Like so many other things in Regina — a city which is undoubtedly in transition — the annual summer fair formerly known as Buffalo Days has been rebranded. Queen City Ex, I guess, is supposed to connote a degree of urban sophistication and flare, while Buffalo Days kind of smacks of a bygone era when buffalo did roam the open prairie, hunted by the Plains Cree and other First Nations, along with the Metis and early Euro-Canadian settlers.
These days, about the only contact the vast majority of Reginans have with buffalo is via the label on a ice-cold bottle of Calgary beer, or perhaps a tasty bison burger or steak that can increasingly be found on the menus of some of the city’s more trendy restaurants.
But while the name may be different, you can rest assured that the Ex will continue to offer the same sort of fun and excitement that Regina fair-goers have always enjoyed. Attractions this year include the Backyardigans, Craz-e Crew, Days of the Dinosaurs, Star Trek Live and the Queen City Royal Rumble (women’s roller derby)
As far as the Grandstand goes, tonight it’s the Grammy-nominated L.A. electro-hip hop group LMFAO. Tomorrow, Collective Soul headlines. Friday, it’s Weird Al Yankovic. Saturday, it’s classic Regina rockers Streetheart with the Headpins and Kick Axe. Closing out the Ex on Sunday, it’s country favourites Doc Walker.
To get everyone psyched, here’s a repost of the video for Collective Soul’s “Shine” which was performed with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2007.
Also tonight at Casino Regina ex-Men at Work frontman Colin Hay is in town. Not one to rest on past laurels (and royalties, which is wise considering he’s currently embroiled in a copyright suit concerning his group’s mega-1983 hit “Down Under”), Hay last year released a solo album called American Sunshine. Here’s video of him doing his song “Oh California” off the album.
