Polaris Salons Get New Sponsor, Events Announced For Banff, Montreal, Toronto
Let the arguments begin.
Steve Jordan, Founder and Executive Director of the Polaris Music Prize, today announced details for the initial round of 2013 Polaris Music Prize Salons, including events in Banff, Montreal and Toronto.
The Salons, which feature Polaris jury members in often-passionate debates about the merits of various albums vying for the Polaris Music Prize, will kick off at the Banff Centre in Banff, Alberta on Friday, May 24. Montreal will host a Salon at a tba location on Thursday, June 13 following the unveiling of the 2013 Long List. The Soho House in Toronto will host a Salon on Wednesday, June 19.
Salons are also being planned for the fall in Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Ottawa and Halifax. That, and we continue to plot our takeover of the world — Polaris is also planning a second Salon in New York City and its first ever in London, U.K.
“International attention to Canadian music and specifically Polaris nominees has never been greater,” says Jordan. “We are looking forward to piquing this interest with local critical reactions to our nominees and their work.”
Helping us along the way as our new Salon sponsor will be the musician’s best friend, RACS (The Recording Artists’ Collecting Society). RACS is a division of ACTRA that collects and distributes equitable remuneration (neighbouring rights and private copying) to eligible recording artists.
“ACTRA RACS is thrilled to be a sponsor of this year’s Polaris Music Prize, celebrating the best music our country has to offer,” says ACTRA and ACTRA RACS National President Ferne Downey. “We are particularly proud to be sponsoring the Polaris Salons, giving music fans a behind the scenes look at the decision-making process that goes into picking the Short and Long Lists and winner.”
The Polaris Music Prize awards $30,000 to the artist who creates the Canadian Album of the Year. Judged solely on artistic merit, without consideration of genre or record sales, the prize’s past winners have included Feist (2012), Arcade Fire (2011), Karkwa (2010), Fucked Up (2009), Caribou (2008), Patrick Watson (2007) and Final Fantasy (2006).

Upcoming Polaris Salons
BANFF – Friday, May 24
Venue – Banff Centre, Bentley Chamber Music Studio (Music & Sound Building)
Address – 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr.
Time – Reception 5 p.m., Salon 6 p.m.
Moderator – Steve Jordan, Polaris Founder and Executive Director
Panelists – Katherine Duncan (CBC Radio), Aubrey McInnis (CJSW 90.9 FM), Lisa Wilton (Metro Calgary)
MONTREAL – Thursday, June 13
Venue – tba
Moderator – Steve Jordan – Polaris Founder and Executive Director
Panelists – TBA
TORONTO – Wednesday, June 19
Venue – Soho House
Address – 192 Adelaide Street West
Time – 7 – 9 p.m.
Moderator – James Keast (Exclaim!)
Panelists – TBA
Note: if you want to go to the Toronto event you MUST rsvp to rsvp@polarismusicprize.ca.
