May 29, 2009

The Winnipeg Arts Council is pleased to announce the nominees for the 2009 Winnipeg Arts Council Awards.  30 artists, arts administrators and patrons were recognized by their peers and nominated across the four award categories.  A big THANK YOU to the Winnipeg Folk Festival (www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca) for nominating Sheena Grobb in the On The Rise category.  

Other nominees in the category include Michael Dudeck, Takashi Iwasaki, Freya Olafson, as well as sought after bassist Marie-Josee Dandenault and singer/songwriter Daniel Roa, who both join Sheena on her upcoming full length album playing bass and drums, respectively.  View the story in the press:

Date with a Star is LDA Manitoba’s premier fundraising event. The event is unique, fun and fashionable and has raised over $150,000 for LDA Manitoba. The evening unfolds in a combination of excitement and mystery. Guests arrive for an impressive reception at the Fairmont Hotel. They meet friends and their table hosts, dine on tantalizing hors d’oeuvres and have the opportunity to contribute through a silent auction and/or purchase a mystery prize. The dinner is unique because guests do not know where they will be dining until that night. At the reception, each group is randomly paired with a fine restaurant and a mystery star who accompanies them to dinner. January 28, 2009 will mark the 8th annual Date with a Star in support of LDA Manitoba. Last year, 32 stars, 25 restaurants and 240 guests participated in the event.  www.datewithastar.ca

2009 Stars

• Joe Aiello 
  92 Citi FM  
• Tom McGouran 
  92 Citi FM  
• Susie Moloney  
  Author   
• Obby Khan 
  Blue Bombers - Offensive lineman  
• Doug Brown 
  Blue Bombers   
• Tom Milroy 
  BOB FM  
• Beau 
  BOB FM  
• Fred Penner 
  Children's Entertainer   
• Billie Jo Ross 
  Clear FM  
• Jay Oliver 
  Clear FM  
• Big Daddy 
  Tazz Comedian  
• Wade Miller  
  Entrepreneur and Bomber Alumini  
• Doug Speirs 
  Free Press - Publisher  
• Brian Glow 
  Magician   
• Kerri Irvin-Ross
  Minister of Healthy Living
• Larry McIntosh
  Peak of the Market   
• Dave Wheeler 
  Power 97  
• Jay Richardson
  Power 97  
• Andre Lewis 
  Royal Winnipeg Ballet   
• Joanne Kelly  
  Shaw TV  
• Tracy Koga 
  Shaw TV  
• Heather Bishop 
  Singer, song writer, pianist
• Sheena Grobb 
  Singer/songwritter
• Cosmo
  92 Citi FM
• Dez
  Clear FM
• Gord Leclerc
  CTV
• Brandon Kintzler
  Starting Pitcher, Winnipeg Goldeyes
• Chrissy Troy
  Hot 103
• Laurie Mustard
  Winnipeg Sun

Thursday, January 8, 2009
Sheena Ventures into Winnipeg Schools...
Working with Teachers and Students through Songwriting

It's a new experience for Sheena, but she's excited to share her music in a brand new way.  Working with Learning Through The Arts (LTTA) and The Integrated Arts (TIA) - programs designed to enhance and deepen the educational experience through the integration of art - Sheena will be participating as an artist with a focus on music and songwriting.  The task: to work alongside teachers using her art form to teach students curriculum objectives in a creative, experiential, and meaningful way.  "I've really enjoyed facilitating workshops in schools in the past," says Grobb, "but never before has the goal been so directly focused on curriculum outcomes.  I think it's brilliant to integrate the usual classroom tasks that are expected of students, and bring them to life with art forms such as dance, story telling, videography, visual art, etc. and in my case, songwriting.  It is my experience that kids become more engaged, the lessons are lasting and more meaningful, and speaking from the perspective of an educator as well, I think that's always the intention when working with kids."

Sheena will be visiting various schools periodically during the months of January through May.  Keep checking back for updates on Sheena's experience, and for more information on LTTA, visit www.ltta.ca.

Celebrate the Holidays with Sheena Grobb – and Special Guests

Acclaimed singer/songwriter returns to Rural Manitoba for a series of Christmas-Themed performances.

Treherne, Manitoba native Sheena Grobb will be returning to the Southern Manitoba for a 2nd annual holiday concert series that consists of her critically acclaimed original material, with a mix of Christmas Classics.

www.sheenagrobb.com for details on shows

Friday, December 19, 2008 – Killarney United Church, Killarney, Mb

Saturday, December 20, 2008 – Altona United Church, Altona, Mb

Sunday, December 21, 2008 – Manitou Opera House, Manitou, Mb

The concert series marks the end of a successful year of touring for Grobb, who completed a 50-show Canadian Tour over the summer months, and will be returning from a tour in Eastern Canada to spend the holidays with friends and family in Manitoba.

Sheena will also be bringing special guests to select shows including Sheena’s sister, vocalist/percussionist Rebecca Grobb, and Violinist/Violist Kristjanna Oleson, who was nominated as Musician of the Year at the 2006 Western Canadian Music Awards.  The trio of talented musicians is no stranger to performing music together.  In fact, Rebecca and Kristjanna can be heard on Sheena’s debut album “Safe Guarded Space”, which was recognized by the Western Canadian Music Awards as a nomination for Outstanding Pop Recording.  Sheena’s efforts have also been noticed south of the border, as the Los Angeles Music Awards nominated her as vocalist of the year in 2007.

Having a knack for creating haunting melodies and poignant lyrics, Sheena Grobb has made a name for herself with her emotionally stirring live performance and songwriting ability.  At a radio interview with legendary radio host Howard Manshein in 2007, Howard exclaimed, “Sheena Grobb is one of the best songwriters I have ever heard!”

For complete bio and press photos, please visit:

www.sheenagrobb.com

www.sonicbids.com/sheenagrobb - Electronic Press Kit

www.myspace.com/sheenagrobb

SHEENA PERFORMS AT WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH EVENT - Recognized for her involvement in Women's Issues

A celebration of Women’s History Month 2008 was hosted at the Legislative Building today by Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan, minister responsible for the status of women.

Women who have taken the lead to make important social changes in Manitoba’s recent history had a special place in this year’s event, said Allan.

“Many Manitoba women have brought positive change to our world through their vision for what is possible and their ability to work toward it,” said the minister.  “This year, we celebrate the inspiration they give us all. We applaud their commitment to engaging and collaborating with the community and their ability to ensure that community members’ voices are heard.

Women’s History Month is held nationally each year in October to celebrate the advances and contributions of women in all aspects of Canadian society.

This year the celebration included the release of Taking the Lead:  Women Who Have Made a Difference in Manitoba. The publication showcases the accomplishments of five Manitoba women who have worked to make the province a better place to live:  Edith Regier, Diana DeLaronde‑Colombe, Dr. June Marion James, Karen Busby and Myrna Phillips. It will also be available online at www.gov.mb.ca/msw/publications/publications.html. 

The guest speaker was Lee Newton, founder of Winnipeg Harvest and winner of a YWCA Women of Distinction Award. The event also featured a performance by singer, songwriter, pianist and guitar player Sheena Grobb, a rising musical star with a deep commitment to women’s issues. 

“While we look back with pride this month on the many accomplishments of women over the years, we are also encouraged by the passion and energy of those who continue to strive to achieve social change locally, nationally and globally,” said Allan.  

Lee Newton founded Winnipeg Harvest in 1984. Her inspiration was triggered by a news program featuring a food bank in New York, a city where tons of food found its way to people in need rather than being wasted and ending up in landfills.  She realized that Winnipeg residents living below the poverty line would benefit from a food bank and founded Winnipeg Harvest.  Its first home was in an unused St. Boniface warehouse.  Newton now works with Winnipeg Harvest as partnerships co-ordinator.  In 2005 she received the YWCA Women of Distinction Award for community volunteerism.  

Sheena Grobb is a local musician whose national and global exposure is growing.  The singer, songwriter, pianist and guitar player grew up in Treherne. She has been actively involved in women’s issues and now lives in Winnipeg.  In 2007, Grobbreceived a female vocalist of the year award from the Los Angeles Music Festival and was nominated in the outstanding pop recording category by the Western Canada Music Awards.  Her strong, beautiful voice complements the strength of her commitment to women’s issues such as breast cancer and violence against women.  Grobb has been featured in Herizons magazine, Uptown magazine, and The Brandon Sun.  She has toured throughout Manitoba and is currently touring across Canada.