June 22, 2004 OTTAWA – This summer, the grounds of Rideau Hall will be filled with the sounds of pop, Celtic, classical, folk, jazz, strings and brass during The Governor General's Summer Concert Series, a series of six free outdoor concerts featuring Canadian performers. The Governor General's Summer Concert Series gets underway Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at 7 p.m., with a high-spirited performance featuring Atlantic Canada's harmonizing trio Shaye and Vancouver's hugely popular, Celtic pop heroes, Spirit of the West. This concert is offered as part of the Governor General's Party in the Garden. For more information on the Party in the Garden, please click on our web site at www.gg.ca. The second concert in the series will take place on Wednesday, July 7, at 7 p.m. and will feature the internationally celebrated Les Violons du Roy from Quebec City, a 16-member orchestra that specializes in the vast repertoire of music for chamber orchestra, performed in the stylistic manner most appropriate to each era. In the spirit of summer, the orchestra will offer a musical programme with works by Rodrigo, Villa-Lobos, Piazzolla and Bragato. On Sunday, July 18, at 4 p.m., get ready to jive and be transported back to the 1940s with the Canada Remembers Concert, consisting of The Nepean All-City Jazz Band and The Canadian Tribute to Glen Miller, and featuring the vocals of John McNab and The Fabulous Moonbeams. This concert, in honour of Canada's veterans of D-Day, the Battle of Normandy and the Italian Campaign, will be presented in partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada. Le Kiosque à musique, an ensemble consisting of violin, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, double bass and percussion, will perform on Sunday, July 25, at 4 p.m. The Governor General's Summer Concerts continue on Sunday, August 1, at 4 p.m. with the highly talented and award-winning Nesrallah-Bolshoy Duo, featuring mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah and guitarist Daniel Bolshoy. Both Le Kiosque à musique and the Nesrallah-Bolshoy Duo are presented in association with the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival. The series will conclude with a concert by the Band of the Ceremonial Guard, one of the best-known military bands in the country, on Sunday, August 8, at 4 p.m. The Governor General's Summer Concerts are a popular summer activity for the whole family. Audiences are invited to come early, bring a picnic and make an occasion of these outdoor events on the beautiful grounds of Rideau Hall. All concerts are free of charge. For more details on the concerts including the schedule, please see annex. Media interested in covering the concerts are asked to contact the Rideau Hall Press Office. -30- Media information Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 998-7280 (613) 998-0287 or (613) 993-8157 www.gg.ca Public information: (613) 991-ggca (4422) or 1 866 842-ggca (4422) Internet addresses of concert performers with web sites: Shaye: www.shayemusic.com Spirit of the West: www.sotw.ca Les Violons du Roy: www.violonsduroy.com The Canadian Tribute to Glen Miller: www.tributetomiller.com The Nepean All-City Jazz Band: www.engsoc.org/~alanhigg/nacjb/ Le Kiosque à musique: www.lekiosque.ca Nesrallah-Bolshoy Duo: http://greatconcerts.com/julie_page.htm ANNEX: The Governor General's Summer Concerts 2004 Schedule: Shaye and Spirit of the West Wednesday, June 30, 7 p.m. Les Violons du Roy Wednesday, July 7, 7 p.m. Canada Remembers Concert, with The Nepean All-City Jazz Band and The Canadian Tribute to Glenn Miller Sunday, July 18, 4 p.m. Le Kiosque à Musique Sunday, July 25, 4 p.m. The Nesrallah-Bolshoy Duo Sunday, August 1, 4 p.m. Band of the Ceremonial Guard Sunday, August 8, 4 p.m. Parking: Parking on the grounds will be limited to mobility-impaired visitors. Four gates will be open to the public – Sussex Drive, Thomas Street, Mackay Street pedestrian gate and Princess Avenue. MEDIA MAY ENTER THROUGH PRINCESS GATE AND PARK AT A DESIGNATED AREA. Bike racks: Bicycles are not permitted on the grounds. Bicycle racks will be available at the entrances to the grounds. Pets/alcohol: No pets or alcohol on the grounds. Bus: We encourage the use of public transportation. OC Transpo bus route number 3 will take you to Rideau Hall. For more information on OC Transpo services and maps, visit http://www.octranspo.com or call (613) 741-4390. Weather: Concerts will be cancelled only under severe weather conditions.
