GUELPH – The music and stories of legendary Canadian recording artist Gord Downie (The Tragically Hip) will be in the spotlight for a special concert fundraiser hosted by The Downtown Theatre Project (DTP), live onstage for three performances March 2 to 4 at Red Brick Café in downtown Guelph.
In View, the Lyrics of Gord Downie in Concert offers a fresh take on some familiar hit songs, and will highlight several lesser-known titles, woven together in an engaging story of life, love, survival, optimism, and shared joy.
Downie’s music is being reimagined by director Tim Clarke, with arrangements by musical director and accompanist Ben Wallace.
The song list includes selections from Downie’s final album Secret Path (2017) which brought awareness to the story of Chanie Wenjack, an Anishinaabe First Nations boy whose death in 1966 sparked the first inquiry into the treatment of Indigenous children at Canada’s residential schools.
The DTP promises an uplifting, concept show that goes well beyond the typical cover-band homages to Downie.
Rather, it’s an intimate musical performance with a cabaret-style vibe.
“As a theatre company, we’re fortunate to have some of this area’s finest singers, actors and storytellers together on stage for this,” says Clarke, who conceived the show and will serve as host for the ensemble.
“Our approach to this music will surprise even the most devoted Hip fans.”
Profits from these three evening shows will be donated to The Downie & Wenjack Fund.
Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, this nationwide initiative strives to build cultural awareness, education and understanding, and to create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
In View runs March 2, 3 and 4 at The Red Brick Cafe, 8 Douglas St. in Guelph.
Doors open at 7:30pm; show starts at 8pm. Seating is limited. Tickets are $25 on Eventbrite.ca.
Since 2018, the Downtown Theatre Project has pushed the performing arts in new and more intimate directions, offering live performances in downtown Guelph venues.
This production contains mature themes and is not recommended for children.
For more info, visit the website at thedowntowntheatreproject.ca and follow DTP on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
To learn more about the Downie & Wenjack Fund, please visit their domain at https://downiewenjack.ca/.
