The fifth annual Hamilton Music Awards festival kicks off tonight with a concert by Brian Melo and continues through the weekend, culminating in the awards' show at Hamilton Place Sunday.

Melo's show is at Hamilton Place Studio Theatre tonight with tickets available at the door or through Ticketmaster. There will also be an opening reception at the West Town on Locke Street.

* Tomorrow, the HMA career day takes place at Hamilton Place with music industry panel discussions running throughout the morning and afternoon. The conference is free to all high school students with student identification. Otherwise tickets are $19.50, available in advance at the Copps box office or Ticketmaster.

* On Friday night, the main event will be a special tribute to Teenage Head and the late Frankie Venom at Hamilton Place Studio, featuring The Forgotten Rebels, Gord Lewis, Steve Marshall, Jack Pedler and a whole lot of dear friends who will join them on stage.

There's also be showcases at several downtown clubs including the Casbah, West Town, The Pearl Factory, Corktown, Three-16, Freeway and Lionshead.

* On Saturday, the first Hammies will be handed out during the industry awards show at Hamilton Place Studio Theatre, beginning at 6 p.m., followed by a concert by local blues sensation Steve Strongman.

In the clubs that night will be Toronto's Elliott Brood at the Casbah, and Tom Wilson's new band, Lee Harvey Osmond, at the Corktown.

Wilson's new band includes Cowboy Junkie Michael Timmins, Ray Farrugia of Junkhouse, Josh Finlayson of The Skydiggers and Canadian folk icon Brent Titcomb.

* On Sunday, the sold-out main event gets under way at 6 p.m. at the Studio Theatre, with Hammies awarded in 29 categories. The show, cohosted by Wilson and Patrick McKenna, will honour Teenage Head and Festival of Friends founder Bill Powell with lifetime achievement awards. The weekend ends with an official after-party at the Corktown.

Tickets to all HMA events at Hamilton Place are available at Copps Coliseum or online through Ticketmaster.ca and by phone, 905-527-7666.

Tickets for club shows are available at the door, with wristbands going for $20. For a complete schedule and more information, visit hamiltonmusicawards.com.

grockingham@thespec.com

905-526-3331