When the pandemic first started, I would do my favourite thing I did as a kid and ride my bike through the local park, which hosts a bandshell facing Lake Ontario. I remembered one amazing summer when they used to run the Waterfront Festival there. I saw Kathleen Edwards. Hannah Georgas opened. There was a sudden lightening and thunder storm. Being on bike, I took some shelter in the park and eventually the weather passed and the music started again. The show was phenomenal, not only did these talented songwriters speak words to me, but the fresh post-rain summer air was wet with nourishment. This beautiful combination of nature and art completely encompasses the type of experience that I love getting out of life.
I started talking to the town about using our local parks and outdoor spaces for safe-zone entrainment. If social distancing was going to be with us for a while, there was a good argument that more limited numbers, and having pods for your family/group set up in proper distance from each other in front of these stages, would work! We could still enjoy performances - safely.
The Bandshell Sunset Series keeps in mind a way to bring life and culture back to our parks for everyone to enjoy.
This year the first iteration of this initiative is taking place in Oakville’s Lakeside Park, the gazebo style stage, hosting three sunset-hour shows - come enjoy the stunning vista that is our lakefront.
The first show is August 7th, featuring Dovetail Jig (parts of The Barrel Boys https://thebarrelboys.com), a bluegrass style band. These are two dynamic musicians that have been charming audiences with their original and traditional music, composed of fiddle, guitar, banjo, piano and even the odd trombone solo.
My own project with Brendan Seaton called Treasures Untold will follow - original songs and a couple covers like Killing me Softly, and The Scientist.
August 21st is going to be a fun rock covers band tuned to the natural acoustics of the park, guaranteed to get you singing along and grooving.
Sponsors include the Oakville BIA, Cindy Avis Real Estate Group, and more.
Let’s get the legs of this music machine moving, so outdoor shows become synonymous with life in Oakville! I want to engage the community, foster appreciation of local talent, and show off the beauty of experiences where nature and music collide. xoxo thanks for listening.
