OTTAWA, Nov. 17, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Birks, a
leading jeweller in Canada since
1879, has signed a multi-year deal as the new Presenting Sponsor
for the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala, which takes
place annually at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. The sponsorship begins with the
25th anniversary edition of the Gala on June 29, 2017 – during Canada's 150th birthday year – and
will continue in 2018 and 2019.
"Birks is one of the most iconic brands on the Canadian
landscape," said Jayne Watson, CEO
of the National Arts Centre Foundation. "The NAC is thrilled to be
associated with Birks and their rich and storied history. Just like
the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards, Birks represents the
very best in artistry and creativity."
"It is with immense pride that we join the Governor General's
Performing Arts Awards Gala as Presenting Sponsor, to recognize the
achievements of some of our country's outstanding artists," says
Jean-Christophe Bédos, President & CEO, Birks Group Inc. "Birks
has been helping Canadians celebrate special moments since 1879 and
as such we are delighted to now take part in recognizing the
contributions of our nation's top talent to the enrichment of our
country, and of our lives."
Created in 1992, the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards
are Canada's highest honour in the
performing arts. The Gala is produced annually by the National Arts
Centre and features superb performances, evocative short films
about the Award laureates (created by the National Film Board of
Canada), and personal tributes by
guest stars.
The 2017 recipients of the Governor General's Performing Arts
Awards will be announced next March. They will be honoured at
various events in Ottawa in 2017,
culminating with the Gala at the National Arts Centre on
Saturday, June 29.
ABOUT THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S PERFORMING ARTS
AWARDS
The Governor General's Performing Arts Awards include the
Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award which recognizes artists for
their outstanding body of work and enduring contribution to the
performing arts in Canada. These
national awards are presented in the categories of theatre, dance,
classical music, broadcasting, popular music and film. Past
recipients of the Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award include
Christopher Plummer, Donald Sutherland, Ginette Reno, David
Cronenberg, Mavor Moore,
Diane Dufresne, William Shatner, Robert
Lepage, Atom Egoyan, Michel
Tremblay, Karen Kain,
Gordon Lightfoot, Janine Sutto, and many more. Two other honours
are also given out: the Ramon John
Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts
recognizes outstanding voluntary service to the performing arts by
an individual or group, while the National Arts Centre Award
recognizes work of an extraordinary nature and significance in the
performing arts by an individual artist and/or company in the past
performance year. In addition to honouring the laureates, the
Awards feature a unique Mentorship Program, designed to unite past
Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award recipients and talented
mid-career artists.
ABOUT BIRKS
Birks Group is a leading operator of luxury jewelry stores in
Canada and Southeastern United States. The Company
operates 26 stores under the Birks brand in most major metropolitan
markets in Canada, 17 stores in
Florida and Georgia under the Mayors brand, one store
under the Rolex brand name and two retail locations in Calgary and Vancouver under the Brinkhaus brand. Birks was
founded in 1879 and developed over the years into Canada's premier retailer and designer of fine
jewelry, timepieces and gifts. Mayors was founded in 1910 and
has maintained the intimacy of a family-owned boutique while
becoming renowned for its fine jewelry, timepieces and service.
Additional information can be found on www.birks.com.
SOURCE Birks Group Inc.