July 24, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POUR LA DISTRIBUTION IMMEDIATE

For more information contact:

Kevin Solez

1.780.439.4990

solez@UAlberta.CA

Kim Solez, M.D.

1.780.407.2607

Kim.Solez@UAlberta.CA

EDMONTON, Alberta -- Hallelujah!  Leonard Cohen Night, a celebration of Cohen's music, poetry and life, returns to Edmonton for his 69th birthday on September 21, 2003. It will be a joyous evening of music, poetry, visual arts, food and drink, taking place at the Hellenic Canadian Community Centre, 10450 116th Street, Edmonton.

The Leonard Cohen Nights Foundation was founded on the belief that Cohen is the foremost literary and musical figure in Canada. Festivities will start at 4:00 PM and refreshments will be served, including Cohen's signature drink, the Red Needle.

Bob Chelmick, host of CKUA’s “Alberta Morning” and “The Road Home” will emcee the celebration, which last year drew a capacity crowd for the inaugural event. Featured performers include Dale Ladouceur, Ben Sures, Al Brant, Paul Bromley, Babe Lloyd, and Craig Shafer.

Well-known Cohen fan Nancy White, who performed in Edmonton last winter at the Comedy Festival, is flying in from Toronto to sing her mini-hit "Leonard Cohen's Never Gonna Bring My Groceries In" and host the after dinner portion of the evening.  Nancy did a concert at the Cohen 2000 event in Montreal and hosted the recent Leonard Cohen tribute show in Toronto.

Other activities planned for the evening include musical and spoken-word performances, open stage and Greek dancing, an art exhibit featuring the Cohen-inspired paintings of Calgary artist Elizabeth Laishley and deli-style fare flown in from Montreal, Cohen's hometown.

Tickets are $49, $25 with student ID, available at (780) 407-6862 and at Tix On The Square. For more information, visit www.leonardcohennights.org/2003.htm