Drumming Up Interest in Nova Scotia

The province of Nova Scotia is backing a musical production designed to attract more visitors to Nova Scotia.

The Office of Economic Development is making an investment of $235,000 in set and equipment costs for a stage production of DRUM!, which merges Acadian, Aboriginal, Black and Celtic heritage to tell Nova Scotia's story in song and dance.

"Music and culture are among the foundation industries identified in Nova Scotia's economic growth strategy, Opportunities for Prosperity," said Economic Development Minister Ernest Fage in announcing the funding today, Sept. 17.

"This investment in the capital costs of the new production is a further step in expanding our music and culture sector," said Mr. Fage. "The investment helps to communicate Nova Scotia's unique message to the world through a signature product."

DRUM! is currently a one-hour CBC-TV special scheduled to air this fall. The live production also opens for various cultural and tourism events in Nova Scotia.

The funding announced today will help the producers develop a stage production that will be performed locally, nationally and internationally to attract more visitors to the province.

"DRUM! combines the great diversity of Nova Scotia's musical and cultural talent and will be a tremendous ambassador for the province," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "Our music, culture and heritage provide a great experience for visitors to this province."

The travelling production of DRUM! is being developed by Brookes Diamond Productions Limited in association with the Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia, under the production-company name, DRUM Live Inc.

The overall objective of DRUM! is to showcase Nova Scotia to the world as a harmonious merging of diverse founding cultures. The combination of Aboriginal, Acadian, Black and Celtic cultural styles is a distinctive new blend long-remembered by an audience.