Violinist James Ehnes is one of the Juno-nominated musicians performing at Honens’s classical music showcase at the Grand

Calgary music fans can be forgiven for emitting a disinterested shrug after perusing the lineup of artists performing at JunoFest, the four-day musical celebration being held prior to the 2008 Juno Awards. Not to take anything away from those involved, but the lineup, which includes some talented folks like Luke Doucet, Jill Barber, Most Serene Republic and a host of local acts — is a familiar stable of artists who Calgarians have had ample opportunities to see in the past. This year’s JunoFest does, however, contain a few new and interesting elements for those willing to look outside of the usual pop and rock acts.

One such event is the classical showcase, which is presented by Honens. This is the first time a classical show has been included in JunoFest. Honens’s Stephen McHolm is excited about the showcase, which includes performances by Juno nominees James Ehnes, Brian Current conducting the Kensington Sinfonia, Matt Haimovitz and a video performance by The Gryphon Trio.

“They’re musicians who are all thinking outside the box. [They] recognize that when they’re performing and recording, they’re making interesting projects that are relevant,” McHolm says. “That’s a big problem with classical music sometimes, that it’s not seen as relevant. These are artists who are touring in interesting, non-traditional spaces; they’re recording pieces by living people and commissioning new projects all the time. They’re keeping this art form alive and interesting.”

Though classical music is often branded with a snooty, high-culture label, the artists performing at the classical showcase bring a host of new ideas and fresh perspectives to a style of music often thought to be stagnant.

“The show starts off with Matt Haimovihz, who is a cellist,” McHolm says. “I remember seeing him at CBGBs in New York playing Bach Cello suites sandwiched between a thrash band and a punk band. Then we go into The Gryphon Trio. They’re nominated for best [solo or chamber ensemble] and also best [vocal or choral performance] for Constantinople, which they played at the High Perfomance Rodeo earlier this year. Then we have Brian Current and his piece This Isn’t Silence, which is a really tough but also a really cool piece with a lot of interesting sounds. After the intermission, we have James Ehnes who is really one of the world’s top violinists.”

In addition to the classical showcase, Junofest also includes a francophone showcase, with performances by Jorane and Damien Robitaille, and an aboriginal showcase, with performances by Little Hawk, Shane Yellowbird and many others. Francophone showcase organizer Nelson Châteauneuf is hopeful the concert will raise awareness of French-Canadian musicians throughout Canada, but is perplexed with some of the decisions the Junos have made.

“I don’t know why Celine Dion [nominated for Francophone Album of the Year] is there, but without the big names this wouldn’t be the Junos,” he explains. “It’s the same thing with Neil Young [nominated for Adult Alternative Album of the Year] — what’s he doing there?”

In addition to being confused by the logic behind some of the nominations, Châteauneuf is critical of the way francophone artists are separated into their own category and largely excluded from the greater Juno proceedings.

“I wish the Junos would have one big French-Canadian name at the gala on Sunday night, but there isn’t,” Châteauneuf says. “We tried really hard to get Jorane onstage, but it just didn’t happen. Do they want to keep [the Junos] an English-Canadian music thing? I think music is music.”

While the Junos might largely ignore its non-English, non-pop categories, these showcases are a way to celebrate Canadian music that might be off the usual radar. They also provide Calgary music fans with a worthwhile alternative to seeing that roots-rocker or reggae-pop bands that come through town every couple months.