SaskMusic and numerous Saskatchewan artists head to Toronto this week for official showcases at Canadian Music Week, one of the premier entertainment events in North America focusing on the business of global music. The Canadian Music Week festival spans 10 nights of performances, with 1,000 showcasing bands at more than 60 live music venues in downtown Toronto. Meanwhile, the music industry summit at the Sheraton Centre Toronto (May 5-7) is designed for industry executives and recording professionals to attend programming streams including social music, live touring, and songwriting and publishing, as well as attend keynotes and breakout sessions with forward-thinkers who shape the entertainment industries.
While attending CMW, SaskMusic will co-present an artist showcase with Alberta Music:
How The West Was Won
Friday, May 6/2016, 8pm-2:30am
The Hideout, 484 Queen Street West, Toronto
A showcase of some of the best artists in western Canada, presented in partnership with our neighbours to the west, Alberta Music. How The West Was Won has been established as an internationally recognized brand of Western Canadian music over the past several years through several showcase presentations. Saskatchewan artists Poor Nameless Boy (8pm), Surf Dads (10pm), We Were Lovers (12pm), and DGS Samurai Champs (2am) will perform at The Hideout (484 Queen Street West), along with Alberta’s The Royal Foundry (9pm), The Velveteins (11pm), and Boreal Sons (1am).
There are also several industry award shows taking place during CMW. Saskatchewan nominees at events this year include the following.
Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards
Thursday May 5 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto
- Casino Regina: nominated in Casino/Specialty Venue
- Brandt Centre, Regina: nominated for Major Facility Under 8000
- Danny Ismond - GX94/CFGW Yorkton: nominated for Music Director Small Market
- Andy Ross– 96.3 CRUZ FM Saskatoon: nominated for Program Director Secondary Market
- 96.3 CRUZ FM Saskatoon: nominated for Station Medium Market
The 16th Annual Independent Music Awards
Wednesday May 4 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre
- Drezus: nominated for Aboriginal Artist/Group of the Year
Here is a complete schedule of Saskatchewan artist performances during CMW 2016.
Tuesday May 3
Jen Lane 6:00PM Cameron House
Wednesday May 4
Surf Dads 10:00PM Smiling Buddah
DGS Samurai Champs 12:00AM The Nest
Autopilot 12:00AM Underground Garage
Sleepwreck 1:20AM Nocturne
Thursday May 5
Surf Dads 6:15PM Fred Perry
Surf Dads 7:15PM The Monarch Tavern, Barn Burner*
Jen Lane 7:45PM The Monarch Tavern, Barn Burner*
Autopilot 8:00PM The Monarch Tavern, Barn Burner*
Sleepwreck 8:45PM The Monarch Tavern, Barn Burner*
Surf Dads 9:00PM The Handlebar
Autopilot 10:00PM UG3
Bombargo 12:00AM UGS
Ponteix 1:00AM Studio Bar
We Were Lovers 1:00AM The Central
*Unofficial showcase
Friday May 6
Yarrow 4:00PM Drake 150
Yarrow 8:00PM Cameron House (back room)
Poor Nameless Boy 8:00PM The Hideout, How The West Was Won
Poor Nameless Boy 10:00PM C'est What
Surf Dads 10:00PM The Hideout, How The West Was Won
We Were Lovers 12:00AM The Hideout, How The West Was Won
The Sheepdogs 1:00AM Horseshoe Tavern
DGS Samurai Champs 2:00AM The Hideout, How The West Was Won
Saturday May 7
The Dead South 8:00PM The Dakota Tavern
Ponteix 9:00PM Hard Luck Bar
The Pistolwhips 9:00PM The Dakota Tavern
Jen Lane 12:00AM Burdock
Drezus 3:00AM Silver Dollar