October 18, 2006 -

OTTAWA -- Bruce Cockburn, one of Canada’s preeminent musical and humanitarian ambassadors, returns to his native Ottawa to perform a concert at 20:00 in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Saturday October 21, 2006 – the same day as he receives the prestigious Peace Award.

Bruce Cockburn is a true Canadian music legend and national treasure. He got his start as a folk performer in the 1960s and has consistently produced albums that explore musical and socio-political boundaries. His decades of cross-genre musical innovation blended with a fierce devotion to issues such as environmentalism, human rights, and social justice have enlightened and entertained legions of fans of different ages and backgrounds.

Bruce Cockburn’s appearance comes on the tail of the release of his 29th album, Life Short Call Now. This album follows up 2005’s Speechless – Cockburn’s first-ever instrumental record. Life Short Call Now includes 12 Cockburn originals and features guest appearances from Ani Difranco, Ron Sexsmith, Hawksley Workman, and Damhnait Doyle. Several of the songs were written during and after Bruce Cockburn’s 2004 fact-finding mission to Baghdad. Cockburn’s “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” was voted by listeners as number one on the CBC radio show The National Playlist, where it stayed for three consecutive weeks in March 2006.

Tickets are $43.50, $49.50, and $55.50 through the NAC Box Office, 53 Elgin Street (open Monday-Saturday, 10:00 to 21:00), www.nac-cna.ca, by calling Ticketmaster at (613) 755-1111 or through www.ticketmaster.ca.

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Gerald Morris
National Arts Centre
(613) 947-7000 ext. 249
gmorris@nac-cna.ca