CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend
The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) announces the next wave of programming for the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend, presented by Slaight Music with support from Ontario Creates, taking place May 31-June 2, 2024 in Mississauga.
The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend kicks off with Songs & Stories: Songwriters in the Round on May 31 at The Rec Room. Hosted by Julian Taylor, Songs & Stories will feature Amanda Rheaume, Griffen Palmer, Stef Paquette, and Suzie Ungerleider sharing the anecdotes and inspiration behind their hit songs.
The Festival continues on June 1 and 2 at Celebration Square with the CMAOntario Street Fair filled with eclectic artisan vendors, interactive Kidzone activities and performances by Miss T the Bubble Queen, Craig Douglas, and Dan the Music Man, plus FREE concerts from Ontario’s country music stars.
The CMAOntario will once again offer the annual R2i TuneUp Conference with panels and networking opportunities on June 1 and 2 at the Living Arts Centre with hot industry topics including Crafting Your Brand: A Guide to Artist Development and Branding Strategies; Mastering Content Creation and Management: Strategies for Authentic and Engaging Artist Marketing; Hit the Road: Navigating Touring and Live Performances as an Independent Artist; Granting Your Musical Dreams: Navigating Funding Opportunities with Successful Applications; and Unlocking Music Income: A Roadmap to Royalties, Publishing, and Sync Licensing.
Previously announced CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend performances include:
On Saturday, June 1 CMAOntario will present two free concerts at Celebration Square including the afternoon Tailgate party with Andrew Hyatt, Jessie T, New Moon Junction, and Emily Clair, and the Bonfire evening concert with Jason Blaine, Les Bilinguish Boys, Karli June, Mackenzie Leigh Meyer, Lemon Cash, and Abby Stewart.
On Sunday, June 2 at Celebration Square, the City of Mississauga’s music office will present Sauga Sunday, a family-friendly afternoon concert with an all-women lineup featuring Elyse Saunders, Nicole Rayy, Bree Taylor, Alessia Cohle, Kendra Gabrielle and Jade Hilton.
The CMAOntario Awards, presented by Slaight Music, will take place on Sunday, June 2 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga with performances by: Karli June, Owen Riegling, Jason Blaine, Nicole Rayy, Griffen Palmer, Elyse Saunders, River Town Saints, Sugar Crush, Callie McCullough, Ryan Langdon, and The Western Swing Authority.
Tickets for the CMAOntario Awards Show are on sale now.
CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend
Event Schedule
Songs & Stories: Songwriters in the Round
Friday, May 31 from 7:30-9pm
The Rec Room at 100 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
CMAOntario Street Fair
Saturday, June 1 from 2-11pm
Sunday, June 2 from 11am-3pm
Celebration Square at 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
R2I Conference
Saturday, June 1 from 9am-5:30pm
Sunday, June 2 from 9am-12pm
Living Arts Centre
4141 Living Arts Centre Drive, Mississauga
Tailgate Concert
Saturday, June 1 from 1-3pm
FREE
Celebration Square at 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
Bonfire Concert
Saturday, June 1 from 7-10:30pm
FREE
Celebration Square at 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
Sauga Sunday
Sunday, June 2 from 11am – 3pm
FREE
Celebration Square at 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
CMAOntario Awards Show
Sunday, June 2 at 7pm
Hammerson Hall, Living Arts Centre at 4141 Living Arts Centre Drive, Mississauga
Regular Reserved Seating starts at $35 plus fees
Awards & Conference Combo package is $140 plus fees
VIP Tickets are $260 plus fees
Website: www.cmaontario.ca
About CMAOntario:
In 2007, Rob MacArthur and founding patron Linda Wright together with a number of key industry professionals founded the Country Music Association of Ontario. The Association’s mandate is to foster the growth and development of Ontario’s country music and its industry, provincially, nationally and internationally. The CMAOntario has hosted eleven annual Awards Shows and seven two-day Road to Independence educational conferences with the generous assistance of presenting sponsor Slaight Music and support of Ontario Creates.
About Slaight Music:
Slaight Music was started in 2011 with a mandate to support the Canadian music community through a variety of initiatives, and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers. We work with artists from across the country and across the musical spectrum, helping to further careers and get great music heard. We’re also invested in the technology sphere, helping Canadian music entrepreneurs develop the next generation of digital platforms and services. And, we support a variety of music-related events, causes and charities. www.slaightmusic.com
About Ontario Creates:
Ontario Creates is an agency of the provincial government whose mandate is to be a catalyst for economic development, investment and collaboration in Ontario’s creative industries including the music, book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors, both domestically and internationally. www.ontariocreates.ca