MTS Allstream brings Manitoba and Prairie culture to the National Capital

As Presenting Sponsor of Prairie Scene, MTS Allstream partners with National Arts Centre in Ottawa

Stock Symbol: MBT

WINNIPEG, May 6 /CNW/ - MTS Allstream today announced its sponsorship of Prairie Scene, the latest in a series of biennial festivals presented by Canada's National Arts Centre. The 2011 Prairie Scene will showcase the incredible, vibrant and diverse talent of prairie artists. This is the fifth in a series of national Scene festivals, events which celebrate and showcase Canada's finest established and emerging artists.

With the support of MTS Allstream some of Manitoba's most exciting artists will take over the Ottawa arts scene from Tuesday, April 26 to Saturday, May 7, 2011. Musicians, actors, choreographers, visual and media artists, filmmakers, writers and other artists, will be invited to bring their unique talents to audiences in concert halls, theatres, galleries, bars, clubs, and museums throughout Ottawa - a virtual prairie invasion, and the largest gathering of Prairie artists outside of Manitoba and Saskatchewan on record.

"MTS Allstream is proud to support Prairie Scene, an incredible celebration of Manitoba's vibrant artistic talent and innovation," said Pierre Blouin, CEO, MTS Allstream. "We know first hand how many great musicians, writers, filmmakers and other artists call Manitoba home. Now, everyone else in the country will know too."

MTS Allstream will be the Presenting Sponsor of the event, which will help Prairie Scene provide artists and arts organizations in Manitoba with a unique outreach and development opportunity.

"MTS Allstream built their business in the prairies and is the hometown communications solutions provider for many Manitobans. With such a strong tradition and presence in Manitoba it's very appropriate that MTS Allstream be the Presenting Sponsor of Prairie Scene," said Jayne Watson, CEO of Canada's National Arts Centre. "We look forward to planning an unforgettable Prairie Scene festival alongside MTS Allstream."

The lead-up to Prairie Scene will officially launch this fall in Winnipeg and Regina. Full festival programming will be announced in February 2011.

About MTS Allstream

MTS is unit of MTS Allstream Inc. ("MTS Allstream"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. As one of Canada's leading national communication solutions companies, MTS Allstream provides innovative communications for the way Canadians want to live and work today. The Company has more than 100 years of experience, with 6,000 employees across Canada dedicated to a mission of delivering true value as seen through the eyes of our customers. MTS Allstream has nearly two million total customer connections spanning business customers across Canada and residential consumers throughout the province of Manitoba. The Company's extensive national broadband and fibre optic network spans almost 30,000 kilometres. MTS Allstream is a proud sponsor of Cindy Klassen, 2006 World Champion and Canada's greatest Olympian, and a proud contributor to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.'s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (trading symbol: MBT). Customers, stakeholders and investors who want to learn more about MTS Allstream services, markets, community commitments and record of creating shareholder value are encouraged to visit: www.mtsallstream.com.

About Canada's National Arts Centre

The National Arts Centre (NAC) raised its curtains for the first time in 1969. Created by the Parliament of Canada as a Centennial project during the 1960s, the NAC has become Canada's foremost showcase for the performing arts. Today, the NAC works with countless artists, both emerging and established, from across Canada and around the world, and collaborates with scores of other arts organizations across the country. The NAC is strongly committed to being a leader and innovator in each of the performing arts fields in which it works - classical music, English theatre, French theatre, dance, variety, and community programming. It is at the forefront of youth and educational activities, supporting programmes for young and emerging artists and programmes for young audiences, and producing resources and study materials for teachers. The NAC is the only multidisciplinary, bilingual performing arts centre in North America, and one of the largest in the world.

For further information: Laura Dickie, Corporate Communications Specialist, MTS Allstream Corporate Communications, Office: [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]