Canadian music stars to shine in Whistler September 16

Vancouver 2010 celebrates Paralympic Movement with free concert and launches new emblem to the world
On September 16th, Whistler will be home to one of the strongest assemblies of Juno award-winning talent the mountain resort community has seen in recent history. Vancouver 2010 will celebrate the Paralympic Movement with a free concert that reveals the new 2010 Paralympic Winter Games emblem to the world.

Juno award-winning stars set to perform include Manitoba’s Chantal Kreviazuk, three time Juno winner and one of Canada’s premiere singer songwriters and Toronto’s The Philosopher Kings, a mainstay on the Canadian music scene known for their smooth pop-hybrid melodies and high energy live performances.

British Columbia’s musical talent will be featured through a combination of renowned artists, including Vancouver’s energetic Spirit of the West who have developed a fan base dedicated to following the band’s career over the span of 20 years and 12 albums; Vancouver blues legend and Juno award-winner Jim Byrnes who represented Canada in the Torino 2006 Paralympic Games closing ceremony and Victoria’s Jeremy Fisher whose smart lyrics and young, new sounds have captivated audiences across Canada.

The free Saturday afternoon concert has been specifically designed to appeal to music lovers of all ages and particularly families. Seating will be unassigned and concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets and picnics. The wheelchair-accessible concert area promises to be the site of great music and great memories for all. Washrooms and first aid will also be easily accessible on site.

The outdoor concert and the historic unveiling of the 2010 Paralympic emblem will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Whistler Golf Course Driving Range which will be converted into an outdoor concert field. Alcoholic beverages will not be permitted on-site.

The celebrations will be hosted by veteran Olympic Games television commentator Brian Williams and will feature a number of Canada’s top Paralympic athletes. Representatives from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia will also be in attendance along with dignitaries from the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the City of Vancouver and Four Host First Nations.

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic emblem will join the 2010 Olympic Winter Games emblem – a stylized inukshuk – to form the core visual identity for the 2010 Winter Games.

The concept of a unifying symbol for the Paralympic Movement dates to the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games, which was also the first time that the Olympic and Paralympic Games were hosted by the same city. Seoul’s Paralympic emblem was modified and adopted as the symbol of the Paralympic Movement for many years, until the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) redesigned its look in 2004.

The IPC’s three colour elements are called Agitos (from the Latin word for “I move”) in red, blue and green encircling a centre point. The elements represent the IPC’s role in bringing athletes from all corners of the world together and enabling them to compete.

Spectator and event information will be updated and available at vancouver2010.com. For accommodations, visit whistler.com or call 1-800-WHISTLER.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

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Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)

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