APRIL EVENTS NEWSLETTER
Rogers Centre News, a monthly publication, is brought to you with the latest news and information on events at Rogers Centre.
ROGERS CENTRE COMES OUT OF THE COLD TO WELCOME BACK THE BOYS OF SUMMER
The sounds of baseball have been travelling north from the spring home of the Blue Jays in Dunedin, FL as they prepare to open the 2009 regular season. In less than a week, the sound of a bat crushing a ball out of the park or the scream of fans excited by another called third strike will fill the air at Rogers Centre as Roy Halladay, Vernon Wells and Alex Rios lead their team into competition. With the Boys of Summer back, and a sizzling hot summer concert schedule that includes visits by Coldplay, The Jonas Brothers and U2, Rogers Centre guests can leave the winter blues behind for good.
QUICKLINKS:
LET’S PLAY BALL
CLASSIC MEETS CONTEMPORARY FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY
CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO GET, HOW TO GET TO…
VIVA LA ROGERS CENTRE
BROTHERLY BOND GOES GLOBAL
U2 GET 'ROUND TO ROGERS CENTRE FOR A 360° PERFORMANCE
CUTTING BACK ON ENERGY CONSUMPTION ONE HOUR AT A TIME
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME! OPENING NIGHT HAS ARRIVED
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| Canada’s team flies home to open season |
The BLUE JAYS open the 33rd season of Major League Baseball in Toronto on Monday, April 6 at 7:15 p.m. as they take on the DETROIT TIGERS in the first of a four game series.
Manager Cito Gaston, who posted a 51-37 record to close out the 2008 campaign, is ready at the starting line to lead his young but hungry team into battle in the always competitive American League East Division. Returning a core group of highly talented players, Toronto is led by All-Star Roy Halladay, Alex Rios and Vernon Wells. The Blue Jays also welcome back second baseman Aaron Hill who missed last season due to injury. Joining these veterans is a group of talented prospects who have been impressing coaches and scouts alike in Spring Training.
The Blue Jays play ten home games this month as they face the Oakland Athletics (April 17-19) and Texas Rangers (April 21-23) in addition to the Detroit Tigers. Nothing sounds more like summer than the boisterous Let’s Go Blue Jays chants emanating from every seat at Rogers Centre, a ball being launched over the outfield wall or the sweet silence of a pitcher striking out the competition in order.
Get an early shot at summer by picking your favourite players, getting out your foam finger and team spirit from the back of the closet and head down to Rogers Centre as the action heats up on the base paths.
For more information on great ticket options, game day giveaways and all the insider news you can use on the team, visit bluejays.com today. Purchase your opening night tickets online or by calling 416-341-1234. You can also visit the Blue Jays ticket windows at Rogers Centre – Gate 9 or go to your nearest Rogers Plus store.
ROGERS CENTRE HOSTS THE FIRST PERFORMANCE OF YUVAN-LIVE IN CONCERT
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| Yuvan brings his unique hip hop sound to Rogers Centre |
With his finger on the pulse of new musical trends, YUVAN SHANKAR RAJA has gathered legions of Kollywood film fans with his fusion of hip-hop, techno, club and Tamil music. This fresh and innovative approach to composition comes to life as YUVAN prepares for the first concert of his career. On Saturday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m., accompanied by a host of singers and dancers, YUVAN - LIVE IN CONCERT performs for the first time on the Rogers Centre stage.
A prolific composer and songwriter who burst onto the Tamil music scene in 1997, YUVAN quickly developed an unprecedented reputation for his creative soundtracks. The son of a critically acclaimed Indian film composer, YUVAN was introduced to classical Tamil music at an early age. He then began to experiment with new sounds and styles to blend classic with contemporary and tradition with techno. As a result he became a much-sought after film composer who could create a magical soundtrack while connecting with youth who were embracing hip-hop sounds.
With his connection to film and youth, YUVAN has provided the score for countless movies and won numerous awards in his career. The first Indian composer to win an award outside of India for a background score, the accolades and adoration continue to grow for this talented musician.
Taking the same inventive approach to his first live performance as his film composing, YUVAN has included performances by top Indian singers and dancers for his YUVAN - LIVE IN CONCERT. Accompanied by artists such as HARIHARAN, SHANKAR MAHADEVAN, VIJAY YESUDAS, SANA KHAN and MEENAKSHI, the evening will become especially poignant when his father ILAIYARAAJA also performs.
Tickets priced at $40.00; $70.00; and $100.00 are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre - Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-870-8000 or online.
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT WITH POSSIBILITY FOR ELMO AND HIS SESAME STREET FRIENDS
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| Elmo asks “What should I be when I grow up?” |
Thinking about all the wonderful things he can do when he’s older, ELMO heads straight to SESAME STREET to tell his friends. Everyone starts to wonder the same thing and through teamwork and imagination the cast of loveable characters take us on a musical show-and-tell journey in SESAME STREET LIVE: WHEN ELMO GROWS UP. The fun starts on FRIDAY, MAY 22 and runs through SUNDAY, MAY 24 with seven performances at various times at Rogers Centre.
It’s a day of discovery for the Sesame Street friends as they dream about the endless possibilities of what they can become. GROVER sets his sights on becoming a police officer while BERT and ERNIE plan to be forest rangers. For TELLY, a cowboy is the thing to be and ABBY CADABBY sets her sights on becoming a fairy godmother.
Through song and dance, children learn that with the power of imagination, teamwork and perseverance they can achieve great things. Along with the friends from Sesame Street, come down to Rogers Centre and discover what you will be when you grow up!
Tickets go on-sale starting at 10:00 a.m. on April 13 via all Ticketmaster distribution channels including online, charge by phone at 416-870-8000 or at the Rogers Centre – Gate 7 Box Office. Ticket are available for $20.00 and $30.00 with a limited number of $43.00 Gold Circle seats also available.
For more information on the show, please visit the official website.
GRAMMY AWARD WINNING MUSIC, UNIVERSAL APPEAL AND A BIT OF YELLOW BRING COLDPLAY TO STAGE
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| Coldplay add heat to the summer concert schedule |
COLDPLAY return to Toronto in support of their Grammy award winning album VIVA LA VIDA. Still topping charts since its June 2008 release, VIVA LA VIDA has been embraced by fans eager to hear new tunes which have become classic favourties. On THURSDAY, JULY 30 at 7:30 p.m. COLDPLAY steps onto the Rogers Centre stage for a tour de force concert and memorable performance.
Known for their enthusiastic and fan-friendly concerts, COLDPLAY once again taps into their boisterous energy to bring VIVA LA VIDA to life. With each band member rocking colourful French Revolution-inspired uniforms, acoustic sets that bring the band up close with their fans in the farthest sections of any venue and thousands of transparent confetti butterflies, this is one show not to be missed.
Keen to share the new material with fans, but equally aware that some of their classic songs are just as popular, COLDPLAY gives the audience a bit of new, a bit of old and everything in between.
Prepare for an evening of British charm and stellar musical performance under one spectacular roof.
Tickets, priced at $39.50; $79.50 and $99.50, are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre – Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-870-8000 or online.
THE JONAS BROTHERS WORLD TOUR 2009 MARKS THE BAND’S MOST AMBITIOUS PRODUCTION TO DATE
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| Feel the force of these supercharged engines |
Hit makers and heartbreakers, the JONAS BROTHERS are the latest boy band to amass legions of fans and enjoy off the chart record success. These talented brothers, who write and perform their own music, bring their high energy rock pop to life for their latest show THE JONAS BROTHERS WORLD TOUR 2009. Set to take the stage at Rogers Centre on SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 at 7:30 p.m., fans can expect to hear their favourite tunes along with material from their upcoming album.
Chart-topping albums, a hit movie, a 3-D concert movie and their own television show: it’s easy to see why the JONAS BROTHERS reign supreme with the teens. After independently developing and honing their musical talents, NICK, JOE and KEVIN came together to form their group. Since 2006 they have enjoyed many successes and are constantly finding ways to keep their fans entertained. Their love of writing and performing has garnered them a huge fan base which continues to grow in popularity with each new record and tour.
Determined to give their fans the best concert of the summer, the JONAS BROTHERS have set out to create a stage show that is both fun and interactive. Combining cutting edge technology, laser effects and a one-of-a-kind circular water screen with catchy songs on a 140-foot plus stage, this is a performance fans will remember for years to come.
Supported by the talented American Idol winner JORDIN SPARKS and new sensations HONOR SOCIETY get ready to rock out this summer at Rogers Centre.
Tickets, priced at $15.50; $29.50; $65.50; $85.50 and $95.50 are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre - Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-870-8000 or online.
CONSUMATE MUSICAL LEADERS: EPIC IRISH ROCK BAND UNVEIL UNIQUE STAGE
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| U2 creates another spectacular stage show in latest world tour |
A band whose place has already been firmly cemented in the history of music, U2 returns with another chart-topping release and legendary tour. Breaking charts, boundaries and records, the Irish quartet have once again created an album with soaring melodies and an accompanying tour that reinvents the concert-going experience.
Kicking off the North American portion of their 360° TOUR in early September, U2 commands the stage at Rogers Centre for two nights. Enjoying overwhelming response to their Tour announcement, U2 recently added a second stop to their Toronto schedule as they perform on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 and THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 at 7:00 p.m. Fans should be prepared get on your boots and rock out with the biggest band in the world.
The release of NO LINE ON THE HORIZON marks U2’s 12th studio album as they once again enjoy hit after hit with their fans and peers alike. A career filled with unparalleled success, acclaim and awards too numerous to mention, the group has never strayed from providing fans with spectacular live performances. This tour is no different as they dedicate themselves to once again transforming the concert-going experience for their legions of fans.
Intentionally designed to bring fans closer to their music heroes, the 360° Tour concept ensures every guest enjoys an unobstructed view of the stage and allows U2 to play stadium shows in the round. Fans get the rare opportunity to feel up close with the group while basking in the power and sound of an immense live show.
The masterminds behind rock tours that have broken boundaries and reinvented the concert-going experience, U2 once again creates an unrivalled stage show for the 360° Tour. This innovated show design was created by the band’s long-time show director WILLIE WILLIAMS and made a reality by architect MARK FISHER who also worked on the ZOOTV, POPMART, ELEVATION and VERTIGO tours.
With an opening performance by SNOW PATROL, a breakthrough band that has gathered fans and accolades in abundance since releasing their first album in 2003, this is an event that should be on everyone’s horizon.
Tickets, priced at $32.00; $97.00 and $252.00 for reserved seating and $57.00 general admission floor seating, are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre – Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-870-8000 or online.
ROGERS CENTRESHOWS SUPPORT FOR EARTH HOUR 2009
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| Rogers Centre flipped the switch for for Earth Hour 2009 |
It started in Australia and time-zone by time-zone swept the globe until nearly 4,000 cities turned out or dimmed their lights in response to EARTH HOUR. From 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, citizens and corporations did their part to show solidarity in the need for action on climate change.
EARTH HOUR began in 2007 as a lone event in Sydney, Australia where people across the city conserved electricity. By 2008 that number jumped to over 350 cities, including Toronto, who helped raise awareness of the event and send a message on the importance of climate protection. The massive surge in 2009 participants showed the world that now is the time to stand up and help fight global warming.
Rogers Centre was thrilled to participate for the second year in a row. Turning off all exterior lighting including roof and signage lights, Rogers Centre showed Toronto that the stadium is committed to making, and maintaining, environmental change.
The decision to participate was made in conjunction with FELD Motorsports, who was hosting a MONSTER ENERGY AMA SUPERCROSS race on the same night. Keeping the safety needs of fans, riders and staff inside the venue as a top priority, the decision to turn off the exterior lighting sent a strong visual message about both organizations’ commitment to the cause. At the same time, educational Earth Hour messages were also played for spectators.
EARTH HOUR garnered massive global support in 2009 and this worldwide contribution will continue to grow in the coming months and years as everyone participates individually, as a community and as a nation.