January 2008 Rogers Centre Newsletter
Rogers Centre News, a monthly publication, is brought to you with the latest news and information on events at Rogers Centre.
NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW LEVEL OF EXCITEMENT FOR ROGERS CENTRE
The holidays are soon coming to a screeching halt with the New Year upon us. Depending on the schedule you kept during this time, you may feel like you need a vacation, a night out to yourself, or just some good ‘ol fashion fun and distraction. Whatever your motives, Rogers Centre has a variety of events for you to enjoy in January; each unique in its own way.
On behalf of everyone at Rogers Centre, we wish you and your family a wonderful 2008 filled with many heart warming memories and lots of laughter.
QUICKLINKS:
AMERICAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL CROSSES THE BORDER
MONSTER TRUCKS, MONSTER THRILLS, MONSTER EXCITEMENT
2007 CALENDAR OF EVENTS DRAWS EXTRAORDINARY ATTENDANCE AT ROGERS CENTRE
RECORDS BROKEN WITH RIEU PERFORMANCE; SHOW UNLIKE ANY OTHER
OTHER 2008 EVENTS ON THE CALENDAR
NCAA FOOTBALL RETURNS TO TORONTO
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| Big East and MAC teams compete for Bowl Title |
The 2008 edition of the International Bowl features Big East Rutgers Scarlet Knights versus the upstart MAC representative Ball State. In what is already being called a David versus Goliath match-up, these two teams will battle it out on the gridiron on Saturday, January 5, 2008 at noon. The game will be carried live in the United States on ESPN2 while Rogers Sportsnet will broadcast in Canada. The FAN590 will be calling the action from the radio booth.
In their first appearance at a Bowl game in 11 years, Ball State, under fifth year Head Coach Brady Hoke, will look to secure a win for the Mid-American Conference. Rutgers, making their third consecutive bowl appearance looks to keep the Big East win streak alive. Last year, Cincinnati held off Western Michigan to claim the inaugural International Bowl crown.
In addition to the football game, there are many fan activities that will take place in the city during the week leading up to the big game. From pep rallies, band sound-offs and traditional tourist visits, Toronto will be painted in Rutgers and Ball State Red by all its fans and supporters. Join the fun and take part in the festivities.
Under seven year head coach Greg Schiano, Rutgers has enjoyed tremendous success on the football field. They finished the 2006 season as the 12th-ranked team in the nation posting an 11 – 2 overall record. On their way to becoming the 2006 Texas Bowl Champions, the Scarlet Knights set school attendance records and was the only school to have all 13 games nationally televised.
Rutgers has three players on its roster from Canada. Brothers Jamaal and Jawann Westerman (Brampton, Ontario) and Jonathan Pierre-Etienne (Montreal, Quebec) all hail from Canada.
At the helm for Ball State is five year head coach Brady Hoke. A four-year football letterman at Ball State University, he has been on a mission to see the Cardinals at the top of the rankings every year. So far he has been successful in his quest.
Rutgers, known as the birthplace of college football, played the first ever intercollegiate football game in 1869 when they hosted Princeton. In this match-up, Rutgers will take to foreign soil for the second time in school history. In 1989, they faced Pittsburgh in the Emerald Isle Classic played in Dublin, Ireland.
Whichever teams win, they will be able to claim bragging rights to the history between the two schools. Having faced each other on one other occasion, the 1989 meeting ended in a 31-31 tie.
For more information, including football fan activities are available online.
To purchase your tickets and see all the action live, call Ticketmaster at 416-872-5000 or visit Ticketmaster.
MONSTER JAM STARS ARE BACK TO CRUSH THE COMPETITION
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| Man tries to tame machine at Rogers Centre |
Grave Digger, Monster Mutt and Superman lead a world class line-up of trucks and drivers to Rogers Centre for a night of unforgettable and entertaining competition.
Monster Jam’s roaring engines, crushing sounds and high flying freestyle competition returns to Rogers Centre on Saturday, January 19 and Sunday, January 20, 2008. The top ten trucks from the Monster Jam Series will entertain fans with unbelievable jumps, stunts and even some thrills and spills. Expect the unexpected every time the trucks leave the starting line.
On Saturday, Rogers Centre will host the action packed Pit Party from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.. Get a behind the scenes look at the monstrous machines and the fearless drivers who try to tame them each night. This is your chance to interact with drivers, take photos and collect autographs.
Returning this year is the crowd favourite Demolition Derby and Quad Wars. Local and international talent will showcase their crushing talent while stomping out the competition.
Tickets are $27.00 and $22.00 for adults while all children’s tickets (ages 2 – 12) are just $15.00. We are also offering unique Super Value Seats (located on the north side of the 200 Level) for just $15.00. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre – Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-870-8000 or purchase online at Ticketmaster.
Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to contact the Group Sales Office via e-mail or call 416-341-2255.
2007 CALENDAR OF EVENTS DRAWS EXTRAORDINARY ATTENDANCE NUMBERS AT ROGERS CENTRE
Thanks to an extremely busy events calendar filled with diverse and entertaining concerts, family events, sport competitions, trade shows and more, Rogers Centre welcomed the world in 2007 as it opened it doors to more than 3.4 million spectators.
The number increases when you consider all the other visitors that visited Rogers Centre as part of the Rogers Center Tour Experience or due to a private event or meeting being held under the domed roof.
Rogers Centre takes pride in the fact that you choose to spend your discretionary income on event tickets and continues to book events that are of interest to you. Creating a new Guest Services and Fan Experience Department, Rogers Centre continues to work hard at providing guests with first-class enjoyment each time you enter the facility.
RIEU DAZZLES AUDIENCE WITH GRAND PERFORMANCE
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| Over 50,000 fans enjoyed a Romantic Viennese Night |
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| Rieu and orchestra arrive in grand style |
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| Skaters, dancers and musicians provided hours of entertainment |
With his trademark flair and opulence, André Rieu, charmed his fans and admirers on the opening night of his new world stadium tour at Rogers Centre. The undisputed current King of Waltz, Rieu created a romantic Vienna night in the heart of downtown Toronto thanks to the magnificent Imperial Palace of Schönbrunn acting as both stage, ballroom and even indoor ice rink.
From the moment he took the stage, having made his grand entrance by horse drawn carriage, the audience knew they would be in for a treat.
Mixing classical Strauss waltzes with Christmas jingles and even a little modern day movie and theatrical scores, Rieu was able to capture the magic of music and the joy of romance.
"We've never been received so warmly as here in the Rogers Centre in Toronto," began Rieu at the start of the show. "And therefore we want to thank them with the most beautiful tunes."
In addition to the unbelievable stage build that was the centrepiece of the show, Rieu and his creative team found a way to incorporate into the show such things as 96 chandeliers, two working fountains whose water danced along to the music as the spectators did, two specially designed ice rinks on which Canadian Junior Pairs Teams showcased their talents, and a ballroom overlooking the orchestra on which the Imperial Ballet of Vienna pirouetted.
If that was not enough to keep the audience riveted, there was even a flying Australian angel whose voice was sweeter than any other heard all night.
Together with his 50 member Johann Strauss Orchestra, and male and female solo singers, Rieu successfully challenged the classical music conventions and opened the eyes of a new generation of fans.
OTHER 2008 EVENTS ON THE CALENDAR
14th ANNUAL ROUND-THE-CLOCK SLO-PITCH TOURNAMENT
Calling all Slo-Pitch teams and players! Rogers Centre, in conjunction with Slo-Pitch Ontario, will be hosting the recreational co-ed slo-pitch tournament from January 11 – 13, 2008.
No matter the division in which you participate, Competitive or Recreational, the emphasis will be on FUN. Teams must register for the tournament through Slo-Pitch Ontario how will be screening all entries.
Complete event details are available online.
CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL AUTOSHOW
The Canadian International AutoShow returns to Toronto from February 15 – 24, 2008 with exhibitions at both Rogers Centre and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
This is the 35th Annual event and continues to be the largest consumer show of any kind in Canada. With over 850,000 square feet of display space, there is something for every car enthusiast to enjoy.
Mazda, BMW, Ford, Honda/Acura, and Jaguar/LandRover will be the featured manufacturers at Rogers Centre.
Gates are open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. from February 15 – 23 and from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on February 24, 2008.
Tickets for the event will be on sale at Rogers Centre – Gate 7 Ticketmaster Box Office as well as on-site at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre during the event’s run. Tickets are $20.00 per adult and $7.00 for children ages 7 – 12. Children under the age of six are admitted free. A $40.00 family pass is also available. The pass is good for two adults and two children.
Groups of 20 or more are encouraged to contact the Group Sales Office via e-mail or call 416-341-2255.
DISNEY ON ICE UNVEILS PRINCESS CLASSICS FOR MARCH SHOW
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| Everyone deserves to feel like a princess for at least one night |
Be part of an amazing journey to the magical land of Disney’s classic fairy tales and enter the fantasy worlds of your favourite Disney princesses. This is a show that will entertain the little girl in all of us.
From March 19 – 24, 2008 Rogers Centre will be transformed to the most magical land on earth. Tickets go on sale February 9, 2008 via all Ticketmaster outlets, online and via phone.
AMA SUPERCROSS SERIES SELECTS TORONTO AS ONLY CANADIAN STOP
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| Only International Stop of Race Schedule |
Last season Chad Reed took the race win in front of now retired Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart.
Tickets range in price from $20.00 - $40.00 while children ages 2 – 12 pay only $15.00. They are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre – Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-870-8000 or purchase online at Ticketmaster.. Groups of 20 or more are encouraged to contact the Group Sales Office via e-mail or call 416-341-2255.
The items in this publication are intended for your information and should not be reproduced without the written permission from the Rogers Centre Communications Office.