Andre Rieu Toronto Concert Canceled - UpDate
Andre Rieu
UPDATE June 26: Andre Rieu Postponed TORONTO (BNO NEWS) — G20 protests have forced Dutch violinist Andre Rieu and his orchestra to cancel a planned concert in Toronto on Saturday, police said. Rieu was scheduled to perform, along with his 55 piece Johann Strauss Orchestra, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Saturday night, at a time when world leaders are meeting in the Canadian city. But peaceful protests turned violent in some parts of downtown Toronto on Saturday, forcing additional street closures and other security measures. Some cars were set on fire while protesters smashed windows and turned against police officers. “What a sad moment! We all where sic ready for a concert in Toronto,” Rieu wrote on his Twitter account. “The police closed all roads so nobody could come to the hall. We had to leave.” Rieu said all tickets sold for Saturday’s concert will be valid during a new concert in December. “We come back in December. The date we let you know as soon as possible. I am very sad,” he added. Constable Wendy Drummond of Toronto Police confirmed the concert had been cancelled because of protests. Rieu is one of the best selling live acts in the world, outselling artists such as Britney Spears and Beyonce. He sold more than 800,000 tickets last year and has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. (Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.)
It is with great regret that Andre Rieu announces the cancelation of the Toronto stop of the "Celebration of Music" tour with his 55 piece Johann Strauss Orchestra, which was to be returning to Air Canada Centre on June 26th.
Mr. Rieu has been rehearsing throughout the day at Air Canada Centre but regrets this postponement due to the security situation unfolding in the downtown core related to the G20 Summit. In conjunction with Air Canada Centre and Andre Rieu Management, this preventative measure has been taken to ensure the safety of all those attending the event.
Andre Rieu will announce a rescheduled date within 48 hours and all tickets for the June 26th show will be honoured at the new rescheduled date or refunded at point of purchase.
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The below information is historical only. The concert has been cancelled.
Photo. . . . . Unknown
Andre Rieu fans urged to waltz into Toronto for concert despite G20 delays
By: The Canadian Press
TORONTO - Getting to a concert by the King of Waltz should be easy as one-two-three if people plan ahead, says a spokeswoman for the downtown Toronto venue.
Andre Rieu and his orchestra are performing Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre but its close proximity to the G20 security zone has some fans worried.
Police are advising people to avoid the downtown area during the weekend summit and motorists are warned to expect delays on routes in and around the city.
Rajani Kamath, spokeswoman for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, says concert-goers who leave themselves lots of time to get there should be able to waltz right in with little trouble.
She says parking is usually available near the centre but with possible road closures in the area, people are encouraged to take public transit.
Both GO Transit and the Toronto Transit Commission are planning to provide service during the summit, although passengers are advised to leave early and bring water and snacks in case of delays.
Subway stations, including Union Station just steps from the Air Canada Centre, will be open.
"What we are telling concert-goers for the Andre Rieu concert is to leave early, have lots of patience and just be prepared for delays in getting into the downtown core," Kamath says.
She says the concert's promoter was told ahead of time that the G20 summit would be happening the weekend of the concert.
Rieu is currently on a North American tour and plays Montreal on Friday night. The Dutch-born violinist and his orchestra are popular with audiences around the world for performing waltzes by composer Johann Strauss.
Many attractions are being closed for the weekend, including the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, the Art Gallery of Ontario and performances of the musicals "Rock of Ages" and "Mamma Mia!" A Blue Jays game has been moved out of town to Philadelphia.
However, not all events are canceled. Toronto's professional soccer team, Toronto FC, is playing the Los Angeles Galaxy at BMO Field on Saturday night, just west of the downtown area.
Hmm, mmm...He's loving that moment in time...and I'm loving him. Thx for posting!!!
Hmmm, hmmm, with his eye's closed so saxy....
makes one wonder? who is he thinking of?? or what....and maybe when???
Jeanine Ann, if that man, was a woman, I would seriously be thinking that it was my daughter you got stuck sitting next to.
I could go on, but you want me to be nice, I could not print the words she uses when I gush all about His Royal
Musical self. Pitty her.
It is sad that selfish protesters put lovely fans at risk.
I am glad Andre, the JSO, Crew and All Fans will be Safe.
God Speed the concert is quickly rescheduled.
This is a sad thing, not only for Andre, but the people of Canada as well. I understand the demonstrations had been peaceful til this bunch of gangsters showed up.I would bet anything that these were people who didn't even live there, like so many times, they come out of the woodwork to destroy & create havoc, turning a peaceful thing into a violent thing. What good are starting fires & smashing windows & fighting the police. This kind of thing happens all over the world & it accomplishes nothing.
I'm hoping Andre & his group got out safely, I assume they did.
Hi Shirley, I'm also disturbed to hear these things. The hateful & vengeful actions of some, just destroy the peace & enjoyment for others, and at great cost...not just money! It makes me mad to know that citizens & Communities suffer, apart from the losses of the likes of Andre, his Orchestra etc., - time, money, expenses not recoverable - ya, de, yah, de yah...when all most of us want is some pleasure and peace to make the World a better place! XXX
My husband and I actually made it to the venue for the concert last night and were up in the ACC restaurant enjoying a pre-concert dinner when we noticed that the chairs and sound system, etc. were being taken down. Shortly afterwards those of us in the restaurant were very disappointed to be told of the cancellation. We had been in two minds whether to go after watching the vandalism on TV, but the police appeared to have boxed the action north of the ACC and our route downtown was open so when it was announced that the concert would still take place, we decided to risk it. I must admit I left home with my stomach churning, but as it turned out we were very safe as we were in a well protected area, with the police everywhere. I felt very sorry for a number of people in the restaurant who had travelled distances, but wasn't surprised at the cancellation as securty should always come first, plus, it would have been unfair to the people who couldn't make it through no fault of there own. As for us, we made some friends, even had some fun, and then returned home to watch "I lost my heart in Heidelberg" not quite the same as a live concert, but a lovely DVD.