Gala - Governor General's Performing Arts Awards

Their Excellencies attended the National Arts Centre gala in Ottawa, on Saturday, May 5, 2012, on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Performing Arts Awards.

An opera singer paid tribute to Earlaine Collins, the 2012 Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts Laureate.

Mary Walsh, writer, comedian, director and political satirist, was recognized.

The members of Rush were among the 2012 GGPAA for Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award Laureates.

A youth choir sang a song from Rush, the rock band.

The career of Janina Fialkowska, concert pianist, was also recognized.

The gala featured outstanding performances, evocative film portraits and personal tributes made by special guests.Deepa Mehta, film director and screenwriter, one of the honoured laureates.

"I believe the performing arts hold a special place in our society. Art is a form of knowledge, and performance has a unique power to engage our imaginations and to inspire us."

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards. Created in 1992, under the auspices of the late Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, the GGPAA are presented each year to Canadian performers whose extraordinary lifetime achievements have contributed significantly to the enrichment of Canada’s cultural life.

Mrs. Laureen Harper was seen on the red carpet with the members of the rock band Rush, laureates of the 2012 Lifetime Artistic Achievement Awards. The gala

Pete Townshend (from The Who) joined Des McAnuff, 2012 National Arts Centre Award Laureate, on stage.