Ruckus on the Edge kicks off

With one to two hundred people on hand in the lobby of the Confederation Building, the official launch of Juno Awards week 2010 kicked off with a medley of songs from the St. John's-based choir New Canadian Voices.

The choir is made up of students from English programs at the Association for New Canadians. The students take part in the choir to help them learn.

The co-ordinator of language programs at the Association for New Canadians, Frank Gough was asked how many are in the choir, as not all were at the Juno week launch.

"It's hard to say because they come and go, but at the moment we have about 143, 150 from about 40 countries," said Gough.

And languages? "At least half that many or more."

"One world, many people/ one sun, many lands," sang the collection of individuals. "We all speak the language of love."

They were the first of what the chairman of the Ruckus on the Edge host committee, Ken Marshall, said would be more than 260 Newfoundland and Labrador performers set to take the stage during Ruckus on the Edge Juno events.

Tourism Minister Terry French spoke on behalf of the province and the absent premier at the launch.

Juno Awards week, said French, is "a week for celebrating Canadian talent, a week for showcasing Newfoundland and Labrador talent," it is a week where the city and province are going to be front and centre.

Along with French, president of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), Melanie Berry, pointed to the thousands of people expected to travel to the city for the Juno Awards.

"Yes, they're coming for the Junos experience, but they've also come to feel the spirit of this city, to make new friends and to take home lasting memories," said Berry.

The Telegram has been informed there are accommodations still available for anyone interested in coming for the Junos Awards weekend.

Just check the list of city B&Bs. As of Monday morning, even some close to the downtown, including the Waterford Manor, had last-minute rooms available.

Meanwhile, the 2010 Juno Awards week launch carried through with energy and additional crowd-pleasing performances by the Kilautiup Songuninga (Strength of the Drum) Inuit drum group, Con O'Brien, and the Benoits, who drove in for the performance from Port au Port.

The day continued with Random Acts of Music throughout the metro area.

The evening was highlighted by the first two Ruckus on the Edge showcase concerts - a performance of nominated classical works at the Petro Canada Music Hall and a gospel night at Cochrane Street United Church.

afitzpatrick@thetelegram.com

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