Posted: September 4, 2005

Athletics:Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon announces major concert at Harbourfront Centre

TORONTO. September 5th 2005:

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon has announced a major outdoor concert, featuring Canadian classic rock band, LIGHTHOUSE, and the words' #1 calypso/soca artist DAVID RUDDER, for Friday evening, September 23rd, on the Toronto Star stage, Ann Tindall Park at Harbourfront Centre. The concert is free and open to the public as well as all participants, to provide a broader awareness of the marathon to spectators and the community at large.

The concert, from 7pm to 10pm, is designed to launch "Waterfront Marathon Weekend", and highlight the sounds and tastes of Toronto, the world's most multicultural city.

"We're thrilled that we've been able to introduce the concert this year," said Race Director Alan Brookes. "It's a key part of our ongoing efforts to grow the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront into a weekend-long festival, rather than just a Sunday morning run, and build a Toronto experience."

The concert will reflect the joy and celebration of marathon weekend, and the rich cultural diversity of T.O. Going on first, LIGHTHOUSE represents the quintessential, Canadian band from the '70s. Between 1969 and 1974 they won four prestigious Juno awards as the country's best rock band and released nine albums that reached gold and platinum status containing such hits as Sunny Days, Hats Off to the Stranger, Pretty Lady, and One Fine Morning. Fusing rock, jazz and classical influences, LIGHTHOUSE thrilled audiences with their unique blend of hard driving rhythms, exciting jazz improvisations, and soaring orchestral arrangements.

LIGHTHOUSE performed at all the major halls including Carnegie Hall and the Fillmores East and West, and were featured at rock festivals around the world. They originated the cross-Canada rock tour, playing every major and minor venue across the country. After disbanding for eight years LIGHTHOUSE reunited in 1982 for a weekend of concerts at Ontario Place performing before 35,000 cheering fans. LIGHTHOUSE is back again, as great as ever, with a ten member line-up guaranteed to get Waterfront Marathon weekend off on an uplifting, right foot!

If Lighthouse represents "classic" Canadian rock, DAVID RUDDER represents the new, multicultural Toronto. A native of Belmont, Trinidad, he has married a Canadian and made his home in Toronto for the past 4 years. Over the past 2 decades, he has become widely regarded internationally as one of the world's top calypso artists, as "The Man with the Message" and "The Bob Marley of soca." His songs have been described as prophetic, in-depth, charismatic, electric and immortal.

According to Daisann Lane of Village Voice, "He is the first of a new generation of calypsonians and he's opening up a whole new way to write, sing, feel and see the thing. His music transcends culture, race and class. You don't have to be from Trinidad to feel the power and integrity in it. Things will never be the same again."

From "The Hammer" to "Calypso Music" to "Caribbean Party", Rudder's infectious beat is guaranteed to loosen up marathoners and spectators alike, to pump them up and get them ready to run and "parteeee" on race day. In addition to the music, those attending will be able to get a "taste of Toronto" at Harbourfront Centre's "World Cafe", with Caribbean, Indian, Russian, Middle Eastern and Canadian food on offer at under $10 per dinner plate. Runners from the UK, USA and Canada will also be able to pick up a free "Team GB", "Team America" or "Team Canada" wristband to wear and show their colours over the weekend, from the respective national team booths; plus meet and mingle with the elite and non-elite athletes from around the world--more than 30 countries and 40 American states.

The evening will also afford an opportunity to explore and chat to many of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon's 40+ official charities who will be on hand with display booths.

Finally, for spectators, if you enjoy Lighthouse and Rudder, you'll be able to pass by the Neighbourhood Challenge booth at the concert and get information on all the bands playing Sunday morning at the 11 Neighbourhood Cheering & Entertainment Centres along the route, with times and locations--from Samba Squad to Batucada Cario and Maracatu Nunca Antes (Brazilian drum bands), Melange Steelband, Chinese Lion Dancers, Scots' Pipe bands and more! For further information on the concert on the 23rd [including music clips], or to register for the marathon, Half or 5K on September 25th, go to www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.