Rush expected to perform at Winter Olympics opening ceremony

[McLachlan, Bryan Adams, Rush among artists expected at opening ceremonies]

UPDATE - 2/13@12:32AM: Well, obviously no Rush tonight. Notice how the show was themed around the different provinces of Canada moving from east to west? Also notice how Ontario and the Great Lakes region were skipped over? What I'm now hearing is that this portion of the show was scrubbed due to the nature of today's tragic events. Apparently it had a full rock and roll metropolitan vibe to it and was cut for sensitivity. The word is now that Rush may tentatively play at the closing ceremony. Sorry everybody - I'm as pissed off as you are.

UPDATE - 2/12@6:58PM: BBC America showed Alex and Geddy at BC Place not long ago and said We have been informed Rush are to perform sometime tonight with their 70s classic hit Closer To The Heart (thanks Sean). Not sure if that means they aren't going to play YYZ or if they'll play both songs.

UPDATE - 2/12@11:52AM: I also just learned that they may be playing Closer to the Heart tonight as well. :)

A week ago rumors started flying around that Rush would be performing at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Vancouver tomorrow. Dress rehearsals have been taking place all this week and according to this release from the Canadian Press, Rush is indeed expected to perform:

In an age where news travels as fast as a sled hurtling down a skeleton track, the sustained secrecy surrounding Friday's opening ceremonies at the Vancouver Games is an Olympic feat in of itself. Only in the past few days have small amounts of information dribbled out as Twitter-happy fans have leaked rehearsal information. Recent reports indicate that Bryan Adams and Sarah McLachlan have been spotted rehearsing for the show. Meanwhile, Rush and 16-year-old Montreal jazz singer Nikki Yanofsky also seem to be involved. A publicist for the veteran Toronto rock trio and Yanofsky herself both responded to questions from The Canadian Press with no-comments, citing non-disclosure agreements. "NDA, non-disclosure, we're not allowed to say anything," Yanofsky said when asked if she would perform. ...

I think this all but confirms it. My sources inform me that they'll be playing a version of YYZ as part of a larger performance showcasing Canadian music. The opening ceremony will air on NBC beginning at 7:30PM EST tomorrow evening. Thanks to Christopher F for the heads up.