The Government of Canada Supports Salmon Arm Folk Music Society

SALMON ARM, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(May 9, 2008) – Local residents and visitors will have the chance to enjoy the annual Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival and the Salmon Arm Roots Series, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada.

Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament (Okanagan-Shuswap), on behalf of the Honourable Josee Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced funding for the Salmon Arm Folk Music Society.The Society will use funding of $65,000 to help support the Roots and Blues Festival, which will take place from August 15 to 17, 2008, and the Salmon Arm Roots Series. The Festival presents a wide variety of free public performances and workshops. The concert Series takes place throughout the year and is expected to feature about nine musical acts, post-performance chats, and workshops.

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that increase Canadians’ access to arts and culture,” said Minister Verner. “These Festivals also reflect the important role the arts play in communities across Canada.”

“The Salmon Arm Folk Music Society has an outstanding history of presenting an eclectic variety of high-quality musical events and providing appreciative audiences with culturally diverse programming,” said Mr. Mayes. “Our Government is proud to support initiatives that offer Canadians in smaller communities direct access to first-rate cultural performances.”

“It is with great pleasure that the Salmon Arm Folk Music Society accepts this significant funding from Canadian Heritage,” said Hugo Rampen, Executive Director of the Salmon Arm Folk Music Society. “The Society will use this funding contribution for festival and event programming, as well as a new and dynamic relationship with our local First Nations bands and our immediate business community.”

Founded in 1979, the Salmon Arm Folk Music Society has grown to be the largest presenter of roots, blues, folk, and world music in British Columbia’s Interior region through its annual Roots and Blues Festival and concert series. The organization has been staging the Roots and Blues Festival since 1992. This year’s festival will include children’s activities, an artisan village, and outreach activities in the community.

The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the diversity and richness of Canada’s culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.

For more information, please contact

Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
819-997-7788

or
Canadian Heritage
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
819-994-9101

or
Canadian Heritage
Western Region
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager Communications
604-666-6504