Member of Parliament Maurice Vellacott Announces Funding for the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival

SASKATOON, Oct. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced support for the 2014 Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, taking place from June 20 to 29.

Funding will help the Festival showcase hundreds of world-class artists from Saskatchewan, Canada, and around the world. In addition to jazz, the annual event presents various other musical genres, such as blues, hip hop, and rock. The festival line-up includes both free and ticketed performances, in a variety of outdoor and indoor venues, and is expected to draw over 80,000 music enthusiasts.

"This award-winning festival has become a tourism destination for thousands of visitors from across Saskatchewan and Canada, and it brings significant economic benefits to our community," said Mr. Vellacott. "Congratulations to the organizers and the hundreds of volunteers who present this outstanding event year after year and give Canadians an opportunity to discover the musical richness of our province and our country."

"The Saskatchewan Jazz Festival has provided exceptional opportunities for Canadians to experience high-calibre international performances and some of the best Canadian and Saskatchewan performers in jazz and other musical genres," said Minister Glover. "The Government of Canada is proud to invest in organizations that give Canadians access to a variety of professional artistic experiences in their communities."

"With this funding, the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival can continue to provide world-class presentation and promotional opportunities for Canadian artists," said Louis Christ, Festival Chair. "We are proud of the work accomplished thus far, and with the ongoing support of the Government of Canada, we will continue to offer artistically significant programming showcasing Canadian artists."

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $80,000 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.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

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For more information (media only), please contact:

Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
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Francine D. Lefebvre
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Regional Communications Prairies and Northern Region Canadian Heritage
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Media Relations
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(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)