Will you be centre stage for 2010?

The 2010 Winter Olympics are little more than a month away, bringing in culture and athletes from all over the country and beyond. While many are happy enough catching sporting events or checking out Whistler Village and Vancouver, why not make your Olympic visit or work experience complete with a concert or two?
There are plenty of live events to catch on the coast. Most shows feature esteemed Canadian artists and collaborations such as Hal Willner’s Neil Young project, Feb. 18 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. The project is an all-star band including members of Broken Social Scene, Ron Sexsmith and Iron and Wine performing a tribute to the great rock icon Neil Young.

Other Vancouver-based shows include Feist, Feb. 17 and STARS, Feb. 19 at The Orpheum. The Queen Elizabeth Theatre will also be hosting heartthrob Dallas Green’s band City and Colour Feb. 15 and Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq will be at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre, Feb. 18.

Mix your sports in with a little music at one of the Victory Ceremony concerts, featuring a province-sponsored headliner. Pop sensation Nelly Furtado will be taking the stage Valentine’s Day at B.C. Place in Vancouver, during the live medal presentations for speed skating and ladies’ freestyle skiing moguls.
Other Victory Ceremony acts include Barenaked Ladies, Hedley, Paul Brandt, Theory of a Deadman, Billy Talent, Stereophonics, Trooper and Loverboy, Burton Cummings and Great Big Sea.

If you’re up on the mountain, Whistler Village will be hosting its Whistler Live! series. Performances such as Corb Lund Feb. 19 and Blue Rodeo Feb. 28 are roster highlights. The shows are free and no reservations are required.

For those into late nights and sweaty parties, Code Live 1 at the Great Northern Way Campus will be your spot. Electronic performances will be held throughout the duration of the Olympics featuring greats Kid Koala Feb. 12 and Chromeo and Team Canada DJs Feb. 20.

There are literally shows for every taste, from underground to country, classic rock and Top 40. Even if you’re not into winter sports, activities slopeside and in the city will likely be an experience of a lifetime.

So if you plan to make your way down to the Olympics this winter, or if you’re heading down anyways to do volunteer or staff work, check out a few shows while you’re at it. Tickets are available now, don’t miss out!