28 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday July 18, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2008 Canadian Open will rock this year By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The RBC Canadian Open is renowned for featuring some of the best golfers. This year it will also be the place to see some of the best Canadian musicians. The mega Canadian golf tournament is presenting a mini musical festival called Pengrowth Concert Series at the 19th Hole that will see Blue Rodeo, 54-40 and Tom Cochrane take to the course after people like Mike Weir and Stephen Ames are done for the day. "We wanted to throw in something new for the spectators and create a buzz outside of the ropes," said Bill Paul, tournament director. "Why should spectators go home at the end of the day? Why not stay for a little extra value? We challenged ourselves to create programs to bring the Open to a new level." This is the first time music and golfing have combined at Glen Abbey for the Open. "We're hoping the spectators like it and the bands are pretty good," said Paul. The concerts will start immediately after play. On Thursday and Friday, the last putt is expected to drop around 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday the last putt is slated for 6 p.m. "We'll be starting up immediately," Paul said. "There is a warm-up band, but they'll be quick and then the main bands will take the stage." Blue Rodeo will take the stage on Thursday, July 24, 54-40 is slated for Friday, July 25 and Tom Cochrane with Red Rider will rock out on Saturday, July 26. "Blue Rodeo does well wherever they go, 54-40 will appeal to a certain crowd and I think Tom Cochrane will also be a hit," Paul SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER CANADIAN ROCK AT CANADIAN OPEN : Canadian band Blue Rodeo will take the stage at the RBC Canadian Open at the Glen Abbey Golf Course after completion of the the first round of play on Thursday, July 25 said. Golfing fans need not worry about concert-goers wrecking the greens. The performances will be held in an area between the first and fourth holes. Admission to the concerts is free with an Open ticket for that date. Thursday and Friday tickets cost $40 plus tax, while Saturday passes run at $45 plus tax. "Why should spectators go home at the end of the day? Why not stay for a little extra value? We challenged ourselves to create programs to bring the Open to a new level." Bill Paul, RBC Canadian Open tournament dirtector "Food and beverages will be available and buses will run until 10 p.m. those nights, so we've done our homework so that everything will still operate," Paul said. The Canadian Open runs July 21 to 27 at Glen Abbey Golf Club, 1333 Dorval Dr. For tickets or information on the RBC Canadian Open, go online to www.thecanadianopen.ca.