One of the best things about summer is being able to sit out side and enjoy some live music with a cold beverage in hand.
So with that in mind, Allied Arts Council promises something for everybody during an extended Upside Downtown season every Thursday from 5-7 p.m. in Rotary Square outside casa throughout July and August.
The popular outdoor concert series grew out of Covid in 2021 and the ensuing demand for outdoor concerts.
Allied Arts Council projects manager Shannon Bos wanted something for all tastes and identities when she booked her first Upside Downtown.
“I was definitely looking to book artists covering a range of genres and identities including female artists. I wanted to book a lot of different groups,” Bos said, adding she also wanted to continue focusing on local artists.
One Exception os Toronto Based roots rock/ jazz tinged band Doghouse Orchestra who were a hit of last year’s South Country Fair and will be playing the Fair again this year.
“Steve (Foord, manager of Engagement) was able to snake them for Upside Downtown too. They’re fantastic and aI think a few of the members are from Alberta originally,” Bos enthused, adding it has been a lot of work.
“Now the work is done, I’m just excited to be able to sit back and enjoy live music. There is a lot of local talent. You don’t have to go far to find great music,” Bos beamed.
Upside Downtown opens July 4 local punk trio MomBod and Alternative rock band Fawns. It is all about country music on July 11 with Hurtin.’
The Doghouse Orchestra warm up for their South Country Fair performance by combining country with horns and a lot of different styles of music on July 18.
Adequate bring the funk to Rotary Square, July 25.
August opens with more outlaw style original country with Badlands on Aug. 1.
The middle of summer is a great time to enjoy some surf style instrumental music as the Atomicos return to Upside Downtown, Aug. 8.
Starpainter, who will be coming in hot off their first tour of Japan, bring their own style of alternative country and folk to Upside Downtown on Aug. 15.
The Aug. 22 show will be pretty eclectic as the show features local folk/ roots musicians the Karen Romanchuk band and a great up and coming Celtic rock band Clover Overboard.
Like last year, local Disco/ funk/ R and B and Pop collective Hippodrome close Upside Downtown, Aug. 29.
Admission is free for the shows, which will run from 5-7 p.m. every Thursday.
If you’re thirsty, Andrew Hilton and Spectrum Ale will cure what ails you as they will be sponsoring a licensed area.
If you’re hungry, food trucks will be on hand to satisfy your cravings.
“t’s going to be fantastic. And it’s an extended season. There are two more concerts,” said Foord, who is excited to bring back the Doghouse Orchestra.
He thanked Shannon Bos for putting the season together.
“ She did all the work for it. She did all the booking,” he said, adding there will be more of an artistic component to this year’s Upside Downtown in addition to the art in the steel box kiosks including a new mobile exhibit by artist Be.Trit..
“ We have an exhibit called Roots/Routes that is built on the back of a trailer that will be there” Foord said.
Rotary Square is sheltered to help beat the heat and casa gallery will be open for patrons to check out the new exhibits or just find out what is going on at casa.
More information about Upside Downtown and other artistic endeavours in Lethbridge can be found at the new website www.yqlarts.ca. or https://artslethbridge.org/calendar/
— By Richard Amery, L.A.Beat Editor
