December 27th, 2024 (Niagara, Ont.) — On Friday, March 21, 2025, Paul Langlois (Tragically Hip) will
take centre stage at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (FOPAC) in support of the Niagara 2025
Ontario Parasport Games being held May 30 - June 1, 2025 hosted by Sport Niagara. This special
evening will also include an intimate and interactive artist interview conducted by Canada’s own Alan
Cross.
When Paul Langlois (Tragically Hip) was asked to play the closing ceremonies of the Canada Summer
Games in Niagara Falls in August of 2022, the last thing on his mind was making a new record. A few
months later, however, Guess What, The Paul Langlois Band’s debut was in the can, and Langlois
began a new and exciting phase of his musical journey.
The title track itself – which closes out the record – is an expression of his surprise that one gig could
lead to the formation of a new band and a full record. “At the time, I’d been quietly making my way
through my new life, chipping away at little musical ideas here and there, with no particular goals in
mind,” Langlois explains, crediting the Niagara gig as the impetus to get him playing music again and,
ultimately, rekindling his interest in songwriting.
Fans of Langlois and The Tragically Hip will be thrilled it did. Featuring Langlois on lead vocals and
rhythm guitar, and the ample talents of bandmates Greg Ball on guitar and backing vocals, lead
guitarist Joe Carscallen, Matt Mulvihill on bass, and drummer Billy Anglin, Guess What offers up the
kind of thoughtful, straight-up rock and roll that’s timely, timeless, and a bit of a rarity these days.
“It’s where the spark happened; so, returning back to Niagara is a complete honour”, expresses
Langlois, who ensures the audience that some Hip songs will be highlighted as well.
“Sport Niagara, as the Legacy Organization of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, is excited to
welcome Ontario’s Para Athletes to compete in Niagara,” stated Dan Kennedy, Executive Director of
Sport Niagara. Hosting this fundraiser concert will deeply assist with our endeavour of successfully
delivering an exceptional Parasport Games this upcoming spring. "Our vision is to leave a lasting and
sustained legacy for our disability sports community.”
Pre-sale tickets will be available for Thursday, January 9, 2025, with public tickets sales starting at
10:00am on Friday, January 10, 2025 at FOPAC
About Sport Niagara
Sport Niagara is a not-for-profit organization established to carry on the sport legacy from the Niagara
2022 Canada Games. Sport Niagara will support the attraction and hosting of future sport events in
Niagara, and promote sport through various programs focused on advancing high-performance and
community sport.
About the Niagara 2025 Ontario Parasport Games
In May 2025, Niagara will welcome athletes, managers, coaches, officials, and volunteers from across
Ontario for the 44th Ontario Parasport Games. Sport Niagara is thrilled to be selected as the host of
this prestigious event. Between May 30 to June 1, events will be held at sporting facilities across the
Niagara region including Canada Games Park and Brock University in Thorold and the Vale Health and
Wellness Centre in Port Colborne.
The Ontario Parasport Games were first delivered in 1975 by the City of Cambridge. Since then, the
Games have grown to over 500 participants competing in 10+ sports including wheelchair basketball,
sledge hockey, goalball and more. The last Ontario ParaSports Games were held in Durham in 2023.
The Niagara 2025 Ontario Parasport Games was made possible thanks to funding and support from
the Government of Ontario and Sport Niagara and will give rise to new legacies of ambition and
confidence that will inspire generations to come.
For further information, visit us at sportniagara.ca or follow us on Facebook and Linkedin
(@sportniagara).