MEDICINE HAT, Alberta, March 27, 2008 - Medicine Hat area residents and visitors will have an opportunity to see and hear some of Canada's top jazz performers this summer, thanks, in part, to an investment from the Government of Canada.
The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and Member of Parliament (Medicine Hat), today announced funding for the Medicine Hat Jazz Society, on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages.
Government funding of $35,000 will help support the Medicine Hat JazzFest, a seven day festival featuring a variety of local, national, and international jazz musicians, from June 23 to 29, 2008.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to invest in the Medicine Hat Jazz Society," said Minister Verner. "Once again this year, the JazzFest will provide the public with top-notch programming that highlights talent ed musicians from Canada and elsewhere in the world."
"The Medicine Hat Jazz Society is a key music presenter in the province," said Minister Solberg. "This event not only contributes to the cultural development of the re gion, but it brings together music lovers and new audiences to celebrate jazz and other forms of music. I congratulate the dedicated staff and volunteers who contribute to the success of this major event."
"In its twelve-year histor y, the Medicine Hat JazzFest has grown from a grass roots, community based event to a widely recognized world-class festival," said Lyle Rebbeck, Producer of the Festival. "Thank you Canadian Heritage for helping us to develop and nurture a love for jazz in this small western Canadian prairie city."
The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Arts Presentation Canada Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604 666-6504
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
