For immediate release

OTTAWA, November 17, 2011 – Meet us under the mistletoe on Thursday December 1^st, 2011 for a sweet treat for the holidays from the exquisitely talented duo of Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine known as Dala. NAC Presents is delighted to welcome the darlings of the Canadian music scene for one night only in the NAC Studio to perform Christmas-inspired tunes as well as some of Dala’s original tunes from albums like “Girls from the North Country”.

Recently nominated “2011 Touring Artist of the Year” by the Canadian Arts Presenting Association(CAPACOA), and nominated in the same year for a JUNO in the category “Roots and Traditional Album of the Year: Group” the Dala girls took home the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year.  In addition the song “Horses” was nominated by National Public Radio in the U.S. as one of the “Top Ten Folk Songs of 2009″.

These two best friends met in their high school music class in 2002; they have since released five albums and toured extensively across North America. Drawing upon influences like The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, Dala write songs that are both catchy and insightful. Amanda’s ethereal soprano voice blends seamlessly with Sheila’s velvety alto, creating the lush harmonies that have become their trademark.

The sheer joy with which they perform is infectious, turning first-time listeners into instant fans.  Dala are equally entertaining between songs, telling funny and down to earth stories that make every show unique.  Dala have opened for artists such as Tom Cochrane, Stuart McLean of the CBC’s Vinyl Café, Richie Havens and Arlo Guthrie. No strangers to the festival scene, they have also performed at The New Orleans Jazz Festival, The Edmonton Folk Festival, California’s Strawberry Festival and Mariposa. In 2009, they were the only Canadian act invited to play at the 50^th Anniversary of the Newport Folk Festival.

Dala performs in the National Arts Centre’s Studio on Thursday December 1^st, 2011 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Gift giving

The 2011-2012 season is full of blockbuster productions that make exceptional holiday gifts. And with an updated online purchase system for NAC gift cards it has never been easier to give the gift of live performance. Visit nac-cna.ca to review the complete listing of productions and gift card options.

Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices; to reserve your seats, call 613-947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

Tickets are available for purchase:

• In person at the NAC Box Office
• At all Ticketmaster outlets
• By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS) new!  
• Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca)
• A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster

NAC Presents in partnership with BMO Financial Group

 JANUARY 2012

14           Madison Violet $28 (Studio)
                Geggie Jazz Series: Ron Miles with David Occhipinti $30 (Fourth Stage)
27           Les Vendredis de la chanson francophone: Annette Campagne $20 (Fourth Stage)

FEBRUARY

10-11     Jill Barber $27 (Fourth Stage)
11           Sam Roberts Band $36 + (Southam Hall)
18           Geggie Jazz Series : Phil Dwyer, Chet Doxas and Jim Doxas $30 (Fourth Stage)

MARCH
 
2              Les Vendredis de la chanson francophone: Kyssi Wète $20 (Fourth Stage)
16           Peter Elkas $25 (Fourth Stage)
17           Geggie Jazz Series:  Joel Frahm, Mian Rager and John Fraboni $30 (Fourth Stage)
22           Emilie-Claire Barlow $33 (Studio)
22          David Myles $23 (Fourth Stage)
23-24     The Sadies $28 (Studio)

APRIL

13           Les Vendredis de la chanson francophone: Les Surveillantes $20 (Fourth Stage)
21:          Geggie Jazz Series : Pat Labarbera, Josh Rager and Nick Fraser $30 (Fourth Stage)
28:          Brandi Disterheft $25 (Fourth Stage)

MAY

3              Dan Hill $40 (Fourth Stage)
25           Les Vendredis de la chanson francophone: Tricia Foster $20 (Fourth Stage)
26           Geggie Jazz Series : Joe Sullivan, Lorne Lofsky, Richard Irwin $30 (Fourth Stage)

JUNE
 
15-16     Gordon Lightfoot $65 (Southam Hall)
20-23     7 Doigts de la main-PSY $35 + (Theatre)

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For more information, please contact:
Marie-Chantale Labbé-Jacques
Associate Marketing and Communication Officer
National Arts Centre
613-947-7000 ext. 526; e-mail: mclabbe@nac-cna.ca
or visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca