FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feb. 18, 2010

A CURE FOR POST-OLYMPIC WITHDRAWAL: CANADIAN BLAST AT SXSW!

Canada keeps the Olympic-paced momentum going with the 6th Annual Canadian Blast BBQ at SXSW on March 17, 2010, at Brush Square Park located right across from the Austin Convention Center.  This year’s line-up includes the Born Ruffians (Ontario), You Say Party, We Say Die! (British Columbia), Hollerado (Ontario), Radio Radio (New Brunswick), Plants and Animals (Quebec) and Justin Rutledge teamed with The Beauties (Ontario) in a unique presentation on the centre stage.  The event is expected to attract more than 4,000 delegates from around the world.

A highlight of the annual SXSW Music and Media Conference, the Canadian Blast BBQ kicks off a multi-day extravaganza of events showcasing all the great music Canada has to offer.  Canada House will be the center of this activity.  Located at Upstairs at the Paradise at 6th and Trinity, the venue is in the right in the thick of SXSW action and features showcasing artists from every province and every musical style.  Canada House will feature daytime industry showcases open to all SXSW badge-holders as well as nighttime official showcases for Canadian bands, open to SXSW badge-holders, wristband holders and the general public. 

Canada will also play host at the Canada Stand at the Austin Convention Center.  Events and an ambitious agenda of meetings with international labels, bookers, agents and promoters are on tap daily. 

The 26th Annual SXSW Music and Media Conference and Festival is held March 17 through March 21, 2010.  

Partners for the SXSW Canadian Blast include the Department of Canadian Heritage, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Province of Ontario, FACTOR and SIRIUS Canada. More details on the event will be available as of March 1st at www.canadianblast.com.

For more information in Canada call:
Donna Murphy
CIMA
416-485-3152 x225
donna@cimamusic.ca

Duncan McKie
CIMA
416-485-3152 x232
duncan@cimamusic.ca