CHARLOTTETOWN, Aug. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - The PEI 2014 Celebration Zone will showcase First Nations and Acadian culture during the week of August 11 to 17. Performances by iconic Aboriginal singer-songwriter, Buffy Sainte-Marie; the legendary Acadian band 1755, and Matt Andersen and the Mellotones on the Atlantic Lottery / Red Shores Main Stage will be highlights of this diverse and dynamic week.
August 12th and 13th the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI will hold its annual Charlottetown Pow Wow at the Celebration Zone. The two-day event will celebrate First Nations culture with traditional food, craft demonstrations, dances, and performances by Gary Sappier Blues Band and Mi'kmaq drummers. Buffy Sainte-Marie will cap off the colourful festivities with a feature performance on August 13.
In partnership with the Société Saint Thomas d'Acquin, PEI 2014 Inc., will recognize National Acadian Day on August 15, with a traditional tintamarre and performances by well-known PEI Acadian trio, Vishtèn and Quebecois folk/jazz band, D'harmo, in addition to the headline act by 1755.
On August 16th, PEI 2014 Inc, in collaboration with the PEI Jazz & Blues Festival, presents Matt Andersen & The Mellotones who will close the day's events as well as acclaimed singer-songwriter, Ben Caplan who takes the stage earlier in the evening.
With a number of artists hailing from New Brunswick, including 1755, Matt Andersen, and the Gary Sappier Blues Band, PEI 2014 Inc. is pleased to have the Province of New Brunswick join in the celebrations as a provincial partner.
"The New Brunswick musicians who will be playing collectively showcase our rich musical talent", stated New Brunswick Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Trevor Holder. "We are so pleased that they will be participating in the festivities so that their unique styles can be enjoyed by everyone celebrating on PEI next week," added Holder.
Other performers during the week will include PEI's Richard Wood Trio; Island folk-rockers, Dennis Ellsworth and The Dwellers; and Quebec traditional/jazz band, MAZ. Children's entertainer, Shelley Bean, will both perform and offer workshops; and Anne of Green Gables – the movie, will be on the big screen for Movie Night in the Park on August 11.
"August 11th to 17th in the Celebration Zone will be a wonderful tribute to Canadian culture and heritage as we welcome First Nations and Acadian artists as well as diverse performers from across the country including from all four Atlantic Provinces," says PEI 2014 Executive Director, Penny Walsh McGuire. "We are also very pleased to have the Province of New Brunswick join us as a provincial partner for the PEI 2014 Celebrations."
The PEI 2014 Celebration Zone is a free, 70 day cultural festival running between July 1st and September 7th. Located at Confederation Landing on the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront, the PEI 2014 Celebration Zone will be a hub of family-friendly celebratory activity all summer long.
For the full program of events in the PEI 2014 Celebration Zone, August 11 to 17, please visit: www.pei2014.ca/celebrationzone/week7.
In 2014, Canadians will mark the 150th anniversary (Sesquicentennial) of the historic 1864 Charlottetown Conference, which paved the way to Confederation. PEI 2014 Inc. is facilitating the planning, promotion and implementation of the Sesquicentennial celebrations. The PEI 2014 celebrations are made possible through generous support from the Government of Canada, the Government of Prince Edward Island, and the City of Charlottetown. The year-long and province-wide PEI 2014 program of events will honour the past, celebrate the present and plan a bold tomorrow.
Image with caption: "Iconic Aboriginal singer-songwriter, Buffy Sainte-Marie, will perform on the Atlantic Lottery / Red Shores Main Stage on August 13, 2014 in the PEI Celebration Zone, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. (CNW Group/Prince Edward Island 2014 Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140808_C2765_PHOTO_EN_4802.jpg
SOURCE: Prince Edward Island 2014 Inc.
Media Contact: Patricia Devine, Communications Director, T: (902) 628-9175, C: 902.314.0080 E-mail: [email protected]
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