Inside Vancouver

Where to celebrate the life and music of Gord Downie in Vancouver

by Shawn Conner in Events on October 20, 2017

Gord Downie. David Bastedo photo.

Even non-Canadians probably noticed a pall over the country these past couple of days.

On Oct. 17, we lost one of our greatest poets and chroniclers. Gord Downie, frontman for Kingston band the Tragically Hip, was 53 when he passed away from brain cancer.

Fans of the singer and the group he helped form over three decades ago were, and still are, bereft. There have been gatherings and impromptu musical tributes to Downie, in his hometown of Kingston and across the nation. Fans are still coming to terms with their grief. No doubt we can expect many tributes to Downie and his music in the weeks and months to come.

In the meantime, there are a couple of events in Vancouver that will allow people to grieve together, to share stories, memories and music. One is a screening of the new documentary about the Tragically’s Hip’s final tour; another is a chance to sing one of the band’s greatest songs with others.

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Where to celebrate the life and music of Gord Downie in Vancouver

JFL NorthWest comedy profiles – Jon Dore

by Shawn Conner in Uncategorized on January 20, 2017

Jon Dore plays the Comedy Mix as part of JFL Northwest.

Jon Dore is one of Canada’s most successful comedy exports. The Ottawa-born, L.A.-based comic is a regular on the late-night talk show circuit and the host of Funny As Hell on the Movie Network. Other credits include The Jon Dore Television Show (The Comedy Network, 2007-2009),the ABC-TV series How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life), and appearances on Live At Gotham, How I Met Your Mother and Inside Amy Schumer. Feature film credits include the indie drama Gus, and the comedy film Stag.

Dore, whose unique bait-and-switch comedic style has made him a favourite on the comedy club and festival circuit in Canada and the U.S., appears at the Comedy Mix Feb. 24 & 25 as part of the JFL NorthWest comedy festival. We talked to the comedian about funny cities, Google searches and his favourite band.

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JFL NorthWest comedy profiles – Jon Dore

Where in Vancouver to watch the Tragically Hip’s last concert

by Shawn Conner in Uncategorized on August 3, 2016

CBC will broadcast the last-ever Tragically Hip concert on Aug. 20.

This summer, a beloved Canadian institution will come to an abrupt, premature end.

The announcement earlier this year that Gord Downie has incurable brain cancer spelled the end for the singer’s band, Tragically Hip. Since forming in Kingston, Ontario in had become synonymous with Canadian culture and identity since forming in Kingston, Ontario in 1984.

A tour announcement followed the bad news. Fans across the country were grateful to know that they could have a chance to at least catch Downie in action with the Tragically Hip one more time. But for those who couldn’t be in the right place at the right time, or who couldn’t afford tickets, or who caught or will catch one of the band’s final concerts but want more, the CBC is broadcasting the last show concert live from Kingston on Aug. 20.

Venues across the country will be showing the concert and hosting fans. Here are a few places in Vancouver where you can see the Tragically Hip’s farewell show, which begins at 5:30 PST.

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Where in Vancouver to watch the Tragically Hip’s last concert