Government of Canada Celebrates Millionth Visitor Milestone at Expo 2010

SHANGHAI, CHINA, Jun 02 (MARKET WIRE) —
On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages, the one-millionth visitor to the Canada Pavilion
at Expo 2010 in Shanghai was welcomed by the Honourable Jim Flaherty,
Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of
International Trade. The milestone was reached while they were in
Shanghai in the course of an official visit to China.

“One million visitors in one month confirms the popularity of the
Canada Pavilion as a destination of choice. Reaching this milestone
quickly is a major achievement,” said Minister Moore. “This
bodes well for the continuing success of our endeavours at this important
international exposition.”

“We greeted a distinguished guest today: our millionth visitor. Our
Government is proud to welcome Qiao Ren Biao to the Canada Pavilion. The
response from the Chinese population is very positive,” said
Minister Jim Flaherty. “The pavilion has established a modern image
of Canada in the hearts and imaginations of a million Chinese and
international visitors. We are confident that we will welcome millions of
other visitors by the end of October 2010.”

“Canada’s pavilion is a great showcase for the expertise, innovative
thinking, and creativity of Canadian companies,” said Minister Van
Loan. “Chinese entrepreneurs and investors will be interested in the
business component of the Pavilion and will be able to find out about the
many diverse business opportunities available in Canada. I would like to
thank Qiao Ren Biao for his interest in the Canada Pavilion. I know that
this same interest in Canada is shared by many here in Shanghai and
around the world.”

The Canada Pavilion is the result of a unique collaboration between the
Government of Canada and Cirque du Soleil. Since its opening, the
Pavilion has consistently been one of the most popular features of Expo
2010 in Shanghai.

The Canada Pavilion has seen near-capacity crowds every day since the
opening of the Expo on May 1, 2010. Qiao Ren Biao received special Canada
Pavilion souvenirs and the opportunity to have a photo taken with
Canada’s Commissioner General to Expo, Mark H. Rowswell, known in China
as Dashan.

Canadians can enjoy the Canada Pavilion, even if a trip to China is not
on their itinerary this summer, through a virtual visit to the pavilion,
which is available online.

For more information about Canada’s participation in Expo 2010 Shanghai
or to see the virtual Canada Pavilion, visit www.expo2010canada.gc.ca.

This news release is available on the Internet at
www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.

Contacts:
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
Matthew Deacon – Press Secretary
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca

Canadian Heritage
Media Relations
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca

Office of the Minister of Finance
Annette Robertson
Press Secretary
613-996-7861

Department of Finance
Jack Aubry
Media Relations
613-996-8080

Minister of International Trade
Monika Bujalska
Press Secretary
613-992-9304

Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Trade Media Relations Office
613-996-2000

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Government of Canada Celebrates Millionth Visitor Milestone at Expo 2010

SHANGHAI, CHINA, Jun 02 (MARKET WIRE) —
On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages, the one-millionth visitor to the Canada Pavilion
at Expo 2010 in Shanghai was welcomed by the Honourable Jim Flaherty,
Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of
International Trade. The milestone was reached while they were in
Shanghai in the course of an official visit to China.

“One million visitors in one month confirms the popularity of the
Canada Pavilion as a destination of choice. Reaching this milestone
quickly is a major achievement,” said Minister Moore. “This
bodes well for the continuing success of our endeavours at this important
international exposition.”

“We greeted a distinguished guest today: our millionth visitor. Our
Government is proud to welcome Qiao Ren Biao to the Canada Pavilion. The
response from the Chinese population is very positive,” said
Minister Jim Flaherty. “The pavilion has established a modern image
of Canada in the hearts and imaginations of a million Chinese and
international visitors. We are confident that we will welcome millions of
other visitors by the end of October 2010.”

“Canada’s pavilion is a great showcase for the expertise, innovative
thinking, and creativity of Canadian companies,” said Minister Van
Loan. “Chinese entrepreneurs and investors will be interested in the
business component of the Pavilion and will be able to find out about the
many diverse business opportunities available in Canada. I would like to
thank Qiao Ren Biao for his interest in the Canada Pavilion. I know that
this same interest in Canada is shared by many here in Shanghai and
around the world.”

The Canada Pavilion is the result of a unique collaboration between the
Government of Canada and Cirque du Soleil. Since its opening, the
Pavilion has consistently been one of the most popular features of Expo
2010 in Shanghai.

The Canada Pavilion has seen near-capacity crowds every day since the
opening of the Expo on May 1, 2010. Qiao Ren Biao received special Canada
Pavilion souvenirs and the opportunity to have a photo taken with
Canada’s Commissioner General to Expo, Mark H. Rowswell, known in China
as Dashan.

Canadians can enjoy the Canada Pavilion, even if a trip to China is not
on their itinerary this summer, through a virtual visit to the pavilion,
which is available online.

For more information about Canada’s participation in Expo 2010 Shanghai
or to see the virtual Canada Pavilion, visit www.expo2010canada.gc.ca.

This news release is available on the Internet at
www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.

Contacts:
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
Matthew Deacon – Press Secretary
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca

Canadian Heritage
Media Relations
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca

Office of the Minister of Finance
Annette Robertson
Press Secretary
613-996-7861

Department of Finance
Jack Aubry
Media Relations
613-996-8080

Minister of International Trade
Monika Bujalska
Press Secretary
613-992-9304

Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Trade Media Relations Office
613-996-2000

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Cirque du Soleil to base show on MJ”s music

New York, April 21 (ANI): Late King of Pop Michael Jackson’s estate and Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil are planning to produce a touring acrobatics show based on his music.

The “concert-like” arena tour, which is expected to start late next year and visit the New York metropolitan area, will end in 2012 with a permanent production in Las Vegas at a property owned by the MGM Mirage.

A Jackson-inspired nightclub will also open with the Vegas show.

“This will not just be a tribute to Michael’s musical genius, but a live entertainment experience that uses the most advanced technology to push every creative boundary as Michael always did,” the New York Daily News quoted estate layer John Branca as saying in a statement.

“Having attended Cirque du Soleil performances with Michael, I know he was a huge fan,” he stated.

The estate, which supports Jackson’s three children and his mother Katherine Jackson, will own 50 percent of the project and share in the cost of production. The estate also will receive royalty payments.

“Our family is thrilled that Cirque du Soleil will pay tribute to my son in such an important way,” Katherine Jackson said in a statement. (ANI)

When Pammie, mystery guy spent one hour in a outdoor bathroom trailer

New York, September 14 (ANI): Pamela Anderson had people talking when she attended a recent photography exhibition, as she disappeared with a guy to an outdoor bathroom trailer for almost an hour.

The hottie was present at the opening party for David LaChapelle’s new photography exhibition at the David DeSanctis gallery in LA.

“She was with a guy who plays a character in Cirque du Soleil. They were in the outdoor bathroom trailer together for almost an hour,” the New York Post quoted an attendee as saying.

The insider added: “It was a really crowded party but everyone was whispering about it. We’re not sure what was going on in there.”

Anderson’s representatives have maintained silence over the issue. (ANI)

‘Cirque De Soleil’ creator called cheater in new book

New York, May 29 (ANI): The man, who created the beloved Cirque du Soleil, is now being called a cheater by his ex-girlfriend in a new book.

In ‘Guy Laliberte: The Fabulous Story of the Creator of the Cirque du Soleil’, author Ian Halperin has revealed that Rizia Moreira, who gave birth to three of Laliberte’s five children, thinks he is a scoundrel.

“Guy thinks he is larger than life. He would be out all night partying with young girls while I stayed at home watching the kids. He had so many women behind my back,” the New York Post quoted Moreira as saying in the book.

She added: “He tried to hide it, but I caught him each time . . . I confronted him, and he didn’t know what to say. He made my life miserable.”

Moreira told Halperin: “He’d come home after sleeping with other women and have sex with me . . . If he had told me, I never would have had sex with him. Not only was he being unfaithful, he was putting my health at risk . . . He was a master of deception and tricks and stunts.”

However, Renee-Claude Menard, a representative for Laliberte and Cirque, called the book “unauthorized” and said that they have no connection with the contents of the tome.

Menard said: “(It) is purely based on the author’s research. We, both Cirque du Soleil and Guy Laliberti, will not comment on contents that have been gathered through ‘hearsay.’ We do not recognize this book as relevant nor factual.”

The book from Transit Publishing will be out in June. (ANI)

Jacko ‘falls for baton-twirling circus babe’

London, May 24 (ANI): Michael Jackson is said to be besotted with a baton-twirling circus stnner who he wants to perform at his comeback London gigs.

Jacko, who has already recruited a professional pole dancer to join his troupe at the tour, is about to sign Noriko Takahashi, 30, who is currently appearing in Las Vegas in the Cirque du Soleil production Ka.

Yesterday, sources had revealed that Jackson had fallen for the beautiful Japanese gymnast, who has won six gold medals in 15 appearances at the annual Baton Twirling World Championships, reports The Daily Star.

One of his aides declared: “He’s been infatuated with her since he first saw her in Ka and he’s chatted with her backstage numerous times.”

According to the source, the 50-year-old singer popped out to see the showgirl at least ten times during a six-week stay in Vegas.

He added: “When he moved back to LA, he even pleaded with Noriko to join him there.

“He promised to pay her air fare and offered her a fortune to dance solely for him.

“She very politely declined – she’s a really shy girl – but Michael is now hoping to make her an offer she can’t refuse to perform with him in London this summer.” (ANI)

Scarlett Johansson hesitant over gladiatrix role in new film

London, March 5 (ANI): Scarlett Johansson is a bundle of nerves thinking about her role as a gladiatrix in her new film, since she doubts “fitting the mould” of a warrior woman.

The actress revealed that even though she has previously undergone weapon training for her other roles, she is yet to feel confident about portraying a murderous girl for ‘Amazon’.

“I think I’m supposed to be a gladiatrix. These film guys are crazy about gladiatrixes,” the Daily Express quoted her as saying,

“But do I fit the mould? I’m a Danish/Jewish girl from New York.

“I’ve done weapons training. I’ve fired all kinds of guns; 9mm semi-automatics, machine guns, shotguns. I’ve jumped off a 60-foot building. I learnt to ride for The Horse Whisperer. But I’ve never done a full-on action role.

“I guess I’m still waiting for my Cirque du Soleil moment. It would be fun,” she added. (ANI)