SHANE KOYCZAN, Canada’s most exciting performance poet to take stage in Kelowna

Presented by Ryan Donn Productions

 KELOWNA, BC (March 5, 2012) – At the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the world was introduced to the poet of our generation as he brought the 55,000 seat house to their feet with his tear-jerking homage to Canada entitled “We Are More”.  Spoken word virtuoso Shane Koyczan has emerged in a new wave of 21st century poetry that dares to belong to the people, and speak directly to them in their own voice.  Bringing his rhythmic verse to the ROTARY CENTRE for the ARTS on Sunday, March 18^th at 8:00PM, Koyczan will navigate his audience through social and political territory with a furious honesty and tender humanity.

You only have to hear Shane Koyczan read once to be hooked – humane, furious, sexy, political, tragic and so funny you’ll be laughing through your tears. With musical accompaniment by ‘The Short Story Long’, Shane moves from subdued, deep, sad, love poetry to power chord hip-hop meta-meter.

Powerfully engaging and authentic in attitude, Shane Koyczan’s explorations are relevant to our times in the way that Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Gord Downie, and Leonard Cohen are to theirs.  But unlike the musicians that he’s often compared to, poets rarely infiltrate pop culture.  As Winner of the US Slam Poetry Championship and the Canadian Spoken Word Olympics, Koyczan is truly an extraordinary talent that has blown the dust off of the designation “poet”.

“Shane Koyczan is electrifying. It’s a rare poet who can make his audience laugh and cry; this is a writer who will break your heart then heal it.” ~ Val McDermid, author of The Grave Tattoo

“I got a call from Shelly at the RCA mentioning that Shane wanted to perform in Kelowna but they couldn’t find a promoter. After having him at Global Music Fest last year it was a no-brainer. Shane is amazing and our city needs to hear what he has to say. His words and passion are inspiring. I’m looking forward to catch his show with the full band” Ryan Donn

Now the multi award-winning spoken word performer breathes life into the new genre of talk rock with his band ‘The Short Story Long’. A trio whose musical range stretches from folk to funk, from ambient to rock, showcasing all of the beautiful in between, have along with Koyczan created a whole new style of song/verse.

Shane Koyczan performs in the Mary Irwin Theatre at the Rotary Centre for the Arts located at 421 Cawston Avenue on Sunday, March 18 at 8:00PM for one night only!  Tickets are priced as follows: $20 General Admission, $16 Students/Seniors (INCLUDES ALL TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES).

Tickets available through Select Your Tickets: (250) 717.5304 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com

Good Lovelies    “Toronto-based folk-roots, flirty bluegrass and western swing all girl  trio”
Date: March 11 2012 Sun @ 6:30PM 
Tickets:  $30 Adults $10 Students  www.selectyourtickets.com

Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna

Steven Page    “Former Barenaked Ladies frontman, here one night only with acoustic duo.”
Date: March 17 2012 at 7:30PM
Tickets:  $30 Adults $10 Students  www.selectyourtickets.com

UBUNTU ~The Cape Town Project “This international collaboration of Canadian and South African artists traces the ties that bind us all, with spirited storytelling, music and dance.”
Date: Fri-Sat Mar 23/24th  7:30PM
Tickets:  $30 Adults $10 Students  www.selectyourtickets.com

The High Bar Gang “Roots Supergroup including Shari Ulrich and Barney Bentall featuring gospel, bluegrass, traditional country and Appalachian folk songs.”
Date: Sat April 14 2012   7:30PM
Tickets:  $30 Adults $10 Students  www.selectyourtickets.com