WELLINGTON, Prince Edward Island, May 11, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament (Egmont), today announced funding for the Association du Festival Évangéline de musique bluegrass et traditionnelle.
This funding will help develop the programming for the 10th annual Evangeline Bluegrass Festival, which will take place July 9 to 11, 2010, in Abram-Village, Prince Edward Island.
"Our Government is proud to support the Evangeline Bluegrass Festival," said Minister Moore. "This well-established event encourages tourists to discover one of the jewels of French speaking Canada, the Evangeline Region, in addition to fostering the development of local artists who will eventually go on to represent Canadian culture abroad."
"The Evangeline Bluegrass Festival is one of many events that, once again this year, will make our region a marvellous highlight for vacationers and music lovers," said Minister Shea. "On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate the organizers and the many volunteers for giving local residents and visitors alike the opportunity to discover and get to know some remarkable artists."
"This year, the Evangeline Bluegrass Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary. The Government of Canada's support enables us to present concerts featuring bluegrass and traditional music, and to attract professional artists from the other Maritime provinces and the United States," said Raymond Bernard of the Association. "Thanks to this support, we are also able to offer development workshops in various musical instruments and bluegrass music composition."
The Evangeline Bluegrass Festival features bluegrass and traditional musicians from Canada and abroad. This year, the Festival will present about 50 performers from the Atlantic provinces, the rest of Canada, and the United States.
The Government of Canada has provided $8,000 through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
