Getting ready to raise money for cancer at Gord Downie-inspired event, GEDFest

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Getting Hip for cancer fundraising sounds good – literally.

Tragically Hip tribute rockers will unite between Oct. 16-24 with performances in 12 Canadian cities and – for the first time in one U.S. city  – for GEDfest, named for the Hip’s formidable frontman Gordon Edgar Downie, who died on Oct. 17, 2017, from brain cancer at the age of 53.

Since its 2018 inception, GEDfest has already donated $732,000 to local cancer charities and every volunteer-run chapter raises money for cancer organizations in its own community.

This year’s goal is $425,000, enough to push the total past $ 1 million.

“GEDfest is a grassroots musical fundraiser inspired by Gord Downie, the music of The Tragically Hip, and the songs that brought Canadians together,” said founder Keith Dyck in a statement.

“It started as one Calgary gathering in 2018 and has grown into 13 events in 12 cities across Canada and the United States. Fans come to sing along, remember Gord and raise money for cancer organizations in their own communities.”

Inspired by Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope

Dyck was inspired by another Canadian hero, Terry Fox, who showed the country how communities could come together to fight cancer through the 1980s Marathon of Hope.

Just last year, Downie’s vocals (with backing by bandmates Paul Langlois and Gord Sinclair) over a piano version of the Hip’s anthem, Courage, were used for a powerful new Terry Fox Foundation short film, Finish It, and a new Terry Fox documentary, Run Terry Run, was just released in Canada on Oct. 9.

GEDfest’s vision is “to realize a world without cancer through an annual, coast-to-coast community-driven movement honouring the life and legacy of Gordon Edgar Downie and the music of The Tragically Hip while raising funds for local cancer charities and creating unforgettable moments to those who need it most,” said Dyck in a statement.

Among the GEDFest lineup will be: 40 Hours Over and Grace2 take the stage at the legendary Horseshoe Tavern on Oct. 17, and The Strictly Hip will launch the first-ever U.S. chapter at The CAZ in Buffalo, on Oct. 21.

Fans can find a chapter near them, follow it on social media, buy tickets, tell their friends, or make a direct donation at gedfest.ca.

The Tragically Hip were most recently inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame last month.

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THE GEDFest lineup: (date, city, venue, acts)

Oct. 16: Calgary, The Arrowhead (Velvet Sons, Trickle Down)

Oct. 17: Calgary, The Arrowhead (Trickle Down)

Oct. 17: Edmonton, Pawn Shop (Radio Tragedy, Hipnautical)

Oct. 17: Saskatoon, The Capital (Don Law Band, Phantom Power)

Oct. 17: Winnipeg, The Met (Main Street Exiles, Kates Outlaw)

Oct. 17: Ottawa, Overflow Brewing Company (Ragged Rust, Little Bones)

Oct. 17: Toronto, Horseshoe Tavern (40 Hours Over, Grace2)

Oct. 17: St. John’s, N.L., The Rockhouse (Judith Morrissey, Music @ Work)

Oct. 21: Buffalo, N.Y., The CAZ (The Strictly Hip)

Oct. 24: Vancouver, Biltmore Cabaret (Gift Shop)

Oct. 24: Kelowna, B.C., Revelry Food+Music Hub (Bush Party, The Hip Replacements)

Oct. 24: Cochrane, Alta., The Venue Music Sportsbar & Grill (Wyman, Wheat Kings)

Oct. 24: Regina, The Exchange (Chris Henderson, Trickle Down)

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