Indigenous Music
STAR CATCHER: Brandon Finalists
Winnipeg, MB / February 7 2007: Star Catcher —Manitoba Aboriginal Talent Search 2007 presented by The Manito Ahbee Festival and the Red River Ex, held its first round of competitions at the Brandon Winterfest this past weekend.
The Amphitheatre in the keystone Centre opened its doors to hundreds of onlookers eager to experience the sounds of the C-weed band and be the first to congratulate the top three (3) finalists.
The talent search attracted 14 contestants from various communities: Gator Beaulieu, Shaun Roulette, Nikketa Campbell, James Shuttleworth,Crystal Hansen, Josh Witford, Wambdi Chante Hanska, Ken Boulette, Mary Mahler, Richard Mckay, Roxy Flett, Joe Mckay Jr., Edward Genaille and Lisa Stevenson.
Congratulations to all the performers who put on a great show and the winners:
Roxy Flett - 1st Place
Shaun Roulette - 2nd Place
Richard Mckay - 3rd Place
1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners at these competitions are awarded a cash prize as well as a one song recording and will move onto the finals to be held at the red river Ex on National Aboriginal day, June 21,2007.
The next Star Catcher Talent Search will take place on March 3, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in Hollow Water First Nation. Other dates and locations for future Star Catcher competitions to be announced.
Kevin Clifford, Events Manager, Red River Exhibition Park expressed his enthusiasm, stating “On behalf of the red river Exhibition, the newly created “Star Catcher” program is a very promising and exciting endeavor. The Red River Exhibition seeks to “Celebrate Manitoba ” as part of an overall theme of hosting “Manitoba ’s Great Get Together ”.The inclusion of the “Star Catcher ” provincial competition and showcase as part of the activities and entertainment featured at the EX annually is a perfect fit.
The EX acknowledges and appreciates the great support we receive historically from Aboriginal communities throughout the province and our latest effort to highlight “National Aboriginal day” as a major feature of the EX annually. With the support and assistance of the Manito Ahbee Festival and participating communities, the “Star Catcher” program is one more step in the Ex’s effort to “Celebrate Manitoba” through the sum of all of its parts, regions and cultures.
The “Star Catcher” program is consistent with the Ex’s efforts to promote the talents of Manitoban ’s to each other and the world. The EX currently supports two open talent competition for varied ages and categories: Stars of Tomorrow 13 – 21 years of age; Kidz Quest 7 –12 years of age have both been successful programs and the “Star Catcher” program will compliment these existing programs while enhancing the red river Exhibition as a whole.”
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Media Contact:
Michelle Boivin, (204) 334-0740 / mboivin@boivingroup.com;
Angie Lamirande, (204) 697-0878 / akdl@mts.net
Boivin Communication Group Inc. / www.boivingroup.com
BACKROUND INFORMATION:
Mentorship and training is an integral part of the Star Catcher Talent Search and will be offered to the top 3 contestants at each competition. Through Manitoba Film & Sound and The Aboriginal Music Program – Manitoba Audio recording industry Association, the top 3 winners from each talent search will be partnered with a professional producer, writer and recording studio. They will learn the ins and outs of music production and be given the tools to foster their development as artists and present themselves to a world-wide audience.
Songs recorded will make up a Star Catcher compilation CD and receive airtime on the National Aboriginal Top 30 on NCI FM. The finals at the red river Ex are not only an opportunity for the finalists to compete for top overall spots, but will also act as a ‘CD release ’ which will give the artists the opportunity to submit their songs for competition at the 2007 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.
The benefits of the Star Catcher Talent Search keep on coming. First Place Finalist on National Aboriginal Day, June 21, 2007 will be awarded a performance at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, scheduled to be broadcast live November 2, 2007 on APTN. Second Place Finalist will perform at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards 1st Night Awards, November 1, 2007. Third Place Finalist will perform at one of the Manito Ahbee MusicFest venues on November 1 or 3rd, 2007. Only the first 20 applicants at each talent competition will be given the opportunity to showcase their singing talent.
Requirements for registration are as follows:
• Non-refundable registration fee of $50
• Contestants must be emerging singers of Aboriginal descent,currently residing in Manitoba (Status, Metis, Inuit or Non-Status)
• Contestants must not have recorded a CD or Cassette Tape (professional or home made) that was made available for sale in stores or in the community.
• Contestants must not have performed in more than five venues in the last year.
• Competition is open to all ages.
• Contestants must provide a demo recording (on CD or Cassette Tape, original or cover tune), music related biography and a recent photograph.
• Contestants will be backed up by the C ’weed Band or have the option of using their own.
Registration forms can be downloaded from the website at www.manitoahbee.com or can be picked up at the Manito Ahbee office. Call 204-956-1849 or email info@manitoahbee.com for more information.
Manito Ahbee would like to thank all sponsors of the Star Catcher talent search: The Red River Ex,Manitoba Film &Sound, Aboriginal Music Program – Manitoba Audio Recording Industry Association, NCI FM and Perimeter Aviation.
The Amphitheatre in the keystone Centre opened its doors to hundreds of onlookers eager to experience the sounds of the C-weed band and be the first to congratulate the top three (3) finalists.
The talent search attracted 14 contestants from various communities: Gator Beaulieu, Shaun Roulette, Nikketa Campbell, James Shuttleworth,Crystal Hansen, Josh Witford, Wambdi Chante Hanska, Ken Boulette, Mary Mahler, Richard Mckay, Roxy Flett, Joe Mckay Jr., Edward Genaille and Lisa Stevenson.
Congratulations to all the performers who put on a great show and the winners:
Roxy Flett - 1st Place
Shaun Roulette - 2nd Place
Richard Mckay - 3rd Place
1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners at these competitions are awarded a cash prize as well as a one song recording and will move onto the finals to be held at the red river Ex on National Aboriginal day, June 21,2007.
The next Star Catcher Talent Search will take place on March 3, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in Hollow Water First Nation. Other dates and locations for future Star Catcher competitions to be announced.
Kevin Clifford, Events Manager, Red River Exhibition Park expressed his enthusiasm, stating “On behalf of the red river Exhibition, the newly created “Star Catcher” program is a very promising and exciting endeavor. The Red River Exhibition seeks to “Celebrate Manitoba ” as part of an overall theme of hosting “Manitoba ’s Great Get Together ”.The inclusion of the “Star Catcher ” provincial competition and showcase as part of the activities and entertainment featured at the EX annually is a perfect fit.
The EX acknowledges and appreciates the great support we receive historically from Aboriginal communities throughout the province and our latest effort to highlight “National Aboriginal day” as a major feature of the EX annually. With the support and assistance of the Manito Ahbee Festival and participating communities, the “Star Catcher” program is one more step in the Ex’s effort to “Celebrate Manitoba” through the sum of all of its parts, regions and cultures.
The “Star Catcher” program is consistent with the Ex’s efforts to promote the talents of Manitoban ’s to each other and the world. The EX currently supports two open talent competition for varied ages and categories: Stars of Tomorrow 13 – 21 years of age; Kidz Quest 7 –12 years of age have both been successful programs and the “Star Catcher” program will compliment these existing programs while enhancing the red river Exhibition as a whole.”
- 30 -
Media Contact:
Michelle Boivin, (204) 334-0740 / mboivin@boivingroup.com;
Angie Lamirande, (204) 697-0878 / akdl@mts.net
Boivin Communication Group Inc. / www.boivingroup.com
BACKROUND INFORMATION:
Mentorship and training is an integral part of the Star Catcher Talent Search and will be offered to the top 3 contestants at each competition. Through Manitoba Film & Sound and The Aboriginal Music Program – Manitoba Audio recording industry Association, the top 3 winners from each talent search will be partnered with a professional producer, writer and recording studio. They will learn the ins and outs of music production and be given the tools to foster their development as artists and present themselves to a world-wide audience.
Songs recorded will make up a Star Catcher compilation CD and receive airtime on the National Aboriginal Top 30 on NCI FM. The finals at the red river Ex are not only an opportunity for the finalists to compete for top overall spots, but will also act as a ‘CD release ’ which will give the artists the opportunity to submit their songs for competition at the 2007 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.
The benefits of the Star Catcher Talent Search keep on coming. First Place Finalist on National Aboriginal Day, June 21, 2007 will be awarded a performance at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, scheduled to be broadcast live November 2, 2007 on APTN. Second Place Finalist will perform at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards 1st Night Awards, November 1, 2007. Third Place Finalist will perform at one of the Manito Ahbee MusicFest venues on November 1 or 3rd, 2007. Only the first 20 applicants at each talent competition will be given the opportunity to showcase their singing talent.
Requirements for registration are as follows:
• Non-refundable registration fee of $50
• Contestants must be emerging singers of Aboriginal descent,currently residing in Manitoba (Status, Metis, Inuit or Non-Status)
• Contestants must not have recorded a CD or Cassette Tape (professional or home made) that was made available for sale in stores or in the community.
• Contestants must not have performed in more than five venues in the last year.
• Competition is open to all ages.
• Contestants must provide a demo recording (on CD or Cassette Tape, original or cover tune), music related biography and a recent photograph.
• Contestants will be backed up by the C ’weed Band or have the option of using their own.
Registration forms can be downloaded from the website at www.manitoahbee.com or can be picked up at the Manito Ahbee office. Call 204-956-1849 or email info@manitoahbee.com for more information.
Manito Ahbee would like to thank all sponsors of the Star Catcher talent search: The Red River Ex,Manitoba Film &Sound, Aboriginal Music Program – Manitoba Audio Recording Industry Association, NCI FM and Perimeter Aviation.