"We
have an amazing city. With fantastic culture.
Let's share it."
- Thread Saskatoon (via YouTube)
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"We
have an amazing city. With fantastic culture. - Thread Saskatoon (via YouTube) |
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Top 5 reasons to visit Saskatoon in 2012
If you would like to
request a media visit, please contact
Alexandra Stang at astang@tourismsaskatoon.com
or Kelly Bertoncini at kbertoncini@tourismsaskatoon.com. We
look forward to seeing you in Saskatoon! |
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Saskatoon Blues Festival Marks 10th AnniversarySASKATOON,
SK
– February 15, 2012 – The Saskatoon
Blues Society is gearing up for their biggest annual celebration: the
Saskatoon
Blues Festival. The festival will be marking their 10th
anniversary
February 23 – 26. The
festival program
includes an impressive line-up of performances shared between two
venues: the
Electric Blues Room at the newly renovated Odeon Events Centre, and the
Acoustic Blues Room at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Saskatoon. This
year’s festival has
attracted blues master Tracy Nelson, with 26 albums to her credit and
over 40
years in the music business. Florida-based JP Soars and the Red Hots –
2009
International Blues Challenge winners – are making their Saskatoon
debut during
the blues festival. And travelling from Edmonton, Boogie Patrol is
bringing
their high energy blues/funk/soul music to Saskatoon. The band has been
described as the youthful future of the blues. The full program – with
a total
of 13 artists and bands – touches on a variety of blues styles, with
wide
appeal for various audiences. “The
Saskatoon Blues Society
is passionate about bringing blues music to Saskatoon, not only for the
festival, but all year round,” says Susan Scharf, chair of the 2012
Saskatoon
Blues Festival. “We’re very excited to kick off the festivities and
know that our
line-up offers enough variety for everyone from novice to experienced
blues
fans to enjoy.” Run
by volunteers on a
limited budget, Tourism Saskatoon is again a financial supporter
through the
organization’s joint marketing fund, which provides eligible applicants
with
the ability to strengthen their marketing campaigns and reach. “Part
of our mandate is to
support tourism industry development in Saskatoon,” says Tourism
Saskatoon’s
president and chief executive officer Todd Brandt. “A big part of that
is by
helping our festivals and events grow and attract new visitors.” Outside
of the official
festival dates, the Saskatoon Blues Society has a strong program of
blues
performances and workshops as part of their regular season. This
includes Affinity
Credit Union Blues Outreach, SaskTel Blues in the Schools, Lounge
Series, and
Affinity Credit Union Blues Camp. A
highlight of the pre-festival
programming is a special screening of Rita Chiarrelli’s documentary Music from the Big House.
An award-winning
recording artist, Chiarelli
chronicles her pilgrimage to the birthplace of the blues: Louisiana
State
Maximum Security Penitentiary. The documentary follows Chiarelli on her
journey
to the prison where she found inspiration in the stories of the inmates
and in
their love of music. The
documentary screens at
the Roxy Theatre Wednesday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. Chiarelli will be
available afterwards for a question and answer period with the
audience. Tickets
cost $5 each and are available at the Roxy Theatre. All proceeds from
ticket
sales will go to Saskatoon Interval House. For
festival programming, tickets
range between $10 and $30 each. They are available at Long &
McQuade, McNally
Robinson Booksellers, St. John’s Music, and all Cherry Insurance
locations. For
more information about
the Saskatoon Blues Festival and the Saskatoon Blues Society, visit www.saskatoonbluessociety.ca.
For more information about visiting Saskatoon, visit www.tourismsaskatoon.com. - 30
- For
more information: Susan
Scharf Kelly
Bertoncini Source: Tourism Saskatoon |
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The 2012 Tim Hortons Brier: Now That's Entertainment!When the 2012 Tim Hortons Brier opens March 3rd in
Saskatoon, it marks the start of one of the most anticipated events in
the
curling world – for an entire week packed with amazing entertainment on
and off
the ice! In the Credit Union Centre, the best teams in the
country
will battle for the right to hoist the Brier Tankard, emblematic of
Canadian
men’s curling supremacy. Meanwhile, just down the road at the
Saskatoon
Training Centre, the most enthusiastic partiers in the country will
keep the
Original 16 Patch rocking ‘til the late hours of the night. The Patch is the place everyone goes when the draws are
done
– and that includes fans, competitors, sponsors and
volunteers. You’ll
find a great selection of food and beverages and an exceptional line-up
of
Canada’s hottest bands including Kim Mitchell, Hey Romeo, Longshot,
March Hare,
the Boom Chucka Boys, the Chevelles and Mudmen. For a taste of the championship action, fans can take
part
in the Cool Shots competition – the small-scale version of the roaring
game
played on shuffleboard-style tables – with a new round taking place
every
day. Sign up for free and take your shot at the cash prizes. Complimentary shuttle service is available at Credit
Union
Centre to take you on the five-minute ride to all the fun at the
Original 16 Patch. For the full entertainment schedule, just click
here. “You Gotta Be There” for one of the most entertaining
experiences in the sporting world: the Tim Hortons Brier, March 3-11 in
Credit
Union Place. Source: Canadian Curling Association |
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The Sheepdogs fetch Juno nodsBY JEANETTE STEWART, THE STARPHOENIX Saskatchewan has produced a bumper crop of Juno
nominated
musicians this year. Three Saskatchewan artists and groups were nominated for
Juno Awards Tuesday morning in five different categories, a record
number of
Juno nominees from the province in a single year. The Sheepdogs lead the pack with three nominations for
the
country's top musical prize. The Saskatoon group - which catapulted to
fame in
2011 after winning a Rolling Stone cover contest - is up against
Canadian
heavyweights such as Nickelback, Sloan and The Sam Roberts Band. The Sheepdogs - comprised of Ryan Gullen, Ewan Currie,
Leot
Hanson and Sam Corbett - picked up a Single of the Year nomination for
their
infectious anthem I Don't Know, a Rock Album of the Year nomination for
their
gold record Learn & Burn and a New Group of the Year nod. "I think the rock and the single one were a really big
surprise," said Gullen, bass player for The Sheepdogs. "I don't think
we ever anticipated or dreamt of winning a Juno. Obviously it's a big
honour to
get that recognition." Meanwhile, the Deep Dark Woods (another Saskatoon band)
received a nomination for
Roots and Traditional Album of the Year for their nostalgia-tinged,
selfproduced album The Place I Left Behind. "It's a milestone I guess for a band in Canada, but
when it comes down to it it doesn't really mean that much artistically
at
all," said Lucas Goetz, drummer for The Deep Dark Woods. The group has spent the past few months touring the
United
States and are about to embark on their first venture to Europe.
They've been
taking the ups and downs in stride. "You learn to do that. There's a lot of talk that goes
on in the music industry. It's best to just take it as it comes," Goetz
said. The past year brought big opportunities for both the
Deep
Dark Woods and The Sheepdogs. Both groups began playing at about the
same time,
and have remained friends throughout the years. With careers in high
gear,
they've had little time to hang out in the last year. The Junos will be
a
reunion of sorts. "I think the biggest thing is that we started basically
around the same time. We used to go to The Cavern on Mondays after we
both
jammed and have wings and talk about music," Gullen said. "Those guys
had such a great year. I think it's great to see that they got
recognition for
what they're doing . I'm personally just excited to hang out with those
guys
for a weekend." Multi-talented musician Donny Parenteau earned his
second
Juno nomination for Aboriginal Album of the Year Tuesday. His first
came in
2007. Parenteau was busy in the recording studio when his wife
called with news of the nomination. He had a great year with five
Aboriginal
Music Awards, he said, and the Juno nomination is the "icing on the
cake." "It's an absolutely incredible feeling. This is to me,
the highest nomination anybody can ever get in Canada for music,"
Parenteau said. The number of nomination represents an exiting time for
Saskatchewan musicians, said J.P. Ellson, chief operating officer of
SaskMusic. "I'm pretty pumped," Ellson said. "To the
best of our knowledge, it's the most Saskatchewan nominations ever
received." Ellson said the nominations show Saskatchewan artists
are
being heard and recognized for their hard work. "Talent has never been a problem here. It's getting
people to know that we actually have the talent here," Ellson said. Saskatoon-born, Toronto-based artist Suzie Vinnick also
picked up a nomination, in the category of Blues Album of the Year for
her most
recent record Me 'n' Mabel. The 2012 Juno Awards will be held April 1 in
Toronto. Source: The StarPhoenix |
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Water polo makes its first splash at Saskatoon's Shaw CentreSaskatoon, SK – The Saskatchewan Water Polo Association and Saskatoon Sports Tourism are excited to announce two major water polo events which will be held in Saskatoon. The Shaw Centre has been chosen as the location for the 22U Women’s National Club Championship (May 25 to 27) and Water Polo Canada’s National Development Premier League, a men’s 18-and-under league. These are the first major water polo competitions to be hosted in Saskatoon. “We are looking forward to welcoming these exciting events to our city,” said Randy Fernets, managing director of Saskatoon Sports Tourism. “These events put the Water Polo Canada stamp of quality on the Shaw Centre, certifying it as one of the best aquatic centres in Canada. We know that athletes and fans alike will be pleased with Saskatoon and the Shaw Centre. There is sure to be more competitive water polo in Saskatoon’s future.” The National Development Premier League, which launched its inaugural season earlier this month, was created to increase the capacity of the Canadian Club System by providing high performance opportunities for water polo athletes, coaches and referees. The league represents six men’s 18-and-under teams from across Canada: Vancouver Pacific Storm, Calgary Torpedoes, Team Saskatchewan, Dollard-des-Ormeaux Water Polo Club, Montreal Water Polo Club and the York Mavericks from Toronto. Team Saskatchewan faced the Vancouver Pacific Storm in two games on January 21 and 22. The next regular season series in Saskatoon will be played March 3 and 4 against Calgary. The first National Development Premier League games coincided with a training camp for Team Saskatchewan, as they prepare to host the 22U Women's National Club Championship. This event is one of Water Polo Canada’s most prestigious competitions, and the members of Canada’s junior national water polo team will compete with their respective clubs for the championship. Players participating in this tournament will form future national teams, competing in the 2016 Olympics and beyond. “This is an exciting time for water polo in Saskatchewan,” said tournament director Evan Andrews. “Together with the help of our local clubs, Water Polo Canada, and external partnerships, these upcoming events will be a chance to show a broader audience the potential and successes of our athletes in this growing sport.” -30- For more information, contact: Evan Andrews Cyril Dorgigne Source: Tourism Saskatoon |
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Saskatoon sees major growth in latest censusBY TOBI COHEN, POSTMEDIA NEWS Saskatchewan's most populous city is in the third
fastest
growing metropolitan area of the country, new census data from
Statistics
Canada revealed Wednesday. The census metropolitan area of Saskatoon grew by 11.4
per
cent between 2006 and 2011, trailing only the growth of Calgary and
Edmonton
for the same period, according to the data collected in May 2011. Inter-provincial migration and new immigrants were the
major
factors for the rise in an area that is the 17th most populated
metropolitan
region ranked in the census with a total population of 260,600. Overall, the census revealed the area had added 26,667
more
people than in 2006. Saskatchewan welcomed more than 28,000 immigrants
over the
past five years, compared to just 9,500 in the previous five. Another 12,000 interprovincial migrants moved to
Saskatchewan between 2006 and 2011. The gains reversed a trend that saw
the
province lose 35,000 residents between 2001 and 2006. Saskatchewan is now the third fastest growing province
behind Alberta and British Columbia and for the second time in census
history,
the prairie province topped one million people in 2011. The last time that happened was in 1986. A burgeoning natural-resources and energy sector helped
fuel
growth in Saskatchewan over the past five years and the province also
enjoyed
one of Canada's lowest unemployment rates. Source: Postmedia News |
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Resources, research, riches draw newcomers to hot-spot-SaskatoonBY ANNA MEHLER PAPERNY, THE GLOBE & MAIL The Ikpes have been around: They’ve moved from Abuja,
Nigeria, to the United Kingdom, then to Calgary and Toronto before
settling in
Saskatoon. And for now, at least, they’re in this booming Prairie
province to
stay. Them and another 30,000-odd people in the past five
years.
The 260,000-person city has experienced 11.4 per cent growth since the
previous
census – the third-fastest growth of the country’s census metropolitan
areas.
Saskatchewan is flooded with an unprecedented number of immigrants
drawn by its
white-hot resource sector and the sizable economic ripple effects
attached to
it. It’s an embarrassment of riches for a region more used
to
the opposite: This is the first census out of the past three in which
Saskatchewan’s population has had positive growth. Elias and Mary Ikpe moved to Saskatoon with their two
sons,
Godwin and Emanuel, barely two months ago. They’re still finding their
way
around. But Ms. Ikpe, who just started studying microbiology at the
University
of Saskatchewan, says she likes what she has seen so far. “There are friendly people in Ontario, but [here]
there’s a
kind of closeness,” she says. “They’re ready to offer – they try to
give the
best possible assistance.” Mr. Ikpe, who spent years working in civil and
structural
engineering in Abuja and has a doctorate in health and safety
management in
that field, may finally be able to work in his métier. “The prospects are here,” he says. “So many companies
are
moving down here; this is a really good time for someone to come here
to look
for a job. They’re always looking for people.” He is hoping to get a job in the public sector, working
on
infrastructure projects. He came to the right place: The rapid-fire
growth of
Saskatchewan’s economy and population has existing resources bursting
at the
seams. “Infrastructure and housing are challenges that come
with growth,”
Premier Brad Wall said in an interview. “But we are investing in
unprecedented
ways to try to keep up with those challenges.” |
|
Contact:
Alexandra
Stang Kelly
Bertoncini |
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| Copyright 2012 Saskatoon Visitor and Convention Bureau. All rights reserved. | ||
