April 27, 2006 -

Ottawa, Canada -- On Wednesday, May 3, 2006, the lobby of the National Arts Centre will be the venue for “Moda Forte”, a men and women’s fashion show including music and models from the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the proceeds of which will support the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s music education programmes.

Organized by the National Arts Centre Orchestra Association (NACOA) in partnership with Holt Renfrew, Jubilee Fine Jewellers, Toshiba Business Solutions, the Ben Barry Agency, and Elee Salon and Spa, the evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. with wine and nibbles. The Colbert Quintet, which consists of NAC Orchestra members Joanna G’froerer on flute, Charles Hamann on oboe, Kimball Sykes on clarinet, Christopher Millard on bassoon, and Lawrence Vine on horn will set the mood for the evening and the fashions to come with a performance of Darius Milhaud’s La Cheminée du Roi René.

“Last year’s fashion show was an enormous success, both in supporting the National Arts Centre Orchestra’s music education programmes and in profiling the Orchestra and its members in a new and exciting manner,” said Josie Finestone, the President of NACOA.

Hosted by Eric Friesen of CBC Radio’s Studio Sparks and Marjolaine Laroche, assistant principal double bass of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the fashion show will feature men’s and women’s fashions from Holt Renfrew on the theme of “musical outings” and will include everything from smart casual outfits suitable for an outdoor concert to formal wear suitable for the NAC’s annual fall gala. The clothes will be modeled by professional models from the Ben Barry Agency and, again this year, by members of the NAC Orchestra, including violinist Lev Berenshteyn, principal trumpet Karen Donnelly, principal flute Joanna G’froerer, violinist Richard Green, principal oboe Charles Hamann, horn player Jill Kirwan, and principal bassoon Christopher Millard. The evening will end with coffee and desserts, and attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction and a Balloon Tombola. Prizes include two tickets to a NAC Orchestra concert, including dinner beforehand at Le Café, a spa package, a “day in the Glebe”, and many gift certificates from well-known Ottawa restaurants and stores.

The National Arts Centre Orchestra Association is the primary volunteer support organization of the National Arts Centre Orchestra and was created alongside the Orchestra in 1969. Since then, NACOA has helped to support and promote the Orchestra’s activities and to cultivate future musicians and audiences with its commitment to music education programmes for young people. Through its many fundraising activities throughout the year, NACOA funds bursaries and scholarships for aspiring young musicians, pre-concert activities for the Young People’s Concerts at the NAC, the Music in the Schools Programme with members of the NAC Orchestra and the Young Artists Programme at the NAC.

Tickets for the Moda Forte fashion show, a portion of which is tax deductible, cost $60 ($50 for NACOA members). They are on sale now at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may be accessed through the NAC’s website at www.nac-cna.ca or at www.ticketmaster.ca. . Student tickets at $30.00 are available for purchase in person only at the NAC Box Office or at Ticketmaster locations. For information please contact Sue Cassone at 858-3404 or by e-mail at sue-cassone@coldwellbanker.ca.

Media Representatives who wish further information or who wish to cover the event are invited to contact:
Laura Roston
lroston@uottawa.ca

Lillian Thomsen
lillian.thomsen@rogers.com