While the “secret location” of Neil Young’s concert tonight (December 1) will only be unveiled at the beginning of the live stream at 8 p.m., most of us know by now the concert is taking place from Coronation Hall in Omemee, where Neil spent some of his childhood years. (Note: CTV has now confirmed the concert location is Omemee on the website at CTV.ca.)
Neil will perform a solo acoustic show at the 140-seat venue, which will reportedly be set up with couches and chairs to create an intimate, hometown feel.
The concert is only open to people who have received tickets, either won through radio contests or by invitation. kawarthaNOW has learned teachers at Scott Young School in Omemee (named after Neil’s late father) were offered tickets for $40, with proceeds being donated back to the music program at the school.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have a ticket and you want to watch the concert with other Neil fans, there are a few local viewing options.
In Omemee itself, you can view the live stream from Coronation Hall at two locations (however, because of road closures and parking restrictions, you won’t be able to park at either location).
The Omemee Curling Centre (15 James St., Omemee, 705-799-7156) will be streaming the concert from the TV in their lounge.
The bar will be open and chili will be available. Doors open at 7 p.m.
You won’t be able to park at the centre due to closure of Highway 7 (King St.) from Lane St. to Colborne St. So you’ll need to find a parking space elswehere and walk to the centre.
The Peterborough Folk Festival and Long And McQuade Peterborough are hosting a family-friendly viewing party outside the Omemee branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (46 King St. E., Omemee).
The concert will be projected on a screen outside, so dress for the weather and bring your own chair.
Because of the closure of King Street from Lane to Colborne streets, you’ll need to take Mary St. to get to the legion. However, parking will be prohibited on Mary St. so you’ll have to find somewhere else to park and walk to the legion.
In Peterborough, Trent University’s Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies is hosting viewing parties at three different locations at Trent:
- The Ernest and Florence Benedict Gathering Space, First Peoples House of Learning at Gzowski College
- The Wenjack Theatre at Otonabee College
- The event space at The Students’ Centre
Admission is free and everyone is welcome, including Trent students, alumni, faculty, and staff as well as the general public. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
In Lindsay, the Coaches & Horses Pub (16 York St. S., Lindsay, 705-328-0006) will be streaming the concert.
Chances are that other pubs and bars in the area may be streaming the concert as well. If you know about a local viewing party not listed here, please email us the details at newsroom@kawarthanow.com and we’ll update this story.
There is also an unconfirmed report a large viewing screen will be set up outside Coronation Hall so Omemee residents and others without tickets can watch the concert.
How to live stream the concert
If you can’t make it to a viewing party, the concert will be live streamed on Friday, December 1st at 8 p.m. EST in Canada exclusively on CTV.ca (or by using the free CTV GO app) and on iHeartRadio.ca. Note: the concert will NOT be broadcast on CTV on cable or over the air, it’s available online only.
For people living outside of Canada, the concert will be live streamed via Neil Young’s Facebook page (the Facebook stream will not be available to Canadian residents) and on the newly launched Neil Young Archives website.
