The Beat Goes On – Full Schedule for the 50th Annual JUNO Awards announced

The 50th annual Juno Awards are less than two weeks away.  With the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, one would think the biggest celebration of Canadian music would be hampered, but broadcasting partner, CBC Music, have announced 11 days of online celebration to mark the important milestone.

Beginning on May 27 and hosted by A. Harmony of CBC’s Marvin’s Room, JUNO Stories from the Studio will feature a virtual discussion with JUNO Award-nominated engineers, producers, and special guests to get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process that gave rise to Canada’s most iconic songs and albums.  Panelists for the May 27 event will include Dylan Sinclair, Johann Deterville (YogitheProducer), Jordon Manswell and Savannah Ré; while a second JUNO Stories from the Studio session on June 3 will feature panelists Murda Beatz and Wondagurl. For more information, make sure to visit www.junoawards.ca/events.

In partnership with the Toronto Public Library, Saturday mornings from May 29 to June 5, families are welcome to check out into Junior JUNOS.  Celebrate the nominees for Children’s Album of the Year, by tuning in to watch special performances by Ginalina, Splash’N Boots, and NJacko Blacko.  For more information, please be sure to visit the Toronto Public Library website.

Classical music will be in the spotlight on Sunday, May 30 with the CBC Music in the Studio at the JUNOS: The Classical Session.  Hosted by Julie Nesrallah, the one-hour recital of chamber music will feature nominees and winners from the 2020 and 2021 Juno Awards. Harpist Angela Schwartzkopf and flutist Kaili Maiments play pieces by Mark Nerenberg and Marjan Mozetich, while violinist Jonathan Crow and pianist Angela Park take the stage for Beethoven’s “Spring” Sonata and the famous “Méditation” by Massenet.  CBC Music in the Studio at the JUNOS: The Classical session will stream for free at cbcmusic.ca/junos, on CBC Gem or CBC Music’s Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter pages.

Monday, May 31, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, CBC Music in Studio at the JUNOS: CBC Q Live will stream across all CBC platforms and will feature host, Tom Power, as he sits down with Gord Sinclair, Rob Baker, Johnny Fay and Paul Langlois of the Tragically Hip to discuss their career, friendship, the 2021 Humanitarian Award and the loss of friend and lead singer, Gord Downie.

Canada’s hip hop community will be in full spotlight on Tuesday, June 1, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT across all CBC streaming platforms with CBC Music in the Studio at the JUNOS: The Block Session.  Join host, Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe, will help celebrate the wide array of genres and intersections of Black music and will feature performances from Ammoye, Dijah SB, hip hop pioneer, Michie Mee and many more.

At 2 p.m ET/11 a.m. PT on Wednesday, June 2, a special Honouring Ceremony, hosted by Falen Johnson, will celebrate the incredible Indigenous music and art of the many Nations of Ontario; and will feature appearances by nominees Crown Lands, Julian Taylor, Crystal Shawanda and more.  This special ceremony will be streamed live at Side Door.

Also on June 2 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT across all CBC streaming platforms and hosted by Laila Biali, CBC Music in Studio at the JUNOS: The Jazz Session will spotlight nine legendary musicians nominated in the three jazz categories at the 2021 JUNO Awards. From traditional to vocal, from group to Latin, the session has all the jazz stylings covered.

On Thursday, June 3, Advance x JUNO Talks: The Influence of Black Music will be a virtual discussion among industry professionals about the impact of Black music in Canada and its contributions to our industry and natural culture. To register for the event, please be sure to visit www.junoawards.ca/events.

On June 3 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT across all CBC streaming platforms, hosts Duncan McCue and Jarret Marineau will present CBC Music in the Studio at the JUNOS: Relciamed Session.  This special will connect the generations and Indigenous nations across Turtle Island and feature this year’s Indigenous JUNO Award nominees and celebrate the sounds of Indigenous folk, roots, blues, powwow step, and moccasin gaze.

On Friday, June 4 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT across all CBC streaming platforms, the honours will get underway with the presentation of 37 JUNO awards during the JUNO Opening Night Awards; including the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award and the MusiCounts Inspired Minds Ambassador Award.  Hosted by Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe, the special presentation will include performances by Ammoye, Kirk Diamond and TӦME, Crown Lands, Lindsey Ell, and MacKenzie Porter; and appearances by Ben Miner, Celeigh Cardinal, Dione Taylor, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Felix Cartal, Julian Taylor, and Jennifer Brown.

The beloved JUNO Songwriters’ Circle is going digital this year on Saturday, June 5 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT across all CBC streaming platforms.  Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy will host the event, which will feature stories and performances by Rough Trade’s Carole Pope, Deborah Cox, Dan Hill, and Leah + Peter from July Talk.

Finally, the 50th Annual JUNO Awards Broadcast will take place on Sunday, June 6, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, globally on cbcmusic.ca/junos and live-streamed on CBC Music’s TikTok account.  The night will feature six award presentations, unforgettable performances, and appearances by Canada’s hottest artists; and will include the presentation of the 2021 Humanitarian Award to the Tragically Hip, who will unite with singer-songwriter Feist for a special performance.

Regardless of circumstances that are keeping fans separated during these difficult times, the 50th Annual JUNO Awards will celebrate the best of Canadian music no matter what!