LIVE MUSIC RETURNS TO CONCESSION STREET

SIXTH ANNUAL SIDEWALK SOUNDS RESUMES MAY 21

After two years of virtual offerings due to COVID-19, Sidewalk Sounds returns to Concession Street May 21.

"We're thrilled to have live music back," said Cristina Geissler, executive director of the Concession Street Business Improvement Area. "It's all on the sidewalk in front of the stores."

Hamilton musicians and dance groups will perform two-hour shows at four locations along the street, starting at 11 a.m. and wrapping up at 4 p.m.

One of the musicians is Heather Valley who will be performing in front of The Zoetic Theatre (Concession and Upper Wentworth) at 3 p.m.

After performing online last year (Sidewalk Sounds musicians performed without an audience in The Zoetic and the music was carried live via listening stations along the street) Valley said she's looking forward to playing the guitar and singing in front of people again.

"One of the things I really missed during the course of COVID-19 was the crowd interaction," she said. "Because of the storytelling element and because of the personal nature of some of my original songs, people really like to engage and I can have conversations with people as we go through the performance."

Valley noted Sidewalk Sounds is also good exposure for local artists.

"Having the opportunity to get out and interact with the community is invaluable," she said.

The sixth annual Sidewalk Sounds runs on the third Saturday of each month, from May to September.

For the schedule and list of performers, click here.

Sidewalk Sounds coincides with the Hamilton Book Crawl, which will see local authors set up along Concession Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month.

Visit the Greater Hamilton Writers' Association's website for more information.