West Vancouver, BC – The 2nd Annual WinterSong Festival celebrates the joy of song and the human voice with a broad range of exciting and dynamic performances in various West Vancouver venues from February 9-17, 2007. The diverse program showcases a breadth of programming featuring both professional and aspiring talent. There is nothing that touches the heart and soul quite the same way as the human voice lifted in song, and this 9-day festival will provide singing opportunities for all abilities and ages. There will be something for everyone; alongside its choral, musical theatre, opera, Celtic, and African offerings, the festival will also feature a myriad of other genres included in their varied singer/songwriter, workshop/showcase and sing-along programs.

A concert by Real Time and Espiritu Vocal Ensemble will kick off the festival on Friday, February 9th at 7:30 pm at Kay Meek Centre, followed by our six other premier WinterSong concerts featuring:
• musica intima and Mad Pudding (Feb. 10 at 7:30 pm, West Vancouver United Church)
• Night at the Opera concert (Feb. 12 at 7:30 pm, West Vancouver United Church)
• Broadway in Love a Chocolate Buffet & Bubbly Valentine’s special event featuring the Capilano College Musical Theatre Department (Feb. 14 at 7:30 pm at Mulgrave School Theatre)
• Songwriters’ Café featuring Norman Foote, John Mann (Spirit of the West), Babe Gurr and Shari Ulrich in concert (Feb. 15 at 7:30 pm at Kay Meek Studio)
• Laudate Singers and FESO (Feb. 16 at 7:30 pm, West Vancouver United Church)
• Vancouver Men’s Chorus and the Good Noise Gospel Choir (Feb. 17 at 7:30 pm, Kay Meek Centre)

Other Festival highlights include the SongWave Showcase, featuring performances from young vocal talent ages 16 to 26 (Feb. 11 at 7:30 pm, Kay Meek Centre) and a special treat for the whole family The Buddy System (Feb. 17 at 2 pm, St. Anthony’s School).

The sound of song will also fill many other venues in West Vancouver including the Silk Purse, St. Stephen’s Church, and the theatre at Mulgrave School, as well as many less traditional venues from restaurants to street corners and public places such as The Village in Park Royal. Everyone is invited to join in on the festivities at The Village Celebration on Saturday, February 10th from noon to 6 pm, featuring carnival performers, rock ‘n’ roll from The Hitmen, environmental theatre and a chance to participate in creating a permanent Olympic legacy banner designed by public artist, Dan Bushnell.

"Music touches our souls, unleashes our emotions and helps us understand ourselves. WinterSong Festival is your opportunity to experience the ‘high’ of pleasure in the midst of the ‘low’ of winter,” says Jo-Ann Wood, Chair of the WinterSong Steering Committee. "I’m thrilled to be in a position to work with a very committed, talented and passionate group of people whose single purpose is to deliver nine days of joy through song in West Vancouver. WinterSong is emerging as a key cultural event which will grow and foster interest and inspire artists of future generations," says Cathy Matheson, Cultural Services Manager, for the District of West Vancouver.

Tickets for premier events are on sale now through the Kay Meek Box Office at 604.913.3634 or email info@kaymeekcentre.com or in person at Park Royal (North Mall only) and the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce (1350 Marine Drive, West Vancouver). Each of the premier WinterSong Concerts are individually ticketed at $25 Adults / $20 Students and Seniors. Many of the other events are free of charge to the public or request a donation at the door.

Full concert and ticket information for WinterSong Festival are available at www.wintersong.ca