AUGUST 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.
BULLDOZER, BATS AND BUFFALO BILLS: ROGERS CENTRE FILLS UP WITH FAN EXCITEMENT THIS AUGUST
Rogers Centre brings the roof down with some monumental events and announcements. History will be made when the Buffalo Bills play their first pre-season game, the Toronto Blue Jays add extra zing to the Civic Holiday with a post-game fireworks display and Monster Jam announces its roaring return for 2009.
QUICKLINKS:
LARGE AND IN CHARGE: THE AWESOME POWER OF MONSTER JAM IS BACK FOR 2009
SPARKS FLY ON MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2008 AT ROGERS CENTRE
NFL FANS COUNT DOWN THE DAYS UNTIL THE BUFFALO BILLS TAKE OVER TORONTO
BILLS TORONTO SERIES KICKS OFF WITH A FESTIVAL AT YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE
THE TORONTO ARGONAUTS DOMINATE WEST AND EAST THIS AUGUST
THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS AND THE HEART AND STROKE BRING CPR AWARENESS TO ROGERS CENTRE
EVENT RECAP: DEBUT OF THE UNFORGETTABLE TOUR BROUGHT CHEERING FANS TO THEIR FEET
BULLDOZING ITS WAY INTO THE HEART OF ROGERS CENTRE, MONSTER JAM RETURNS FOR 2009
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| Feel the force of these supercharged engines |
Burning rubber and crushing the competition, MONSTER JAM unleashes the untamed power of KAPTAIN INSANO, BULLDOZER, and OBSESSION onto the Rogers Centre track. For two full nights, these custom built monster trucks with their oversized tires and supercharged engines battle it out for dominance and victory. Come down on SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. and SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. to see these monsters in action as they clobber the competition.
Determined to flatten anything that gets in their way, it’s easy to see why these mechanical beasts get the name GRAVE DIGGER or SUPERMAN. Built to crush the average automobile, navigate obstacle courses and spin the truck around to make a “donut” these modified machines are equipped with everything from nitrogen shock absorbers to a full tubular chassis. Every enhancement helps when it comes to setting a new record for the biggest, baddest and boldest monster truck.
Taking the MONSTER JAM experience to a higher level, on SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2009 Rogers Centre hosts a PIT PARTY from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Fans hungry to see their favourite monster trucks and drivers up close and personal will have the chance to take photos, get autographs and be part of this untamed atmosphere.
Tickets are on sale now at the cost of $27.00 for adults and $15.00 for children (ages 2 – 12). Super Value Seats (located on the north side of the 100 Level and the 200 Level) are also available for just $18.00. Tickets 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.
Special Note: The truck line-up for this show will be determined and announced in the coming editions.
SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST: JAYS TAKE ON THE A’S AND CELEBRATE THE CIVIC HOLIDAY WITH POST-GAME FIREWORKS
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| Blue Jays light up the holiday with fireworks display |
This Civic Holiday long weekend the TORONTO BLUE JAYS have a great way to spend your day off. A classic series against the OAKLAND ATHLETICS begins and in celebration of the city of Toronto and the Civic Holiday, a post-game fireworks display is set to delight fans. The ballpark lights up on MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
Bats will be blazing as both teams enter this latest series with unfinished business. It was late May when the two teams last played against each other. They were tied until the final game in the series when the BLUE JAYS hit 17 runs and stifled the OAKLAND ATHLETICS 12-0. Monday will be the first game of their next series which also marks the return of slugger Frank Thomas.
Add a little sparkle to your holiday plans and head down to Rogers Centre for the perfect end to a perfect long weekend.
This month the Blue Jays host the Bronx Bombers as well as the defending World Series Champions, Boston in a six day, six game showdown with playoff implications. The following games will be played in August:
August 4 - 7 vs Oakland Athletics
August 8 - 10 vs Cleveland Indians
August 19 - 21 vs New York Yankees
August 22 - 24 vs Boston Red Sox
For complete season coverage, visit the Blue Jays online.
THE BUFFALO BILLS AND PITTSBURGH STEELERS GO HEAD TO HEAD ON ROGERS CENTRE FIELD FOR A PRESEASON GAME
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| The moment has finally arrived for NFL fans |
Anticipation has been building steadily for months and August brings the moment NFL fans have been waiting for: The debut of the BILLS TORONTO SERIES. The BUFFALO BILLS take on the 2007 American Football Conference North Division Champions, the PITTSBURGH STEELERS, on THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Ending the 2007 season with a record of 7-9 the BILLS are itching to hit the field and rattle their opponents. Under the direction of Head Coach Dick Jauron, and a revamped coaching staff, the BILLS warm up for the 2008 season ready to start fresh and test their mettle.
The STEELERS, who once before came to Ontario to play an exhibition game in 1960, mark their second visit with the hope and the drive to win. These 2005 SUPER BOWL champions are ready to have another strong season under the direction of Mike Tomlin, their new head coach.
The air will be electric as these NFL juggernauts make history at Rogers Centre.
Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre - Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-872-5000 or online. For VIP/Premium packages please click here. For luxury suite rental information, please call 1-888-860-3728.
Helpful visitor information about the area and stadium is available here.
BILLS TORONTO SERIES WON'T CONTROL THE CLOCK WHEN THEY BRING A FREE FOOTBALL FESTIVAL AND CONCERT OT YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE
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| Get ready for football excitement at festival party |
Blitzing downtown Toronto, the BILLS TORONTO SERIES prepares fans for the first in a series of eight games the BILLS will play at Rogers Centre by hosting the SAMSUNG BILLS TORONTO KICKOFF PARTY at Yonge-Dundas Square. This festival gives fans a chance to celebrate BILLS fever and break loose from the sidelines as the free football festival and concert sweeps the downtown core on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Bringing the best of football to the street level, the SAMSUNG BILLS TORONTO KICKOFF PARTY tackles fan enjoyment head on and guarantees to be a memorable night. Appearances by the 2008 BUFFALO JILLS for a pep rally and a performance by HEDLEY, Canada’s most dynamic live band, promises to get fans energized and electrified for the upcoming game. And a football party isn’t a party unless the new XBOX 360 EA SPORTS MADDEN NFL 09 game is available for fans to play. Along with the latest game in the XBOX catalogue, a BUFFALO BILLS chicken wing eating contest and NFL interactive football games gives added entertainment to the fan experience.
Once energized for the pre-season game, fans will be able to watch the BUFFALO BILLS take on the PITTSBURGH STEELERS on THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. This historical moment is the beginning of an eight game series that brings NFL football to fans from across Ontario.
For more information on the game, click here.
PLAYOFF RACE HEATS UP WITH TWO HOME GAMES AGAINST DIVISON RIVALS
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| Argos look to put stamp on division race |
Winnipeg cried the blues in June when the TORONTO ARGONAUTS trounced the BLUE BOMBERS on their home field. August brings a rematch and another chance for the ARGONAUTS to paint the town blue when they take on the WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS at Rogers Centre tonight (FRIDAY, AUGUST 1) at 7:00 p.m.
Emboldened by their win on Thursday, July 24, 2008, the BLUE BOMBERS achieved their first win of the season and hope to nab that second win in Toronto. The strategy of making strong plays worked well for them last week, but it will take more than that to fend off the ARGONAUTS.
Determined to leave the bitter taste of loss of their last game behind, the ARGONAUTS can almost taste their next win. After coming on strong against the SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS and gaining a good lead, the Boatmen were within inches of another win but it was not to be.
Turning their sights to the top of the leader board, the TORONTO ARGONAUTS play the MONTREAL ALOUETTES on FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. After their first and only preseason game ended in a tie, the ARGONAUTS are hungry for a win against Montreal. The ARGONAUTS have their eyes open for any weaknesses in their eastern opponents as they look to take over the top spot in the Division.
Individual game tickets are now on sale. Call the Argos at 416-341-ARGO or visit any Ticketmaster outlet, including Rogers Centre - Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-872-5000 or online.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MOMENTS: THE HEART AND STROKE CPR ANYTIME DAY TEACHES LIFESAVING TECHNIQUES
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| An extra 20 minutes can make a difference in saving a life |
Knowledge can make all of the difference in the world if a family member or a friend needs immediate CPR. Learning how to administer emergency, effective Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation takes less than half and hour and can increase the chances of surviving cardiac arrest. In support and awareness of the importance CPR training can provide, the TORONTO BLUE JAYS have dedicated their SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 game as the HEART AND STROKE CPR ANYTIME DAY.
With the HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION OF ONTARIO and TORONTO EMS in attendance, a post-game training seminar will take place on the field. Trained professionals will demonstrate the core CPR techniques to educate fans on how to successfully assist someone in distress. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating and the person is no longer breathing, and administering CPR immediately can improve the odds of survival by almost four times than without CPR.
Fans also have the opportunity to purchase a specially priced ticket to the game, with a portion of each ticket sold going towards the HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION OF ONTARIO. Participants will receive a HEART & STROKE CPR ANYTIME™ FAMILY & FRIENDS™ training kit that is designed to teach the core skills of CPR in just 22 minutes. Complete with a CPR learning manikin, CPR skills practice DVD, and an educational booklet, this kit provides valuable information and practice tools that helps the learning process.
Make SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 your day to not only catch a great game of baseball but also to learn, or refresh, the skills that could one day help save a life.
Visit bluejays.com for full details and to purchase tickets.
<<b>THE UNFORGETTABLE TOUR INVADED ROGERS CENTRE FOR AN EVENING OF BOLLYWOOD MAGIC AND SPECTACLE
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| Bollywood sparkle of Unforgettable Tour captured the hearts of fans |
Starting the evening off with a bang, THE UNFORGETTABLE TOUR made its international debut on Friday, July 18. As fireworks wreathed the stage in a blast of white light, performers took to the stage entertaining and delighting fans with the theatricality, music and kaleidoscopic colour of Bollywood movies.
Bringing together live music, video montages and dance sequences of traditional Indian-style moves and modern choreography, the evening was a visual delight. Performances by Bollywood legend, AMITABH BACHCHAN, his son ABHISHEK BACHCHAN, daughter-in-law AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN and Bollywood marquee actors PREITY ZINTA, RITESH DESHMUKH and AKSHAY KUMAR gave the evening a perfect combination of glitter, comedy and glamour.
The tour paid tribute to the actors best known roles as they recreated, in song and dance, scenes from their most popular movies. The most touching tribute of the evening was for AMITABH BACHCHAN whose entrance was preceded by a video retrospective of a movie career that has spanned 37 years and 150 movie roles. Fans went wild when BACHCHAN began singing with his trademark baritone and cheered enthusiastically when the first family of Bollywood royalty performed together.
Adding an extra twist which thrilled the crowd, ABHISHEK BACHCHAN honoured his father by recreating one of the elder BACHCHAN’s roles on stage. Complete with identical costume as seen in the movie clip that was used as a backdrop, the younger BACHCHAN was the image of his father during the performance. Joined by his wife AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN the newly married couple paid homage to the man considered a living legend in the Bollywood community.
For many in the audience, this was a chance to see the BACHCHAN family perform live on stage for the first time and they were not disappointed. Repeatedly thanking the audience for their love and support, the BACHCHAN’s created an evening that left a lasting impression on the crowd and memories for their fans.