Neil Young Coming To TIFF

08/12/09 1:13pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

The 2009 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is about to get even sweeter for music fans, since Neil Young and Joan Baez will both be in town to promote films at two free events in Yonge-Dundas Square.

Young will appear on Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. for the North American premiere of The Neil Young Trunk Show, the Jonathan Demme-directed (The Silence Of The Lambs, Philadelphia) film which examines Young's stage show. Demme will be on hand to host the screening.

The Neil Young Trunk Show had its world premiere at Austin, Texas' South By South West Music Festival in March.

Baez will be at Yonge-Dundas Square four days later for the world premiere of American Masters — Joan Baez, a new documentary which will be shown on PBS later this year.

TIFF co-director Cameron Bailey told the Toronto Star that although Young and Baez will be at Yonge-Dundas Square to promote their films, "they'll probably play guitars."

In addition to Baez and Young, the Canadian Music Cafe will be held Sept. 15 to 17 at the Hard Rock Cafe next to Yonge-Dundas Square. Arkells, Spiral Beach, Stars' Amy Millan, Hawksley Workman and USS are among those who will showcase their tunes for festival-goers.

Meanwhile, Young will be honoured with the MusiCares Person Of The Year award at a pre-Grammy Awards event on Jan. 29.

Young is receiving the award for his musical and philanthropic work. Young co-founded the Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp in 1985. It was originally a benefit show, but has since grown to become an organization that works to raise awareness of the importance of farms.

Young and his wife, Pegi Young, also hold the annual Bridge School Benefit Concert for the Mountain View, Calif. Bridge School, which provides support for children with physical impairments and complex communications needs.

The 2010 Grammy Awards will be held Jan. 31 in Los Angeles.

You can see Neil Young here:

Sept. 12 Vancouver, BC @ Summer Sessions at Ambleside w/Sarah McLachlan
Oct. 4 St. Louis, MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Farm Aid)
Oct. 24-25 Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre (Bridge School Benefit Concert)