London celebrations extended for Canada Day
Canada Day is to be celebrated in London with a free concert and events in Trafalgar Square over two days.
The event has this year been extended to a two-day spectacular over June 30 and July 1.
Celebrating all that is great about Canada, audiences will be able to sample the best of the country’s music, culture, technology, tourism and sport.
Canada Day 2008, in association with Alberta, aims to be the biggest party ever held in Trafalgar Square with a free live concert on the evening of June 30 and events throughout the day on July 1.
Festival director Jason Pollock said: “Canada has such a lot to offer. This two-day festival lets Londoners experience a microcosm of the country. Visitors to the festival will certainly not be disappointed.”
The atmosphere will be electric on the evening of June 30 as Canada Rocks Trafalgar Square. The free concert kicks off at 20.00 to an audience of 7,000 ticket holders (for a chance to win tickets see www.canadadaylondon.com).
The acclaimed Kathleen Edwards will headline performing hit songs from her new album Asking for Flowers (awarded four stars by Rolling Stone magazine). Playing the stage as well are Canada’s chart topping rock band, The Trews, the country’s favourite award winning Nuevo Flamenco guitarist, multi-talented Jesse Cook and Celtic roots band The McDades. With gates opening at 18.00, Canada Rocks Trafalgar Square until 23.00.
On July 1 – Canada Day itself – Trafalgar Square will be open for business from 11.00 when the free festival begins with preliminary rounds of Canada’s world famous street hockey.
Throughout the square visitors will experience diverse aspects of Canada and Canadian life. On the west side, Alberta, home of the Canadian Rockies, hosts a chill-out Pavillion. Step in for a relaxing massage or a breath of fresh air at Alberta’s exclusive oxygen bar.
A Taste of Ontario, across the square, will allow visitors to sample culinary delights imported from Toronto and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Pavilion on the north terrace will help people decide which of Canada’s stunning provinces they would like to see.
For those looking for laughter, Québec, and its partners Tourism Montréal and the Just for Laughs Festival present a day of laughter and fun with Canadian comedians performing live throughout the day in the Québec Fun Pavilion on Trafalgar Square’s North Terrace.
Between the bouts of hockey relaxing sounds from more Canadian musical talent unplugged will be the order of the day.
As the evening draws on, the Square takes on a different vibe as Canada pumps up the volume again for another free, but non-ticketed, night of music and entertainment, with more from the country’s new recording artists. The action for Tuesday night keeps on going until 22.30.
Phil Davies
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