by WGO staff
Juno Award winning rapper Classified and Tara MacLean’s Atlantic Blue will hit the Cape Breton Drive-In this August with two nights of live music as part of Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s Drive-In Live concerts, presented by Sydney Credit Union. Atlantic Blue will hit the stage on Saturday, August 22, while Classified will take the stage on Sunday, August 23. Tickets will be free and distributed via an online contest.
Drive-In Live is a free concert event that will also be livestreamed via Makin’ Waves presented by Sydney Credit Union’s website and Facebook page. Starting on Monday, July 13, at 12pm, a contest will begin at www.cbrmdriveinlive.ca for free tickets to the event. Donations will be accepted to support the Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative (CBMIC), which will give the donor additional entries into the ticket contest. Winners will receive a pass for one vehicle, with the contest open only to residents of Nova Scotia. With current social distancing protocols in place, 200 passes will be drawn.
“With so many festivals and events being canceled this summer, Drive-In Live is a way to bring something exciting and new to our community while continuing to support our event industry,” says Joe Costello, Program Coordinator of Arts, Culture, and Creative Events for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. “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.”
A gifted vocalist, performer, and storyteller, Tara MacLean (of East Coast band Shaye) explores the deep roots of the Atlantic Canadian music scene, breathing new life and emotion into treasured songs from such East Coast legends as Gene MacLellan, Gordie Sampson, Sarah MacLachlan, Stan Rogers, The Rankin Family, Rita MacNeil, and many more. Using film for the biographies of these brilliant writers, and live music to illustrate their work, Tara’s epic voice transports the audience to a place of deeper understanding and connection with Atlantic Canada and our most treasured music. Atlantic Blue is a captivating experience that is sure to bring Atlantic Canadians together in celebration and solidarity for our way of life and the songs that helped the world fall in love with us.
Classified is a Juno award winning hit-maker who has long been making waves at home and abroad with his trademark style and sound. In 2013, Classified released his career defining self-titled album, which features the smash hit “Inner Ninja” (certified 5x platinum). Classified maintains his presence in Canadian music with his new album “Greatful”, and re-affirms his legacy with the album’s lead single “No Pressure” (peaking at #18 on the Canada Hot 100 radio chart). His current single, “Good News”, featuring Cape Breton’s Breagh Isabel, hit the airwaves this spring with the emssage we all needed during this unprecedented time.
Drive-In Live is presented by Sydney Credit Union and produced by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative. The concert is brought to you in part by Marine Atlantic, Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia Community College, The Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), the Government of Nova Scotia, and the Government of Canada.
