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April 2, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Entertainment showcase to accompany Matthew tour

Stellar headline entertainment will be a key component of this summer's Matthew visit for all 17 ports on the vessel's 46 day tour.

Each stop of the Matthew from Bonavista to Trinity and all points in between will feature a concert by the province's Juno award winning group, The Irish Descendants, and a dramatic re-enactment of Cabot's landfall created and presented by noted acting troupe Rising Tide Theatre, Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Sandra Kelly said today.

"Each of the 17 stops of the Matthew, in ports big or small, will feature professionally-staged shows by these two acclaimed performing groups," says Ms. Sandra Kelly. "With top quality sound and stage facilities to accompany the performers throughout the province, there's no question the Matthew visit will be one of the most memorable events of our 500th anniversary celebrations."

Kelly noted that the performers were chosen by the Cabot 500 celebrations following a public request for proposals, while the sound system for the evening concerts was selected through public tender.

"Rising Tide will perform the landfall re-enactment at each arrival of the Matthew, while the Irish Descendants will also perform briefly at each arrival, and later hold a major concert during the course of the Matthew's stay in port," Kelly said.

Kelly thanked corporate sponsors of the Matthew visit, Labatt, Marine Atlantic and Sobeys, who along with thousands of volunteers, are enabling key elements of the 500th anniversary celebrations to be shared throughout the province.

Contact: Doug Burgess, Manager of Communications and Co-ordination, 500th Anniversary Celebrations, (709) 729-4247.