For the next two weeks, the nations' capital will be home to the very best Atlantic Canadian artistic talent as Atlantic Scene officially opened on April 22 in Ottawa. Twenty artists and performers from Prince Edward Island are scheduled to perform, showcasing the finest talent that PEI has to offer.
"It gives me great pleasure to see Island artists and performers sharing the spotlight with others from Atlantic Canada. They are an important asset to the diverse cultural heritage of PEI," said Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Elmer MacFadyen. "They will show the rest of the country just how talented Island artists and performers truly are."
The festival runs from April 22 to May 4, 2003. The Atlantic Scene will present more than 200 of Atlantic Canada's established and emerging artists in the National Capital Region. The stages of the National Arts Centre, the Museum of Civilization, the National Library, National Archives, the National Gallery, Yuk Yuk's, the Casino du Lac-Leamy, Barrymore's Music Hall and others will resound with Atlantic Canadian music, theatre, dance, comedy, children's entertainment, and film. A visual arts exhibit, literary readings and culinary delicacies from the East Coast will also be part of this great showcase.
According to Tourism PEI, the timing of the festival could not be better. The opening of the tourist season is quickly approaching, and the festival will not only showcase the best of island talent but it will also highlight the province as a tourist destination with diverse cultural attractions, including theatre, musical performances and art exhibits by Island and Canadian artists.
"People from Ontario represent one of the largest tourist groups visiting PEI each year. With the festival opening at this time of year, it gives PEI extra exposure as people are making their vacation plans for later in the summer," says PEI Minister of Tourism Jeff Lantz. "With a high percentage of tourists experiencing cultural attractions on the Island, this initiative helps to increase awareness of PEI as a tourist destination with a rich cultural background."
Islanders chosen to perform at the festival include multi Juno Award winner Lennie Gallant, fiddler Richard Wood, Acadian sensation Barachois, traditional Acadian performers Vishten, award winning Celtic performer Patricia Murray, classical music vocalist Sung Ha Shin-Bouey, rock band Eyes for Telescopes, solo performer Nathan Wiley and cultural performer Scott Parsons. Along with the island performers, Anne of Green Gables is slated for eight shows throughout the two-week festival. Each show has almost reached its capacity for seating.
Island artists will also share the spotlight as exhibits featuring Atlantic Canadian artists are displayed throughout venues in the city of Ottawa. Eight Island artists have been chosen to display their work, including Brian Burke, Mary Carr-Chaisson, Wendell Dennis, Karen Gallant, Elaine Harrison, Andrew Henderson, Deborah Raper, Sylvia Ridgeway, and "The Needlers," a quilting group from the island.