CULTURAL OLYMPIAD 2010 AND SASKATCHEWAN PAVILION ARTISTS

Saskatchewan's culture will be represented as part of the 2010 Winter Games

The Government of Saskatchewan announced today that both Jack Semple and Jason Plumb will participate at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Their presence, along with contributions from a range of Saskatchewan artists and arts professionals, will reflect Saskatchewan culture and creativity in 2010.

"We are proud that Jack Semple and Jason Plumb will be representing our Saskatchewan spirit at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Dustin Duncan said. "Through our artists we hear about our lives, our sense of place and who we are as a community and we are proud to share it with the world."

As Music Director at the Saskatchewan Pavilion, Jack Semple will assist in the scheduling of Saskatchewan performing artists; be a liaison between performing artists and the pavilion; and lead the pavilion's house band made up of Saskatchewan performers.

"The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be an amazing opportunity," Semple said. "I am excited to work with artists from Saskatchewan and across the world while representing a province I love and an art I adore."

Jason Plumb, who was selected in September to participate in Cultural Olympiad 2010, will perform in Vancouver as part of the New Songs, New Voices showcase of Canadian music. The Saskatchewan-based singer and songwriter, has over the course of the past twenty years, delivered an impressive body of work that continues to present fresh and exciting chapters.

"I am incredibly honoured to represent our province to the world," Plumb said. "It is a great privilege to demonstrate the pride I feel for Saskatchewan alongside all kinds of talent."

Along with Plumb, other Saskatchewan artists, organizations and arts professionals selected to participate in Cultural Olympiad 2010 include:

• Regina's Globe Theatre will stage their production of the play Elephant Wake written and performed by Joey Tremblay;
• Regina-based Brett Bell, was selected to create a short film about the body in motion for the Cultural Olympiad Digital Edition (CODE) Motion Pictures;
• Curator Donna Wawzonek from Saskatoon who is curating three separate online art exhibitions for CODE Screen;
• Visual and performance artist Dana Claxton, visual artist Edward Poitras and Saskatoon-based craft artists - Michael Hosaluk and Cathy Terapocki, all of whom have had work selected for inclusion in larger group shows;
• Donny Parenteau knows what it takes to be successful in the Canadian Country Music Industry, with expertise in fiddle, mandolin, acoustic and electric guitar, as well as the unique double neck mando-caster/electric guitar. With his superior vocal ability added to the mix, he made an easy transition from Country Classics to Blues to Easy Rock;
• Deep Dark Woods approach their instruments with studied respect for the honoured traditions of roots music. Ryan Boldt's plainspoken lyrics offer a strong but gentle tone. A solid rhythm section, brilliant guitar work, and rich harmonies drive the songs;
• Saskatoon rockers Ultimate Power Duo have toured across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Their second full length CD came out in March 2009; and
• Dennis Anderson and Kathleen Robertson, also Saskatoon-based, will have work included in the Kickstart Disability Arts and Culture Festival associated with the 2010 Winter Games.

Working with VANOC and the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the Government of Saskatchewan's goal for the Cultural Olympiad has been to highlight Saskatchewan's artistic talent and contributions in the fields of music, visual arts, theatre, literature and new media as well as the cultural industries such as film.

"The Arts Board is really excited for the Saskatchewan artists who have been selected to perform on the Olympic stage," Saskatchewan Arts Board Executive Director Jeremy Morgan said. "We will see even more fine Saskatchewan artists added to the program as the planning continues."

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For more information, contact:

Janet Peters
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4967
Email: janet.peters@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-4909