The logo of Music at the Market 2020. (image supplied by the City of Owen Sound)
Owen Sound’s downtown core is going to sound a bit more vibrant during lunchtime over the next couple of months.
The city is launching a new concert series to showcase local artists in an area recently re-developed as part of the Downtown River Precinct Project: the Owen Sound Farmer’s Market Square. It’s located near the Sydenham River, north of 8th Street East.
The concert series is being dubbed Music at the Market and will run every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. for the next eight weeks, wrapping up in early November.
The first show is Wednesday, Sept. 16. The Rob Elder Trio will perform the first set.
“The goal is to support our local eateries, support our local artists,” says Owen Sound’s Manager of Community Development and Marketing Brent Fisher. “And as life continues to change, to get people meandering through our downtown core once again and enjoying the wonderful outdoor space we have while listen to some great music.”
Music at the Market will feature many artists from the local area. Among the acts already confirmed are: Coco Love Alcorn, The Beckett’s, Higher FunKtion, Larry Jensen with Pete Devlin, Emma Wright, The MacKenzie Blues Band, Shipyard Kitchen Party, Bobby Dean Blackburn and Friends, Emma Wright and Marshall Dane.
Fisher notes there will be physical-distancing circles laid out for spectators attending, while a barrier is going to be set up in between the performers and audience in accordance with provincial regulations.
“This event has been considered by Public Health and we’ve got glowing reviews back,” Fisher notes. “I would just encourage people when they’re coming down to keep the current (Public Health) recommendations in mind.”
The venue for the event — the Owen Sound Farmer’s Market Square — was completed in 2019 as part of the $3.2-million first phase of the Downtown River Precinct Project. It included the re-alignment of 1st Avenue East and a refresh of several areas near the Sydenham River.
Fisher notes Music at the Market will come at no direct cost to the local ratepayer as it is being funded as part of a $150,000 Tourism Industry of Ontario and FedDev Ontario grant Owen Sound received to support hyper-local tourism initiatives.
“This is the provincial government stepping up to help local businesses, small businesses and especially those affected in the downtown core while really providing that boost to our arts and culture community as well,” Fisher adds.