Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
In the words of Ringo Starr, “Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues, and you know it don't come easy”. I have paid my dues and sung the blues, and I can tell you that obtaining money from the federal government “don't come easy”.
I'm here today to make you aware of a production that can add to the attraction of Canada as it competes in the global marketplace, because it is important that the federal government recognize unique and innovative cultural projects that can give Canada that extra branding edge in the global market.
The fast-paced, 90-minute show entitled A Musical Taste of Our Canadian Heritage/Notre Héritage Canadien, Une Odyssée Musicale presents the history of music in Canada. More than 50 performers showcase our Canadian musical heritage from the first people to the last 100 years of pop and rock, including Canada's contribution to film, television, and the world stage in a unique bilingual and multilingual presentation.
We have developed close working relationships with many organizations, including aboriginal cultural groups, the RCMP, Canadian universities, dance troupes, the Musicians' Association, school boards, and tourist organizations, and we have attracted funding from the private sector, the provincial government, and more than 10,000 student ticket sales.
I would like to see the federal government appreciate what this show has accomplished and understand the reality, frustration, and difficulty many small arts organizations experience in dealing with the federal bureaucracy.
In September 2005, Odyssey Showcase presented three performances, two school shows, and one public showcase at Centrepoint Theatre in Ottawa. The public showcase, made possible with funding from TD Canada Trust, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and local sponsors, and the reception that followed were primarily intended to attract additional funding and interest in the show and Odyssey Showcase, especially from the federal government. The show was attended by hundreds of invited guests, including former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Joe Clark, one federal minister, one senator, many diplomats, and numerous other dignitaries, along with representatives from the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries. To our knowledge, not one federal government official attended, although great efforts were made to attract them to the showcase.
Over the years, despite encouragement from federal officials to apply for funding, our applications were rejected from the granting process because the project fell between the cracks or was considered too mainstream. We have two sold-out shows scheduled for May 2007 and a waiting list of 800 students for an additional show if more funding can be found.
We've also received requests from a number of public and private schools in the Montreal region to put on our show in 2008 in order to stimulate interest in Canada's history. Presenting the show at international fairs or the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver would be an ideal opportunity for the entire world to get to know Canada better. The Cirque du Soleil had a similar start and has achieved its success thanks to the vision of certain representatives of the Quebec government.
My appearance today is made in the hope that in some small way I can help get the message across that something has to be done to make it possible for projects such as ours to be viewed with a greater federal interest, to say nothing of funding support.
If I may have just half a minute more, permit me to add that I think it is noteworthy that I am appearing during Citizenship Week, as the show is clearly related to important aspects of what it means to share in Canada's culture and heritage.
If anyone would like the opportunity to meet with me to view a DVD about the production or to find out more about the production, I can be reached by logging on to www.cmod.ca.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to appear today.