London's Trafalgar Square will be the site of this year's pre -Canada Day celebrations on Friday, June 30th, 2006. This free event, an initiative of the Canadian community in the UK and the Canadian High Commission will bring together an all-day programme of Canadian entertainment and activities to suit every taste.
'This is the first year that we are celebrating Canada Day in Trafalgar Square', said Canadian High Commissioner Mel Cappe. 'We are delighted that the City of London has given us this tremendous opportunity to showcase Canada here in the heart of the city'.
The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) has seized the opportunity to showcase Canada as a holiday destination to Londoners and has invited provinces and territories to join them in showcasing the best of Canada's tourism product within a special 'Keep Exploring ' area on Trafalgar Square. The celebrations will kick off at 2.00 pm when the square will come alive with Canadian sights and sounds from street hockey to tourism, arts and crafts, and talented street performers around the square.
Representatives from : Air Canada, Tourism British Columbia, Via Rail, Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership, Choice Hotels, Ontario Tourism, Air Transat, Travel Alberta, Intrawest, Destination Quebec, Rocky Mountaineer, Yukon Tourism, Travel Manitoba and Canadian Affair will all be on site to invite Londoners to ‘Keep Exploring’ Canada.
Visitors to Trafalgar Square on June 30th also stand to win a ‘Holiday for Two’, courtesy of Canadian Affair simply by answering a series of questions which can be answered by the various representatives on the Square. Pick up the ‘Canada Day’ programme of events on the day for more details, from one of the event stewards to find out entry details.
‘Canada on Stage’ will begin at 5:00pm, with a diverse range of acts from across the country, entertaining Canadians, Londoners and visitors alike until 9:00pm that evening and will be hosted by David ‘Kid’ Jenson. The full line-up of performers includes:
Raghav
The Alberta-born Raghav began his musical training at the age of five, studying Indian classical music with Guru Nishi Kant Bali. His unique voice and song writing skills have attracted the attention of top producers throughout the world. His 2005 tour saw him perform his special blend of pop, dance, hip-hop and Asian stylings in Karachi, New York, Africa and Australia.
Dance Saskatchewan
Featuring dancers of all ages, this 40-person dance ensemble includes a large number of First Nations performers. Dancers will wear traditional robes and headdresses that have been passed down through the generations, and will be accompanied by traditional First Nations singers and drummers.
Peter Appleyard
Peter is acknowledged as being one of the world's top vibraphone players. Born in Lincolnshire, he has been a Canadian citizen since 1957. For many years Peter played with the Calvin Jackson Quartet on the group's weekly CBC series ‘Jazz with Jackson’. Over the past 20 years, Appleyard has appeared at most major international jazz festivals and has performed for members of the British royal family.
DK Ibomeka
DK is the son of Nigerian immigrants to Canada. Inspired by the voices of Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone, his debut CD (to be released in the UK in September) presents a mix of influences, blending jazz, soul, pop and the blues to create a sound that is distinctly his own.
Mauvais Sort
Mauvais Sort (‘Bad Spell’) is a group of six young and gifted musicians from Quebec who blend traditional Francophone lyrics with modern musical compositions, and original stories with old folk rhythms. Mauvais Sort has a unique, colourful and thrilling style that they refer to as ‘neo-traditional’.
Leeroy Stagger
Leeroy is currently making a splash with his exciting musical blend of country, rock and punk. After multiple tours through the US and Canada, including showcases at this year’s South by Southwest music festival, Leeroy has amassed a loud and loyal following. Early reviews of his latest album Beautiful House have hailed it as an "instant classic" and the "finest New Wave Rock and Roll record to come out of Canada in years".
The Ennis Sisters
The Ennis Sisters are an Irish-style folk group made up of three siblings: Maureen, Karen and Teresa. The Sisters have released several best-selling albums in Canada and have a loyal following in their native Newfoundland. The three gifted singers and musicians will perform an acoustic set in Trafalgar Square.
Alana Levandoski
With her recent release Unsettled Down, Alana has attracted a broad and dedicated horde of fans throughout the UK, Ireland, and the rest of Europe, drawn to her lilting blend of folk, country and country-rock. Alana has the voice and the personality to deliver a great show in any situation having cut her performing teeth in the far-flung music clubs of her native Manitoba.
Ron Sexsmith
Visiting the UK to support his latest album release Time Being, Ron Sexsmith has quietly become one of the new heavyweights of the Canadian singer songwriter scene. He has won acclaim from not only the critics and adoring fans but also from fellow performers like Paul McCartney, Elton John and John Hiatt. Over the course of over eight albums his songs have become increasingly impassioned, memorable and melodic. Fresh from his recent sell-out of Massey Hall in Toronto, with special guest Gordon Lightfoot, he will be appearing in London with his regular three-piece support band.
The Heavy Blinkers
Long considered one of the best pop acts in Canada, The Heavy Blinkers are a five-piece band from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their unique lyrics and delightful, layered harmonies capture the sunny, fuzzy feeling of summertime. Often compared to Brian Wilson and Harry Nilsson at their best, the sweet sad sounds of a Heavy Blinkers show will make you want to laugh and cry at the same time, and you will definitely leave the concert humming a Blinkers’ tune. The Heavy Blinkers have released four successful albums.
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