07/12/2011 - Parks Day 2011 - K'Naan & The Sheepdogs
Parks Canada will celebrate its centennial on Saturday, July 16, with celebrations in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
The highlight of the 100th anniversary event will be a free concert at Brockton Point in Stanley Park by Canadian artists K'Naan, The Sheepdogs and Kate Morgan.
Somalian-born, socially-conscious Canadian musician K'Naan is best known internationally for his song 'Wavin' Flag'. The song dominated playlists during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and in the months leading up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup (it was re-mixed and released as the official song of FIFA 2010 sponsor Coca Cola). Disappointingly, 'Wavin' Flag was usurped as the official World Cup anthem by the Shakira ditty 'Waka Waka'. (And honestly, we couldn't remember a bar of that tune if you paid us).
The Sheepdogs are a rousing, dirt-stomping Saskatchewan-based band whose unique brand of roots rock sounds like a cross between Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and early Kings of Leon. The band is on a rocket to international recognition as a finalist in the Rolling Stone magazine cover contest. The Sheepdogs are handling the attention with good humour - evident in their memorable improv performance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on June 15, 2011.
Also performing is Virgin Radio's 'Best of BC' artist, 17-year-old Kate Morgan from Kamloops. Morgan has already performed alongside Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan as the youngest performer at Lilith Fair 2010 in Calgary, Alberta.
Olympic Gold Medalist Maelle Ricker will make an appearance (hopefully with her gold medal in hand) and there will be plenty of daytime activities for families and children.
Established in 1911, Parks Canada is the world's oldest national parks system. Parks Day kicks off at Noon on Saturday and musical performances begin at 4 pm. Follow Parks Canada on Twitter.
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