Arts Council Wood Buffalo Welcome's New Executive Director!

Arts Council Wood Buffalo is pleased to introduce their new Executive Director, Constance Scarlett! For more information about Arts Council Wood Buffalo and to learn more about the arts in Wood Buffalo, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ArtsCouncilWB . Website to follow soon at http://artscouncilwb.ca/  or contact ACWB directly at info@artscouncilwb.ca  

Heritage Park Closed due to Flood

Oil Sands Karaoke Screening and Contest Enjoys Success!

“Oil Sands Karaoke” movie documentary screenings and 100.5 K-Rock Karaoke Contest at Bailey’s Pub a huge success 

Fort McMurray, AB. – May 13, 2013 – The much-anticipated documentary “Oil Sands Karaoke” hit the big screen in Fort McMurray on Thursday at the Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre, with additional showings on Friday and Saturday.

“It was great to see so many community members come out to cheer on the performers and film makers in what was a truly a movie that showcased the talent and beauty that our region offers,” said Krista Balsom, Editor of Your McMurray Magazine and Fort McMurray’s Child Magazine. “The remaining screenings were very well attended and the Karaoke Contest hosted by 100.5 K-Rock’s McCully went extremely well.” In support of the film screenings, a karaoke contest took place at Bailey’s Pub at 10:00 PM on Saturday, May 11 and was hosted by 100.5 K-Rock’s Ben McCully, one of the film’s stars. 

“A huge thanks to Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre, Bailey’s Pub, The Stonebridge Inn and 100.5 K-Rock for being our leading sponsors,” said David Whitelock, Executive Director of Events Wood Buffalo. “Also, sincere thanks to our gold sponsors: Summit Surveys, ICEIS Safety, Jaguar Lounge and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.” 

“Oil Sands Karaoke” is a documentary about five oil patch workers vying to win a karaoke contest in one of the most controversial places on the planet – our home – Northern Alberta’s Oil Sands. A documentary unlike any other, “Oil Sands Karaoke” challenges us to re-examine our biases. 

“Oil Sands Karaoke” is produced by Charles Wilkinson (film director) and Tina Schliessler. The world premiere took place during Hot Docs on April 26 at the Toronto International Film Festival. Hot Docs is the biggest documentary festival in North America. 

The film trailer can be viewed here: http://vimeo.com/62965248 

Media Contact:

Cait Evans, Events Wood Buffalo 

C: 587.646.2146 

W: 780.791.1600 

cevans@eventswoodbuffalo.com

Northern Insights Announcement - February 28, 2013

Following up on the launch of Northern Insights and the success of the first speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, library director Carolyn Goolsby will announce the date for Bill Cosby ticket sales, and announce the third speaker in the series. Northern Insights is an exciting initiative which will allow the community to enjoy world class quality and affordable entertainment in our own region. 

Presented by: 
• Jon Tupper, Fort McMurray Public Library Board Chairman
• Carolyn Goolsby, Fort McMurray Public Library Director 

Date: Thursday, February 28, 10:00 a.m. 
Location: Suncor Community Leisure Centre, main floor concourse 
                   MacDonald Island Park 
                   151 MacDonald Drive 
                   Fort McMurray, AB T9H 5C5 

Light breakfast and beverages will be served. Limited free copies of our third speakers’ book will be available for media. 

To RSVP or for more information, please contact:

Carolyn Murray, Marketing Manager 
Fort McMurray Public Library 
780-792-5155 
carolyn.murray@fmpl.ca

Media Conference to announce Alberta Culture Days 2012

MEDIA ADVISORY

What: Media conference to announce the fifth annual Alberta Culture Days taking place September 28 – 30 across the province. Earlier this year, Fort McMurray was selected to be an Alberta Culture Days Feature Celebration Site.  Alberta Culture Days offers art and culture focused activities, music, live theatre, and dance performances at venues throughout Fort McMurray showcasing the vibrant and diverse community of this region.

Who: David Whitelock Executive Director, Events Wood Buffalo Alan Roberts Director, Keyano Theatre Melissa Blake Mayor, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Heather Klimchuk Alberta Minister of Culture

When: Monday, September 24, 2:00 p.m.

Where: Foyer, Keyano Theatre & Arts Centre

For more information or to RSVP, please contact: 

Brea Burton

Marketing & Communications

Events Wood Buffalo

Ph. 780-791-1600

bburton@eventswoodbuffalo.com

Public invited to check out graffiti mural project at Composite High School

Residents are invited to drop by and see the creation of a very special mural at Composite High this weekend, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo announced today.

The mural is being painted on the back exterior wall of Composite High School by professional street artist Wil Yee as part of a graffiti abatement project.

“This initiative serves the two fold purpose to prevent graffiti and beautify a neighbourhood with public art,” said Mayor Melissa Blake. “Not only is it a great way to brighten our community, but I appreciate the fact that it engages our young people, and shows them a positive way to express themselves.”

The project is the result of discussions at the October 2011 Community Art Session. Participants expressed a desire to see public art projects in Wood Buffalo that address graffiti issues. The initiative is being led by the Municipality’s Beautification and Culture Work Units in partnership with the Fort McMurray Public School District, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Municipality’s Parks Services and Aluma Systems.

“Composite High School had a real problem with graffiti during the 2010/2011 school year. So much so, that it cost them nearly $32,000 to repair the damage,” said Beautification Co-ordinator Jillian MacDonald. “Creating programs like this, that includes students in the process shows them there is a legal way to participate in street art. We look forward to working with more youth on dynamic projects like this in the future.”

Work on the mural began on Monday, May 14 and will continue through the weekend. The final product will be unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday May 29th at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend the event.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Jillian MacDonald

Beautification Coordinator

780-788-4349

Matthew Harrison

Communication Dept.

780-788-4364

CanadaROCKS 2012: star-studded lineup!

Award-winning artists to headline CanadaROCKS 2012

Fort McMurray, AB, April 26, 2012 – Events Wood Buffalo in partnership with MacDonald Island Park is proud to present a star-studded lineup for CanadaROCKS 2012, June 29-July 1 at MacDonald Island Park.

“We wanted to assemble a series of talented Canadian artists across a diversity of popular genres, and we believe we’ve achieved that,” said David Whitelock, Executive Director at Events Wood Buffalo. “From members of Canada’s Walk of Fame to CCMA winners to world-renowned hip hop artists, you’ll have it at CanadaROCKS 2012.”

On Canada Day, Blue Rodeo and Corb Lund with very special guests Doc Walker presented by Country 93.3 FM will take the stage for what will be a special performance. An unprecedented five-time Juno Award winner for Group of the Year and 2012 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees, Blue Rodeo will be joined by Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans, who are 11-time Canadian Country Music Award winners.

On Saturday, June 30, hip hop artist, singer-songwriter and four-time Juno Award winner K’naan will perform following hip hop star Classified in a performance presented by Mix 103.7 FM. Perhaps best known for his hit “Wavin’ Flag,” the theme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, K’naan was recently featured as one of eight artists along with The Edge and Bono of U2 and Lady Gaga at the “Decade of Difference” concert in support of the 10-year anniversary of the Clinton Foundation.

A fireworks display is scheduled to follow Saturday’s lineup as the community rings in Canada’s 144^th birthday.

Six-time Juno Award nominee and indie rock favourite Joel Plaskett Emergency and support will headline a free concert open to the public on Friday, June 29.

“We’re honoured to work in partnership with Events Wood Buffalo as the venue for CanadaROCKS again this year,” said Tim Reid, Chief Operating Officer at MacDonald Island Park. “The potential construction schedule surrounding our proposed outdoor expansion left us with a small window with which to work for outdoor concerts, but we’re more than thrilled to play host to the community as we celebrate our country – and some great music.”  

 

Tickets for CanadaROCKS 2012 will go on sale on Tuesday, May 1 at 10:00 a.m. at canada-rocks.com or at MacDonald Island Park Guest Services, located on thefirst floor of the Suncor Community Leisure Centre. Individual General Admission and Club tickets will be available for both the Saturday and Sunday shows, while weekend ticket passes are also available.

Club tickets will be available on the complimentary opening night to individualsthat have purchased a weekend Club Seating pass.

Groups interested in a VIP Box are invited to contact Tracey Lewis at tracey.lewis@macdonaldisland.ca.

More information, including ticket prices, is available at canada-rocks.com.

Media contact: 

Brea Burton

Marketing & Communications Manager

Events Wood Buffalo

780.791.1600

www.eventswoodbuffalo.com

Media Release: Imagine Canada Reacts to Budget 2012

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Ottawa, March 29, 2012 – Imagine Canada, the national umbrella organization for charities and public benefit nonprofits, is pleased that the government will “continue to explore social finance instruments” and we encourage the acceleration of these efforts as the sector seeks to meet growing demand with ever constrained financing. “One of the sector’s top priorities is financial sustainability and we urge government to facilitate an enabling environment in which new models can thrive,” said Marcel Lauzière, Imagine Canada’s President and CEO. “A range of new financing instruments will be required and they need to be complemented by measures to provide business advisory and business support programs for charities and nonprofits. Imagine Canada has recommended and will continue to press for access to existing business support programs for charities and nonprofits.”

The budget also announced that charities will be required to provide more information about their political activities including the extent to which these are funded by foreign sources. In addition, the budget proposes to amend the Income Tax Act to further “restrict the extent to which charities may fund political activities of other qualified donnees and to introduce new sanctions for charities that exceed the limits on political activities, or that fail to provide complete and accurate information in relation to any aspect of their annual return.”

“Internationally, Canadian charities are at the forefront of transparency and accountability,” said Lauzière. “Imagine Canada will carefully analyze these proposed changes to assess their full implications and will engage actively in the consultations on these proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act. The onus is on the federal government not to discourage these donations or activities, or to add disproportionate administrative costs to charities.” As the government notes in the budget: “Given their unique perspectives and expertise, it is broadly recognized that charities make a valuable contribution to the development of public policy in Canada.”

Imagine Canada is pleased to see that the government has introduced measures that will enhance reporting and transparency and increase sanctions in connection with abusive tax shelter schemes.

With regard to the significant cuts to government departments, they will have a major impact on the communities served by Canada’s charities and nonprofits and we call on government to ensure transition support and funding to minimize the short- and long-term impact. We also urge government to accelerate its intent as announced in the budget to “modernize the administration of grants and contributions to reduce red tape and make it easier to access funding.”

Building on the experience of other countries, the Finance Department has announced that the “Government of Canada and the Mint will work in collaboration with Imagine Canada to reach out to institutions and charitable organizations who may wish to organize fundraising activities around the elimination of the penny.” Imagine Canada looks forward to collaborating creatively with government and charities across the country to maximize this fundraising opportunity.

Finally, Imagine Canada is disappointed that today’s federal budget did not include the Stretch Tax Credit for Charitable Giving, which had been the sector’s top priority. “We were hopeful that the government would choose to move forward with the Stretch Tax Credit at this time given the strong support the Stretch has received at the Commons Finance Committee hearings on charitable giving,” said Lauzière. “The Stretch Tax Credit is about challenging Canadians to give or to give more. Imagine Canada will continue to press for it and we look forward to the Committee’s report this spring.”

 - 30 - 

Imagine Canada is a national charitable organization whose cause is Canada’s charities and nonprofits. We strengthen the sector’s collective voice, serve as a forum and meeting place, and provide a supportive environment for organizations to build stronger communities.

For futher information:

Marnie Grona [English media]
Director, Marketing & Communications
mgrona@imaginecanada.ca
1.800.263.1178 x244 or 416.597.2293 x244

Amanda Mayer [French media]
Imagine Canada - Ottawa
amayer@imaginecanada.ca
1.800.263.1178 x239 or 416.597.2293 x239

2012 Syncrude winterPLAY Festival comes to a close

Fort McMurray, AB, March 6, 2012 – After three incredible, action-packed weeks the 2012 Syncrude winterPLAY Festival came to a close this past Sunday evening down on the Snye.

Approximately 7,500 people came out over the weekend to experience the winterPLAYGROUND. Playing pond hockey in the annual Shootout on the Snye, sliding down a 14 foot ice slide, exploring an ice maze, listening to great music, and being wowed by an awesome snowboarding demo are just some of the events and activities that took place.

“A big, big thank you to our sponsors, staff, volunteers, and friends for all your efforts and support in making this festival a success. As my first winter in Fort McMurray, I found the boundless energy and astounding creativity present throughout winterPLAY from artists awe-inspiring. People keep telling me the fireworks during the Opening Ceremony were the best they had ever seen which was great to hear. I loved all the outdoor activity and the finale on Sunday finishing with traditional native dance combined with Hip-Hop and B-boy performance courtesy of Red Power Squad was very fitting. Looking at the year ahead, we cannot wait to get our teeth into the next event,” said David Whitelock, Executive Director of Events Wood Buffalo.

Check out what people are saying post-festival on the EWB Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/eventswoodbuffalo.

Events Wood Buffalo has a comprehensive archive of professionally shot photos from winterPLAY that showcase our community and region. We are happy to share, please email Brea Burton your requests and we will do our best to accommodate you. bburton@eventswoodbuffalo.com

Looking ahead, save the dates for EWB’s upcoming events:
Canada Rocks: June 28th – July 1st
TransAlta interPLAY: August 3rd – 11th

Media contact:

Brea Burton
Marketing & Communications Manager
Events Wood Buffalo
780-791-1600
www.eventswoodbuffalo.com