Drive-in concert series adds Trews, Sheepdogs
Two major Canadian rock bands — the Trews and the Sheepdogs — are coming to Ottawa to perform on the big stage at Wesley Clover Parks as part of the Bud Zero drivein concert series.
Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m. for the Trews’ appearance on Aug. 30, and the Sheepdogs’ show on Sept. 19.
Ticket prices range from $50 to $100, depending on proximity to the stage, for two occupants per car, plus $25 each for extra people. Go to ticketmaster.ca to purchase or thedriveinottawa.ca for more information.
They’re the latest additions to a series that started Aug. 11 with a sold-out show by the Ontario country duo, the Reklaws. Five more concerts are expected to be announced in the coming days, co-presented by Live Nation, as well as a live Yuk Yuk’s comedy show.
With a spate of drive-in movies also being screened weekly, the site at the Corkstown Road equestrian facility has been enjoying a busy summer despite the pandemic. Promoter Ali Shafaee said almost all of the drive-in movies have sold out, attracting an estimated 14,000 people in the last six weeks.
Capacity of the site is restricted to 150 cars for movies, or 300 cars for concerts. Like the recent Bluesfest drive-in series, the sound is broadcast on an FM radio frequency.
Tailoring the site for drive-in events has been a boon for promoters, performers and fans alike, said Shafaee, who is also director of Ottawa’s Escapade Music Festival, which has been rescheduled to June 2021.
“As event producers, we knew we weren’t going to be doing our major events this year, and there are others similar to us who need to be able to continue their business and stay relevant, so it’s worked really well for everybody,” he said. “It’s given everybody an opportunity to get out and get back into it, and everyone thought it felt safe in terms of the measures that were put in place.”
The COVID-prevention measures include maintaining a safe distance between cars, a requirement that the audience stay in their cars during the show (except for washroom visits), extra sanitation of washrooms and online ordering of concession fare — when you get to the site, place your order online before the event starts and it’s delivered to your car. Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited.
The open-air facility has also featured family shows and fitness classes this summer.
As for this week’s movies, titles include the James Bond classic Goldeneye, family favourites Finding Dory and Coco, the superhero flick Captain America: Civil War, and the horror-comedy bloodbath The Cabin in the Woods.
For tickets and times, go to thedriveinottawa.ca/movies lsaxberg@postmedia.com