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TREVOR HAGAN \/ FREE PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, EPC voted to rename Odeon Park in honour of the late Kevin Walters.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard from countless residents, artists and industry leaders across our city who were impacted by Kevin\u2019s profound generosity and vision,\u201d Duncan said in a release. \u201cNaming this plaza in his honour right on the doorstep of \u2018The Burt\u2019 will rejuvenate a vital public footprint and create an inclusive gathering place that reflects the soul of Winnipeg\u2019s creative community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walters\u2019 life in live entertainment began in high school, when he was often responsible for booking bands to play teen dances. A capable hand whose experiences in arts management covered a wide spectrum, Walters worked as a DJ, a club manager at Night Moves, a booking agent with the Hungry I Agency, and an artist manager through his company Twin Productions. For a time, he worked as the merchandising manager for Canadian alt-rock icons Barenaked Ladies.<\/p>\n
For over a decade, Walters worked with Manitoba Film & Music, helping local bands reach national and global audiences with his guidance and expertise. He played a key organizational role in the planning of the 2006 Grey Cup Festival in Winnipeg and was a founder of the Prairie Music Awards, now known as the Western Canadian Music Awards.<\/p>\n
With the Juno Awards returning to Winnipeg in 2027, it\u2019s worth remembering that Walters was instrumental in bringing the event to the city in 2005 and 2014.<\/p>\n
Walters is also remembered each year through Manitoba Music\u2019s Kevin Walters Legacy Award, recognizing emerging professionals working toward careers in the music industry. Given out since 2015, past winners include label managers like Kerri Stephens, Stu Anderson and Elise Roller, plus concert promoters, festival organizers and musicians including Gilad Carroll, Alan Greyeyes, Keisha Booker and MJ Dandeneau.<\/p>\n
Since 2020, Manitoba Music has also given out the Kevin Walters Memorial Songwriter Award, whose recipients include Matt Schellenberg, Rayannah, Sebastian Gaskin, Lana Winterhalt, David and Joey Landreth, Jade Turner and Mattmac. Both awards are presented annually in June.<\/p>\n
Kevin Donnelly of True North Sports + Entertainment, which owns the Burt, says the public reminder of Walters\u2019 contributions as an industry builder is a fitting tribute to a \u201cgenerational leader and tireless champion for bringing world-class arts and cultural events to Winnipeggers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNaming this public plaza in front of the Burton Cummings Theatre creates a permanent civic legacy that perfectly matches his relentless passion for community and entertainment,\u201d Donnelly said in a release.<\/p>\n
The city says that funding for custom plaza signage will be fully covered by the Assiniboia Community Committee Land Dedication Reserve, \u201crequiring zero draw from the city\u2019s general capital budget.\u201d<\/p>\n
winnipegfreepress.com\/benwaldman<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t Ben Waldman Ben Waldman is a National Newspaper Award-nominated reporter on the Arts & Life desk at the Free Press. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Ben completed three internships with the Free Press while earning his degree at Ryerson University\u2019s (now Toronto Metropolitan University\u2019s) School of Journalism before joining the newsroom full-time in 2019. Read more about Ben<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Ben produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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