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Winnipeg Free Press
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Uniquely Canadian': Stampede begins with parade led by country star Shania Twain
CALGARY – The Old West will be on full display as thousands clad in tassels, boots and buckles march through city streets today to kick off the Calgary Stampede. Country superstar Shania Twain will saddle up and lead the parade on horseback before performing Saturday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Stampede runs until July 13. The 'Man! I Feel Like a Woman' singer, who was raised in Timmins, Ont., last took the stage at the Stampede in 2014. Twain, 59, is country music's top-selling female artist, according to Billboard. She is currently a judge on Citytv's 'Canada's Got Talent.' Her long string of hits includes 'That Don't Impress Me Much,' 'Any Man of Mine' and 'Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?' 'I can't think of a better parade marshal,' said Joel Cowley, the Stampede's chief executive. 'We expect to see 300,000-plus lining the streets once again. What a great way to kick off the Calgary Stampede.' People have traditionally arrived hours before the parade begins to get good seats. Stampede Park has been busy for the past week as crews assemble midway rides and concession stands. Gregg Korek with North American Midway Entertainment will be making his 49th appearance at the Stampede. He likens it to getting ready for the prom. 'We're just putting on the corsage right now,' he said. Growing up in Calgary, Korek joined the midway group as a teen. 'I always say I like all of our fairs exactly the same, but I like this one a little bit better because I'm a Calgarian.' Cowley said Stampede attracted almost 1.5 million visitors last year. Of that number, he said about 73 per cent were from the Calgary area. Another nine per cent were from Alberta and 10 per cent were other Canadians. The rest came from the United States or other countries. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. With Canadians unhappy about tariffs from the U.S., Cowley said domestic visitors could be higher this year. 'It is an international event, and I would think this year we would see a lot of Canadians looking for a Canadian vacation to come here to the Calgary Stampede,' he said. The first Stampede was in 1912, and Cowley said the event stays true to its agricultural roots. 'It's really something that needs to be experienced. At the heart of what we do is agriculture and Western heritage,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Uniquely Canadian': Stampede begins with parade led by country star Shania Twain
CALGARY - The Old West will be on full display as thousands clad in tassels, boots and buckles march through city streets today to kick off the Calgary Stampede. Country superstar Shania Twain will saddle up and lead the parade on horseback before performing Saturday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Stampede runs until July 13. The 'Man! I Feel Like a Woman' singer, who was raised in Timmins, Ont., last took the stage at the Stampede in 2014. Twain, 59, is country music's top-selling female artist, according to Billboard. She is currently a judge on Citytv's 'Canada's Got Talent.' Her long string of hits includes 'That Don't Impress Me Much,' 'Any Man of Mine' and 'Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?' 'I can't think of a better parade marshal,' said Joel Cowley, the Stampede's chief executive. 'We expect to see 300,000-plus lining the streets once again. What a great way to kick off the Calgary Stampede.' People have traditionally arrived hours before the parade begins to get good seats. Stampede Park has been busy for the past week as crews assemble midway rides and concession stands. Gregg Korek with North American Midway Entertainment will be making his 49th appearance at the Stampede. He likens it to getting ready for the prom. 'We're just putting on the corsage right now,' he said. Growing up in Calgary, Korek joined the midway group as a teen. 'I always say I like all of our fairs exactly the same, but I like this one a little bit better because I'm a Calgarian.' Cowley said Stampede attracted almost 1.5 million visitors last year. Of that number, he said about 73 per cent were from the Calgary area. Another nine per cent were from Alberta and 10 per cent were other Canadians. The rest came from the United States or other countries. With Canadians unhappy about tariffs from the U.S., Cowley said domestic visitors could be higher this year. 'It is an international event, and I would think this year we would see a lot of Canadians looking for a Canadian vacation to come here to the Calgary Stampede,' he said. The first Stampede was in 1912, and Cowley said the event stays true to its agricultural roots. 'It's really something that needs to be experienced. At the heart of what we do is agriculture and Western heritage,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Canada's Got Talent,' filmed in Niagara Falls, won't be back next year
Is it lights out for 'Canada's Got Talent' in Niagara Falls? Citytv released its 2025/26 programming slate Tuesday and the reality competition series that has filmed at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort since 2021 is not among the returning shows. 'We've decided to pause production of ('Canada's Got Talent') and the show will go on hiatus for next season,' said a spokesperson for Citytv when contacted Tuesday. The announcement comes just three weeks after the show aired its two-hour season 4 finale at Fallsview's OLG Stage, awarding Newfoundland singer Jacob Lewis $1 million. 'Canada's Got Talent' first aired in 2012 with judges Martin Short, opera singer Measha Brueggergosman and Niagara Falls-born singer Stephan Moccio. After the first season, it did not return until 2022. The new version of the show, filmed at Fallsview Casino's 1,500-seat Avalon Theatre, featured judges Howie Mandel, WWE icon Trish Stratus, YouTuber Lilly Singh and rapper Kardinal Offishall. It became Citytv's highest-rated new series in a decade. Filming shifted to the 5,000-seat OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino the next season, where it would remain. Episodes for each season would be filmed in late October at the venue, to air the following spring. Last year, the show took a dramatic leap by increasing the top prize to $1 million from $150,000, funded by Rogers. The current season saw the departure of judges Stratus and Singh and the addition of country music icon Shania Twain and comedian Katherine Ryan. Citytv would not elaborate on ratings for the final season or why the show is going on hiatus. Mandel, however, already has another Citytv show lined up. He will be the host of 'The Price is Right Tonight,' a new prime-time Canadian version of the iconic U.S. game show. Production starts in December in Toronto with 12 one-hour episodes airing next spring.
Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
The Martin Boys make New Brunswick proud
Woodstock brothers capture second place in Canada's Got Talent finale The Martin Boys made their hometown and province proud when they captured second place in the season four finale of Canada's Got Talent (CGT). The cross-country talent show on Citytv awards the top act $1 million from Rogers in an elimination-style format that leaves the final decision up to Canadian voters. On Tuesday, May 13, Macauley and Micah once again performed an original song, Burn the Boats, which was part of an EP the brothers from Red Bridge released on the same day. Their show-opening performance garnered a standing ovation. The duo performed original music in each competition round over the last three months, which impressed high-profile judges Shania Twain and Howie Mandel. Before announcing the winner, judges noted that this was the most-voted-upon finale in CGT history, with a record number of people logging on to vote for their favourite act. Ultimately, it came down to the Martin Boys and Newfoundland's Jacob Lewis, who garnered the most votes. 'Even though we didn't take home the million-dollar grand prize, we feel like we still won over the hearts of thousands of fellow Canadians,' said Macauley when the River Valley Sun reached them in Niagara Falls the morning after the show. Macauley and Micah say they are proud of everything they accomplished during their time on CGT and say their time on the show gave them a chance for more people to hear their music. 'Second place ain't too bad,' said Micah. The country duo is excited to see what the future has in store for them. 'We hope everyone continues to stream all of our music, and we hope to be able to continue to ride this wave that we're currently on,' said Macauley. The Martin Boys impressed not only judges but also music industry professionals. After their first appearance on CGT, the Woodstock country duo was asked to perform at the Calgary Stampede, where they'll take to the Coca-Cola stage on Sunday, July 13. The Martin family congratulated Jacob Lewis on his win in a social media post. They noted that while they were disappointed, they were incredibly proud of all the boys accomplished. 'Although we did not get the results we wanted, The Martin Boys have had the experience of a lifetime,' they wrote. 'They (Macauley and Micah) are meeting up with some important people in the industry this week in Toronto. The sky is the limit. We are humbled by the support from our family, friends, community, and fans.'
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Newfoundland construction worker Jacob Lewis wins $1-million ‘Canada's Got Talent' prize
Jacob Lewis, an offshore oil and gas construction worker from Butlerville, NL, is the $1-million winner of this season's 'Canada's Got Talent.' He captivated both the judges and the audience with his rendition of 'The Best' by Tina Turner during the two-hour finale on Citytv Tuesday. A press release says Lewis had long dreamed of becoming a full-time singer but put his ambitions on pause five years ago when his twin boys were born prematurely with complications. Judge Shania Twain supported Lewis after hearing his audition during which he sang Bon Jovi's 'Bed of Roses.' Lewis bested seven other Canadian finalists, including Markham, Ont., comedian Sai Kit Lo and Toronto dance act Funkyverse. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. He's the second 'Canada's Got Talent' winner to claim a $1-million prize, which Rogers bills as the biggest cash award in Canadian television. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025.
