Birks Celebrates Canada's 150th and Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala

Canadian crooner, Michael Bublé shows his Canadian pride at the GGPAA Gala by wearing a Les Plaisirs de Birks Diamond Maple Leaf pin. (CNW Group/Birks Group Inc.)

Entertainment Tonight Canada TV host, Cheryl Hickey wears one-of-a-kind Birks’ Snow Flower Brooch during the GGPAA Gala Red Carpet (CNW Group/Birks Group Inc.)

…Canadians invited to participate in Birks' digital celebrations for Canada's top artistic talent…

MONTREAL, June 30, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - As the new presenting sponsor of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards (GGPAA) Gala, Birks celebrated this year's 25^th anniversary edition in style. To mark the momentous occasion held at the newly-renovated National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa last night, Birks celebrated the Award laureates and Canada's 150^th anniversary with the creation of online tributes that can be enjoyed by Canadians from coast-to-coast:

• Birks Awards Gala Photo Gallery – Fans of the Performing Arts can get a behind-the-scenes look at the Awards Gala at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-governor-generals-performing-arts-awards-gala/article35509620/. The photo gallery features pictures of the Award laureates and dignitaries on the red carpet, as well as photos from Birks' exclusive Awards Gala Portrait Gallery taken by esteemed Canadian photographer, Norman Wong.
• Inspirational Canadian Short Film – During the Awards Gala, Birks premiered a short film called "What Makes Canada Great", an inspirational tribute to Canada that can now be viewed on Birks' social media channels @maisonbirks. The short film, directed by Canadian filmmaker Evaan Kheraj, features Canadian artists Serena Ryder, Karine Vanasse, Robert Binet, Kevin Drew, Karen Kain and Rick Mercer.

Additionally, to commemorate Canada's 150^th anniversary, Birks designed a one-of-a-kind brooch inspired by the breathtaking beauty of this nation's four seasons. Named the Snow Flower Brooch, it features 18-exquisite marquise and pear-shaped Ammolites sourced from Southern Alberta in iridescent shades of red, blue and green. And, a series of six radiant, round diamonds from each of Canada's active diamond mines. Media darling and Entertainment Tonight Canada TV host, Cheryl Hickey wore the Snow Flower Brooch during the GGPAA Gala Red Carpet.

Birks also gifted 700 Gala attendees a Les Plaisirs de Birks™ Maple Leaf brooch. Each attendee was encouraged to wear the brooch during the Gala to show support for the arts in Canada.

"Birks has been helping Canadians celebrate special moments since 1879, and we are thrilled to help the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala shine even brighter during Canada's 150^th anniversary," said Eva Hartling, Vice President, Birks Brand & Chief Marketing Officer at Birks Group Inc. "Birks has been a passionate sponsor of the GGPAA Gala for years, and we're excited to expand our involvement to help share and celebrate the talent of these incredible Canadian artists."

ABOUT THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS
Created in 1992, the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards are Canada's highest honour in the performing arts. The Gala is produced annually by the National Arts Centre and features superb performances, evocative short films about the Award laureates (created by the National Film Board of Canada), and personal tributes by guest stars.

The 2017 recipients will be honoured at several events throughout the year, culminating with tonight's Gala at the National Arts Center. This year's laureates are:

• Jean Beaudin – Film and television director and screenwriter
• Michael J. Fox, O.C. – Actor, writer, producer and humanitarian
• Brigitte Haentjens – Theatre director and artistic director
• Martin Short, C.M. – Actor, writer and producer
• Yves Sioui Durand – Writer, theatre and film director, actor and producer
• William H. Loewen, C.M. received the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts
• Michael Bublé received the National Arts Centre Award which recognizes exceptional achievement over the past performance year.

About Birks Group

Birks Group is a leading operator of luxury jewellery stores in Canada and Southeastern United States. The Company operates 26 stores under the Birks brand in most major metropolitan markets in Canada, 17 stores in Florida and Georgia under the Mayors brand, one store under the Rolex brand name and two retail locations in Calgary and Vancouver under the Brinkhaus brand. Birks was founded in 1879 and developed over the years into Canada's premier retailer and designer of fine jewellery, timepieces and gifts. Visit www.birks.com.

SOURCE Birks Group Inc.

Media Contact: Géraldine Eckert, Birks Group, Tel.: [phone] ext 3813, [email protected]; Cathy Cowan / Margaret Batuszkin, Cowan & Company, Tel.: [phone], [email protected] / [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.birks.com