Rock & roll your way onto the grounds!

EDMONTON, AB – Crank up the music and pump up the fun at Capital EX 2012. This year’s theme is MUSIC. If you have the music in you, you’ll love the musical attractions and exhibits at this year’s Capital EX!

From July 20-29 take note of what the summer’s hottest fair has to offer. Get all shook up with Stephen Michael Kabakos as he stars as Elvis or take a walk down Abbey Road with the Stars of Beatlemania on TELUS Stage welcomed by 96.3 Capital FM. If you march to the beat of a different drum, check out the precise percussion of Buckets N Boards proudly supported by 92.5 Joe FM.

Indulge in the Music Experience at The Grand which will feature collections of work from photojournalist Janet Macoska showcasing 25 years of exclusive prints of rock & roll artists. Personal items and music memorabilia from Motown legend and Funk Brother member, Jack Ashford, will be displayed as well. Rock enthusiasts can also enjoy the assortment of memorabilia items from renowned rock band KISS.

See the transformation as EXPO Centre Hall A gets jazzed up to create Fusion 53 Casino and Lounge. This 18-and-over lounge and casino is home to a combination of live entertainment, food, drinks and Vegas-style casino gaming machines. Unwind from the hustle and bustle of the fair-grounds with a cocktail, upscale fare and live music at Capital EX’s refined entertainment lounge showcasing lounge singers, dueling pianos and more!

Looking for a different scene? Check out Bonanza Park where you can do-si-do with Edmonton and District Square Dance Society, sing a tune with Sweet Adelines, a local, female a cappella group, or bust a move with the Bango Busters.

Do you have the music in you? Join us from July 20 – 29, 2012 for cranked-up music and pumped-up fun at this year’s Capital EX! Purchase advance admission and Coca-Cola ® Ride All Day passes and save big. New this year is our Midway Express Access pass which gets you front of the line access. The new Multi Day Pumped Up Fun Pass allows you unlimited access to entertainment, attractions and all TELUS Stage performances for 10 full days for only $29.99. For more ticketing information

Capital EX Battle of the Bands

Northlands is excited to partner with Supernova to bring you the Capital EX Battle of the Bands! This cranked-up competition will consist of two rounds. Local bands will have the opportunity to compete in front of a panel of judges at two Edmonton-based 18+ venues for one of five spots in the finals. The finals will be held on Centre Stage during Capital EX with the winner being announced on July 26. The exciting first place prize is valued at a staggering $25,000 dollars and includes 100 hours of studio time, an electronic press package including a video from AXE Productions and an opportunity to play a second set on Centre Stage on July 27! Capital EX Battle of the Bands will make sure the hits keep coming! We’ll be accepting entries starting on May 31, 2012. Check Capitalex.ca for more details!

Fusion 53 Lounge and Casino

This 18-and-over lounge and casino is home to a combination of live entertainment, food, drinks and Vegas-style casino gaming machines. Unwind from the hustle and bustle of the fair-grounds with a cocktail, upscale fare and live music at Capital EX’s entertainment lounge including:

Bella Rouge will keep Fusion 53 jumping with their energetic combination of classic dance favourites and today’s top 40. From the Rainbow Room in New York City to the shores of Vancouver Island, these award-winning entertainers have thrilled thousands of international guests from coast-to-coast with their spectacular harmonies and creative choreography. Groove to the tune of Tina Turner, Etta James, Madonna and Lady Gaga as Bella Rouge transforms Fusion 53 into a live music destination!

Let veteran entertainer Dr. Boogie, aka Don Yuzwenko, charm you with his driving piano style and distinctive vocals. A versatile crowd-pleaser, Don is a delight to young and old alike. Whether he is playing blues, honky-tonk, rock & roll, jazz or contemporary, Dr. Boogie is sure to bring a wealth of joy to Fusion 53!

A crowd favorite on the Edmonton entertainment circuit, Linda Atherton’s musical versatility lends itself to many styles of music. From Motown to country and Broadway to rock & roll, Linda Atherton is sure to appeal to all musical tastes and preferences. Many will know her from her band, LA Express. Linda is sure to be smiling and will make you feel right at home in Fusion 53!

Watch and listen as Brenna MacQuarrie & Band featuring Jack Ashford fill the hall of Fusion 53 Casino and Lounge with evocative lyrics and rhythms. With musical compositions of soul, hip-hop and rhythm & blues, Brenna is putting her skills to use all over Edmonton’s increasingly diverse music scene. With tastes distinctly influenced by jazz, Brenna MacQuarrie & Band is the act to watch! Funk Brother Jack Ashford is a celebrated Motown musician whose musical resume includes performances with legendary performers such as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and many more. Jack’s distinguished and unique sound has led him to receive two Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as several gold records

The Dueling Ivories Piano Show is music you can move to! This travelling all-request piano show promises to get you up on your feet, dancing and singing to today’s top 40, classic rock, R&B and country music. Featuring Lesley Pelletier, Erik Williams and special guests, The Dueling Ivories Piano Show is sure to bring a classic ambience and fun vibe to Fusion 53 Casino and Lounge.

TELUS Stage presented by CityTV and 96.3 Capital FM

The ‘Stars of Beatlemania’ is the premiere concert tribute to the Beatles in the world. The show features an unprecedented, all-star cast of Broadway performers from the hit shows ‘Rain’ and ‘Beatlemania’. With multimedia, sound and lights, the ‘Stars’ take you on a journey that begins on the ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ in the signature black suits then explodes with colour and orchestration for ‘Sgt. Pepper’.  Finally, you’ll be rocked home through the ‘Abbey Road’ era. This show has energy, passion, charm, humor, and world-class musicians. Come celebrate with us the music we love, and enjoy the show the critics call “Perfection!”

Stephen Michael Kabakos, as Elvis in “The Way it Was” is an international award-winning tribute artist based out of Milton, Ontario. His passion for Elvis sparked at a very young age and has continued to be the engine behind his extraordinary success. Stephen’s exquisite styling and ability to successfully capture an authentic portrayal of Elvis Presley has endeared him to audiences everywhere. Covering Elvis’ entire career, Stephen successfully recreates the early Sun Studio recordings through to the army, his movies, ‘68 Comeback and explosive concert years.

Midway Music Attraction presented by 92.5 JOE FM

Buckets N Boards is a handcrafted and hilarious high-energy show chock-full of precise percussion, ridiculous songs, spectacular tap dancing, inventive instrumentation and unique musical talent.  Buckets N Boards is an experience that has, and will, entertain all ages, from 1 to 91, literally!  By incorporating music trivia and percussion, the unexpected comedy and upbeat personalities of Buckets N Boards will leave you laughing!

The Music Experience at The Grand

Taking the best shopping, attractions, entertainment and food from the halls of the Edmonton EXPO Centre to create The Grand  - this Grand experience will engage visitors of all ages with something for everyone.

Calling all KISS fans! Capital EX is proud to bring you a visual history of one the world’s most famous rock bands, KISS. To say that this collection is mind-blowing would be an understatement! Dale Kemp has perused through record stores, book shops and garage sales for 35 years to give you the chance to see these treasures up-close. Have the chance to gawk at such prized items as the 1978 Kiss Bally Pinball Machine, the complete KISS Tour Book collection and a Blood Cup used by Gene Simmons himself!

Experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be awed by a true historian of the Motown era, Jack Ashford. Funk Brother Jack Ashford is a celebrated Motown musician whose musical resume includes performances with legendary performers such as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and many more. Jack’s distinguished and unique sound has led him to receive two Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as several gold records.

It’s Always Rock and Roll: The Work of Photojournalist Janet Macoska. For over 25 years, Cleveland-based photojournalist Janet Macoska has been capturing some of rock’s most legendary performers through the lens of her camera. Her work has appeared in Creem, Rolling Stone, People, 16 issues of Entertainment Weekly, the New York Times and the London Times. Davie Bowie, Led Zeppelin and the Kinks are just some of the artists who have used her photos on their CDs. One of Macoska’s proudest accomplishments is a photo of Paul McCartney that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Several of her photos were featured alongside those of Annie Leibowitz, Mark Seliger and others in a 1996 issue of the American Photo devoted entirely to rock and roll images.

Rock U at The Grand: The Institute of Rock N’ Roll

Relive the ways we have experienced rock & roll throughout the years! Rock U: The Institute of Rock N’ Roll is an interactive musical experience that infuses art, rock memorabilia, musical instruments and speakers to explore the different origins of the rock & roll music genre. Explore the foundations of rock, the rock concert experience, the evolutions of listening to rock & roll including interactive listening stations and display cases that focus on the lives and careers of rock & roll forefathers such as Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys and Buddy Holly. Rock U at The Grand: The Institute of Rock N’ Roll allows you to time-travel through the history and evolution of rock & roll music!

Bonanza Park

Enjoy a trip down memory lane at Bonanza Park, Capital EX’s tribute to the great Gold Rush of 1898! Recharge from the fair in our serene park-like setting with flower gardens and a whispering river. Experience historical displays, rest areas with free activities, square dancers and old-time musical entertainment! Learn about Edmonton as the last major stop on the “All Canadian Route” to the Gold Rush area in Dawson City. Come and travel back in time at Bonanza Park!

It all started over 25 years ago in the early 1960′s when George Bach and Tony Senger decided to pursue their passion for the tenor banjo. They met in Edmonton at The House of Banjo (now known as Alfie Myhre’s Music) where they both signed up for lessons. Little did they know that they were about to begin a musical journey that would span decades and touch the lives of thousands of music lovers everywhere! As different musicians have enjoyed the opportunity to play with the group over the years, The Banjo Busters has taken on many different forms. It all started with George and Tony, and they remain the leaders of the group to this day. Their first public performances found them playing in a group of 50 banjo players here at Northlands.

Modern square dancing is alive and well at Capital EX! We are pleased to welcome Edmonton and District Square Dance Society to this year’s exhibition. Enjoy these talented performers as they swing and turn.

When streetcars and buggies were the mode of transportation in Edmonton, the sweet harmonies of barbershop quartets wafted from halls and outdoor gatherings. These were simple times and the music was happy and upbeat. Travel back to those lazy summer days with members of the Gateway Chorus Sweet Adelines as they serenade Capital EX with songs of yesteryear!

Fireworks – presented by Up99! FM

Go out with a BANG every evening at Capital EX as the sky above the fairgrounds comes alive with a spectacular pyro-musical display! Our nightly fireworks display will reflect the musical decades from the 60’s and 70’s, 80’s and 90’s to the current music of the 2000’s.  Be sure to catch the final show on Sunday July 29,2012 as we feature two new fireworks products never before seen during the Capital EX fireworks display!

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EDMONTON, AB – This year’s edition of Capital EX is all about the music and Northlands is pumped up about many new and exciting components to Edmonton’s fair. In response to community feedback, this year’s theme of music will be woven throughout different aspects of the event. “We want the community to know that we’ve listened. People told us they wanted a theme for Capital EX and because music has always been such an integral part of Capital EX I think this is a perfect fit for our first themed year,” said Richard L. Andersen, President and CEO of Northlands. TELUS Stage concerts have always been a huge draw to the grounds and this year the line up with be pumped up, as well supported by a concert series at Rexall Place with artists Il Divo and Iron Maiden. And as an added bonus, ticket holders from concerts at Rexall Place will get free entry onto the Capital EX grounds on their concert ticket day.

One of the big names that will be taking the TELUS Stage this year is Canadian band Theory of a Deadman, who will perform on TELUS Stage on July 23, 2012. This award-winning band has been nominated for two Junos in the categories of Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year in 2006 and took home a Juno for New Group of the Year in 2003. Event goers will certainly be able to get their rock on throughout the 10 days, with further concert announcements to come over the next month.

This year, as it continues to reinforce its commitment to the community, Northlands is introducing a few new additions to the ticketing packages in an effort to make it more affordable for a family to come down and enjoy the grounds for a day. “Producing a thrilling event that incorporates great value is extremely important to me and my team,” states Andersen. “This is Edmonton’s fair and we want to make sure it provides the best value for everyone that comes.” New this year is the Multi Day Pumped Up Fun Pass for only $29.99, which gives guests unlimited access to all TELUS Stage performances, attractions and entertainment for all 10 days. And for those that don’t like to wait in line for the rides, this year there is a new Midway Express Access Pass available onsite only for $20, which gets you to the front of the line.

Something else that is getting cranked up this year is the Capital EX 2012 Parade, which will also be incorporating the music theme.

There will be a number of new floats, including at least six 60-foot helium balloons similar to the Macy’s Day Parade, marching bands and roving street performers. We are thrilled to have Global TV Edmonton televise the parade live at 11 a.m. on July 19th, 2012.

To make it more affordable for groups, there is no entry fee this year and organizers are still accepting applications from everyone from community groups to corporate partners.

This year, Northlands is excited to add the United Way Alberta Capital Region to the list of community service organizations for Capital EX. Flags will be distributed at the Parade with a special removable offer of 50% off gate admission for the Day 1 or Day 10 of Capital EX. The net proceeds from the gate admissions generated from the parade flag offer will be provided back to the United Way Albert Capital Region.

And the fair just wouldn’t be the fair without talk of the food. This year visitors can expect a variety of new and very original creations including a tasty cream puff and then of course some of the standard favourites for those who prefer the traditional fair treats.

Over the past year, Northlands has consulted Edmontonians on numerous occasions and there was one thing that community members kept coming back to on and that was their lack of connection to the name Capital EX. “For us at Northlands it is about creating memories every day and it’s the moments and experiences that stick with people when they visit us here. But we also realize that this is Edmonton’s fair and we want to get the community’s input on what the name should be moving forward to help strengthen and solidify that connection we have with our guests,” Andersen commented.

In partnership with the Edmonton Journal and Global Edmonton, Northlands will be launching a re-naming campaign over the next couple of weeks, where all three partners will be soliciting suggestions from the public on what they think the new name should be. After submissions have been collected, there will be a short list that the public will then be able to vote on with the winning name and next year’s theme announced on the last day of this year’s event.