Twenty Local Bands Head to Toronto for Canadian Music Week

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Manitoba will have its strongest showing yet at one of Canada’s biggest music industry festivals next month in Toronto. An unprecedented 20 Manitoba acts are heading east to showcase for industry, media, and fans at Canadian Music Week (CMW), which runs March 9-13 and features 500 showcasing bands over five nights at 45 live music venues. The annual event encompasses not only the popular music festival, but also a conference, trade show, and multiple awards shows, including the Independent Music Awards, also known as The Indies.

This year, Manitoba Music will host its first showcase at CMW in over a decade. On March 11, some of the brightest artists from the province will perform at The Garrison located in the hip Dundas and Ossington neighborhood. The night will feature six groups including soul/pop buzz band Imaginary Cities, roots troubadour Del Barber, and rockers The Liptonians, Les Jupes, Hope Atlantic, and Take Me To The Pilot. The event follows up Manitoba Music’s successful industry showcase in Toronto last November and another last June at North by Northeast. 

“Manitoba Music hosts events at major music events around the world but this is our first time back at CMW for a Manitoba showcase in about a decade,” says Manitoba Music’s executive director, Sara Stasiuk. “The Manitoba bands performing this year are extremely talented, creative, innovative, and well-positioned to make a splash. We’re very excited to help bring these acts to the stage at Canada’s biggest new music festival.” 

In addition to the Manitoba Music showcase, there will be an impressive collection of Manitoba acts taking over Toronto stages during CMW, including rock band Inward Eye, singer/songwriters JP Hoe, Sierra Noble, and Ingrid Gatin, indie pop/rockers Royal Canoe, award-winning rap trio Winnipeg’s Most, hip-hop act Magnum K.I., southern rockers Fame, and country singer/songwriters Heather LongstaffeJason Kirkness, Bryce Pallister, and Jerry Sereda.   

2011 is shaping up to be a very successful year for artists from Manitoba. All of the acts showcasing at this year’s event have garnered significant critical and industry acclaim, including the chart-topping success of Imaginary Cities’ debut Temporary Resident, The Liptonians’ four-star review on music site CHARTattack, three statues at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards for Winnipeg’s Most, and national coverage for Les Jupes, Royal Canoe, and Inward Eye.

MANITOBA MUSIC AT CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9

Magnum KI | 10:00pm @ Clinton's

JP Hoe | 11:00pm @ Free Times Cafe

Royal Canoe | 12:00am @ The Rivoli

THURSDAY, MARCH 10

Imaginary Cities | 10:30pm @ Lee’s Palace (Opening for Young Galaxy)

Winnipeg's Most | 10:45pm @ Club XS

Fame | 2:00am @ Bovine Sex Club

FRIDAY, MARCH 11

Manitoba Music Showcase @ The Garrison
8:30pm - Les Jupes
9:30pm - Del Barber
10:30pm - The Liptonians
11:30pm - Imaginary Cities
12:30am - Hope Atlantic
1:30am – Take Me To The Pilot

Ash Koley @ Canadian Radio Music Awards, Royal York Hotel

Sierra Noble | 7:45pm @ Gladstone Hotel

Jason Kirkness | 9:00pm @ Cadillac Lounge

Jerry Sereda | 10:10pm @ Cadillac Lounge

Bryce Pallister | 10:45pm @ Cadillac Lounge 

The Lytics | 11:00pm @ Painted Lady

SATURDAY, MARCH 12

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