Juno Awards take over Hamilton this month. Here’s what’s on

The 55th Juno Awards are in Hamilton at the end of the month and it’s not just the artists who get to live it up. Throughout March, a multitude of music-related events are taking place around the city.

In addition to the final awards night at TD Coliseum on March 29, here’s some of what’s on related to the Junos:

Pop-up concerts

To celebrate the Junos, Tourism Hamilton is promoting a series of six free surprise shows in Hamilton and neighbouring cities throughout this month.

Each artist will be revealed 24 hours before showtime on the organization’s Instagram account. LØLØ played at Sonic Hall in Guelph on the evening of March 1.

The St. Catharines show is next on March 7. After that, it’s Hamilton on March 14, Paris on March 15 and Burlington on March 16. As of early March, there was no date set yet for the Mississauga show.

There will also be an Indigenous-led multi-artist concert in Six Nations called Dwadę’nyŏta’ Shęh nigaęno’dę:s or We Celebrate Our Music. The Tourism Hamilton website says an event listing is coming soon.

Tourism Hamilton is also running an exhibit at its visitor centre called Punching In, about the local music scene.

Local concert series

Around Hamilton, a series of concerts and events is taking place at restaurants, cafés and venues. Tourism Hamilton is promoting shows from Feb. 21 to March 27. Some are ticketed and some are free, including:

• A March 5 multi-restaurant tour in Waterdown featuring artists Alfie Smith, Brad James and The Dunlop Brothers. Attendees will sample dishes at three restaurants and hear different genres of music.
• A March 14 concert at printer Print905 on Ottawa Street featuring Tung Le.
• Evan Rotella, Astrid Young and Samantha Ava playing at Selo Cafe & Wine Bar in Hess Village on March 24.
• A fashion show at The Zoetic on Concession Street featuring Noise Pollution School of Rock on March 27.

Comedy show, March 26

Did you know there are Junos for comedy albums?

On March 26,  the Juno Comedy Show is on at Levity Comedy Club in downtown Hamilton. Zabrina Douglas hosts the show, which features Adam Christie, Charlie Demers, Dave Merheje, and Faris Hytiaa. 

There’s a show at 7 p.m. and one at 10 p.m. Both require tickets.

Kickoff concert, March 26

To officially kick off Juno week, downtown venue The Music Hall will host the Juno Kickoff Concert featuring James Barker Band, Robyn Ottolini, Sacha, Kalsey Kulyk, and The Redhill Valleys.

The ticketed event starts at 8 p.m.

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Junofest, March 27 and 28

On March 27 and 28, Junofest, presented by CBC, will be underway. It’s a series of concerts across multiple Hamilton venues, including Mills Hardware, Corktown Pub, Ooey Gooey’s and more.

There are individual tickets and two-day passes available for these shows, for people 19 and older. Shows will be first come first serve. If one venue is full when you arrive, organizers say, try another one nearby. 

On March 27, the performers are: 

• Ammoye
• Bells Larsen
• Caity Gyorgy & Mark Limacher
• Cam Kahin
• Chris LaRocca
• Code Quartet
• Computer
• Ebril
• Falls For The Elderly
• Feura
• Garnetta Cromwell & Dagroovmasters
• Ivy Gardens
• Jordan Astra
• Katie Tupper
• Laila Biali
• Lia Pappas-Kemps
• Lindsay Schoolcraft
• Loversteeth
• Lu Kala
• Mauvey
• Miss Emily
• Poolblood
• Puma June
• Rachel Bobbitt
• Ralph Nyoni
• SadBoi
• Shawnee Kish
• Silverstein
• Sister Ray
• Steve Marriner
• Steve Strongman
• Superstar Crush
• Tedy
• Tia Wood

The acts on March 28 are:

• Amelia Maxwell
• Anna Sofia
• Annie-Claude Deschênes
• Billianne
• Blunt Chunks 
• Burs
• Carrie Clark
• Cootie Catcher
• Dumb Crush
• Felix Cartal
• Fito Blanko Grae
• Great Lake Swimmers
• JayWood
• Junkhouse
• Just Ideas
• Kali Horse
• Korea Town Acid
• Los Chukos
• Mariel Buckley
• Mario Puglia
• Mattie Leon
• MXJ
• Myst Milano
• Nicolette & The Nobodies
• Sebastian Gaskin
• Siibii
• Smug LLC
• Status/Non-Status
• Ten Minute Detour
• Terra Lightfoot

Songwriters’ Circle, March 27

At FirstOntario Concert Hall on March 27, the Juno Songwriter’s Circle will include a series of discussions and acoustic performances. “This intimate, live-taped event transcends beyond the studio, offering candid conversations and acoustic performances,” the website says.

The ticketed event starts at 8 p.m. and will be recorded for broadcast. 

A kids’ event on March 28

Junior Junos at the Hamilton Public Library’s downtown Central branch is family-friendly, and hosted by Joojo Paintsil from CBC Kids’ Hey Joojo! 

It includes storytelling and music and features Ari Cui Cui, Chris McKhool, Ginalina, Hip Kids Music, and Young Maestro.

There is a waitlist for this sold-out program, which takes place at 10 a.m.

Stories from the Studio, March 28

A second event at the Central library on March 28 is also sold-out. 

Juno Stories from the Studio is a panel discussion about the creative music process. The panelists are Jason Dufour, Joel Stouffer, and Karen Kosowski.

It starts at 2 p.m.

Honouring Ceremony on March 28

The Juno Honouring Ceremony will pay tribute to Indigenous creatives. 

Allied Nations, Little Creek Singers, Siibii, and YB Nakota will perform, and CBC’s Falen Johnson will host. 

The event is ticketed and takes place at 11:30 a.m. at the FirstOntario Concert Hall. 

The big show on March 29

Mae Martin will host the Juno Awards at Hamilton’s TD Coliseum on March 29.

Performers will include Allison Russell,  Arkells, The Beaches, Cameron Whitcomb, Daniel Caesar, Sarah McLachlan and William Prince.

The show will air on CBC-TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music and CBC Listen — and stream on CBC Music’s YouTube Channel — live at 8 p.m. ET.

There are also tickets available to go in-person.

After Party, March 29

At The Music Hall venue, The Juno Awards After Party will celebrate the end of the Junos. 

The event is ticketed and 19-plus. It starts at 11 p.m. on March 29. 

Proceeds go towards the MusiCounts charity’s school music funding programs. They help schools purchase instruments, equipment, and resources for music education.