The City of Burnaby has joined the list of municipalities with plans for a community gathering to watch the final show of one of Canada’s most celebrated bands.
This week, the city announced it would be hosting an outdoor live screening of The Tragically Hip’s last concert on Aug. 20.
Civic Square will host the outdoor screening of the concert The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration, which will be broadcast by the CBC.
A city press release noted Burnaby residents will have the opportunity to come together and celebrate the “musical magic at Civic Square with an open-air live screening of their own.”
“The City of Burnaby is pleased to host a live public screening of the CBC and The Tragically Hip Presents: ‘The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration,’” said Mayor Derek Corrigan in a press release. “The Tragically Hip is an iconic Canadian rock band, and these live screenings are another way to bring Canadians together.”
Last month, the band embarked on its final tour across the country after revealing lead singer Gord Downie has terminal brain cancer.
The band played two sold-out shows in Vancouver last week as part of the tour. The band’s final show will be in Kingston Ont., their hometown.
Other cities around the Lower Mainland have also planned screenings of the band’s final show, including the District of North Vancouver and New Westminster.
In New West, the show will be broadcast on a massive screen at this year’s Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Festival.
The food truck festival is expected to draw more than 100,000 people.
In Burnaby, the event starts at 4:30 p.m., with the live screening beginning at 5:30 p.m. Donations will be accepted for the Canadian Cancer Society. Viewers are encouraged to arrive early and bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Food services will be on site with food and a beer garden.
The Civic Square is located next to the Bob Prittie Metrotown library branch, 6100 Willingdon Ave.
