For fans of Canadian music, Ottawa is the place to be this week.
Artists are descending on the nation’s capital ahead of Sunday night’s JUNO Awards, which will be broadcast live from the Canadian Tire Centre on CTV.
We know which nominees won't be in Ottawa, of course. The Weeknd and Tegan and Sara are performing on JUNOs weekend in Argentina and Chile; Justin Bieber will be doing shows in Brazil; and Tory Lanez is touring in Europe.
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So, where can music lovers spot their favourite homegrown artists?
Thursday night, the JUNO Cup Jam at The Bourbon Room (400 Dalhousie Street) is expected to bring out stars like Jim Cuddy, Gord Bamford, Darryl James of The Strumbellas, Billy Talent’s Jon Gallant, and many others.
On Friday, two JUNO Express trains — one from Toronto and one from Montreal — will pull into Ottawa Station just before 2:00 p.m.
The trains will be bringing a number of JUNO nominees, performers and other VIPs to the city.
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Later that night, JUNO guests will mingle at a private party inside the National Gallery of Canada.
Over at The Arena at TD Place, hockey greats like Daniel Alfredsson and Paul Coffey hit the ice against the likes of Sam Roberts and Jim Cuddy at the JUNO Cup in support of MusiCounts.
The annual JUNO Fan Fare takes place Saturday at the CF Rideau Centre in downtown Ottawa. Hosted by eTalk’s Liz Trinnear and MUCH personality Tyrone Edwards, the event lets fans get up-close to the music makers.
MORE: Shawn Mendes, Alessia Cara, Drake Among Top Nominees At JUNOs
Scheduled to appear at JUNO Fan Fare are Aaron Pritchett, Arkells, Chad Brownlee, Cold Creek County, Coleman Hell, Dallas Smith, Gord Bamford, Jess Moskaluke, July Talk, Marianas Trench, Ruth B, Tyler Shaw and The Strumbellas.
The event runs from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
On Friday and Saturday afternoons, VIPs will be popping by the Karyzma Agency gifting suite inside Kavali (34 Clarence Street).
Most of the JUNO Awards will be handed out Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at a gala dinner at the Shaw Convention Centre.
JUNOfest performances, taking place at venues across Ottawa, bring out dozens of artists, including Virginia to Vegas (Saturday at midnight, Club Saw), Crystal Shawanda (Saturday at 10 p.m., Mavericks), and The Strumbellas (Saturday at 4 p.m., Bronson Centre Theatre).
Of course, the main attraction is Sunday at 6:30 p.m. when acts like Shawn Mendes, Sarah McLachlan, Dallas Smith, Alessia Cara, Arkells, A Tribe Called Red, Feist, The Strumbellas, Billy Talent and July Talk perform at the JUNO Awards at the Canadian Tire Centre.
The show, hosted by comedian Russell Peters and music icon Bryan Adams, airs on CTV and CTV GO.
Follow @jrk_media for JUNO weekend coverage.