Noting the critical role Alcan played in the growth of the Festival between 1987 and 1992, Simard pronounced himself particularly proud at the renewed expression of confidence. “Alcan was instrumental in our development and success during those critical years of the event," said Simard, “and it's in large part thanks to them that the event has become the worldwide success it is today." “Alcan is delighted to once again be a part of the Festival International de Jazz de Montral," stated Dick Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alcan Inc. “We are proud to call Montreal our home, and we are committed to the ongoing economic and cultural vitality of our city. We recognize the role the Festival has played in solidifying Montreal as an internationally recognized cultural center, and through our participation in this year's festival we hope to ensure that this rich part of Montreal's cultural fabric is a success."
A big boost for kids!
Besides supporting the Festival as co-presenter, Alcan's participation heralds the return and expansion of family activities that have perennially been part and parcel of the musical event. Children and their parents will once again be able to enjoy the Petite cole du Jazz (produced in collaboration with the Complexe Desjardins), the Parc Musical, and handicraft activities that will give kids the opportunity to create their own musical instruments using aluminum. There's also going to be free face-painting for kids. For the record, it's thanks to Alcan that the Festival benefited from the expertise of the troupe of master make-up artists from Belgium, Les Quatre Bulles, who not only trained our own make-up specialists but helped them mount to the ranks of the best.
Alcan will also be lending its name to the Invitation series of indoor concerts, that each year give free rein to two “resident" musicians of the Festival. This year, these musicians will be two of the best jazzmen from France, Birli Lagrne and Aldo Romano. Alcan will once again lend its name to the terrific stage at the entrance to the Complexe Desjardins, where some of the most memorable musical events in the Festival's history have taken place. Last and by no means least, a third free exterior show to close the Festival on July 9 will be sponsored by Alcan, a leader in aluminum and packaging.
An environmental partnership
Thanks to Alcan's support, the Festival will also be able to continue its work in sensitizing the public to the importance of recycling and waste disposal. Between 1987 and 1992, Alcan and the Festival were at the forefront of a major campaign aimed at promoting environmental protection. It's through this program that the Festival instituted its own waste-disposal program in 1989. Last year alone, 12.2 tonnes of plastic, glass and aluminum and 8.3 tonnes of cardboard fibre were collected for a total of 20.5 tonnes of recycled material. And that makes a difference. For 2006, the partnership between the Festival and Alcan, the first to take a serious look at environmental issues and public events, will be setting in motion an ongoing litter pick-up service, in collaboration with the Consortium cho-logique throughout the exterior site.
All of the above will, of course, contribute to numerous positive benefits of the event in, helping us to offer even more free activities thereby expanding the musical horizons of jazz and its musical cousins. Alcan and the Festival will be once again pushing the envelope where promoting cultural events of all kinds on behalf of Montrealers is concerned. In tandem, General Motors of Canada--official presenter of the event-- and Alcan become the only two major partners that will lend their prestigious logo to the Festival and all its activities, breathing renewed life into a cultural event that's already among the best attended in the world. The Festival International de Jazz de Montral's 27th edition will take place from June 29th to July 9th, 2006.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
