Junos return to Edmonton next year for the first time since 2004
For the first time in almost 20 years, the Juno Awards will be hosted in Edmonton in 2023, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences announced.
An entire week of activities starting March 6, 2023, will lead up to the 52nd annual ceremony broadcast live on CBC, March 12 from Rogers Place.
“After nearly two decades, we are ecstatic to bring Juno Week back to Edmonton,” says CARAS/JUNO Awards president Allan Reid. “The city is a unique cultural destination with a proven commitment to championing the arts and we can't wait to shine a light on its flourishing music scene.”
Alanis Morissette hosted the 2004 ceremony at the old Coliseum (then called Rexall Place) wearing her famous naked suit, and a weeklong flurry of party-hard activity included memorable, smaller-venue shows like Ron Sexsmith and The Tragically Hip at New City on Jasper Avenue.
“We are excited to welcome the Juno Awards back to Edmonton,” says Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “Juno Week is a wonderful opportunity for Edmontonians to participate in this national celebration of art and music through community activation and programming.
“I know that I speak for all Edmontonians when I say we cannot wait to host the awards and the weeklong festival leading up to the awards in Edmonton, or as we're better known in the summer, as the Festival City.”
Explore Edmonton CEO Traci Bernard notes the event will be a welcome boost.
“Small music venues have had it rough the last couple of years and it will be great to reinvigorate the industry with a celebration leading up to the Juno Awards.”
The announcement comes during a notably strong year for Edmonton-area representation at this year's Junos.
With two nominations, Brett Kissel is up for both Country Album of the Year for What Is Life? and Single of the Year for Make a Life, Not a Living.
Two-spirit artist Shawnee Kish, meanwhile, is nominated for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year on the strength of her self-titled album. Young Spirit, originally from Frog Lake, is up for the Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year for their album Cree Round Dance Songs.
Nominated for Traditional Roots Album of the Year for Joyful Banner Blazing is Maria Dunn.
For Children's Album of the Year, Garth Prince is in the running for album/book combo Grazing Back Home.
Finally, for his innovative album artwork, local indie rock hitmaker Lyle Bell is up for Album Artwork of the Year for his efforts on Whitehorse's Strike Me Down.
You can see who wins at the 51st annual Juno Awards, broadcast from Toronto 6 p.m. Sunday on CBC.