Medicine Hat JazzFest Keeps Grooving Thanks to Federal Support

MEDICINE HAT, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - June 20, 2014) - The Government of Canada has provided the Medicine Hat Jazz Society with $60,000 in funding over two years ($30,000 in 2014-2015 and $30,000 in 2015-2016) through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. This investment will support the 18^th and 19^th editions of the Medicine Hat JazzFest.

The Medicine Hat JazzFest has grown from a grassroots community-based event to a widely recognized festival offering a mix of free and ticketed events, as well as outreach activities that include workshops, artist jam sessions, and school performances.

LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament (Medicine Hat), announced this support today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

Quick Facts

• This year's Medicine Hat JazzFest will take place from June 22 to 29, 2014, and features an array of well-known Canadian and international jazz artists.
• School concerts offered by the Medicine Hat Jazz Society reach 1,200 elementary school children every year.
• The primary presenting venue for the Medicine Hat JazzFest is the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, which recently benefitted from support under the Museums Assistance Program.
• The Canada Arts Presentation Fund gives Canadians increased access to the variety and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to invest in projects that showcase the richness and diversity of culture in Alberta. The Medicine Hat JazzFest is unique: it offers audiences access to eclectic jazz concerts, family activities, and more in non-traditional settings throughout the city. This is a not-to-be-missed event in Medicine Hat."

-The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"Year after year, Medicine Hat JazzFest provides us with an opportunity to see talented jazz musicians perform live in the heart of Medicine Hat. We're proud to be a part of this entertaining, inspiring, and magical festival. I wish the Medicine Hat Jazz Society all the best for its upcoming seasons."

-LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament (Medicine Hat)

"The Medicine Hat Jazz Society has shown that it is possible to produce a highly successful world-class jazz festival in a smaller western Canadian city. We are very thankful for the support of the Government of Canada and its ongoing vision for the importance of the arts and culture to the health and vitality of our country. With this support, the Medicine Hat JazzFest brings an event to our city that combines celebration and family fun with the highest quality jazz music from across Canada and around the world."

-Lyle Rebbeck, Producer, Medicine Hat JazzFest

Associated Links

Medicine Hat JazzFest

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre

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