1st Canadian Astronaut To Fly In Space Set As Centaur's Fundraising Gala Chair

Centaur Theatre Company is pleased to announce that Marc Garneau, first Canadian Astronaut to fly in space and current Member of Parliament for Westmount-Ville-Marie, has graciously accepted to chair this year's annual fundraising Gala, which will take place on Tuesday September 15, 2009.

Born in Quebec City in February of 1949, Mr. Garneau has had a prolific career both by serving his country in Parliament and notably, representing Canada in space. Mr. Garneau made history by becoming the first Canadian Astronaut to fly in space as a payload specialist on Shuttle Mission 41-G in 1984. He was appointed President of the Canadian Space Agency in 2001 and left in 2005 to pursue a career in politics. He has had such a profound influence on fans of space discovery that he even had a spaceship named after him, the USS Garneau, in the popular Star Trek series of novels: Millenium: The Fall of Terok Nor!

"Marc Garneau, the first Canadian in space, flew on three space missions, so it is exciting that Mr. Garneau will be the Chair of our Gala in September as the Centaur launches our 41st year of professional theatre in Montréal" -Fergus V. Keyes C. Dir., Chairman of the Board, Centaur

The business attire event will begin with a cocktail dînatoire at 6:00 PM, followed by a cabaret performance entitled ‘Fly me to the Moon' at 7:30 PM, and will wrap up with desserts and luxury auctions.

"We are very happy to have someone with such an industrious career to chair our annual fundraising Gala. This is our main fundraising event of the year, and we hope that you will join Mr. Garneau in making it a great success." - Howard Golberg, Chairman, Gala organizing committee

The organizing committee for this event includes Kika Armata, Francine Blackburn, Mitchell Davey, Ariel Dayan-Medalsy, John Edwards, Howard Golberg, James A. Grant, Belle Grivakis, Christopher Kim Playle and Roy Surette.

For tickets and further information contact the Development Department at (514) 288-1229 Ext. 240 or visit our website.

http://www.centaurtheatre.com/