The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is preparing to host its seventh-annual community concert in partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund on Wednesday, Oct. 16 as part of Secret Path Week.
With the death of Gord Downie on Oct. 17, 2017, Canadians lost one of our most beloved music icons. Gord spent his final days shining a light on the reconciliation with this country’s First Peoples. He asked all Canadians to join the call to action.
For the past seven years, the FirstOntario PAC has been honoured to host a group of Canadian artists who have joined our collective reconciliation journey with a concert to promote awareness, education and thoughtful action. This concert has been an opportunity for our community to come together to raise funds in support of the PAC’s ongoing commitment to the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.
The first two concerts were produced with Canadian producer and musician, Kevin Fox, a collaborator of Downie’s, who brought together artists from across the country to raise funds for Gord’s new foundation.
With the onset of the COVID pandemic, the PAC decided to pivot the program online with Downie Wenjack Fund and a call went out nationwide for artists to submit their rendition of a Hip song. The resulting livestream programs of 2020 and 2021 attracted hundreds of applications and brought in tens of thousands of viewers from across the country who wanted to do something.
“The PAC remains deeply committed to our work in truth and reconciliation,” shares Sara Palmieri, director of programming and marketing at the PAC.
“We love this annual community concert as it’s not only a celebration of the music of the Hip but also a chance to learn, reflect and grow together as a community.”
This year, Celebrating Gord & The Hip will be a true community celebration of the music and legacy of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip that will feature local artists, student contributors and the winners of an upcoming contest inviting community to share their favourite Hip memory, poem or song.
The evening will also feature local Downie Wenjack artist ambassadors Strong Water Singers as well as the rock n’ roll stylings of the Poets, a Tragically Hip tribute band from Moosonee and Moose Factory, coming all the way to St. Catharines to share their favourite Hip tunes.
This concert is part of the PAC’s annual commitment to raise funds and awareness for the Downie Wenjack Fund.
How do I get tickets to Celebrating Gord & The Hip?
Head to the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre website at firstontariopac.ca or call the box office Tuesday to Friday, 12 to 5 p.m. or Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at 905-688-0722.
About the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund + Secret Path Week
Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education and connections between all peoples in Canada. Visit our website to learn more and donate. Gord’s Legacy is part of Secret Path Week 2024.
Secret Path Week is a national movement that commemorates the legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack, and takes place annually from Oct. 17 to 22. This is a meaningful week as Oct. 17 and Oct. 22, respectively, mark the dates that Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack joined the spirit world.
