SASKATOON, June 19, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, the Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament (Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar), today announced up to $7,500 in funding for the Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Society. This amount will help fund the Society's concert series in Saskatoon and their second annual Northern Lights Bluegrass Festival and educational workshops in Big River, Saskatchewan.
"This summer, the residents of Northern Saskatchewan will once again have the opportunity to experience the best of bluegrass and traditional music performed by such artists as Joël Fafard," said Minister Oda. "Canada's New Government is committed to making diverse, high-quality artistic experiences accessible to all Canadians. I am proud to support the Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Society, an organization that fosters unique musical genres for the people of Saskatchewan to enjoy."
"This organization contributes to our province's cultural scene, tourism industry, and economy," said Minister Skelton. "This investment demonstrates our Government's commitment to strengthening arts and culture in rural communities."
"This funding from Canadian Heritage is an incredible show of support for our Society's goals of preserving and promoting bluegrass and old-time music in Saskatchewan," said Catherine Sproule, president of the Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Society. "These genres of music represent the spirit of the Prairies, and we are thrilled to be able to bring them to a wider audience. Thanks to Canadian Heritage, we will be able to continue to attract quality instructors like Vic Mullen to our workshop camp and performers like Joel Fafard to our festival stage."
The Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Society promotes, educates, fosters, and cultivates the preservation, appreciation, understanding, enjoyment, accessibility, support, and performance of traditional instrumental and vocal music. The Festival, educational workshops, and concert series celebrate traditional folk music, bluegrass, and old¬-time music, providing opportunities for emerging and professional artists, as well as audiences to enjoy and learn these genres. The second annual Northern Lights Bluegrass Festival, held in Big River, Saskatchewan, will take place from August 17 to 19, 2007. The workshops will be held from August 14 to 16, 2007.
Canada's New Government has provided this funding under the Development Component of 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, presentations 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
Danielle Maier
Communications Advisor
Regional Office of the Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar
306 780-8236
Angela Cassie
A/Director of Communications
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
204 983-4367
