Classified, Maclean to play drive-in concerts
Sydney’s Cape Breton DriveIn switches from movies to music for a special pair of Drive-in Live Concerts in August featuring Tara Maclean’s Atlantic Blue and Juno Award-winning rapper Classified.
Presented by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and Sydney Credit Union, the shows will be free with tickets distributed through an online contest, with Atlantic Blue performing on Saturday, Aug. 22 and Classified and his crew taking the stage on Sunday, Aug. 23. The concerts will also be livestreamed on the Makin’ Waves festival’s website (makinwavesfestival.ca) and Facebook page.
“With so many festivals and events being cancelled this summer, Drive-in Live is a way to bring something exciting and new to our community while continuing to support our event industry,” said CBRM program coordinator Joe Costello in a statement announcing the shows.
“The unique setting of the Cape Breton Drive-in allows us to be creative in our presentation, and the livestream will provide an incredible show for viewers at home and away.”
Aug. 22 performer Tara Maclean — known for her solo work as well as a member of the vocal trio Shaye — presents her new project Atlantic Blue, a tribute to the deep roots of the East Coast music scene. The multimedia presentation includes songs by legendary performers like Gene Maclellan, Stan Rogers, the Rankin Family and Rita Macneil as well as contemporaries like Sarah Mclachlan and Gordie Sampson.
On Aug. 23, Classified will bring his enviable list of hip-hop hits to the Cape Breton Drive-in, including those found on his 2020 Juno Award-nominated album Tomorrow Could Be the Day Things Change. In more recent months, he’s collaborated with Cape Breton songwriter Breagh Isabel on the new single Good News, which was presented in a special performance at Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre as part of the 2020 Virtual Canada Day celebration.
The contest to win tickets to the show begins at noon on Monday at www.cbrmdriveinlive.ca. Dontations will be accepted to support the Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative, which will give participants additional entries into the ticket contest.
Winners will receive a pass for one vehicle, and the contest is restricted to residents of Nova Scotia. The event will abide by social distancing health protocols, with 200 passes being drawn.