JUNO Week 2014: We Speak Music in Winnipeg

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Get ready Winnipeg! The 2014 JUNO Awards are coming and the machine is in high gear. 

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) was at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre on November 5 to make a number of announcements about JUNO Week 2014, which will take over Winnipeg March 24-30, 2014.

Premier Selinger kicked off the event, highlighting the expected $10 million economic boost from JUNO Week 2014 as well as the over $70 million impact on the provincial GDP from Manitoba’s music industry. “Manitoba has a stellar reputation for producing talented artists, supported by an industry that is second-to-none in Canada.  What many Manitobans don’t realize is the importance of this industry for our economy. Hosting the Juno Awards this coming spring is not only the perfect time to showcase our incredible talent, but also a great opportunity for local businesses,” said the premier in a release. Click here to read more

Official venues for many of the popular JUNO Week events were named: JUNO Cup will hit the MTS Iceplex on March 28 for the annual celebrity hockey game in support of MusiCounts; St. Vital Centre will welcome hoards of music fans for a chance to meet their favourite artists at JUNO Fan Fare on March 29; The RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg will host the industry-only 2014 JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards on March 29; while the MTS Centre will once again host Canada’s music awards, The 2014 JUNO Awards broadcast on March 30. Tickets for the main event go on sale via Ticketmaster on February 7.

The Winnipeg JUNO Host Committee unveiled the local brand for the JUNO Week celebrations: We Speak Music. “We Speak Music pays tribute to our musical heritage and history as well as highlighting the importance music plays in our every day lives in the Province of Manitoba,” said host committee co-chair, Carole Vivier, in a release. The Met will serve as Manitoba House, hosting numerous events throughout the week.

Another hot ticket for music fans will be the two-night music celebration, JUNOFest, which will hit Winnipeg stages March 28-29. The annual music fest will showcase top Canadian talent, including nominees, marquee names, and emerging talent. Artists looking to play can submit online at marcatoforms.com/junofest2014/artists until January 8.

CARAS also announced that hometown hero and two-time JUNO winner Chantal Kreviazuk and her husband Raine Maida are to be honoured with The 2014 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, which recognizes outstanding Canadian artists who have made significant contributions to this country’s social fabric. A committed supporter of many important causes, including War Child Canada, Kreviazuk made her way home to Winnipeg to speak at the announcement. Read more via the Winnipeg Free Press

Those looking to get involved, get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at JUNO Week, and showcase Winnipeg’s hospitality can now sign up to voluneer. The event needs over 400 volunteers to get the prairie party going. Signup up now at junoawards.ca/volunteer/.

Stay tuned for more JUNO Week 2014 announcements and follow We Speak Music on Twitter and Facebook to keep in the loop! 

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