ike the Olympics or the Stampedes before it (but without the annoying athletes and rodeo clowns) the Junos are set to take over Calgary, setting the city abuzz. In its 38th year, the westward-migrating ceremony celebrates Canadian music from myriad categories. Hosted by Russell Peters and featuring performances from Feist, Avril Lavigne, Jully Black, Jann Arden, Finger Eleven, and others, the ceremony goes down on Sunday, April 6th at Pengrowth Saddledome. However, like the other aforementioned mega-events, the truly exciting parties go on outside of the main event.

Beginning on Friday April 4th, Calgary music lovers and pilgrims from around the world will be treated to three solid days and nights of aural excellence. With strummers and distorters descending on Cowtown, bars, clubs, and theatres brim with disparate sounds. JunoFest – a bar-based companion to the awards – features plethoric talent in a SXSW-style mini-festival. Also, tangential events, like the annual Juno Cup and the Songwriters Circle, will keep your ears grinning (you know what I mean). Here are Juno Weekend’s best bets:

The Juno Cup
Friday April 4
My friend once wondered aloud if he could win in a boxing match against former female welterweight champion, Christy Martin. He probably couldn’t, though he might put up a decent fight. Similarly, the annual Juno Cup pits former NHL greats against a ragtag crew of musicians in a hockey match to the death (well, perhaps not to the death). Full Story

Justin Rutledge
Friday April 4
Toronto's premier alt-country singer-songwriter (damn, I'm record-store-label crazy today), Justin Rutledge is Ryan Adams without the rock star pretense and prolificacy (i.e. Heartbreaker-era Ryan Adams). His boozy ballads encourage whisky drinking and pick-up driving (though, on different days, children). Full Story

Oh Susanna
Friday April 4
I’m not sure if the “Oh” in question should have a comma after it. Furthermore, I don’t know if it’s “Oh” as in “Oh, you” or “Oh, yes!” Perhaps it’s “Oh” in a similar vein as “Sandra Oh” (though I doubt it). Regardless, when coupled with “Susanna” it connotes some of the best strum and pluck folk-sy balladry the country has to offer. Full Story