Joint Canadian-American Team Tapped as Ceremonies Co-Producer for TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games

Pan Am Ceremonies tickets $90 to $350 at TORONTO2015.org/tickets

TORONTO, Sept. 22 2014 /CNW/ - When the curtain goes up on three of the major ceremonies for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, a Canadian company and an Emmy award-winning American firm will be the magicians behind the scenes producing the wonderment and excitement these one-of-a-kind spectacles are known for.

B5C Productions is a joint venture involving Toronto-based BaAM Productions and FiveCurrents of Redondo Beach, California. They will produce the Pan Am Closing Ceremony on July 26, 2015, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Parapan Am Games on August 7 and 15, respectively.

Tickets for the Pan Am Games, including the Closing Ceremony for $90 to $200, are now available at TORONTO2015.org/tickets. Tickets for the Parapan Am Games, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, will go on sale in spring 2015.

"These ceremonies are where the emotions, grandeur and magic of the TORONTO 2015 Games will come alive for athletes, spectators and viewers at home," said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). "With a passion for dynamic storytelling and thrilling visuals, B5C will tap into its global expertise to help us share Ontario and Canada's story with the world."

BaAM, which has the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Winter Classic and the 100th Grey Cup Festival on its resumé, helped give athletes a Canadian welcome to the upcoming Games in Toronto as part of the Closing Ceremony for the Guadalajara 2011 Pan Am Games. It has won several awards, including two Sports Event of the Year awards from SportsBusiness.

Not only has FiveCurrents produced Emmy award-winning ceremonies for two recent Pan Am Games, they were also involved in ceremonies for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as city celebration sites during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

"As a Toronto-based company, we're excited to bring our expertise and hometown pride to this incredibly important international event for our city," said Annemarie Roe, president of BaAM. "At BaAM, we pride ourselves on being leaders in finding new and meaningful ways to engage audiences. What we'll do here in Toronto in the summer of 2015 will leave audiences both here and abroad breathless!"

B5C executive producer Scott Givens added: "B5C is a truly collaborative relationship and we are thrilled with the opportunity to immerse athletes and spectators alike in the rich and vibrant cultures of the TORONTO 2015 Games region. This will be a celebration of culture through sport, open to people of all ages, abilities and cultures."

In addition to working with dozens of artists and thousands of volunteer performers, B5C will work closely with Live Nation, the Official Live Music Partner for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.

Live Nation will leverage its relationships with top Canadian and international musical acts to support the Closing Ceremonies for both the Pan Am Games and the Parapan Am Games.

On July 10, 2015, Canada's globally celebrated cultural icon, Cirque du Soleil, will debut a one-night-only performance featuring its special blend of stagecraft, thrilling acrobatic athleticism and colourful cultural pageantry as the Opening Ceremony Creative Partner for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games. Tickets to the Opening Ceremony are $100 to $350.

"These ceremonies will capture the spirit of Canada, the spirit of the TORONTO 2015 Games and the dynamic cultures of the Americas," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "The excitement is starting to build, and our Government is proud to showcase Canada to the 40 other countries and territories that will be arriving in 2015."

Michael Coteau, Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games, added: "Ontario is proud to be hosting the TORONTO 2015 Games, the largest multi-sport event in our country's history. These ceremonies will celebrate our multiculturalism and pay homage to the incredible athletes competing here in our province." 

"Toronto is home to people from across the Americas and around the globe, making it one of the most diverse cities in the world," said Councillor Mark Grimes, Pan Am Champion, City of Toronto. "As proud Host City of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, we are looking forward to showcasing and celebrating our diversity and these ceremonies will be a true reflection of the different cultures that make this city great."

About TO2015
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with managing and delivering the Games. It is working to bring some of the world's best athletes and artists to the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, giving Ontarians a unique chance to be part of the action, and making the region a hub for sport.

The TORONTO 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as Lead Partner CIBC and other partners and sponsors.

The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10–26 and the Parapan American Games August 7–15.

For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org.

SOURCE: Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

Teddy Katz, Director, media relations and chief spokesperson, TO2015, 416.957.2117, [email protected]