Sirius XM Canada

• TORONTO, April 24, 2024 /CNW/ - SiriusXM Canada, in partnership with MusiCounts, has opened applications for the inaugural SiriusXM Soundwaves: A MusiCounts Community Fund.
• "Music is a universal language that should be accessible to everyone and through the SiriusXM Soundwaves MusiCounts Community Fund, we are making that a reality for more communities across Canada," said Rob Keen, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing & CCD at SiriusXM Canada.
• SiriusXM Canada's commitment to the Canadian music ecosystem extends beyond the SiriusXM Soundwaves MusiCounts Community Fund.
• Applications for the SiriusXM Soundwaves MusiCounts Community Fund are now open until May 30, 2024.

• It’s still not clear how Juste Pour Rire / Just for Laughs (JPR/JFL) went from one of the biggest comedy festivals in the world to bankruptcy.
• On April 12, La Presse reported the festival lost $800,000 in an email phishing scheme in 2023.
• The company also applied for protection from creditors under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

From burst to bust

JPR was founded by businessman Gilbert Rozon in 1983 as a two-day French-language comedy event in Montréal. In 1985, Rozon was joined by promoter Andrew Nulman who brought the event to anglophone audiences and co-founded the company’s bilingual iteration. JPR/JFL is a behemoth in Canadian comedy and tourism. The flagship festival still took place in Montréal but expanded nationally and globally.

Conflicts around sexual assault, harassment

• In recent years, JFL has contended with a series of high-profile conflicts.
• At the height of #MeToo in 2017, Rozon stepped down as president after being named in numerous sexual assault allegations.
• This also brought back to light Rozon’s previous 1998 sexual assault charge that he plead guilty to.
• : Sexual misconduct and the pursuit of justice

  Mausner said Rozon’s stepping down was a “a surface-level solution for a systemic problem” and called the festival an “accessory to sexual assaults.” Following the earlier assault allegations, the organization implemented an
  anti-harassment policy and brought in new investment partners.

Royalties issues, pandemic challenges

• The channel, which once played exclusively Canadian content, would now primarily feature classic JPR/JFL recordings, meaning a substantial reduction in royalties for Canadian comedians.
• Intense public pushback from comedians led JPR/JFL to walk back their proposal and commit to playing 100 per cent Canadian content.
• The pandemic hit live festivals hard, but JPR/JFL did receive significant monetary assistance from government sources.

Blockbuster festivals, broke comedians

• Canadian comedians often think of performing at JPR/JFL as a massive career goal.
• But for years, JPR/JFL has been taken to task for their prioritization of American comedians.
• Even if JPR/JFL survives restructuring, comic Sam Sferrazza says this likely will mean “bringing in more bankable American talent paid for by Canadian taxpayers and artistic institutions.” Canadian funding agencies tend to favour blockbuster events like JPR/JFL but in the world of art grants, stand-up comedians are at a disadvantage.

Boosting international exposure

• But what if we created an environment where they not only wanted to stay but could stay.
• One option is boosting Canada’s comedic digital content internationally.

Funding for local comedians and festivals

• Another option is putting more funding directly into the pockets of individual Canadian comedians, producers, and (smaller) festivals, strengthening the comedy industry nationwide.
• We need to be asking comedians what they need to succeed and recognizing their work as both artists and contributors to Canadian culture.

Madison Trusolino has received funding for her research from SSHRC, OGS and the Jackman Humanities Institute.

• Special honours presented to Chip Sutherland (Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award) and performances from Aqyila, Begonia, Jah'Mila, Lili-Ann De Francesco and LU KALA.
• HALIFAX, NS, March 23, 2024 /CNW/ - The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) celebrated the artists and industry veterans at the top of Canada's music scene this evening at the 2024 JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada, at the Halifax Convention Centre.
• The industry event was co-hosted by Aba Amuquandoh and Damhnait Doyle, featuring the presentation of 40+ JUNO Awards including Chip Sutherland receiving the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award.
• FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS AT THE 2024 JUNO OPENING NIGHT AWARDS, GO TO WWW.JUNOAWARDS.CA .

• Montréal, Québec, Feb. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STACKED LINEUP INCLUDES ESTABLISHED MEGASTARS AND LEADERS OF THE NEW VANGUARD!
• The 2024 edition of the OSHEAGA Music and Arts Festival presented by Bell in collaboration with Coors Light is fast approaching and this year’s wide array of performers is nothing short of exceptional - balancing legends with up-and-comers, high energy with intimacy, and all the bombast fans have come to expect from a leading-edge top-tier festival.
• For the 17th edition, the OSHEAGA booking team has curated the festival with the express mission of appealing to fans of every genre, style, and generation.
• Over the years, OSHEAGA has become a global reference for great music and top-notch festival experiences.