MAY 2008 ROGERS CENTRE EVENT NEWSLETTER
Rogers Centre News, a monthly publication, is brought to you with the latest news and information on events at Rogers Centre.
MAY BRINGS TOGETHER THE MOST MUSICAL TALENT UNDER ONE ROOF AT ROGERS CENTRE
After sweeping up at the 20-Minute Makeover and Juno Awards in April, Rogers Centre rolls out the red carpet for a busy May month. From legendary singers of the 50's and 60's to the hottest rap artist of the year and international superstars as well, Rogers Centre is pulling out all the stops for four spectacular concert events.
QUICKLINKS:
NOT SO SLO: FLO RIDA CONTINUES HIS CHART-TOPPING SUCCESS WITH LIVE CONCERT
ROGERS CENTRE SECURITY OFFICER WINS JUNO AWARD
CHART TOPPERS OF THE 50'S AND 60'S BRING MORE THAN #1 HITS TO THE STAGE
GREEN AND CLEAN: ROGERS CENTRE PARTICIPATES IN 20-MINUTE MAKEOVER
LEO KU BRINGS MAGIC MOMENTS TO TORONTO FOR HIS ONLY CANADIAN TOUR STOP
SOUTH ASIAN STARS DESCEND ON ROGERS CENTRE FOR MEGA SHOW
TORONTO BLUE JAYS SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
FLO RIDA AND FRIENDS DANITY KANE, DAY 26 & DONNIE KLANG TURN UP THE HEAT
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| Flo Rida and Danity Kane Make their Canadian Debut |
Dominating dance floors, music charts and ringtone downloads, FLO RIDA brings his irresistible hooks and beats to Rogers Centre for an energy-filled live show. Teaming up with P. Diddy’s Making the Band protégés DANITY KANE, DAY 26 and DONNIE KLANG, FLO RIDA rolls into Toronto on Monday, July 14, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
FLO RIDA catapulted onto the music scene with the release of his infectious single LOW. Working in the industry for a number of years, the massive success of Low has garnered FLO RIDA international attention as the next mega rap superstar. Enlisting the creative forces of Timbaland, Will.i.am,and Sean Kingston, FLO RIDA recently released his debut album, MAIL ON SUNDAY, to great fanfare.
Winning P. Diddy over with their vocal talents, desire to win and musicianship was only the first step for DANITY KANE, DAY 26 and DONNIE KLANG. Since appearing on different seasons of MTV’s Making the Band, these performers have burst onto the music scene with soulful harmonies, sexy songs and strong vocals. Choosing Toronto for their first North American show in advance of the Making the Band Tour USA 2008, DANITY KANE, DAY 26 and DONNIE KLANG get the crowd going with their energized opening sets.
Tickets for the concert, ranging from $20.00 - $89.00, are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre – Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-870-8000 or online. Groups of 20 or more are encouraged to contact the Group Sales Office via e-mail.
Tickets that were originally purchased for the May 9 concert date will be honoured on July 14, 2008.
JUNO AWARD WINNING BAND HAS ROGERS CENTRE CONNECTION
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| FATHEAD accepts second career Juno at 2008 Awards in Calgary |
John Mays’ name is synonymous with professional and courteous service at the Rogers Centre’s Loading Bay. Hand him a microphone and his name resonates as the lead vocalist in the talented and Juno award winning blues band FATHEAD.
There was no need to sing the blues in Calgary at this year’s Juno Awards as John and FATHEAD took to the stage after winning their second career Juno. They enthusiastically accepted the 2008 BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR award for their latest release Building Full of Blues. This win adds to their lengthy list of accomplishments, including a Juno win nine years ago for their album Blues Weather.
"It’s a good feeling to hold that Juno," says Mays. "Our fans made this win possible and we can’t wait to return the appreciation with our live shows."
FATHEAD is a multi-award winning band that has played the top blues rooms, concert halls and music festivals from coast to coast. Steeped heavily in the blues, their music blends elements of R&B, funk and soul, and possesses a distinctive ensemble sound. The band members are leader Al Lerman (harp, sax, vocals), Omar Tunnoch (bass, vocals), John Mays (lead vocals), Darran Poole (guitar) and Bucky Berger (drums).
Building Full of Blues represents the band at its core with solid grooves, soul drenched melodies and compelling songwriting.
To learn more about the band visit them online.
LEGENDS STILL GOING STRONG: 50's and 60's COME TO LIFE IN NOSTALGIA FILLED DAY
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| Legendary voices of the 50s & 60s appear on stage for one night only |
What do CHUBBY CHECKER, FRANKIE AVALON, THE SHIRELLES and MARY WILSON of THE SUPREMES all have in common? Number 1 hit songs that propelled them to superstar status and made them the driving force behind some of the best music to come out of the 50’s and 60’s.
Fans of these celebrated performers have one night to see them live on stage in Legends of the 50’s & 60’s happening Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. This exclusive engagement honours two decades of music that proved instrumental in bringing new sounds and styles to modern music.
CHUBBY CHECKER brought The Twist to life and reigned over the charts and dance floors after getting his first #1 hit in 1960. FRANKIE AVALON had back to back #1 hits in 1959 and made the girls swoon with his teen idol good looks and smooth voice. THE SHIRELLES asked the question Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow in 1961 and fans responded with a resounding yes sending the track up the charts to #1. THE SUPREMES dominated the charts during their career thanks to MARY WILSON’S powerful vocals. The string of #1’s began in 1964 with Where Did Our Love Go and the hits continued with each single released.
Legends of the 50’s & 60’s brings together phenomenal talent and the chance to relive the heyday of a musical revolution. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your favourite guy or girl and make the scene.
Tickets for the concert, ranging from $40.00 - $89.00, are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre – Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-870-8000 or online. Groups of 20 or more are encouraged to contact the Group Sales Office via e-mail.
*As an added bonus, guests purchasing a ticket to the Legends Of The 50’s & 60’s concert are automatically granted entry to the Classic Car Show.
50’s & 60’s CLASSIC CAR SHOW SCREAMS INTO ROGERS CENTRE
In town this Victoria Day long weekend? Well, rev up your engines and burn rubber to Rogers Centre for a trip down memory lane. On Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., the coolest collection of vintage cars from the 50’s & 60’s will be on display.
Gleaming chrome grilles, fabulous fins and marvellous muscle cars were all the rage in the 50’s & 60’s. Some of the most visually impressive automobiles were the product of these two decades and instantly invoke memories of soda shops, poodle skirts and drag races.
Tickets, only $20 for adults (children 12 years of age and under can enter free of charge) are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre – Gate 7, online or charge by phone at 416-870-8000.
ROGERS CENTRE PARTICIPATES IN 20-MINUTE MAKEOVER CHALLENGE
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| Cassandra and Luis help keep Toronto beautiful |
Twenty minutes can make a world of difference and the facility staff from Rogers Centre did just that in support of Mayor David Miller’s 20-Minute Makeover initiative. On Friday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m., a team of 10 took to the street armed with litter bags, gloves and brooms to spruce up key areas surrounding Rogers Centre.
"We want to keep the outside of the building in the same clean condition as inside," said WAYNE SILLS, Director, Facility Services. "The city of Toronto issued this challenge and we were ready to accept."
High volume pedestrian traffic flowing in and around Rogers Centre, and a messy winter, caused some debris to build-up and left the area looking dull. Sills and his team looked at the 20-Minute Makeover as an opportunity to pitch in and help beautify one of the more visible public spaces in the city.
Virginia Douglas, Supervisor, Facility Services organized the team including Cassandra, Phyllis, Bernardino, Saida, Mhylene, Harold, Romel, Shawn, Desmond, Rui, and Louis, and scouted the areas that needed the most work.
"A good spring cleaning brightens up the entire area," said Douglas. "The team really rolled up their sleeves and made a difference."
Coffee cups and cigarette butts were the main culprit though they were no match for the high-energy crew who filled six large garbage bags in the 20 minute time frame. Not content to just pick up the litter, brooms and dustpans were put to good use, bringing an extra sparkle to the area.
Thanks to the care and dedication of the crew, John Street Bridge, Salmon Run and the Loading Dock ramp got a thorough spring cleaning and showed Toronto how a little pride and extra work can go a long way.
INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR RETURNS TO TORONTO
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| Leo Ku brings Magic Moments to Toronto with his international show |
Honoured with his own statue at Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong, there will be nothing waxen about Cantopop and Mandopop mega performer LEO KU when he takes to the Rogers Centre stage. The Magic Moments 2008 Tour promises to be a true extravaganza of singing, dancing and spectacular sets on Friday, May 30, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
It’s no small feat to end up immortalized in wax but the flourishing career of KU stood out for the internationally-renowned Madame Tussauds. Extending an invitation to the platinum selling superstar, KU soon found himself on permanent display at the wax museum.
One of the recipients of the Hong Kong 2005 "Ten Outstanding Young Persons" award, KU was a natural choice to be immortalized in wax. To add additional flare to the piece, an animated character he created, named "Kubi", joins him in the exhibition which also includes an Interactive Comic Game.
These achievements have come as the result of hard work and a lengthy career in the music industry. Since 1992, KU has released close to 30 albums with many of them reaching double platinum status. An accomplished television and film actor in China, KU used his considerable experience to transition into America cinema with vocal roles in Hercules, Stuart Little, Stuart Little 2 and Robots.
This combination of talent and experience culminates in the spectacular Magic Moments 2008 concert. An evening of spectacular costumes and performances await fans as KU takes to the stage in Toronto for only the second time in his career. Special guest stars joining KU, THERESA FU, KARY NG, TERENCE SIUFAY and NO.6 HUMAN BEAT BOX, help to bring a little extra magic to the evening.
Tickets for the concert, ranging from $38.00 - $128.00, are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre – Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-870-8000 or online. Groups of 20 or more are encouraged to contact the Group Sales Office via e-mail.
MEGA STARS NIGHT PACKS MEGA STAR POWER
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| Little Superstar Simbu is one of many to bring mega talent to Rogers Centre |
Live music, dance and special performances dazzle audiences at the MEGA STAR NIGHT happening Saturday, May 31 at 6:00 p.m. The largest ensemble of Kollywood Cinema entertainers, including movie stars LITTLE SUPERSTAR SIMBU and KAATHAL SANTHAY, come together to celebrate the best of South Asian culture.
The flourishing Kollywood Cinema Scene boosts a strong fan base and wide distribution for its movies. Popular in Japan and developing a following in Canada and the UK, Kollywood Cinema set records in 2007 by releasing 105 movies in one year.
A special appearance by the cast of the hit dance shows "Jodi Number 1" and "Maan Aada Mayil Aada" are sure to get people moving in the aisles. The reality dance show that has four celebrity couples and four regular couples compete, "Jodi Number 1" has become a huge success on Indian television and recently wrapped its second season. The talented members of "Maan Aada Mayil Aada" also bring their dance skills from this number 1 show to the stage.
Tickets for the concert, ranging from $25.00 - $100.00, will be available shortly via all Ticketmaster distribution channels. Visit us often for updated event details.
BLUE JAYS HOPE TO UNCOVER HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
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| Team wants to celebrate every win with packed house |
The Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in unfamiliar territory heading into the second month of the season. The American League East Division has been turned upside down a bit as Toronto finds themselves in last place while Baltimore and Tampa fight it out for top spot.
Toronto will face four different opponents over 14 games at home including emerging Tampa Bay.
The Toronto Blue Jays will play the following games in May:
May 2 - 5 vs Chicago White Sox
May 6 - 8 vs Tampa Bay Rays
May 20 - 22 vs Los Angeles Angels
May 23 - 26 vs Kansas City Royals
For complete season coverage, visit the Blue Jays online.
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.