RISING CANADIAN SINGER-SONGWRITER CHRISTINE EVANS TO HELP KICK OFF THE 2007 NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS WHEN SHE SINGS "O CANADA" AT THE OPENING NIGHT T-MOBILE ROOKIE CHALLENGE/YOUTH JAM ON FEBRUARY 16
- LOS ANGELES, CA, February 07, 2007 - Acclaimed 16-year-old Victoria, B.C.-raised singer-songwriter Christine Evans will represent her home country at the NBA All-Star 2007 in Las Vegas on Fri., February 16 when she sings the National Anthem "O Canada" at the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam at Thomas & Mack Center. The event - the official kickoff for the weekend - is a joint effort between the league and NBA Cares, their social responsibility initiative that addresses social issues in the U.S. and internationally, including youth-serving programs supporting education, families and health-related causes. 6,500 youths from local schools, After School All-Stars and Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas will attend, having earned tickets by the NBA Cares pledge to be All-Stars in their own schools and communities.
"It is a great honor for me to represent Canada at the NBA"s Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, which is a wonderful event. The NBA"s Steve Nash and I both come from Victoria, B.C., so I"m thrilled to have been invited to take part." Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash has been the NBA"s MVP for the last two years, and with his best season ever underway, is widely expected to claim the title again this year. This year"s NBA All-Star event - the 56th annual - marks the first time it"s been held in a city without an NBA team. The weekend of activities is expected to draw more than 25,000 visitors; both the Feb. 16 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam and the Feb. 18 All-Star Game will be broadcast live on TNT/Turner Network Television and ESPN Radio (the Game is also telecast worldwide to over 200 countries in 40 languages).
It"s not just Christine"s youth, stellar voice and shared hometown with NBA superstar Nash that make her an ideal presence at the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. The rising star also dedicates significant time to social causes and non-profit initiatives. In the U.S., Christine has also been appointed Artist Ambassador for the Peter Yarrow-founded (Peter, Paul & Mary) Operation Respect. The anti-bullying organization"s mandate is to teach tolerance to grade schoolers through school-based character education and social and emotional learning programs. Yarrow commented, "Christine is a very gifted singer/songwriter with an expressive, beautiful voice and a totally genuine life perspective." This position is in addition, and complimentary to, her ongoing work as Artist Ambassador for Canada"s Kids Help Phone, an organization providing online and toll-free help for young people across Canada, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Christine Evans has been growing a solid fan base both in Canada and America ever since she emerged from the thriving Vancouver Island music scene that"s also produced Nelly Furtado and Diana Krall. Her second album, Push, featuring the Canadian #1 hit single on Christian radio "Break Me," has drawn strong critical acclaim and will be released in the U.S. this summer - Evans wrote all the songs and co-produced with veteran producer Tom Hall. At home, Christine achieved the #9 spot (CANCON) for all of 2006, and had a holiday season hit with her moving version of Joni Mitchell"s "River." After studying at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Christine now attends high school near New York City, where she is currently recording her third album.
07.02.2007 - 20:25 Source: 24-7pressrelease.com | Read: 360 X
