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2009 News and Information
World Champion Magician Headlines Winterfest Weekend
10 February 2009The world of magic comes to Richmond’s third annual Winterfest Weekend this weekend. World champion magician Julianna Chen headlines this year’s jam-packed festival, presented by Coast Capital Savings, at its new home, the Richmond Olympic Oval.
Originally from China, the ambidextrous Chen has won numerous awards for magic, while performing around the world in acclaimed theatres from London’s Palladium to the Berlin Wintergarten to Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. In 1997, she won the world title for Manipulation (sleight-of-hand) at the World Congress of Magicians in Dresden, Germany. She became the first woman, and first magician of Chinese heritage, to win a world title for a solo act in the 50-year history of the World Congress of Magicians.
Chen will perform on Sunday, February 15 at 6 p.m. at the Oval, capping 16 hours of free family entertainment running from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, February 14 and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 15.
The continuous live entertainment kicks off at noon on Saturday, February 14 on the Petro-Canada Stage, with performances by Juno-nominated rockers the Brandon Paris Band and the hot bluegrass licks of Vancouver’s Redgrass. Richmond’s own country sensation Shanna Lynn, multi-talented singer-songwriter Cherelle Jardine, and the 600-member Children’s Choir and Orchestra of the Richmond School District will also perform.
On Sunday, February 15, Chen headlines a visual spectacle from the heart-stopping showmanship of Firebelly to the high-energy music and dance of Richmond’s own Showstoppers and Richmond Dance Academy.
Special guest host for the Petro-Canada Stage throughout the weekend will be the hilarious comedy artist, The Checkerboard Guy.
Limited free parking for Winterfest Weekend will be available at the Richmond Olympic Oval site. Additional free event parking is being provided by WorkSafe BC at their Richmond location at 6951 Westminster Highway, a short walk from the Oval. Traffic controls and directional signage will be in place on event days to assist in directing patrons to available parking. Traffic on River Road, between Hollybridge and No. 2 Road, will be limited to Westbound traffic only during event times.
Winterfest Weekend highlights include an ice carving display featuring 10 champion ice carvers from across Canada and the Richmond Interactive Experience which allows participants to create art, music, sound, light and colour in a variety of unique hands-on activities. The Parade Park on the Oval’s Riverside Plaza will allow kids to create costumes and props to take part in a children’s parade.
A prelude to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will also be part of the fun with free public skating on the 400-metre Olympic Oval track, an amazing, interactive Olympic sport simulation presented by BC Lotteries, pin trading, and exclusive Olympic merchandise for sale. Visit the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay booth to find out how you can be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event when the Olympic Torch visits Richmond next year.
For a complete schedule and event details visit www.richmondwinterfestival.ca.
Winterfest Weekend is presented by Coast Capital Savings in partnership with the City of Richmond and the Richmond Olympic Oval. Stage sponsor is Petro-Canada. Winterfest Weekend’s presenting partners are Canadian Heritage and the Richmond Community Foundation. Bronze level sponsors are BC Lotteries, Vancouver International Airport Authority, Panasonic and Port Metro Vancouver. Skate rental sponsorship is provided by Richmond Centre; volunteer sponsorship is provided by Aberdeen Centre and Kenaidan is a community sponsor. Media sponsors are CTV, Fairchild Media Group, Vancouver Sun, The Province, The Beat 94.5 FM, Richmond News, Richmond Review, and Sing Tao Daily.
For the first time, Winterfest Weekend will be part of the six-week-long, inaugural Richmond Winter Festival of the Arts running from February 1 to March 15, 2009 with dozens of arts and cultural events across Richmond. Visit www.richmondwinterfestival.ca for the complete schedule of events.
