CALGARY, April 5, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre), announced funding totalling $425,000 for the following five Calgary performing arts organizations: One Yellow Rabbit Theatre Company; the Theatre Junction Society; the Calgary Centre for the Performing Arts; Dancers' Studio West; and the Calgary Jazz Festival.
"Canada's New Government is pleased to support the performing arts scene in Calgary," said Minister Oda. "These organizations provide an important place for artists from this area to display their creativity, and they and give audiences access to stimulating performances."
"We are privileged to have some of Canada's best multidisciplinary performance art creators here in Calgary," said Mr. Richardson. "These organizations present high-quality performances, artists and artistic experiences. By featuring a dynamic array of programming, they contribute to the vitality of the region's cultural scene."
Canada's New Government has provided this funding under the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to give Canadians more access to direct experiences of the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentation of live professional performances and other arts experiences.
Information:
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Jeff Henwood
Legislative Assistant
Office of the Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre
613 995-1561
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Policy and Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604 666-6504
Backgrounder
One Yellow Rabbit Theatre Company is receiving $215,000 to present the 22nd High Performance Rodeo from January 9 to February 2, 2008, and to support the company's 2006 - 07 performance season and High Performance Rodeo. One of three companies based in Calgary's Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, One Yellow Rabbit began as a small troupe in 1982. Its mandate is to offer a theatrical voice--conceived and performed by artists from Calgary's theatre community--that is experimental, professional, challenging, and captivating.
Theatre Junction Society is receiving $30,000 to present performances including contemporary dance, theatre, music and multimedia arts. The series will expose audiences to diverse performances from September 2007 to May 2008. The society is committed to developing, producing and promoting live theatre in the Calgary region by employing the best professional talent in the area to interpret plays of excellence, mostly from the modern dramatic field, including the production of modern classics and the creation of new Canadian work.
Calgary Centre for Performing Arts is receiving $90,000 to present a music series featuring diverse and innovative concerts by Canadian artists from September 2007 to May 2008, as well as its series COMBO TO GO in partnership with CBC Radio 2. Opened in 1985, the Centre manages a 410,000 square-foot performing arts complex and rents the facility to the community and touring productions. It also produces and programs works specialized in arts education, community outreach and advocacy.
Dancers' Studio West is receiving $50,000 to present a season of unique and innovative dance performances, primarily by Canadian artists, from July 2007 to June 2008. Dancers' Studio West is a not-for-profit organization that, since 1980, has been bringing contemporary dance works from local and nationally recognized choreographers to Calgary audiences.
The Calgary Jazz Festival is receiving $40,000 to present national and international jazz artists at events year round, including the Calgary Jazz Festival and C-Jazz Carnivale. The C-Jazz Carnivale will include free performances in the heart of Calgary's cultural district, featuring three international artists and 34 professional Canadian acts from five provinces/territories.
