MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK–(EMWNews – Aug. 7, 2008) – Residents and visitors to Moncton will be able to discover various dance styles at the Atlantic Dance Festival, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.

Rob Moore, Member of Parliament (Fundy Royal), on behalf of the Honourable Josee Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced funding for Productions DansEncorps.

Funding of $20,000 will help Productions DansEncorps present the third Atlantic Dance Festival. From August 8 to 10, professional artists will gather in Moncton to showcase major Canadian choreographic pieces in such styles as Aboriginal, contemporary, folk and urban dance. Workshops and demonstrations will be featured during the event, along with productions by various dance schools.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support the Atlantic Dance Festival,” said Minister Verner. “This event helps to improve accessibility to the arts and allows the public to discover the cultural richness and diversity of our country.”

“The Atlantic Dance Festival is a unique opportunity for local and regional artists to present their creations and showcase their talent,” said Mr. Moore. “Our Government is proud to be involved in this festival and to support Productions DansEncorps.”

“The Atlantic Dance Festival brings together Atlantic’s major dance stakeholders,” said Philip-Andre Colette, vice-president of Productions DansEncorps. “Thanks to support from Canadian Heritage, we are able to develop diversified programming that celebrates the excellence and quality of artists who contribute to the development of this form of art in our society.”

Productions DansEncorps was founded in 1979. It comprises a professional dance company; the young DansEncorps Company, which features young people aged 14 to 18 years; and a classical and contemporary dance school. The production company has the mandate to create, produce, and present professional dance performances as well as other types of performing arts. Productions DansEncorps presented the first Atlantic Dance Festival in 2006.

The Government of Canada has provided this support through the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Arts Presentation Canada Program. This program gives Canadians increased access to the diversity and richness of Canada’s culture through professional arts festivals, live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.