JUNO Week in Calgary Welcomes Manitoba Talent

Calgary is about to get an injection of Manitoba talent. Several local acts are making their way west as Cowtown kicks off the 2016 JUNO Week festivities.

Manitoba artists are strong contenders for top honours at the 2016 JUNO Awards. Homegrown acts are up for several awards, including five nominations for artists that currently call Manitoba home. Winners will be announced at the exclusive JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards on April 2 and the 2016 JUNO Awards broadcast on CTV on April 3.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Don Amero is a double nominee this year with nods in the Adult Contemporary Album of the Year and Aboriginal Album of the Year categories for his latest recording, Refined. Noise rock trio KEN mode is looking for its second Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year win, this time for its aptly-titled newest release, Success. Drummer/composer Curtis Nowosad landed his first JUNO nomination this year for his critically-acclaimed debut, Dialectics. Music legend Big Dave McLean picked up a nod for his Black Hen Records release, Faded But Not Gone, which previously earned him a WCMA nod.

Three former Manitobans earned nominations this year, including two for Brandon-born violin virtuoso James Ehnes — Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber Ensemble and Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble or Soloist(s) with Large Ensemble Accompaniment, a nomination for Tim Neufeld in the contemporary Christian/gospel category, and a Classical Composition of the Year nod for Nicole Lizée. The Canadian Chamber Choir, a national ensemble that was founded in Manitoba and includes four Manitoba members, was nominated in the Classical Album Of The Year: Vocal Or Choral Performance category.

Some of this year’s nominees will also hit the showcase stage along with other fellow Manitobans during JUNOfest, which runs in various Calgary venues March 31 through April 2. Check out the schedule of Manitoba acts…

THURSDAY, MARCH 31

Don Amero at Grey Eagle Casino and Resorts, 7PM | JUNOFest Indigenous Showcase

FRIDAY, APRIL 1

Big Dave McLean at The Blues Can, 11PM
Del Barber at The Gateway, 11PM
Slow Leaves at Wine-Oh’s, 11PM
The Revival at Broken City, 1AM

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

Canadian Chamber Choir, Megumi Masaki & Nicole Lizée at Scarboro United Church, 1PM | Classical Showcase
Sc Mira at Flames Central, 9PM
KEN Mode at Dicken’s Pub, 11PM
The Noble Thiefs at Flames Central, 11PM
Jess Reimer at The Blues Can, 1AM

NT5