Press Kit - Mediatonic PR

 Center of Gravity Press Kit
Center of Gravity 2011 is this summer’s hottest beach festival bringing together
top headliners in music and sports on the sandy beaches of Kelowna’s City
Park July 29-31, 2011. Alongside DJ shows, after parties, and bikini contests,
Center of Gravity is also presenting over 150 pro athletes competing in five
sports: pro beach volleyball, freestyle mountain biking, FMX, wakeboarding,
and basketball. With expected attendance of over 20,000 fans the beach
festival is providing unprecedented exposure to the athletes and their sports.
www.centerofgravity.ca
Location: Kelowna City Park 1600 Abbott Street Kelowna, BC
Times: Friday July 29, 2011 – Sunday July 31, 2011
Tickets: Weekend pass $118 |Single day tickets $18-48 | Kids 12 and under are free.
Headliners: Busta Rhymes, Chromeo, Calvin Harris, Dragonette, Classified, A-Trak, and more.
Featured Athletes: Steve Romaniuk (Freestyle Mountain Biking), Tammy Thomas and Sam
Schachter (Beach Volleyball), Jeff Fehr and Reagan Sieg (Freestyle Motocross), Dustin O’Ferrall
(Wakeboarding), Henry Bekkering (Basketball)
Front Row to the Action…
Nowhere else in Western Canada will thousands flock to watch a game of Beach
Volleyball and Freestyle Mountain Biking. The festival provides a view of the whole
spectacle, so rather than cheering at the finish line - fans can watch top athletes
compete in full view.
“Our fans know it’s not all about the party – they’re here because they have a
passion for music and sports. We’re featuring world-class athletes and the biggest
names in electro, house, and hip-hop.”
– Founder Scott Emslie
Media Enquiries: 778.737.6877
Sarah Fairburn [email protected]
Shelley Mantei [email protected]
HEADLINERS
BUSTA RHYMES As one of hip-hop’s most enduring
iconic figures, Busta Rhymes is
acknowledged among rap’s greatest
lyricists and performers. With charttopping albums with his gritty voice and
charismatic character, the multi
Grammy award nominee is back with
his new album Back On My B.S.
scheduled for release December 19th. CALVIN HARRIS Harris was first attracted to electronic
music in his teens and was recording
bedroom demos at 15 years old. After
working on homemade solo recordings
and posting them to his Myspace page,
EMI liked what they heard and signed
Harris in 2006. Since then, he’s worked on
singles by Jamiroquai, Groove Armada,
All Saints, and CSS and his second album
I’m Not Alone hit number one upon
release in April 2009. CHROMEO
Chromeo is P-thugg and Dave 1: best
friends since their adolescence, virtuoso
musicians, walking hip hop
encyclopedias, and the only successful
Arab/Jew partnership since the dawn of
human culture. Their second album
Fancy Footwork skyrocketed up the
charts with hits like “Tenderoni” and
“Fancy Footwork” which was then
followed by their third hit record Business
Casual in September 2010. Media Enquiries: 778.737.6877
Sarah Fairburn [email protected]
Shelley Mantei [email protected]
A-TRAK
Montreal-born, New York-based A-Trak was
the first DJ to win all three major DJ
competition titles (DMC, ITF and Vestax), as
well as being the first to win five World
Championships, winning his first at the age
of 15. He became Kanye West’s personal
DJ and then went on to release solo
material. Most recently, he collaborated
with Armand Van Helden to form Duck
Sauce, creating the 2010 hit track “Barbra
Streisand”.
DRAGONETTE
Dragonette is a Canadian electropop
group active since 2005, consisting of
singer Martina Sorbara, bassist Dan Kurtz,
and drummer Joel Stouffer. In 2008 they
received a Juno award nomination for Best
New Group and are currently in the studio
recording their third studio album, follow up
to 2008’s Fixin’ to Thrill.
CLASSIFIED
From Enfield, Nova Scotia, Classified has
become the most acclaimed hip-hop artist
in Canada. After the commercial success
of his first album Handshakes and Middle
Fingers came the follow-up SelfExplanatory, the best-selling album of the
rapper’s career and let to four Juno
nominations, including Rap Recording of
the Year and Single of the Year for 2011’s
“Oh…Canada”.
Media Enquiries: 778.737.6877
Sarah Fairburn [email protected]
Shelley Mantei [email protected]
ATHLETES
FREESTYLE MOUNTAIN BIKING
STEVE ROMANIUK
Age: 26
Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.
● Placed 3rd and 5th in Redbull Rampage, 4th
in Bike Mag Monster Park Inviational, 5th in
France Chatel mountain style. Featured in
over 15 internationally selling movies, 4 full
seasons of the television show “Drop In”, and
Owner/Rider of hit Web series “STUND”
receiving over 2 million views
JAMES DOERFLING
Age: 24
Hometown: Williams Lake, B.C.
● Started biking around Grade 7 and began
racing in the BC Cup Series and after four
years made the jump to freestyle, making
top four in the AIRprentice and coveted
“Sweet 16” in the Race Face Ultimate
Freeride Challenge
GARETT BUEHLER
Age: 20
Hometown: Nelson, B.C.
● Riding pro for four years, this is his fourth
year riding Center of Gravity, making him
one of the Original Pro riders to compete at
the contest since the first year
Media Enquiries: 778.737.6877
Sarah Fairburn [email protected]
Shelley Mantei [email protected]
DUSTIN GREENALL
Age: 23
Hometown: Kimberley, B.C.
● Pro rider that has been riding since he took
off his training wheels as a kid. Has a
multitude of sponsors including Chainlink
Clothing and is a Rockstar Farm Team
athlete
FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS
REAGAN SIEG
Age: 32
Hometown: Vernon, B.C.
● 2004-2005 Canadian FMX Champion,
placed 3rd in Vans Triple Crown and
participated in hundreds of other
competitions around the world
JEFF FEHR
Age: 27
Hometown: Vanderhoof, B.C.
● Competitions include IFMA, Dew Tour and
Redbull x-fighters. In rookie year of the IFMA's
he got second overall, and in 2009
competed in 2 of 5 Redbull x-fighter
competitions in Calgary and Mexico,
finishing 12th of 21 riders
Media Enquiries: 778.737.6877
Sarah Fairburn [email protected]
Shelley Mantei [email protected]
WAKEBOARDING
DUSTIN O’FERRALL
Age: 23
Hometown: Vernon, B.C.
● Placed 1st in 2008 B.C. Provincials and
2008 Chestemere Wake Fest Calgary and
3rd place in 2008 Canadian Wakeboard
Nationals
CHRIS CANUEL
Age: 23
Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.
● Placed 1st in 2006 Pro Am Liquid Force
Slide Show in Sacramento California, 1st in
2008 Coors Light Trauma Series Rail Jam
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
TAMMY THOMAS
Age: 25
Hometown: Penticton, B.C.
● Played for UBC Okanagan Heat and
recently placed 2nd at Santa Monica CBVA
Event 2011 with partner Carol Hamilton, 3rd
at Vail Mountain Fest Open
Media Enquiries: 778.737.6877
Sarah Fairburn [email protected]
Shelley Mantei [email protected]
SAM SCHACHTER
Age: 21
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
● Placed 25th FIVB Open in Prague and
2010 World Junior Champion
BASKETBALL
HENRY BEKKERING
Age: 25
Hometown: Calgary, AB
● Plays Pro for GasTerra Flames in
Groningen, Holland in Europe and is known
as one of the best dunkers in Canada
ROBBIE SIHOTA
Age: 23
Hometown: Calgary, AB
● Previously played for the University of
Calgary and now plays Pro for Rotterdam
Basketball Club in Rotterdam, Holland
Media Enquiries: 778.737.6877
Sarah Fairburn [email protected]
Shelley Mantei [email protected]
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canada’s Hottest Beach Festival
Over 150 Pro Athletes Competing in Five Different Sports
Kelowna, BC (June 21, 2011) – Center of Gravity 2011 is this summer’s hottest beach festival bringing
together top headliners in music and sports on the sandy beaches of Kelowna’s City Park July 29-31,
2011. Alongside DJ shows and bikini contests, Center of Gravity is also presenting over 150 pro athletes
competing in five sports: pro beach volleyball, freestyle mountain biking, FMX, wakeboarding, and
basketball. With expected attendance of over 20,000 fans the beach festival is providing unprecedented
exposure to the athletes and their sports.
The full athlete lineup will include past World and Canadian champions competing in the:
• Dirt Zone: an intense mix of adrenaline and technique-featuring FMX and freestyle mountain bike
shows hosted by mountain biking icon Steve Romaniuk. Known for pushing the boundaries with
his dual suspension cowboy riding style, Romaniuk will keep a crowd of thousands on the edge of
their seats. Other top riders include James Doerfling and Garrett Buehler who are competing for
the fourth year at Center of Gravity, making them two of the original Pro riders; and shirtless bike
warrior Dustin Greenall. Action in the FMX shows will be lead by Reagan Sieg and Jeff Fehr.
• Water Zone: features a wakeboard winch jam and lake jump where the freestyle mountain bike
boys rip down a 20ft ramp on Hot Sands Beach and then launch off a 6ft kicker into the Okanagan
Lake. The pro wakeboarders will showcase grinds, tricks, and flips off the massive rails of the
winch jam. Feature riders include Dustin O’Ferrall, Chris Canuel, and Matt Bibby.
• Hot Sands Beach: home to men’s and women’s Bud Light Lime Pro Beach Volleyball
tournaments, where spectators will enjoy intense matches as the athletes complete for $11,500 in
prize pool. Local volleyball star Tammy Thomas and partner Carol Hamilton will be part of the
action fresh off their 2
nd
place win at the 2011 Santa Monica CBVA. On the men’s side top teams
Zbyszewski/Marshall and Hatch/Schachter will definitely be teams to watch.
• Hoop Zone: the home of the 4 on 4, full court competition that attracts Canada’s best players to
compete for a $5,000 prize pool. Including Henry Bekkring, who is one of the best dunkers
Canada has seen. Also, defending champ Scott Morrison and company will be back in action
and looking for a repeat.
“We have something very special here. Many of the sports we feature do not normally get crowds this
large on their own, but the combination of all the sports and music feed off each other. We’ve been able to
create a stage for these athletes to perform in front of thousands of people in downtown Kelowna,” Scott
Emslie, Wet Ape Productions founder explains. “Sports like freestyle mountain biking are often hidden in
the backwoods, but our course is built where fans can watch top athletes compete in full view.”
th
A weekend pass is $98 until June 24 when ticket prices increase to $118; single day tickets range from
$18-48. Kids 12 and under are free. View complete line-up times, accommodations and to purchase
tickets, visit www.centerofgravity.ca
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About Center of Gravity:
Center of Gravity takes place on the beautiful sandy beaches of Kelowna’s City Park along Okanagan
Lake July 29-31, 2011. It features concerts each evening, DJs shows, 3 stages, beverage gardens, bikini
contests, after parties each night, and over 150 pro athletes competing in 5 different sports: beach
volleyball, freestyle mountain biking, FMX, wakeboarding, and basketball. The Center of Gravity is
Canada's hottest beach festival. www.centerofgravity.ca
About Wet Ape Productions:
Scott Emslie founded Wet Ape in 2007. With a background as a professional volleyball player, Scott
decided to produce a large beach volleyball event called “VolleyFest” (2007). The event was a success
and Scott and his team were hooked on the thrill of creating cool new events. Since 2007 the team hasn’t
looked back and Wet Ape is the proud owner of Canada's hottest beach festival, Center of Gravity, which
draws 25,000 - 30,000 guests a year. Wet Ape is also now producing large-scale arena shows with some
of the biggest names in electronic dance music including Deadmau5, Calvin Harris, and Tiesto.
Center of Gravity’s Adrenaline-Filled Sports Lineup:
Saturday, July 30, 2011
9:00AM – 8:00PM Pro Beach Volleyball – Hot Stands
9:00AM – 8:00PM Pro Basketball – Hoop Zone
11:00AM – 12:00PM Wakeboard Winch Jam – Water Zone
12:00PM – 12:30PM Freestyle Motocross Round #1 – Dirt Zone
12:30PM – 1:00PM Freestyle Mountain Bike Jam Session – Dirt Zone
2:30PM – 3:00PM Wakeboard Winch Jam – Water Zone
3:00PM – 3:30PM Freestyle Lake Jump – Water Zone
4:30PM – 5:00PM Freestyle Motocross Round #2 – Dirt Zone
5:00PM – 6:00PM Freestyle Mountain Bike Best Line – Dirt Zone
6:00PM – 6:30PM Wakeboard Winch Jam – Water Zone
8:20PM – 8:30PM Mayhem Session – Dirt Zone
Sunday, July 31, 2011
9:00AM – 8:00PM Pro Basketball – Hoop Zone
9:00AM – 6:00PM Pro Beach Volleyball – Hot Stands
11:00AM – 12:00PM Wakeboard Winch Jam – Water Zone
12:00PM – 12:30PM Freestyle Motocross Round #3 – Dirt Zone
12:30PM – 1:00PM Freestyle Mountain Bike Jam Session – Dirt Zone
2:30PM – 3:00PM Wakeboard Winch Jam – Water Zone
3:00PM – 3:30PM Freestyle Lake Jump – Water Zone
3:00PM – 4:30PM Women’s Beach Volleyball Finals – Hot Sands (Live on Shaw TV)
4:30PM – 6:00PM Men’s Beach Volleyball Finals – Hot Sands (Live on Shaw TV)
4:30PM – 5:00PM Freestyle Motocross Finals – Dirt Zone
5:00PM – 6:00PM Freestyle Mountain Bike Best Trick – Dirt Zone
6:00PM – 6:30PM Wakeboard Winch Jam – Water Zone
6:30PM – 7:00PM Slam Dunk Comp – Hoop Zone (Live on Shaw TV)
7:00PM – 8:00PM Pro Basketball Finals – Hoop Zone (Live on Shaw TV)
Times subject to change.
For Media Enquiries, contact:
Mediatonic PR
Shelley Mantei 604.736.8646 Jenn Perutka 778.737.6877
[email protected]
[email protected]
MEDIA ALERT
JUNE 2, 2011
LINEUP CHANGE FOR 2011 CENTER OF GRAVITY FESTIVAL
Critically acclaimed DJ A-Trak to replace DJ Pauly D on Main Stage; Added DiRTY RADiO
Due to Jersey Shore scheduling conflict, DJ Pauly D is unable to perform on July 29, 2011. Major
influencer on the electronic music scene, DJ A-Trak will now take the main stage. Also, Vancouver-based
act DiRTY RADiO has been added to the 2011 lineup.
A-Track is the first DJ to win five World Championships, and most recently garner a massive global
response as half of the duo behind the collaboration, Duck Sauce and their hit “Barbara Streisand”. The
Canadian DJ legend is also the brother to Dave 1, of Chromeo (also headlining at Center of Gravity). A
brilliant A-Trak video from Coachella 2011: http://bit.ly/ATRAKcoachella
Full updated 2011 lineup below:
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July 29 (5:00pm) Main Stage – DiRTY RADiO
July 29 (6:00pm) Main Stage - Dev and The Cataracs
July 29 (7:15pm) Main Stage – DJ A-Trak
July 29 (9pm) Main Stage – Busta Rhymes
July 30 (3pm) Bass Stage – Mat the Alien
July 30 (3:30pm) Beach Stage – Bad Boy Bill
July 30 (5:15pm) Main Stage - Smalltown DJ’s
July 30 (6:25pm) Main Stage – Sweet Thing
July 30 (7:20pm) Main Stage – Classified
July 30 (8:30pm) Main Stage – Calvin Harris
July 31 (3pm) Bass Stage – Downlink
July 31 (3:30pm) Beach Stage – LA Riots
July 31 (5:15pm) Main Stage – Team Canada DJ’s
July 31 (6:30pm) Main Stage - Zeds Dead
July 31 (7:45pm) Main Stage - Dragonette
July 31 (9:00pm) Main Stage – Chromeo
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About Center of Gravity:
Center of Gravity takes place on the beautiful sandy beaches of Kelowna’s City Park along Okanagan
Lake July 29-31, 2011. It features concerts each evening, DJs shows, 3 stages, beverage gardens, bikini
contests, after parties each night, and over 150 pro athletes competing in 5 different sports: beach
volleyball, freestyle mountain biking, FMX, wakeboarding, and basketball. The Center of Gravity is
Canada's hottest beach festival. http://centerofgravity.ca/
For all media inquires, please contact:
Jenn Perutka, Mediatonic PR
[email protected]
604.736.8646