December 13, 2005

Halifax Play Hard & CARAS Announce Plans for the 2006 Juno Awards Weekend, March 30 - April 2

(Halifax, NS) -- Halifax Play Hard is the host city theme for this year's 2006 JUNO Awards Weekend, taking place from March 30 to April 2, 2006. With the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), the Halifax Play Hard Host Committee will promote several public events, showcasing the best in Canadian music.

Made up of enthusiastic community leaders, the Halifax Play Hard committee is dedicated to representing the rich character and vibrant culture that Nova Scotia is renowned for.

“Our province has a well-earned reputation for outstanding hospitality,” said Stuart Jolliffe, chair of Halifax Play Hard and Atlantic Regional vice president of Delta Hotels. “The host committee is working hard to make the 35th annual JUNO Awards weekend the best this country has ever seen.”

The Juno Awards Weekend will kick off on Thursday, March 30 with Halifax on Parade, a free outdoor family concert at Grand Parade Square featuring some of Nova Scotia's best musical talent. It also features Juno Cup on Friday at the Halifax Forum, JunoFest, a showcase of Canadian talent at various downtown venues on Friday and Saturday, Juno Fan Fare on Saturday and the Songwriters’ Circle on Sunday. The festivities climax with the Red Carpet arrivals and the JUNO Awards Show, broadcast live nationally on CTV, at the Halifax Metro Centre.

In the month leading up to the JUNO Awards weekend, excitement will mount with the Halifax Play Hard Pageantry Campaign. Designed to engage the city in JUNO Awards activities, the campaign will feature airport meet-and-greets to welcome in true Nova Scotia style. There will also be a series of programs to involve local businesses, including "Juno in a Box" and "Adopt an Artist"; two themed decorating programs that will raise awareness and excitement for the weekend. There will also be a series of noon hour concerts taking place throughout the city in March, featuring Nova Scotia artists.

Halifax Play Hard is working on a legacy program called Music in Schools, in efforts to raise $130,000 for band programs in schools across Nova Scotia.

“The local host committee has worked tirelessly to bring together a captivating tapestry of local cultural flavour for The 2006 JUNO Awards,” said Melanie Berry, president of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS). ”This is a national event that’s taking place in a world-class city, and we’re excited to bring that experience to the rest of the country.”

Anyone interested in volunteering with Halifax Play Hard can register by visiting www.halifaxplayhard.com.

Halifax Play Hard is supported by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Halifax Regional Municipality and other corporate sponsorships.

The JUNO Awards is Canada’s premiere music awards show which is broadcast on CTV. This annual celebration has honoured outstanding achievement in Canadian recorded music for 35 years. In the past few years the celebration has truly become a national one, traveling to cities across Canada. In 2006, Halifax, Nova Scotia has the honour of hosting this prestigious event.

For more information on CARAS and the 2006 JUNO Awards, visit: www.junoawards.ca