The Polaris Music Prize is setting up shop at the Winnipeg Free Press News Café for two special events on February 15.
The popular Polaris Record Salon makes its way from Toronto to Winnipeg for a “Half Year In Review” at 8pm on February 15. A regular feature at The Drake Hotel in Toronto, this will be the first Salon held in the Prairies. Like a book club, but for records, each event features members of the Polaris jury presenting a record they are considering voting for the prize.
The panel discussion, moderated by Polaris founder Steve Jordan and presented by ClarityOne Earbuds, features a lineup of Winnipeg-based Polaris jurors who will each showcase an album released the first half of the year that will likely make their ballot - with musical samples to help make the point. The panel includes Uptown editor John Kendle, Jill Wilson of the Winnipeg Free Press, CKUW 95.9 FM’s Jenny Henkelman, Uptown music writer Jared Story, and Painting Over Silence music blogger Mykael Sopher.
Polaris is also teaming up with Manitoba Music for a special debate at 6pm preceeding the Salon, Albums vs. Singles: A Music Marketing Debate. Steve Jordan will be joined by reporter and radio host Sabrina Carnevale of FAB 94.3 and 99.9 BOB FM to turn up the volume on this perennial issue and debate the value propositions of "singles vs. albums" in our ever changing music environment.
The ACI Youth Mentorship Program in Music Management is putting together a promotional music sampler featuring young Manitoba musicians. This multi-genre CD will feature the best new music by young Manitoba artists and will help promote young artists to the music industry and media.
The compilation will not be for sale, but will be distributed to music industry professionals and journalists as well as music fans.
Applicants must be under 25 years of age, or for bands, must include a majority of members under the age of 25.
We did the math: four days, five venues, 25 bands. That’s big. And it’s going to be fun. Big Fun – which takes its name from the fictional band in the ‘89 cult hit film, Heathers – is gearing up for its inaugural run in art galleries, lofts, and warehouse spaces in the heart of the Exchange District and surrounding areas.
Hoping to create a new event experience, Big Fun’s team of five organizers have taken inspiration by Canadian festivals like North by Northeast in Toronto and Pop Montreal, where one of the organizers had previously volunteered.
Running January 26 to 29, the line-up features a diverse range of local talent including surf noir trio This Hisses, hip hop acts The Lytics , Rebel Yell, and Pip Skid, folk trio Bog River, and indie outfits Ultra Mega and Departures, post-rock band Viridians, and more. Click here to check out the full line-up.
Registration may have filled up fast for the Manitoba Music Rocks Charity Curling Bonspiel, but there are still lots of opportunities to get involved and enjoy the festivities. The second annual bonspiel, which is organized by Manitoba Music and Manitoba Film & Music, unites the vibrant local music community to raise funds and awareness for the Unison Benevolent Fund, a new assistance and referral program designed to provide discreet relief to music industry personnel in times of personal hardship and crisis.
The Lo Pub will be warming up curlers and music fans alike at a special kick-off party on February 11, featuring performances by local indie pop/rock outfits Haunter, A Waste Odyssey, and Modern Romantics, as well as a late night set by DJ Hunnicutt. Showtime is 9:30pm and all proceeds from the event’s $7 cover will be donated to the Unison Benevolent Fund.
Keith and Renée is hitting the road next month with Canadian superstar, Jann Arden. The country/pop duo will open for Arden on nine dates in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, ending with a concert at the Pantages Playhouse in the duo's hometown of Winnipeg.
Le 100 Nons, Manitoba's francophone music organization, is bringing together four local artists for an evening of music at Le Garage on January 21. In partnership with Manitoba Music, the diverse showcase features performances by globe-trotting folk/roots quartet Oh My Darling, genre-defying singer/songwriter marijosée, hip hop outfit Namwira Folks, and punk/rockers Les Sexy.
Beyond offering a stellar night of live music, Scène Manitobaine will host key local industry players as well as a Québec booker to bring attention to Manitoba's strong francophone music community. The event also offers the artists a chance to get feedback frmo expers and gain more showcasing experience.