MONTRÉAL, May 25:  –  The internationally acclaimed Quebéc diva Diane Dufresne and the Cirque du Soleil, whose international reputation needs no introduction, will perform at the opening ceremony of the 1^st World Outgames – Montréal 2006 – next year at the Olympic Stadium.

Both the opening and closing ceremonies will be televised by Radio Canada (the French language service of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and, Outgames organisers say, will be a “world-wide first” for an international event organised by the gay community.

Louise Roy, the CEO of Montréal 2006, said that Sogestalt Télévision Inc had been selected to produce both the opening and closing ceremonies.

“We are extremely pleased and proud to have finalized this agreement which, we are certain, will guarantee the success of these major events that will be presented as part of the Outgames,” she said.  “We have no doubt that the ceremonies will be filled with excitement, surprises and pure magic.”

Guy Latraverse, the president of Sogestalt TV, referred to what he called “the incredible challenge” of staging both events.

“Just the kind we like,” he said.  “Thirty years after the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Montréal, we will have the Olympic Stadium moving once again to the rhythms and colours of the world for two unforgettable shows.”

Diane Dufresne spoke of the “great thrill” of her return to Montréal’s Olympic Stadium next year.  “The Stadium holds so many wonderful memories for me,” she said.

“In fact, it was Guy Latraverse who produced my Magie Rose show in 1984.  My participation in this incredible gathering for the Outgames should be no surprise to anyone; gay audiences have always shown me so much love and support over the years.”

Latraverse is one of the most sought-after entertainment and television producers in both Québec and in Canada.

His talent and experience, both in France and throughout ‘La Francophonie’ (a network of 56 states and governments using French as a common language), have also made him one of the most well-known and respected producers in Europe as well.

Latraverse has earned numerous artistic awards throughout his career.  At the 1999 Gemini Awards, he was honoured by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television with the Grand Prix Hommage for his outstanding body of work in television production.

In a career that has spanned four decades, Guy Latraverse has represented over thirty leading Quebec and European artists including Diane Dufresne, Léo Ferré, Robert Charlebois, Dalida, Charles Aznavour, Mireille Mathieu, Jean-Pierre Ferland, Raymond Devos, Johnny Hallyday, Michel Fugain and Julien Clerc.

Montréal’s mayor, Gérald Tremblay, was thrilled to learn that the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 1^st World Outgames will be organized with all of the magnificence of a ‘games’ that will be the subject of broad international media coverage.

“With international event professionals like Guy Latraverse, Cirque du Soleil and Diane Dufresne, it is not difficult to imagine that the 1^st Outgames will benefit from the best in terms of artistic performance, he commented.

“We can already be sure that the people who will attend the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Montréal Outgames will be left with incredible memories.  This is a can’t-miss event for all Montrealers.”

■  The 1^st World Outgames, are being staged from July 26 to August 5, 2006.  The date,  more than 4,800 have registered to participate.

LINKS

Rendez-Vous Montréal 2006 website
Tourisme Montréal website

25 May  2005