BANFF, AB, February 25, 2016 – Summer season kicks off in Banff National Park this June with highly-anticipated appearances from Canada’s top contemporary music acts at Performance in the Park. Stars, Bahamas, Hey Rosetta! and Shad headline the 7th annual Performance in the Park, set in the stunning Cascade Gardens in downtown Banff. This two-day event from June 10 – 11, 2016, also featuring Jenn Grant, offers music lovers an eclectic mix of feel-good concerts set against the backdrop of the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Performance in the Park is a partnership between Parks Canada, Banff and Lake Louise Tourism, and Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. It was introduced in 2010 to celebrate the best in Canadian musical talent, mountain heritage, and the importance of protected places in Canada.
Tickets on sale from March 3 at banffcentre.ca
Friday June 10
Kicking things off on Friday, June 10, is Afie Jurvanen, the one man-band behind Bahamas. Through simple arrangements, Bahamas delivers a mix of indie, folk, pop, and rock, and will be performing hits from his three top-selling albums, Pink Strat,Barchords, and Bahamas is Afie.
Taking centre stage later that night is Canada’s most loved indie rock collective, Stars. The Montreal group has been hailed as the most popular indie-rock collective since its inception 15 years ago, successfully blending intimacy and house jams to create beautifully orchestrated pop music.
Saturday June 11
The action-packed indie entertainment continues on Saturday, June 11, with Canadian songstress Jenn Grant. Regarded as one of Canada’s premiere vocalists for her ability to layer fresh, raw vocals over harp, sitar, and flute, Grant has been touring steadily around the globe since the release of her two-time Juno nominated album, Compostela (which translates to Field of Stars) in 2014. Expect an evening of sultry tones and warm, intricate layers of instrumentation. Grant will start the afternoon of music off, followed by critically-acclaimed rapper and CBC’s q host, Shad.
Shad last appeared at Banff Centre’s Shaw Amphitheatre in 2014, wowing fans with his razor-sharp, honest and intelligent storytelling. The Toronto MC’s fourth album, Flying Colours, was nominated in 2014 for a Juno Award and was also a short list nominee for the Polaris Music Prize.
Rounding off the two-day event is Hey Rosetta!. The seven-piece band hailing from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador perform with a haunting and distinctive voice, and sharp emphasis on cello, violin, and french horn.
Performance in the Park goes ahead rain, hail, or shine. Tickets go on sale for both dates on Thursday, March 3 (12 noon) at a rate of $35 per adult for the Friday or Saturday concert, or $52.50 for both days. There are 500 tickets available for children under 12 each day at a cost of $12.50 for each concert. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or in-person at Banff Centre Box Office.
Performance in the Park is presented in partnership with Banff Centre, Parks Canada, and Banff and Lake Louise Tourism, with support from Alberta Foundation for the Arts and official media partner, X92.9 FM.
About Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity: Founded in 1933, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is a learning organization built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and creative development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become the global organization leading in arts, culture, and creativity across dozens of disciplines. From our home in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential and realize their unique contribution to society through cross-disciplinary learning opportunities, world-class performances, and public outreach. www.banffcentre.ca
About Parks Canada: Parks Canada manages a Canada-wide family of 44 national parks, 4 national marine conservation areas and 167 national historic sites on behalf of Canadians. Parks Canada offers a myriad of opportunities to discover, enjoy and learn about Canada’s natural wonders and about the places, persons and events that left their mark on our country’s landscape, architecture, culture, economy, population and lifestyle. www.pc.gc.ca/banff
About Banff and Lake Louise Tourism: Banff and Lake Louise Tourism is a destination marketing organization for the Town of Banff, Community of Lake Louise and Banff National Park. Supporting over 800 businesses, our mission is to engage visitors in unrivalled, remarkable experiences through our membership. www.banfflakelouise.com