CIMA Celebration & Awards Gala 2017: A Reminder Of What Makes The Canadian Indie Music Scene So Inspiring
Many of the Canada's leaders in the independent music world gathered at the Glass Factory to celebrate the amazing work and legacies of their peers at the third annual Canadian Independent Music Association Awards Gala. Leading up to the event, we were brought on to work alongside producers Richard and Julia of Fentunes, as a Toronto video production studio, to create a series of films featuring each of the awardees and their innovative work. Those videos would be shown at the gala as the awardee took the stage. Here's how the night went...
Hosted by CBC Music's Grant Lawrence, with an appearance by CIMA President Stuart Johnston, this gala was a beautiful tribute to what makes Canada's creative community so special. Music industry pioneers including Donald K. Tarlton of DKD Productions, Steve Jordan, creator of the Polaris Music Prize, label manager juggernaut Sheri Jones (Jones & Co.), and Coalition Music founders Rob Lanni and Eric Lawrence were awarded for their accomplishments. Each laureate was given an award for their lasting influence in the field and the opportunity to invite an artist of their choosing to give a special performance. Thus, at the request of their friends and colleagues, Kayla Diamond, Charmie, Zaki Ibrahim, Jeremy Fisher and Kim Stockwood took the stage.
CBC Music's Grant Lawrence charmed the audience as host.
Kayla Diamond set the tone with her opening performance.
Throughout the evening, our videos shone a light on each awardee's lifetime achievements through a career-recapping interview, archival photographs and footage montages, and congratulation videos sent in by music industry insiders, artists and peers that were inspired by and benefited from their work.
Donald K. Tarlton received the Builder Award.
Steve Jordan received the Usung Hero Award.
Sheri Jones received the Brian Chater Leadership Award.
Rob Lanni & Eric Lawrence received the Entrepreneur Award.
The event also included a much-anticipated Marketing Award, which went to Arts & Crafts for their consciousness-raising work on Gord Downie's instant Canadian classic record Secret Path. Their important campaign included a deluxe package LP with a book by Jeff Lemire, a full length animated featured film (broadcast on the CBC), a concert at Roy Thompson Hall, and the creation of The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.
Arts & Crafts' Jonathan Shedletzky & Kieran Roy received the 2017 Marketing Award.
From the setup to the closing words, the gala was a beautiful ode to Canada's thriving creative community. Being a part of this event was a wonderful reminder of what makes Canada so unique.
Our friends at Platform Productions did an great job on the AV Front.
The final touches before the doors opened.
Jeffrey Remedios of Universal Music Canada chatting with Helen Britton of Six Shooter Records.
Guests checking in at the gala.
Jeremy Fisher giving a captivating performance.
Charmie taking the stage to close out the evening.
