NEW CHRISTIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL BRINGS CAPE BRETON ALIVE WITH THE OAK RIDGE BOYS
Sydney, NS - Organizers and supporters of a unique new festival gathered Wednesday, February 25, 2009 to officially launch details and announce entertainment headliners.
Alive on the Island - Festival of Christian Unity will be held August 28-30, 2009 showcasing celebrated Christian artists and bringing together Christians from various backgrounds under a common theme of unity.
For the inaugural year, many of the events will be held in the downtown core of Sydney, with intentions in future years to host shows in other communities within Cape Breton.
"Alive on the Island is a festival about Christian unity," says Brian Murray, Chair of the Cape Breton Christian Music Festival Society. "We're bringing together people and musicians from various backgrounds to celebrate the universal power of the Gospel."
After much anticipation, Pat Moore, Festival Community Relations Manager proudly announced that one of the festival's headline acts will be The Oak Ridge Boys. The group is widely known for having one of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in the music industry. The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of The Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of hits including Elvira, Bobbie Sue and Thank God For Kids, but they also have recorded numerous Gospel albums and this show will showcase that repertoire.
"We're thrilled to have The Oak Ridge Boys play a lead entertainment role in our inaugural festival," says Moore. "The group's roots and strong background in Gospel music makes them a perfect fit for the Alive on the Island Festival."
Moore also announced other acclaimed acts such as The Burke Family, Starfield and Life Support.
The ECMA award winning Burke Family are local favourites who now have three albums to their credit.
With six albums to their credit, Starfield is currently touring in the United States and have been nominated for the 2009 Junos. This past fall the group won in six categories at the Canadian Gospel music awards.
The local East Coast band Life Support is up for an ECMA in the Gospel category this year. The group's second album has also landed them a 2009 JUNO nomination.
"We have what some would consider the hottest Christian rock band in Eastern Canada and the hottest Christian rock group in Western Canada," exclaims Murray.
When established, it is anticipated that Alive on the Island will be the largest annual event of its kind in Eastern Canada, attracting people of all ages and backgrounds from regional and national niche markets in Christian music. In the initial year, festival organizers are conservatively forecasting an attendance of 4,500 with expectations for these numbers to grow annually.
While there are a number of large Christian music festivals in the United States, Cape Breton's event is different because of the Island's renowned hospitality, unique natural setting and the festival's firm focus on unity.
The unity theme will bring Christians of various backgrounds together in an ecumenical spirit, both with the talent on stage and with those who attend.
"This festival is an open invitation to anyone and everyone looking to connect," says Pat Moore, Festival Community Relations Manager. "From personal, musical and spiritual connections to a connection with the unique natural setting here in Cape Breton, we're providing the backdrop for people to connect and unite as Christians."
Festival organizers also acknowledged the valuable contributions from volunteers and funding partners who helped make the event a reality. While organizers are still confirming additional sponsors and funding partners, they proudly announced a significant contribution from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation. ECBC has committed $600,000 over three years to support the success of this niche event and its positive impact on the Island's economy.
In the coming months leading up to the event, organizers will make regular announcements to share additional details including ticket information and other programming highlights which promise to satisfy the soulful needs of both residents and visitors. Interested participants should visit www.aliveontheisland.ca regularly for more information and ongoing updates.
Alive on the Island is presented by the Cape Breton Christian Music Festival Society. The society relies on the commitment and support of its volunteers, sponsors and funding partners including Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.
For more information, please contact:
Terry Smith
tel: 902-565-6880
email: terry@aliveontheisland.com
www.AliveOnTheIsland.com
