For Immediate Release

 Aurora jazz+ Festival a Top 100

Receives $13,600 from Canadian Heritage

 Aurora Festival of the Arts (AFA) General Manager, Sher St. Kitts is pleased to advise that the 2012 Aurora jazz+ Festival, a Top 100 in Ontario, is also a grant recipient through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program from the Government of Canada!  “I would like to inform you that I have approved a grant in the amount of $13,600 to the Aurora Festival of the Arts, under the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Program.  This grant is to defray part of the costs associated with your project entitled:  Aurora Jazz+ Festival”.   The Honourable James Moore, P.C., M.P.

 In a speech recently given by Heritage Minister James Moore he states, “Supporting Canadian culture means supporting the Canadian economy…arts and culture represent over 630,000 jobs in the Canadian economy…Canada’s culture represents $46 billion in the Canadian economy”.

 ”Congratulations to the Aurora Festival of the Arts who will once again showcase local artists in a celebration of our community,” said Newmarket-Aurora MP Lois Brown.  “We are fortunate to have so many talented musicians, artists and performers to inspire and enrich our lives and our government is proud to support this wonderful festival of rich and diverse talent.”

The Aurora jazz+ Festival has grown from a one day community event in 2009 to three days in 2011/ 2012 showcasing 20-30 musical acts, many visual artists and food vendors highlighting the multicultural fabric of Canada!

 “We are ecstatic that our arts and cultural community event has been chosen as a top 100 festival after just three years”, says AFA Chair, Susan Morton-Leonard. “We are the only 2012 Top 100 music/arts festival in York Region. This designation is a first for Aurora! It puts a huge spotlight on the growing creative community of Aurora & York Region. AFA gives sincere thanks to our dedicated volunteers, Board members and sponsors!

 “The Top 100 festivals and events in Ontario represent

Festivals and events…that excel within the industry.” FEO

Jazz+ means this festival includes all possible arts and music genres from Reggae to Rock; performances by local First Nations to our Canadian Funk, Blues and Jazz bands.  Local visual artists display and perform live painting in the park, while diverse vendors prepare and serve foods of the world.  Enjoy great music, art, culture, food, beer/wine garden, kids’ crafts, shopping and the ambiance of the beautiful heritage Town Park setting located in the cultural core of Aurora, in the centre of York Region.  2012 Aurora jazz+ Festival, August 3 – 5^th Town Park – Aurora

 This project has been supported by the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program, Department of Canadian Heritage.  Ce projet a été appuyé par le Programme Développement des communautés par le biais des arts et du patrimoine du ministère de Patrimoine canadien.

Sponsors: Canadian Heritage, Enbridge Gas Distribution, King Brewery, Epoch Times, The Humfryes Family, Merilyn McCart, Master Cut, Powell Contracting, Long & McQuade, St. Kitts Music, Sherwood Staging, Coll Audio, Shield Service, On Richmond Hill…

Partners: Arts Society King, Aurora Farmers Market, York Region Multi Media Film Festival, Aurora Clicks, Eaglewood Festival, Aurora Artists Studio Tour, Deborah Campo Art Studio

www.aurorajazzfest.com  Sher St. Kitts – 905 841 6893

www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca

This group of 14 represents less than 5% of the people who made this year’s festival a success! Its great to have Alex of Safehaven holding the cheque! Also we have representation from the Artists, Musicians, Sponsors, Vendors, Board and Volunteers

Upper Row from the left
Kelly Y (Volunteer), Linda Goepfert (V), Ellen Campbell (CCAA), Anthony (V), Chhay – Shield Security (Sponsor), Mariana (Artist), Jon Sargent (V – Feel Right/Vendor), Laurence Moule (After Hours Big Band), Four Students from Unionville High (Artists),
Front Row from the right – Susan Morton-Leonard (Board), Sarah Sparks (B), Sher St. Kitts (B), Alex B of Safehaven holding cheque!, Merilyn McCart (V), Sebastian (Mariana’s Son) and Heather (V)

This is a unique summer event

? A vibrant celebration of arts and culture through exploration of the human senses

? A destination for all ages
with interactive programs to engage your 5 Senses

? It stimulate and entertains

? A showcase of the diversity of York Region’s arts and culture scene

? Happening in the Heart of Richmond Hill, in and around the Theatre

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Brought to the Town of Richmond Hill by 5 Very Involved Community Players:

Village of Richmond Hill BIA
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
Cosmo Music
Snap Newspaper (Richmond Hill)
OnRichmondhill.com

Friday night’s opening ceremonies start at 7

- entertainment including a swimsuit fashion show

- free food samples (ribs and desserts)

- Mayor Dave Barrow will be there.

On Saturday

On going entertainment in the theatre courtyard from 11 to 7

Great marketplace * Kid’s corner* Smell Passport – visit nearby shops for a sensory experiences

Sensory deprivation area – check it out

Random Acts of Culture – various locations on Yonge Street near Theatre

Theatre Art Gallery featuring local artists….

Sat Night Finale: Fool Your Senses show with master hypnotist Mike Mandel and magician Richard Forget.

Use promo code “ORH” for a 15% discount!

Here’s a complete list with lots of details of what’s happening including the Mike Mandel Show.:

http://onrichmondhill.com/5sensesfestival

Contact Marj Andre (email above for more information!) marjandre@rogers.com

SEE FESTIVAL LINE UP….

MULTIMEDIA FILM FESTIVAL OF YORK REGION
RICH TAPESTRY; MOSAIC FRAGMENTS
(Films about York Region for York Region!)

Saturday July 30th at the Aurora Cultural Centre
22 Church Street Aurora
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Day 429 (3 mins., 46 secs.) She looks at herself in the mirror, and for the 429th time she hears: “Fat”,”Huge”, “Disgusting.”

Five (13 mins, 37secs) “Five” takes the most common of objects and makes it into something extraordinary.

“Who are the South Asians” (1mins., 41secs) Explores the rich culture of South Asian communities of York Region.

I Do? (13 mins., 18secs) Marriage and its role in contemporary.

Beauty Is… (2:40 mins, secs.): What is Beauty?

“X,Y OR Z” (1mins, 4secs): “X,Yor Z” is a short film exploring cultural identity or identities.

Parapluie (3mins., 33 secs.) A colourful short about the importance of keeping long distance friendships alive.

We are One (4:01mins, secs.): Celebrate our Differences… Together!

Sex & Death: Period Drama Episode 3 (10mins.):

Annuit Coeptis (5:34 mins., secs.) When life hangs in the balance do you pull the trigger?

Sitting Small (15 mins., 31 secs.): “Sitting Small” is a fictional story about a young man living on the streets.

Positivity: Stories from Women Living with HIV (17 mins.) The lives of women living with HIV in York Region.

How to Properly Watch Television (3 mins): All Henry wants to do is sit down and watch some good ole’ fashion TV..

Hidden by Ignorance (2 mins., 51 secs.) Help spread awareness about homelessness in York Region.

Walk over from the festival and enjoy local award winning films – photography – and Boogie Boy Blues on Sunday

Long & McQuade – Canada’s Music Store, Musical Instruments www.long-mcquade.com

Thanks to Bruce and all the guys at L&M for their sponsorship of the Yorkville Paraline PSA1 Series (this is brand New). L&M has sponsored the AJF for past 3 years we at the AJF want to say thank you for all that you do for the community.