St. Catharines, Ontario – As anticipation builds for the 2024 World Rowing Senior, Under 23,
and Under 19 Championships (Mega Worlds) from August 18-25, the Niagara Region gears up to
celebrate through music and recognition. On July 26, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
(PAC) will host “Oars & Encore: A Celebration of Niagara’s Rowing Community,” an evening
combining a concert by acclaimed Canadian musician Steven Page and a ceremony honouring
champions in Niagara’s rowing community.
Opening the event will be Niagara’s own Evan Rotella, adding a hometown flair to the
celebration. Rotella, a Diamond winner for Niagara This Week's Reader's Choice 2024 Awards for
Best Entertainment and Best Local Musician or Artist, will hit the stage at 8:05PM with songs from
debut album "Happy to Be Here". This album, produced by Mark Rogers (LMT Connection) and
Myles Rogers (Jin The Band), features 10 original songs and showcases Rotella’s unique musical
style.
Rotella has recently completed residencies at Hamilton’s iconic Casbah Lounge and Toronto’s
The Cameron House, where he performed alongside various local musicians, further cementing
his status in the Canadian music scene.
“It is an honour to be opening up for one of Canada’s best singer/songwriters, Steven Page at the
Oars & Encore Concert and playing a few songs from my new album ‘Happy To Be Here’. I’m
also excited to be playing the Performing Arts Centre for the first time and appreciate being
asked to be a part of this great event,” said Rotella.
Following Rotella’s opening act, the concert will feature Juno award-winning and former
Barnaked Ladies band member, Steven Page, beginning at 8:30PM.
Tickets can be purchased here and start at just $60.00. Use promo code ROWCAA to unlock
20% purchase savings
The evening will also include a recognition ceremony at 6:30PM, honouring key figures from
Niagara’s rowing community. Honourees include:
● Jim Hyman (Builder) – Niagara Falls Rowing Club
● Jim Minards (Builder) – St. Catharines Rowing Club (Posthumously)
● Barb Little (Volunteer) – St. Catharines Rowing Alumni
● Rhiannon Zahorchak (Coach) – Notre Dame Rowing
● Mike Purcer (Builder) – Brock Rowing Club
● Don Baker Jr. (Volunteer) – Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation
● Susan Hazell (Volunteer) – Ridley College
● Garry Roscoe (Volunteer) – Henley Island Helpers of the St. Catharines Rowing Club
● Don McSween (Volunteer) – Ridley Graduate Boat Club
● Helen Taylor (Builder) – South Niagara Rowing Club
Special thanks to our community partners: Brock University, Ridley College, Canadian Rowing
Foundation, Cooper Wealth, and Sullivan Mahoney, whose support has been pivotal to this
event's success.
For more information and ticket purchases, please visit the Mega Worlds website.
About the 2024 World Rowing Championships
From August 18-25, 2024, St. Catharines is set to welcome the world for the 2024 World Rowing
Senior, Under 23 and Under 19 Championships at the historic Royal Canadian Henley Rowing
Course. Known for its legacy in hosting major competitions, including two previous World Rowing
Championships, the Henley Rowing Course will bring together 2,500 athletes from over 80
countries in what is the biggest and most important World Rowing event of the season.
The 2024 World Rowing Championships is being made possible by the funding support of the
Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, including the Ontario Culture and Attractions
Fund and the City of St. Catharines.