https://www.facebook.com/barclayhipbook/posts/1804712146308073

When the Station Gallery at Brantford train station closed about a year ago, we lost a great space here in Brantford for things like art exhibitions, music events, poetry readings and book launches.  Mike Tutt who was the owner and operator at The Station is trying to fill the void with some pop up events throughout the city.

The first of these events is a book launch for  The Never Ending Present – the story of Gord Downie an the Tragically Hip, by author Michael Barclay.  

In the summer of 2016, more than a third of Canadians tuned in to watch the Tragically Hip’s final performance, broadcast from their hometown of Kingston. This included a packed Harmony Square, right here in Brantford where the audience set up their folding chairs on a beautiful summer’s eve and watched the concert projected on the giant blow up screen, singing along and teary eyed.

The Hip’s music defined a generation of Canadian rock music, selling millions of records.  The lyrics are conversations about Canadian culture,  poetry,  performance, hockey, and America. 

Barclay started interviewing the band’s peers and friends that summer for Maclean’s magazine. “The discussions were joyous and reflective and hilarious and heart-breaking,” he says. “I realized there was so much more here than just the story of a hard-working, successful rock band. This book is partially that, but it’s also about issues that resonate with music fans of all kinds, and with people who just tuned into the final show out of curiosity. “

Click HERE for an excerpt from the book!

Michael Barcley, author,  lives in Toronto, and has worked for Maclean’s, CBC Radio’s Brave New Waves, and Exclaim! He co-authored Have Not Been the Same: The CanRock Renaissance 1985–95, which told the stories of the Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, k.d. lang, and dozens more.

What:  Book launch for The Never Ending Present – the story of Gord Downie an the Tragically Hip
Where:  The Duke, 505 Park Rd. N, Brantford
When:  Sunday April 15, 3-5pm
How:  That’s up to you!