Randy Bachman joins long time band-mate Burton Cummings to bring The Ex to life with bang
TORONTO: It was indeed a superb treat for all those who attended the opening night concert at The Ex on August 16.
The main bill was supposed to be only Burton Cummings and his band but to the delight of all, his old band mate, Randy Bachman from “The Guess Who” joined him on stage to rock out the bandshell stage for three of their world-wide classics: “American Woman”, “Taking care of business” and “No time”.
Bachman and Cummings had not performed together for the general public at large for more than a decade and so you can well imagine the excitement in the air that night as even the heavens cheered!
Yes people, The Ex came back with a big bang!
Following that captivating opening, The Ex celebrated its version of the 50th anniversary of Woodstock on two actual days of the original Woodstock festival, Aug 17 and 18, with tributes to Grateful Dead, Santana, Joe Cocker, The Band and many more. It was a smash opening weekend!
As usual, many big names performed at the CNE bandshell including April Wine (who played many famous tunes including “Just Between You and Me”, “Rock and Roll is a Vicious Game” and “I Like to Rock”), veteran Buffy Sainte-Marie, Howard Jones and several others.
So once again it is that time of year when Toronto bids “hasta la vista” to summer in its rich grandiose style with over the top offerings of food, exhibits, amusement, music and arts that always ends with a breathtaking air show.
Many people often go to this humongous fair for the outlandish creations of food. This year the big food draw was the grilled rainbow cheese sandwich which saw tons of people drooling away. Another popular sighting, seeing as how people always complain about the exorbitant food prices, was the “under 6 in the 6ix” theme that offered plenty of choices from chicken souvlaki to tacos to even halal options for under $6. Deep fried Mars chocolate bars, kit kat, ferrero rocher and snickers were other lip smacking goodies.
Back by popular demand is the largest indoor Chinese lantern festival known as ‘Legends of the Silk Road Come to Light” that had taken everybody by storm last year.
National Geographic has a stunning exhibit of 50 of its most fascinating pictures ever with explanatory captions on each. Enthusiastic spectators can’t seem to get enough!
Placed around the Princess Margaret Fountain are several sculptures of raccoons that lend a cute atmosphere with thousands of attendees crowding around to shoot amusing selfies!
New this year is the fun filled Oktoberfest that runs from Aug 29-Sep 2.
Canadian laughter king Ali Hassan partners up with several other comedians to tickle your funny bone.
Of course, The Ex would not be complete without its sprawling mid-way of amusement kiosks with Ferris wheels, roller coaster rides, bingo, games and umpteen more delights.
The food court and food trucks will tantalize the attendees’ palates.
It is the 70th anniversary of the customary air show that takes place on the last three days from Aug 31-Sep 2. For this special occasion, there will be an exemplary manifestation of the tremendous power of the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, MiG 15s, the USAF Blackhawk and much more that will take over the skies from noon to 3 pm each day. Don’t miss them whirling around the CN tower! You can more information and show timings at www.theex.com.
READ ALSO: Remembering Woodstock on its 50th anniversary
