OTTAWA, CANADA, September 22, 2011 – Canada’s National Arts Centre today launched NAC Presents, in partnership with BMO Financial Group. This new, all-Canadian performance series will showcase some of this country’s most exciting, vibrant and innovative artists, including Rufus Wainwright, Jean Leloup, Gordon Lightfoot, Dala, Sarah Slean, Dan Hill, Sam Roberts Band, The Sadies, Sophie Milman, 7 doigts de la main, and many more.

“BMO Financial Group is proud to partner with the National Arts Centre on NAC Presents,” said Carolyn Booth, District Vice President, Eastern Ontario District, BMO Bank of Montreal. “This new performance series features the very best of emerging Canadian talent as well as many iconic performers of our country. We are so pleased to help share Canada’s home grown talent with the community.”

“I’m delighted to announce the inaugural season of NAC Presents” said Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of Canada’s National Arts Centre. “Not only is NAC Presents in addition to our core offerings – from the NAC Orchestra, English and French Theatre, as well as Dance – this series also provides a national stage to some of Canada’s most beloved artists, and to a few of our best kept secrets!”

“NAC Presents will lead audiences on a journey of discovery through a diversity of genres, languages and styles,” said Simone Deneau, Producer and Curator of NAC Presents. “There’s been a huge explosion in the number and quality of Canadian artists of late and the NAC is the perfect venue for them. Truly, Canada is happening here!”

2011-2012 Season Highlights

The new season kicks off on October 22 in the intimate NAC Fourth Stage with piano virtuoso Michael Kaeshammer. On October 28-29 Toronto-based singer Sophie Milman performs her brand of jazz-pop fusion. On November 2 singer-songwriter Justin Hines visits the Fourth Stage. On November 5, the genre-defying band Random Recipe brings their stylish combination of world beat, hip hop and vocal harmonies.

On November 11, Francophone bad boy, rock legend Jean Leloup performs new songs and greatest hits in Southam Hall with his band The Last Assassins. On the very next night, Rufus Wainwright – the man Elton John affectionately calls “the greatest songwriter on the planet” and one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation – performs an intimate evening concert, also in Southam Hall. Not to be missed!

Blues and country entertainer Sneezy Waters and folk-rock storytellers Sunparlour Players perform in the Fourth Stage on November 19 and 25 respectively. Sarah Slean performs songs from her upcoming, new album Land and Sea on November 29 and 30 in the Studio. JUNO-nominated duo Dala rings in the holiday season on December 1 with a Christmas-themed show in the Studio.

NAC Presents kicks off 2012 with country-folk-pop duet Madison Violet in the NAC Studio on January 14. Enjoy the lush, retro-jazz-pop vocals of Ontario songstress Jill Barber for two nights in the Fourth Stage on February 10 and 11. Get ready to rock with Canadian indie sensation Sam Roberts Band for one night only in Southam Hall on February 11.  Soul-inspired pop with a delicious retro flavor from Peter Elkas fills the Fourth Stage on March 16. Stellar jazz chanteuse Emilie-Claire Barlow lights up the Studio on March 22 while indie-pop folkster David Myles performs the same night in the Fourth Stage. Award-nominated Canadian indie rock and alternative country band The Sadies will rock the Studio on March 23 and 24.

 

As Spring blooms, NAC Presents brings innovative up-and coming jazz double-bassist Brandi Disterheft to the Fourth Stage on April 28. Songwriting legend Dan Hill will give an intimate solo performance two nights in the Fourth Stage May 3 and 4. On June 15 and 16 , we welcome back a man who needs no introduction, the iconic Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. Mr. Lightfoot made his first appearance on the Southam Hall stage in June of 1969. His evocative songs will once again ring out here, 43 years later almost to the day.

To close this incredible season, the amazing circus/dance/theatre troupe 7 doigts de la main (also known as the 7 fingers) will take over the Theatre for four nights from June 20 to 23 with a breathtaking work called PSY – co-produced by Subtopia, Sadler's Wells and TOHU – which delves into the rich and surreal world of the human psyche.

Also as part of the NAC Presents series, the Geggie Jazz Series curated by Ottawa double-bassist John Geggie returns to the Fourth Stage with six spectacular evenings featuring the finest jazz musicians from Canada and around the world, including Susie Ibarra, Ron Miles, David Occhipinti, Joel Frahm and Joe Sullivan to only name a few.

The popular Vendredis de la chanson francophone series in partnership with APCM (Association des professionels de la chanson et de la musique) also returns to the Fourth Stage with six performances from emerging French singer-songwriters from Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Groups of 10 or more save 15 percent to 20 percent 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)
• Online through the Ticketmaster* link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca)

* A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster.

For more information or interviews:
Marie-Chantale Labbé-Jacques
Associate Marketing and Communications Officer, National Arts Centre
613-947-7000, ext. 526
mclabbe@nac-cna.ca
www.nac-cna.ca

NAC Presents in partnership with BMO Financial Group

2011-2012 Season

SEPTEMBER 2011

30        Les Vendredis de la chanson francophone: Mastikédigère and Mehdi Cayenne Club -  FREE!       (Fourth Stage)

OCTOBER

22        Michael Kaeshammer            $27 (Fourth Stage)
28-29   Sophie Milman $35 (Fourth Stage)

NOVEMBER

2          Justin Hines $25 (Fourth Stage)
4          Les Vendredis de la chanson francophone: Stef Paquette $20 (Fourth Stage)
5          Random Recipe $22 (Fourth Stage)
11        Jean Leloup and The Last Assassins $33 + (Southam Hall)
12        Rufus Wainwright $45 + (Southam Hall)
            Geggie Jazz Series: Susie Ibarra $30 (Fourth Stage)
19        Sneezy Waters $25 (Fourth Stage)
29-30   Sarah Slean $35 (Studio)

DECEMBER

1          Dala Christmas Show $25 (Studio)

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)
             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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