Everyone but Kelowna gets a big, public Tragically Hip show

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Penticton gets the South Okanagan Events Centre, Vernon gets the Vernon Curling club for the show, in Kamloops the concert will be live streamed in two city parks but where does Kelowna get to see the last performance of the Tragically Hip? A place called the Wine and Art Bar.

On Saturday, Aug. 20, millions of fans (let’s face it, we’re all Tragically Hip fans right now) will be tuning in to CBC to watch the broadcast from Kingston, Ont.

Many expect the band's hometown concert could be their last show as lead singer Gord Downie faces terminal brain cancer.

The CBC plans to broadcast the show commercial-free and communities across the country have responded by holding their own viewing events.

In Kamloops the concert will be streamed at two of the city's parks. At Riverside Park a beer area is being sectioned off for fans of craft beer, while at McDonald Park a more family focus is being taken.

A free screening will be held at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton with donations being accepted for the Canadian Cancer Society.

You'll be able to catch the show on a big screen at the Vernon Curling Club with donations to the North Okanagan Neurological Association at the Sunnybrook Foundation.

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran (he’s a big fan) got lots of attention in July when he declared August 20 Tragically Hip Day.

But that’s as far as it goes for Kelowna, the mayor says.

“We looked into it but given the cost and the fact it’s being broadcast on public television, we didn’t pursue it any further,” Basran says.

Kelowna’s sole public viewing goes ahead at the Wine and Art Bar, 315 Lawrence Ave. at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20.

Original Joe's and Boston Pizza also plan to show the concert at their restaurants, according to CBC Music.

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