Presented by Craig Senyk Initiatives, the 8th Annual YYC Music Gala was held at the Grey Eagle Casino Event Centre on Sunday, September 24th. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening’s festivities was Lisette Xavier, host of the new CBC KIDS show, Bestest Day Ever With My Best Friend, and featured a Keynote address from President and CEO of Arts Commons, Alex Sarian.

Honouring Calgary and area musicians and industry leaders in 27 categories, the evening also included award presenters from the music community, and beyond, including Mayor, Jyoti Gondeck; award-winning artist, Transit; City of Calgary Councillor for Ward 8, Courtney Walcott; Chard Morrison from Country Music Alberta and Shattered Glass Music Group; Juliane Gallant, Resident Conductor with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and many more.

The big winners of the night were Canadian Rap-Funk Hip-Hop artist Sinzere, who won her second Music Video of the Year award as well as Rap Recording of the Year for the second consecutive year. The YYC Awards also presented to Nigerian-born sax player Perpie Soul for the Jazz Recording of the Year - "The Landing (1803)". Tissa Rahim, the Persian Powerhouse took home the award for R&B Soul Recording of the Year.

The evening was extra special as two new categories were presented this year. Sponsored by CADME (The Calgary Association for the Development of Music Education), the inaugural Music Educator of the Year Award was presented to Jennele Coulson, from Eric Harvie School, and Cool Choir took home the first ever Community Ensemble of the Year Award, as well as the People’s Choice Award.

The evening also included live performances from Brother Bicker Band, Esteban Herrera & Gisela Romero, Jennie Harluk, Sinzere, SYRYN and capped off the night with an After Party and performances by EDM Recording of the Year nominee, Ginsong, with last year’s EDM Recording of the Year winner, Titus1.

Music videos aired from category nominees, Annika, Kyle McKearney, The Royal Foundry, Mindseed and the category winner, Sinzere.