Canadian Folk Music Awards Coming to Winnipeg in 2010

2010 is going to be a busy year in Manitoba. The Homecoming celebrations and Cultural Capital 20101 are promising to fill the province with music and festivities throughout the year and now the Canadian Folk Music Awards are getting in on the action. The sixth annual gala event makes its first trip to Winnipeg's Pantages Playhouse on November 20, 2010.

Created in 2005, the CFMAs celebrate and promote Canadian folk music in all its forms and genres. They are the first awards dedicated specifically to celebrating the breadth and depth of folk music in Canada. During their five-year history, Manitoba artists have picked up five awards and 31 nominations, including Don Amero's win for Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year and nods for Romi Mayes, Sierra Noble, and Eagle & Hawk at this year’s celebration.

”Manitoba has a strong roots music scene that's had consistent recognition at the CFMAs,” said Winnipeg Host Committee chair, CFMA board member, and Manitoba Music executive director, Sara Stasiuk in a release. “With such a supportive community, it makes sense that this show makes a stop in Winnipeg. The gala event is a high-caliber celebration of folk and roots music in Canada -- from the edgy and new to the traditional. We're very excited to be bringing it here to audiences and our venues.”

Winnipeg has built a reputation as a great host for music events, including the Juno Awards, Canadian Country Music Awards, and Western Canadian Music Awards. The city is home to world-class venues, internationally-recognized artists, and successful music business companies. Local roots artists, including The Duhks, The Wailin’ Jennys, Nathan, Romi Mayes, Chic Gamine, James Keelaghan, and Twilight Hotel, have racked up numerous awards, hit stages across North American and Europe, and landed on charts and in magazines around the world. Winnipeg is also home to the legendary Winnipeg Folk Festival, which has inspired and fostered new generations of folk acts through its annual outdoor festival as well as its year-round training and events.

”We are thrilled to support the Canadian Folk Music Awards as a keystone event in the recognition of the tremendous talent and creative community of folk music in Canada,” said Winnipeg Folk Festival executive director and Host Committee member, Tamara Kater.

”The Canadian Folk Music Awards will be a signature event during next year’s Homecoming Celebrations and we look forward to inviting the entire folk and roots community to come to the ‘home’ of folk music in North America,” said Manitoba Homecoming 2010 executive director and Host Committee member, Kevin Walters.

The Winnipeg Host Committee put in its successful bid to host the CMFAs last year and will continue to work closely with the CFMAs to produce a stellar gala event next November. The Committee, which was responsible for brining the Juno Awards to Winnipeg in 2005, consists of several local music industry professionals and stakeholders, including Stasiuk, Kater, Walters, Manitoba Film & Music manager of music progams Jason Smith, arts consultant Sam Baardman, and new Winnipeg Cultural Capital of Canada 2010 program manager Dominic Lloyd.