GET CULTURED @ Folklorama July 31st - August 13th

Feel the Latin Grooves of Oscar Lopes at Manitoba Lotteries Folklorama Kick Off !! WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - Come join in the fun as we Kick-Off the 36th Folklorama Festival, which takes place at The Forks on Saturday July 30th. There will be fun for the whole Family from 4:00 until 10:45pm with Oscar Lopez headlining the Big Event. The main stage will heat up @ 9:30pm with the Latin Grooves of guitarist Oscar Lopes. The Latin feel is a crutial element in the music of Oscar Lopes Born in Santiago Chile, Lopes moved to Winnipeg in 1979 and now calls Calgary home. In describing his music Lopes says, " All that I am I owe to my Mother Country - she made me what I am today. There is always a strong Latin beat in my music, definately, because that's who I am " The Folklorama Kick-Off has been held for the past six years to get Winnipegers geared up for the Festival. Held on the Saturday of the August long weekend, it gives those who are left in the city an opportunity to spice up their weekend, and it gives them a taste of what's coming to the Pavilion stages throughout the two week Festival. " It's a great time for families who are in Winnipeg and those with friends and family visiting for the long weekend to come out and get a preview of the Folklorama Festival. It's a FREE event, and we've got a great line up you won't want to miss " says Dave Sherman, Executive Director. For further Information Contact: Debra Fehr Director of Marketing and Communications (204) 982 - 6212 fehrd@folklorama.ca www.folklorama.ca GET CULTURED WITH 44 FOLKLORAMA PAVILIONS Folklorama presents 44 Pavilions for the 36th annual Festival. The two week Festival runs from July 31st - August 13th with a Kick-Off event July 30th. Festival visitors will travel the world without leaving the city. Come and enjoy the home made food, imported beverages and exotic dances of our 44 Pavilions which are clustered throughout Winnipeg. Folklorama, Canada's Cultural Celebration, is the largest Festival of it's kind in the World, and we're calling all Winnipegers to " Get Cultured !" One of the meanings of the word " culture " is to grow or cultivate. Not only does Folklorama provide a Fun and entertaining evening, it is an opportunity to cultivate appreciation for other peoples customs, traditions and values. The mission of the Festival, and all the programs of the Folk Arts Council, is to celebrate diversity and promote cultural understanding. The Folklorama Guide hits the streets of Winnipeg in the Free Press on Saturday, July 16th. The Guide includes show times, pavilion descriptions, and a newly formatted centre map that will make planning your evening easier than ever. Single admission tickets are only $3.75 and available at the pavilion door. Family packs, 12 tickets for the price of 9 , are $33.75 and available at pavilions, and can be purchased in advance starting July 16th at Cambrian Credit Union branches. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Folklorama welcomes tours for individauls, groups of 15 or more, and groups with special needs. Please call 1-800-0234 or (204) 982-6210 for more information. I hope to see you all there, if the Event is anything like the Media Launch that I attended this past Thursday ( photos below )then we should all have a BLAST !!