Paul Brandt, Bebe Buckskin to perform virtual Canada Day concert from King Eddy rooftop
Pre-recorded performance an initiative between Studio Bell and City of Calgary
COVID-19 might have cancelled Calgary's Canada Day fireworks, but five local artists will be featured in a virtual concert to make sure the city still gets a show.
Performers Paul Brandt, Lynn Olagundoye, Chad VanGaalen, Bebe Buckskin and T. Buckley collaborated on a pre-recorded Canada Day concert from Studio Bell — including the rooftop of the King Eddy.
It will be available to watch on July 1 on the City of Calgary's YouTube and Facebook pages starting at 5 p.m.
The initiative is a partnership between Studio Bell and the City of Calgary. Mayor Naheed Nenshi and National Music Centre president Andrew Mosker shared details about the virtual concert on Monday afternoon.
"Since opening in 2016, [the National Music Centre] has been gradually emerging with its programs that support and amplify many — I want to emphasize this — many different voices here in Calgary, in the region, and nationally across Canada through music," Mosker said.
"And we're really, really thrilled to be featured in this virtual presentation."
'It's time to celebrate what we've built here,' says Nenshi
Nenshi admitted to feeling sad to see his usual Canada Day agenda so different this year — but he encouraged Calgarians to still paint their faces, wear red and white, display Canadian flags, support local businesses and enjoy the virtual show.
"It's time to celebrate what we've built here — not just in the face of this pandemic, in the middle of all this threat and uncertainty. But what we built here over 153 years, building on thousands of years of Indigenous history on this land," Nenshi said.
"Celebrate safely, but celebrate the fact that we are a resilient place, and celebrate with your fellow Canadians."
Calgary's Canada Day celebrations will also be highlighted in a one-hour national show, Canada Day Across the Country, at 1 p.m. on CBC and Canadian Heritage's social media platforms.
For more information about the concert, Calgarians can visit Calgary.ca/CanadaDay.
With files from Mike Symington