IT’S NEARLY time to roll up for the MAMAs, the MusicACT Annual Music Awards, Due to hit the floor of the venerable Albert Hall this Saturday, November 23, but you’ll have to be quick.

The MAMAs, in their second year running, aim to put paid to the notion that Canberra is merely the Government and the Australian public service, showcasing our vibrant ACT music industry.

With 24 awards to be presented, ranging from rock to classical, four—ACT Artist of 2013, ACT Youth Artist of 2013,  ACT Live Performer of 2013 and ACT Live Venue of 2013 —will be voted on by the public. As well, the three finalists for the top spot, MusicACT Artist of the Year, are The Aston Shuffle, SAFIA and Fun Machine.

But MAMAs committee member David Caffery insists that, unlike the event’s big American counterparts, the  awards themselves will not take the limelight in this party of the year.

Centre stage has been reserved for Canberra’s musos, performing under the direction of Chenoeh Miller, in what Caffery calls,  “the most diverse celebration of Canberra’s musicians our city has ever seen”.

If you want to vote, now’s your chance by visiting  musicact.com.au/mamas and if you do so, you might win a double pass, including food and drinks, to the Canberra music industry’s night of nights on Saturday.

The MAMAs, the MusicACT Annual Music Awards, at Albert Hall, Commonwealth Avenue, Saturday, November 23. Doors open  at 6.30pm for 7pm Showtime.  Bookings to musicact.com.au/mamas