Following a string of successful summer music shows last year, the Fort Frances Museum and Cultural Centre has planned a five-week concert series, Summer Sounds in the Square, to be held in Rainy Lake Square.
The Wednesday-night series, which will feature five local bands on select dates between July 8 and Aug. 19, was put together with the help of a couple of local organizations, said Museum Program and Events Coordinator Catrina Caira.
“We organized a few concerts last year with the help of Tour de Fort, and after seeing the community’s positive response, we started talking about expanding the idea into a larger series this year,” she said.
“Then we were able to apply for funding through the Rainy River Future Development Corporation program, which allowed us to bring in a lot more bands and create a true summer concert series.”
The series starts on Wednesday, July 8, with a show by Thunder Bay rock band The Honest Heart Collective, then continues a few weeks later with local Rainy River District acts. The Faculty will perform on July 29, Thinking of Pinky on Aug. 5, Rough Cut Pine on Aug. 12 and Red Right Return on Aug. 19.
Caira said they wanted to take the opportunity to put a spotlight on local bands.
“We believe it’s important to support our local musicians the same way we try to support our local businesses,” she said.
“Our local bands contribute to the culture and identity of our community, and showcasing their talent gives residents an opportunity to connect with artists from our region. Featuring local performers alongside larger acts can also help strengthen our music scene and create opportunities for local musicians to reach larger audiences.”
Caira said it’s also important to bring events to the downtown stage to help breathe life into the town core.
“We also think that it’s an important part of our efforts to bring more activity and energy to the downtown areas,” she said.
“Events like these encourage people to spend time downtown, support local businesses, and experience everything our community has to offer by combining live music with local food and beverages and support from some of the businesses. We’re helping create a vibrant atmosphere that contributes to the ongoing attempt to revive a larger downtown core and bring more people.”
To that end, different businesses will be serving food and drink during the shows each week.
Flint House will be selling food and drinks at The Honest Heart Collective’s concert, while the Talk on the Street Eatery truck will be parked at the square for Thinking of Pinky and Red Right Return, with Hallet Brewing on tap to sell drinks. There’s more news to come about the other shows.
Each show will start at 6 p.m. and run until about 8 p.m. music lovers are advised they should bring their own chairs.
In the event of rain, The Honest Heart Collective’s concert will be held at the Memorial Sports Centre auditorium. Finding rain dates in the square will be more feasible for the local acts.
Caira says she’s thankful to the local partners who have helped to sponsor the series.
“The grant funding from Rainy River Future Development paid for most of the bands, but for The Honest Heart Collective, we required the support of Tour de Fort, so they secured additional funding in order to bring them in,” she said.
“So, we’re incredibly grateful for the support of our sponsors, Rainy River Future Development, Cathy Handberg from Talk on The Street Eatery and Tour de Fort and their sponsors.”
For more about each band, keep an eye on the Fort Frances Times as each show approaches.
