Three dozen Juno Awards will be handed out over the course of the evening, including the 2019 Humanitarian Award which is being presented to Canadian musician, record producer, composer, and songwriter David Foster.
The Juno Songwriters’ Circle takes place at Centennial Hall on Sunday, just hours before the iconic award show. Hosted by Canadian musician and actor Alan Doyle of folk-rock band Great Big Sea, the Songwriters’ Circle allows fans a chance to witness collaborations between artists and get the inside scoop and inspiration behind their favourite songs.
The whole week culminates Sunday night with the 48th annual Juno Awards hosted by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan. The awards begin at 8 p.m. and will feature performances by the Arkells, Bahamas, NAV, Loud Luxury, bülow, Coeur de pirate, Jeremy Dutcher, and Loud. Corey Hart will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the show. Tickets for the event are still available at the Budweiser Gardens box office, online at budweisergardens.com, or by calling 1-866-455-2849. Prices start at $79.95 (plus fees).
