Member of Parliament Ryan Leef Announces Support for Dawson City Music Festival Association

DAWSON CITY, YT, Oct. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament (Yukon), on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced support for the Dawson City Music Festival Association's year-round performance series and annual music festival.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to support the Dawson City Music Festival Association," said Mr. Leef. "By offering quality programming throughout the year, this organization ensures access to performing arts for residents and visitors to Dawson City and engages the community through workshops, youth concerts, and family programming."

This funding will allow the Dawson City Music Festival Association to present its 2014-15 and 2015-16 year-round concert series, as well as the 36^th and 37^th editions of the Dawson City Music Festival. Every year, thousands of music lovers gather in venues across the city to enjoy quality cultural programming. The annual festival and presentation series both offer a diverse range of music from a variety of genres, including jazz, folk, blues, reggae, and country.

"The Dawson City Music Festival Association is providing residents and visitors with increased access to top-notch performances that appeal to a range of audiences, including youth, Aboriginal peoples, and the Francophone community. There's something for everyone!" said Minister Glover. "We are proud to support organizations that showcase our artists and contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of Yukon."

"Since its inception in 1979, the Dawson City Music Festival has delivered high-quality musical experiences and diverse programming and has become a significant contributor to both the quality of life and the cultural economy in Dawson and Yukon," said Jenna Roebuck, Producer and Artistic Director of the Dawson City Music Festival Association. "The continued multi-year support of the Canadian Arts Presentation Fund is fundamental to maintaining the nationally acclaimed quality of the Festival and to enabling us to remain one of Yukon's most visible cultural events."

The first Dawson City Music Festival took place in 1979 thanks to the efforts of an informal group of local residents interested in attracting Canadian music talent to their northern community. The Dawson City Music Festival Association has worked for more than three decades to build an appreciation for professional musical performance in Dawson City.

The Government of Canada has provided $64,000 over two years ($32,000 in 2014-15 and $32,000 in 2015-16) 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

Follow us on Twitter: @CdnHeritage

For more information (media only), please contact:

Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Anna Gravelle
A/Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-6504

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.)