WINTERLUDE KICKS OFF FIRST WEEKEND WITH NEW SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW AND COLIN JAMES

Summary: The National Capital Commission (NCC) is ready to welcome visitors from all over the world for the 31st edition of Winterlude, which starts Friday, February 6, 2009.

The National Capital Commission (NCC) is ready to welcome visitors from all over the world for the 31st edition of Winterlude, which starts Friday, February 6, 2009. Over three weekends until February 22, Canada’s Capital Region will be the ideal destination to discover Canadian winter traditions through a wide variety of family activities.

Here is a snapshot of the activities taking place during the first weekend of Winterlude:

American Express® Snowbowl (near Rideau Street on the Rideau Canal Skateway)
Winterlude Kicks Off, Friday, February 6 at 7 pm

Join Her Excellency The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, for the official Winterlude opening ceremony. Opening night will feature Ukiuk, a brand-new 20-minute multimedia sound and light show that celebrates Canadian winters, followed by a musical performance by six-time Juno award winner Colin James and his band.

On Saturday, February 7 at 7 pm, Manitoba six-piece band Eagle & Hawk takes the stage with a blend of modern rock and traditional elements that defines the genre of contemporary Aboriginal music. The group will be joined on stage by guest performer Sherry St. Germain, a soulful Metis singer who was a popular finalist in the first season of Canadian Idol. The evening also features the cabaret stylings of Winnipeg’s Francophone songstress Dominique Reynolds.

Canadian Murray McLauchlan offers an intimate set at noon on Sunday, February 8. The Canadian folk legend is one of Canada’s wittiest and finest songwriters, storytellers and social commentators.

On Sunday afternoon, February 8, families will enjoy the Spring Action Trampoline Show. The homegrown show has dazzled audiences across Canada and around the world for the past 18 years. Shows start at 12:45 pm, 1:45 pm and 2:45 pm. The lineup features special guest Olympian Jason Burnett, a silver medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

At 3:15 pm, Jason Burnett will be available for an autograph-signing session.

Rogers Crystal Garden in Confederation Park
Ice Carvers at Work

Over the course of Winterlude, there are plenty of chances to watch ice carvers from around the world create their crystalline masterpieces at Confederation Park.

These include the One-Block Challenge on Friday, February 6 from 8 am to 10 am (Awards ceremony: 5 pm) and the 22nd Rogers International Ice-Carving Competition, where professional and amateur carvers from around the world put their talent to the test throughout the weekend (Rogers Awards Ceremony on Sunday, February 8 at 5 pm). Visitors can also admire sculptors at work, as they begin to create an ice replica of Shediac’s famous lobster, to commemorate the 225th anniversary of the founding of the province of New Brunswick. The final sculpture will be unveiled next weekend.

The public can start off their first Winterlude weekend with a delicious pancake and hot chocolate breakfast at 10 am on Saturday, February 7, during the Fifth Annual Enbridge Free Pancake Breakfast (Festival Plaza at Ottawa City Hall, across from Confederation Park).

On Saturday and Sunday, February 7 and 8 (noon and 2:30 pm) at the Rogers Crystal Lounge, visitors are invited to drop by the Wapikoni Mobile, a travelling studio that gives Aboriginal youth an opportunity to express themselves by making a video or music recording.

Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom (Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau)
Let the Fun Begin — With Mama and Papa Ice Hog!

Young and old alike will enjoy playing in this frosty paradise of giant snow slides. The fun begins on Friday, February 6, 2009, at 10:30 am, when Mama and Papa Ice Hog, and twins Noumi and Nouma, join the crowds for the official launch of Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom.

On Winterlude’s first weekend, children aged 8 to 12 can learn the ropes about fishing by taking an introductory course, in collaboration with Quebec’s Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune and the Conseil régional de l’environnement et du développement durable de l’Outaouais.

The Canadian Forces are proud to participate in the 2009 Winterlude celebrations. Visitors can meet Canadian military personnel and experience first-hand what they are doing around the world and in the Canadian North.

To highlight New Brunswick’s 225th anniversary, the Maison Charron will be transformed into the Acadian House. Visitors can join in and dance to the sounds of traditional Acadian music.
Storytellers and musicians will entertain in this “Capital” version of an Acadian kitchen party.

Spotlight on the Yukon: February 7 and 8

For the second year in a row, Winterlude will showcase Yukon performers and artists. Sundog wood carvers and the First People’s Performers will be on hand at the Aboriginal Spirit Zone at Rogers Crystal Garden, from 11 am to 3 pm on February 7 and 8. Groundwork Sessions
— a Yukon dance group — will entertain the public at the Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom Amphitheatre in Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau, throughout the weekend at 12:30 pm and 3 pm.

Other activities in the heart of Canada's Capital Region this weekend

On Friday, February 6 at noon, make your way to the 18th Annual ByWard Market Stew Cook-Off, where visitors can taste stew prepared by over 20 restaurants, and vote for their favourite. More yearly favourites this weekend include the 26th Annual Winterlude Triathlon and the Bedzzz 29th Annual Bed Race.

For a complete list of activities presented at the four official Winterlude sites and elsewhere in the Capital Region, members of the public can contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the website at Winterlude.ca. For information about access to Winterlude’s sites and the Rideau Canal Skateway for people with limited mobility, members of the public are invited to contact the NCC.

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