Fall Conventions Cancelled
Record conventions in Ontario that were scheduled for the Fall are being cancelled due to COVID-19. These include:
- The Guelph Record and Music Collectible show (09/20)
- Newmarket Vinyl Record & Collectibles Show (10/20)
- The St. Catherines Record Show (11/08)
- Toronto West Vinyl Record & Collectibles Show (12/8)
Unfortunately, these events are dependant on crowds and safety could therefore not be guaranteed at these events.
I suspect events outside of Ontario will also be concerned over these concerns. Please contact the convention operators for details.
RIP Gerry McGhee 1962-2020
Brighton Rock lead singer and record executive Gerry McGhee has passed away from cancer at age 58.
Known primarily for ’80s glam rock singles “We Came To Rock“, “Can’t Wait For The Night” and “One More Try“, Brighton Rock had disbanded shortly after the release of their third studio album, 1991’s “Love Machine“. But had occasionally regrouped for concerts and tours in England and Canada from 2001 to 2014, releasing a live album entitled “A Room for Five Live” in 2002.
In 1996, Gerry McGee had founded music distributor Isotope Music Inc and in 2016 became vice-president of Precision Records, North America’s second-largest vinyl pressing facility.
Record Store Day Update
Several Record Store Day events will occur at participating retailers, starting at the end of this month.
On August 29th, 2020, this first of three series of limited-edition recordings will be made available, followed by a second series on September 26th and third series on October 24th.
These releases were spread out to limit the crowds at these participating retailers, in response to COVID-19. And masks and social distancing will be required to enter these establishments.
For your information, disposable face masks are available from Amazon.ca, Living.ca and your local Giant Tiger, Rexall Pharmacy, Canadian Tire and Shoppers Drug Mart stores.
More Ontario Theatres Open
Cineplex Entertainment and Landmark Cinemas have opened several of their theatres in the province of Ontario, with limited showings and extra precautions to keep COVID-19 from being spread.
The newly converted Cine Stars Theatres in Western Ottawa and Burlington have also been opened with the above-mentioned precautions.
By the way, I’ve also noticed that Canadian Tire stores now sell both masks and face shields, although I couldn’t find the latter listed on their site. Disposable face masks are also available from your local Shoppers Drug Mart and Giant Tiger stores, as well as from living.ca online.
Virtual Canada Day
Multiple online, television and radio broadcasts will be made available today, many of which are listed on the Canadian Heritage web site.
You can also listen to the Top 100 Canadian Songs of All Time on Boom 97.3 starting at 10 AM Eastern. These will also air on local Boom affiliates through-out Canada.
Enjoy. And Stay safe.
Juno Awards – Live Tonight
The Juno Awards will air tonight at 8 pm Eastern on the CBC web site, CBC Television and GEM web site, minus the audience, of course.