CHICOUTIMI, QC, April 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Residents and visitors in the Saguenay region will once again be able to celebrate the onset of spring to the sound of jazz and blues, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada. This was announced today by the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for Regions of Quebec, and Member of Parliament (Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
Funding will allow the organization Festival de Jazz et Blues Héritage to offer even more diverse programming. Among the activities taking place from April 11 to 15, 2012, are concerts featuring jazz, blues, and experimental music. Audiences will also have access to an experimental music centre. More than 100 artists from the region and beyond will be featured at the event, which is expected to welcome about 20,000 visitors.
"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in cultural events such as the Festival Jazz et Blues de Saguenay," said Minister Moore. "By supporting this event, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and support our arts, culture, and heritage."
"The Festival Jazz et Blues de Saguenay is a cultural event that is deeply rooted in the community, that promotes the development of emerging artists, and that lets audiences make new musical discoveries," said Minister Lebel. "When the Government of Canada invests in culture, as it is today, it increases citizens' cultural experiences and promotes the vitality of the local economy."
"As the region's largest celebration of its kind and the first festival of the year in the Saguenay, the Festival Jazz et Blues de Saguenay offers a program in 2012 that stands out for its diversity and superior quality. It offers plenty of excitement and discoveries, while also featuring tried-and-true performances," said Jean Bilodeau, Chair of the Board of the Festival de Jazz et Blues Héritage. "We thank the Government of Canada for its support in helping ensure the festival's success - a celebration that will, once again bring on spring fever!"
The Festival Jazz et Blues de Saguenay is hosted by the organization Festival de Jazz et Blues Héritage, whose mandate is to contribute to the development of jazz and blues music in the Saguenay region.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $5,600 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.
(media only), please contact:
Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
Éric Amyot
Director, Regional
Communications
Quebec Region
Canadian Heritage
514-283-4027
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected]
(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)
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