JUNE 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 GOES FULL BLOOM THIS JUNE
June marks a milestone in Rogers Centre history! Turning the big 2-0, Rogers Centre continues to thrill and excite fans with outstanding events. This month is no exception as another fun-filled month of baseball begins and preparations for the hottest concerts of the summer get underway.
QUICKLINKS:
ROGERS CENTRE BLOWS OUT TWENTY CANDLES THIS JUNE
WHAT BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY THAN…
ONLY ONE DESTINATION IS MESSIN’ WITH RECESSION!
FAMILY ACT GETS COLDPLAY’S STAMP OF APPROVAL
ROGERS CENTRE BECOMES WORLD STAGE FOR KABADDI IN 2009
HOT NEW BAND GET TOP HONORS FROM THEIR FANS
FANS INVITED TO JOIN ROGERS CENTRE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
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| Rogers Centre turns twenty this June |
A new Toronto skyline was realized on June 3, 1989 when vision, ambition and the world’s first fully retractable roof was officially unveiled. Twenty years later, the stadium formally known as SKYDOME celebrates its birthday with a bang having achieved multiple milestones, created historical precedents and provided guests with a one-of-a kind experience. Head down to Rogers Centre in June and celebrate the stadium’s 20th birthday with a bang.
A landmark that has defined Toronto and created a striking profile in the city, Rogers Centre continues to grow as a premium sports and entertainment venue and world-class visitor destination. Able to host baseball, football and basketball games as well as numerous concerts, exhibitions and speaking engagements, not to mention a 350-room hotel overlooking the field, Rogers Centre has seen, done and hosted practically everything in its rich history.
Not sitting lightly on its laurels, Rogers Centre has continued to meet the needs of a variety of advancements from a technological and environmental standpoint. A state-of-the art videoboard is a focal point in the stadium and ENCELIUM lighting runs throughout the entire building to ensure efficient energy use. Even the 121 luxury suites got a green make-over to minimize unnecessary energy consumption. The stadium also made huge strides with recycling to include paper, bottles, metal and organic waste in its program.
And while the more things change, the more they stay the same, Rogers Centre will always hold a place in the hearts of visitors as a fantastic attraction, and the place where many memories were made and cherished.
Bring your birthday cheer down to Rogers Centre to re-visit some of those fond memories and make a few more as the stadium looks toward the next twenty years with anticipation.
ONLINE CONTEST BRINGS ROGERS CENTRE MEMORIES TO LIFE
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| Rogers Centre invites you to share your favourite stadium memories |
On June 3, Rogers Centre will officially turn 20 years old!
During the June 5-7 TORONTO BLUE JAYS home weekend against the KANSAS CITY ROYALS, many birthday inspired party favours will be part of the high flying baseball action.
In addition, www.rogerscentre.com will be launching an online contest for all visitors. Share with us your favourite memory of an event enjoyed at Rogers Centre and be automatically entered to win one of two great grand prize packages. Return anytime in June and look for the special contest icon for your chance to enter and win.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS BRING BANG FOR YOU BUCK ON SELECT DATES IN JUNE
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| Catch a break from the recession at select Blue Jays games in June |
Taking a swing at the current economy, the TORONTO BLUE JAYS are once again MESSIN’ WITH RECESSION this month. Value-priced admission tickets, $1 hot dogs and a $4 souvenir offer provide a world-famous ballpark experience at an exceptional price. On TUESDAY, JUNE 2, when the BLUE JAYS take on the LA ANGELS and MONDAY, JUNE 23, when the BLUE JAYS host the CINCINNATI REDS, Rogers Centre will be the best place to find a bit of recession relief.
A hit with fans when it debuted in April, MESSIN’ WITH RECESSION returns for another two games. With lots of sunny, warm weather in the forecast and tickets starting as low as $5 dollars in 500L seating, it is a night out everyone can enjoy. For the fan who likes to collect, on JUNE 2, souvenir BLUE JAYS flags are only $4 while on JUNE 22, it only costs $4 for a souvenir baseball. As the savings add up, a $1 hot dog will keep the in-game treats coming without putting a dent in the wallet.
With the recent recalls of RHP CASEY JANSSEN, INF JOE INGLETT and LHP RICKY ROMERO, both teams will face a new dimension in this second series vs. the LA ANGELS in 2009. In early May, ROY HALLADAY earned his sixth win of the season when he beat the LA ANGELS by a score of 13-1. However, the Angels came on strong to beat Toronto the next night behind the efforts of ANGELS starting pitcher JERED WEAVER. June marks the ANGELS first of two visits to Rogers Centre this season.
With the Philadelphia Phillies in town for the final series in June, the Blue Jays return the All-You-Can-Eat Weekend for fans to enjoy. Buy your game ticket in the specially designated area and enjoy all the hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, peanuts and pop you can handle.
With prices that cannot be beat and series full of intensity, mark TUESDAY, JUNE 2 on the calendar and head down to Rogers Centre.
The following games will be played in June:
June 2 - 4 vs LA Angels
June 5 - 7 vs Kansas City Royals
June 12 - 14 vs Florida Marlins
June 23 - 25 vs Cincinnati Reds
June 26 - 28 vs Philadelphia Phillies
June 29 – July 1 vs Tampa Bay Rays
Tickets sales information. Tickets are available at Rogers Centre – Gate 9, Rogers Plus video stores charge by phone at 416-341-1234 or online.
KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS HELP START THE SHOW FOR COLDPLAY
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| Siblings rock out as opening act for Coldplay |
Hosting a fan base which includes COLDPLAY’s lead singer CHRIS MARTIN, who personally handpicked them to join the band’s 2009 tour, North London band KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS are definitely worth a listen. This talented trio of musical siblings have been part of the U.K.’s musical circuit since they were pre-teens, and have developed a very loyal following. Heading across the pond, KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS are one of the opening acts that will warm up the audience when COLDPLAY bring their latest tour to Rogers Centre on THURSDAY, JULY 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Growing up in a household with a father who is a top recording engineer and a mother well-known for her drumming abilities, music surrounded Kitty, Daisy and Lewis from an early age. After an invitation to join their parents on stage and jam in 2002, Kitty, eight at the time, took over one drum and the hi-hat, Lewis, who was 10, picked up a banjo and Kitty, 12, grabbed the accordion and the first version of their band was born.
Since then, the siblings have mastered the guitar, piano, banjo, lap steel guitar, harmonica, double base and trombone and have gone on to become a key part of the British roots rock scene. They released their first single “Honolulu Rock” in 2005 and followed up in 2008 with their self-titled debut album.
A mixture of the covers their dad used to sing to them when they were children and new material, the band has created an exuberant disc that reflects the fun and passion of their live shows.
All under 25 years-old but with a wealth of musical experience and live performance to their credit, KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS are not to be missed when they bring their unique sound and high-energy to their opening set for COLDPLAY.
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.
CANADA KABADDI CUP 2009 CROWNS WORLD CHAMPION THIS AUGUST
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| Teamwork makes a strong defense in Kabaddi |
Part rugby, part tag and all stamina and lungpower KABADDI, the oldest game of Indian origin, demands athleticism, skill, speed and agility from each player. This sport, which has grown to great popularity in Europe, U.S.A., Canada, Australia and most of Asia brings world-wide participants to Rogers Centre for the CANADA KABADDI CUP 2009. This unique and thrilling game provides a day of excitement for spectators on SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 at 10:00 a.m.
Dating back to pre-historic times, KABADDI is believed to have come about as a way to practice warding off animal attacks. Each side has a team of seven with one side focusing on offense while the other side is on defense. Much like survival in pre-historic times, the defense must create a physical barrier to avoid being touched, or “attacked” by each individual who approaches from the other team. These opponents, known as raiders, then have to get back to their side without being trapped or captured by the team of seven defensemen.
An effective game to help pre-historic man train to avoid attacks from wild animals, the game evolved into one where princes would compete to show-off feats of strength and agility. Including elements for yoga and kung-fu to thwart the offense and defense alike, the game began incorporating elements of mental and physical abilities.
Adding lungpower into the mix, each player is also expected to maintain complete breath control when it is their turn to raid the other team. Not only must they create a strategy and have the strength to see it through, they must do all of this and return to their side holding their breath the entire time.
If this makes you dizzy just considering the amount of ability involved, SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 is the day for you to come down and witness the phenomenal spectacle of KABADDI. Strategy and athleticism will be unparalleled as the best of the world gather to compete and crown a KABADDI champion.
Tickets for the event will be on sale soon at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Rogers Centre – Gate 7, charge by phone at 416-870-8000 or online.
HONOR SOCIETY AN A+ ADDITION TO THE JONAS BROTHERS WORLD TOUR
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| Opening for the Jonas Brothers is an honor for this up and coming band |
Very rarely does an unsigned band make a splash but MySpace and YouTube have put HONOR SOCIETY at the top of the list with throngs of fans. Capturing almost two million page views on MySpace on the strength of their seven-track EP and catching the eye of the JONAS BROTHERS is a feat for this unsigned band. As part of THE JONAS BROTHERS WORLD TOUR 2009 at Rogers Centre on SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 at 7:30 p.m., this group will add an extra wow factor to an already spectacular show.
This phenomenal foursome started as a twosome when New Jersey friends and classmates, MICHAEL BRUNO and JASON ROSEN had the idea of starting a band. After bringing ANDREW LEE on board as the bass player they played gigs in and around New York City honing their musical and showmanship skills. When ALEXANDER NOYES officially became the drummer of the group, things started taking off in a dramatic fashion.
Mixing together parts of the R&B funk that garnered MAROON 5 a ton of fans, and parts energetic boy-band sounds of N’SYNC, the boys in HONOR SOCIETY went into the studio and put together their seven track EP A TALE OF RISKY BUSINESS. This blended sound produced fun and radio-friendly songs and created a growing buzz of excitement for this rising band. When the JONAS BROTHERS took an interest in the band, HONOR SOCIETY got the jump-start of their career. Invited to be part of THE JONAS BROTHERS WORLD TOUR 2009 and currently co-writing songs with KEVIN, JOE and NICK JONAS for their upcoming full-length album, HONOR SOCIETY are reaching a whole new stage of stardom.
And what a stage it will be when HONOR SOCIETY and AMERICAN IDOL winner JORDIN SPARKS get the crowd ready for the JONAS BROTHERS to take over Toronto in 2009.
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.