Metalworks Production Group
Supports Massive Magna Hoedown

A busy summer for the Metalworks Production Group team came to a dynamic conclusion over the weekend of September 12th, as the company provided staging and audio and video logistical support for Magna Corporation’s Wild West Hoedown 2008, an enormous charitable event that took place at the sprawling estate of Magna Corp. chairman Frank Stronach, near Aurora, Ontario.

Magna Corp is the most diversified automotive supplier in the world, boasting 241 production and 62 engineering and research and development centres in 23 countries on five continents. Magna has been a client of Metalworks Production Group for the past seven years.

The Wild West Hoedown, now in its 21st year, originally began as a simple backyard party for Stronach and his family and friends at their Aurora farm. Since then, it has grown substantially into one of the highlights of the southern Ontario social calendar, well-timed to coincide with the conclusion of the Toronto International Film Festival. The Hoedown has raised millions of dollars for local charities, becoming the single-biggest philanthropic event in the York Region. This year 15 charities were the recipients of a total of $525,000. Some of the community groups and charities were Big Brothers Big Sisters of York, The Georgina Cares Fund, Victim Services of York Region, and York Region Hospices, to name just a few.

Metalworks Production Group also served as a platinum sponsor for the event, which featured the largest tent ever built for an event in Canada, not surprising, given the 5,000 person guest list.

Metalworks Production Group Senior Production Manager, Joanne Cochrane, oversaw the entire event, which was hosted by CTV’s Ken Shaw and Monica Matys. The Hoedown featured performances from acclaimed country music artists Aaron Lines, Beverley Mahood, Amber Leigh, and Tonya Kennedy, along with an impressive list of raffle prizes, including a 2009 Cadillac CTS, a Caribbean cruise vacation, a VIP “Sunshine Millions” Florida Weekend, and a Home Entertainment System.

Recently, Metalworks Production Group also provided staging and technical support for Golf Rocks, a charity golf and music event held on Sunday, September 7th at Magna Golf Club. The event was co-chaired by Peter Chernin (Chairman of Malaria No More, President and Chief Operating Officer of News Corporation and Chairman and CEO of the Fox Group) and Belinda Stronach (Co-founder of Spread the Net, Executive Vice Chairman, Magna International Inc. and a Member of Parliament).

Beginning at noon, actors, musicians, athletes, and business leaders enjoyed a day of golf at the Magna Golf Club, followed by a concert produced by producer/songwriter and 15-time Grammy Award winner, David Foster. The event was co-hosted by the honorary committee of Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah, and featured performances by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie, Kevin Costner and Modern West, Bill Maher, Ringside, Mobile, Ian Thornley and The Canadian Tenors.

Gene Simmons of KISS, Rick Mercer (Canadian comedian and co-founder of Spread the Net) actor Colin Farrell and actress Sophia Bush of One Tree Hill were also in attendance.

Proceeds from the Golf Rocks event go to support Malaria No More, Spread the Net and Malaria No More Canada, three organizations working together to halt the spread of malaria.