MEDICINE HAT, Alberta, January 23, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament (Medicine Hat), today announced funding for the Medicine Hat Folk Music Club (MHFMC), which will be used for the third annual Tongue on the Post Folk Festival in Medicine Hat.
The festival will take place from January 26 to 31, 2009. Small local venues will offer teaser concerts and the Medicine Hat College will host a folk music concert with a public singer-songwriter open stage. On the final day of the festival, MHFMC will present two afternoon stages of local artists, workshops, kids' activity area, and a triple-bill evening concert.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to support the Medicine Hat Folk Music Club's Tongue on the Post Folk Festival," said Minister Moore. "We are proud to partner with communities to support activities that celebrate local history, arts, and heritage."
"Local festivals like this one bring people of all ages and backgrounds together and contribute to a community's quality of life," said Mr. Payne. I am proud that our Government is supporting such an important event for our community."
"We are really excited about the third annual Tongue on the Post Folk Festival. We couldn't do it without the help and support of community volunteers, corporate sponsors, and municipal, provincial, and federal governments," said Patrick O'Brien, MHFMC Chair.
The Medicine Hat Folk Club launched Alberta's first winter folk-music festival in 2007. The purpose of the Festival is to promote and foster live folk music by presenting concerts, festivals, school and public workshops, publications, and other activities.
The Government of Canada is committed to building stronger communities and to providing all Canadians with opportunities to get involved in their communities and in the celebration of Canadian arts and heritage. Funding of $6,400 is provided through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, announced in September 2007, which provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in events and activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. This program will benefit many community events and anniversaries in Canada this year.
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
Deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-6504
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
