January 19, 2010 Inviting the world to experience Alberta during "'s Games" Capitalizing on unique business and artistic opportunities

Edmonton... Alberta will benefit from the international spotlight shining on Vancouver and Whistler during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games by showcasing the tourism, economy and culture of the province.

“An investment in the Games is an investment in our economic future,” said Cindy Ady, Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation. “The Vancouver 2010 Games provide an unrivalled opportunity to capture the attention and imagination of people around the world. Albertans know firsthand the incredible legacy that the Olympics create. We are focused on opportunities that will make a lasting, positive impact and generate economic benefits for years to come.” Every province and territory will be represented at the Games, and Alberta’s comprehensive approach will reach a global audience of potential visitors and investors. Alberta House in downtown Vancouver across from BC Place will provide a meeting place for business and dignitaries to learn about Alberta’s economic and tourism opportunities. The plaza in front of Alberta House will be open to the public, and will showcase Alberta’s cuisine and culture. Some of the province’s most talented artists will share in the Olympic spirit, gaining valuable international exposure. Alberta musicians, dancers, sculptors and more will be featured during the Cultural Olympiad running from January 22 through to March 21, and at venues throughout the Games. “Alberta’s cultural presence in Vancouver will showcase the talents and excellence of our people,” said Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. “These artists, like our athletes, are great ambassadors for our province and will help to share our cultural story with the rest of the world.” Over 17 nights at Alberta Plaza alone, 40 musical acts from Alberta will be showcased during free concerts. The artists, both established and emerging, represent all genres and will help to showcase Alberta’s diversity. The concerts offer the artists exposure to new audiences and a new world of opportunity. Many of the artists are using their Olympic appearances to book additional dates in Vancouver, or to make it part of a larger Canadian tour. The Olympic spotlight will shine brightest on our province on February 17, Alberta Day. The day will feature a 30-minute performance by Alberta artists Allez Ouest, Cadence Weapon, DJ Jay Mak and Raghav prior to the medal ceremonies at BC Place, and a concert by Paul Brandt. Additional details about Alberta Day, Alberta Train and other Olympic programs will be announced in the coming weeks. -30- Backgrounders: Highlights of Alberta’s Olympic program and Alberta artists take to the stage in Vancouver. Vancouver. Media inquiries may be directed to: Dan Huang Parker Hogan Communications Director, Communications Tourism, Parks and Recreation Culture and Community Spirit 780-427-1828 780-427-6530 To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. January 19, 2010

Highlights of Alberta’s Olympic program Alberta House and Alberta Plaza These venues are located on the corner of Robson and Beatty Streets just steps from BC Place, the site of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Games, as well as daily medal presentations. Both the Plaza and House will feature information about living, working, investing and visiting Alberta. Both venues will also offer an Alberta-themed menu created by chef Brad Smoliak. Smoliak was co-founder and co-chef at the Hardware Grill in . He has cooked for a wide range of clientele, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Alberta House is available for booking by Alberta businesses interested in holding meetings and client receptions on a cost-recovery basis. Alberta Plaza will be open to the public for free performances by Alberta musicians and artists and food and beverage sales of Alberta cuisine. Alberta Train The Alberta Train will be a highly-visible moving billboard between Whistler and North Vancouver on a daily basis throughout the Vancouver 2010 Games. For three hours each way guests, corporate clients, travel media and tour operators will learn more about doing business in Alberta. Alberta businesses can take advantage of these corporate meeting and hosting opportunities on a cost- recovery basis. The final design of the train will be unveiled early in February. Alberta Food and Beverage at the Olympics Alberta has a diverse agriculture and food industry.  Alberta is well known for high quality, flavourful Alberta beef, which will be showcased along with a number of other food products that the province grows and manufactures. Over 20 Alberta companies will supply product for Alberta House and Alberta Train.  These products and companies represent the diversity of the province’s agriculture and food industry in both product selection and company size.  There are small farms supplying berries, medium-sized companies supplying soup and chili, and large manufacturers supplying protein for the venues. Because Alberta is such a large province, from the Canadian Shield in the north to southern desert, we have many different growing regions and have a diverse product line.  The menu developed for Alberta Train and Alberta House represents the different growing regions of Alberta: The Peace Country, Central Alberta and Southern Alberta.  The focus of the menu is on Healthy Alberta Comfort Cooking, showcasing traditional Alberta dishes like Cowboy Trail Chili and Prairie Chowder, and of course delicious dishes featuring Alberta beef, pork, bison and lamb. Alberta’s leading role in food safety contributes to the high quality of safe food that will meet growing consumer demands for safe, healthy, sustainable food production. -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Dan Huang Communications Tourism, Parks and Recreation 780-427-1828 To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. January 19, 2010

Alberta artists take to the stage in Vancouver Over 60 Alberta artists and groups are scheduled to showcase their talents in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Cultural Olympiad. Alberta House Plaza Located on the corner of Beatty and Robson in downtown Vancouver, the plaza in front of Alberta House will be open to the public and feature free daily concerts by Alberta musicians.

Artist Genre Hometown Performance date and time* 100 Mile House Folk Rock/Acoustic/ Edmonton February 18, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Alternative Allez Ouest Folk/French Edmonton February 18, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 Pop/Indie p.m. (Francophone) Ariane Mahryke Folk/Jazz/Blues Edmonton February 13, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 Lemire (Francophone) p.m. (Canadian Francophone Day) Asani World (Aboriginal) Edmonton February 14, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Barobliq Folk (Francophone) Edmonton February 22, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bomba Latin/Jazz Calgary/Edmonton February 24, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Brett Nelson Folk/Experimental Medicine Hat February 15, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Cadence Weapon Hip-hop Edmonton February 17, 11 p.m. to midnight Calum Graham Acoustic/Folk/Roots High River February 20, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Céline La Coste Jazz (Francophone) Calgary February 15, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Gord Bamford Country Lacombe February 12, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Heather Blush and Indie/Roots/Jazz Calgary February 15, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 The Uppercuts p.m. Hutchinson Andrew Jazz Calgary/Edmonton February 27, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 Trio p.m. James Murdoch Acoustic/Pop/Rock Edmonton February 16, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Jared Sowan Blues/Folk/Rock Edmonton February 22, 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. (Aboriginal) Jenn Beaupre Pop Calgary February 13, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jerrold Dubyk Jazz Edmonton February 28, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 Quartet p.m. John Wort Hannam Folk Fort Macleod February 16, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Leeroy Stagger and Americana/Folk/Rock Lethbridge February 14, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 The Wildflowers p.m. Lindsay Elle Folk/Pop Calgary February 21, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Maria Dunn Folk Edmonton February 24, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Matt Masters Country Calgary February 21, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Michael Bernard Acoustic/Folk/Soul Calgary February 19, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fitzgerald Michael Rault Roots/Blues Edmonton February 12, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Onalea Gilbertson Jazz Calgary February 23, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ralf Buschmeyer Blues Calgary February 27, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Shane Yellowbird Country (Aboriginal) Hobbema February 17, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sidney York Folk Rock/Acoustic Calgary February 26, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sillan and Young Jazz Calgary February 26, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Stephanie Bosch Acoustic/Alternative/ Spruce Grove February 20, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Rock Stereos Pop Edmonton February 22, 9:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Steve Pineo Folk/Blues Calgary February 25, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Team Rezofficial Hip-hop (Aboriginal) Hobbema/ February 23, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 Vancouver/Winnipegp.m. The Be Arthurs Acoustic/Folk/Tropical Edmonton February 28, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Dudes Alternative/Rock Calgary February 19, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Plain Janes Folk Stony Plain February 16, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Polyjesters Folk/Jazz Carstairs February 25, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tim Hus Country Calgary February 20, 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tracy Millar Country New Sarepta February 17, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to the musical artists, a selection of 20 artworks from the permanent art collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts will be featured at Alberta House. Showcasing Alberta visual artists, the artworks will highlight a diversity of media in both traditional and contemporary styles from hand blown glass to digital photography to kinetic sculpture. *Performance times may vary. Visit www.alberta.ca/vancouver2010 for schedule updates, as well as links to artist websites, information on Alberta House and more. Alberta Day at B.C. Place, February 17 The Alberta Day Victory Ceremony will begin with a 30-minute show featuring a diverse line-up of Alberta performers followed by the presentation of Olympic medals to the day’s event winners. The ceremony will conclude with a 50-minute set by Paul Brandt. For information on tickets, visit http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-spectator-guide/celebrations-and-ceremonies/ceremonies/ Artist Genre Hometown Performance time Allez Ouest Folk/French Pop/Indie Edmonton 6:25 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. Cadence Weapon Hip-Hop Edmonton 6:25 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. DJ Jay Mak Hip-Hop Hobemma 6:25 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. Raghav R & B Calgary 6:25 p.m. to 6:55 p.m. Paul Brandt Country Calgary 7:30 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. Cultural Olympiad Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad encompasses music, dance, theatre, visual arts, film, and literary, digital and new media events in a variety of venues.

Artist Genre /title Hometown Performance date and location Agnostic Mountain Blues/Alternative/ Calgary Surrey Live (February 13) Gospel Choir Bluegrass Alberta Ballet The Fiddle and the Drum Edmonton Queen Elizabeth Theatre (ballet) (January 22 to 23) Alberta College of The Candahar Calgary Emily Carr University Sculpture Art and Design (visual art exhibit) Courtyard (February 12 to 28) Alberta Theatre NiX (theatre) Calgary Lost Lake, Whistler (January 22 Projects to February 27) Allez Ouest Folk/French Pop/Indie Edmonton Place de la Francophone (February 16 and 19), Vancouver Live (February 17) and Surrey Live (February 20) Ariane Mahryke Folk/Jazz/Blues Edmonton Surrey Live (February 13) Lemire (Francophone) World (Aboriginal) Edmonton Whistler Athletes Village Asani (February 13) and the Aboriginal Pavilion (February 14) Bent Out of Shape The Drowning Girls (theatre) Edmonton Gateway Theatre Studio B (March Productions 4 to 13) Catalyst Theatre Nevermore: The Imaginary Edmonton Granville Island Stage (January Life and Mysterious Death 21 to February 6) of Edgar Allen Poe (theatre) Folk/Country/Alternative Edmonton Vancouver Live (February 17), Corb Lund Surrey Live (February 18) and Whistler Live (February 19) David Hoffos Visual art Lethbridge Five-Sixty (January 28 to March 21) Feenix (a.k.a. Rap (Aboriginal) Edmonton Aboriginal Pavilion (February 22) Shawn Bernard) Feist Folk/Alternative/Indie Calgary Whistler Medals Plaza (February 16) and The Orpheum (February 17) Jared Sowan Blues/Folk/Rock (Aboriginal) Edmonton Aboriginal Pavilion (February 21) Jason Burnstick Where the Blood Mixes Duffield Firehall Arts Centre (February 25 (Theatre - with music by Reserve to March 6) Jason Burnstick) John Wort Hannam Folk Fort Macleod Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre (February 17) Leeroy Stagger Acoustic/Alternative/Rock Lethbridge Surrey Live (February 14) Lindsay Elle Folk/Pop Calgary Vancouver Athletes Village (February 19) and Whistler Athletes Village (February 20) Nathan Cuckow and Bash’d! (hip-hopera/ Edmonton Historic Theatre at The Clutch Chris Craddock musical) (February 16-20) Old Trout Puppet The Erotic Anguish of Don Calgary Shadbolt Centre for the Arts - Workshop Juan (theatre) Studio Theatre, Burnaby (February 23 to 27) Onalea Gilbertson Jazz Calgary Whistler Athletes Village (February 22) Patricia Visual art Calgary Place de la Francophone Lortie-Sparks (February 12 to 28) Red Venus Blue World Beat/Cabaret Calgary Whistler Athletes Village Tango (February 16 and 17) Team Rezofficial Hip-hop (Aboriginal) Hobbema/ Aboriginal Pavilion (February 22), Vancouver/ Whistler Live (February 24) and Winnipeg the Talking Stick Festival (February 25) Theatre Calgary Beyond Eden (musical) Calgary Vancouver Playhouse (January 16 to February 6) The Dudes Alternative/Rock Calgary Richmond Live (February 27) The Polyjesters Folk/Jazz Carstairs Vancouver Live (February 26) The Rural Alberta Indie/Rock/Folk Southern Queen Elizabeth Theatre Advantage with City Alberta (February 15) and Colour University of Alberta Spine (theatre) Edmonton Fei and Milton Wong Studio Theatre Experimental Theatre at SFU Woodward’s (March 10 to 20) Several Alberta artists will also be participating in the Art of Craft exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver from February 14 to April 11; the First Nations / Second Nature visual art exhibit at the Audain Gallery from February 6 to April 10; as well as the Traditional Alberta display at the Aboriginal Artisan Village at Vancouver Community College from February 12 to 16 as part of the Cultural Olympiad.  Alberta video artists will also see their work displayed on the CUE outdoor LED exhibition screen at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Robson Street façade throughout the Olympics. For more detailed information on the Cultural Olympiad, including performance times and ticket prices, visit www.vancouver2010.com/culturalolympiad. Additional information including links to artist websites is available at www.alberta.ca/vancouver2010. Updated information is being added as it becomes available. -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Parker Hogan Director, Communications Culture and Community Spirit 780-427-6530 To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. Alberta Government | Newsroom | Ministries Listing | Culture and Community Spirit Home Page | Tourism, Parks and Recreation Home Page | News Releases | Top of Page |

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