Chastity also came through with Badflower recently at the Biltmore, and although Chastity can play in Toronto and bring out Alexisonfire as an encore act, as he did prior to the Covid shutdown, and he can produce the barn shows where METZ and K-Os join him, here in the city, in the downtown that he says gave him the inspiration he’s still pretty underground. Kudos to the RMG Friday booker for knowing him and getting him on. Thats a big step for that art gallery.
So yah going to be a fun night July 8 thats a given but this July 1 CDN weekend maybe not so much here in Oshawa but in the Catherines book that dance card.
I don’t know how much support ‘Born and Raised’ got from the city of St. Catherines or how much Dine Alone was supported by their city as the business evolved (the answer may be in their name) or how much support Hamilton gave to Sonic Unyon at the beginning for their Supercrawl initiative which has grown to having thousands show up for the past dozen years for acts from A Tribe Called Red to Zoon.
I do know how much support Oshawa has given for such a festival to happen here. A Big Fat Zero. And thats from council, staff and the business community at large. Zero period. Win a hockey cup you get a parade, win a JUNO and crickets. . . Music matters little here in Shwarockville it may seem to the causal observer.
But its not up to council, its up to citizens and it has to be noted that the very fine Shwarockville citizens have not built a fest nor have asked for one to be built for them. No biz has stepped up to build a fest nor asked for a fest to be built for them. Festivals of music are not a thing for Oshawa. And thats very very OK. If you do not like Oshawa’s lack of interest in festivals go elsewhere, - River & Sky, Springtide, Hillside, Mariposa, Field Trip, Riverfest, Northern Lights, Go North, Empire Rock Fest, Kemptville, Revelree, Mattawa Voyageur, Veld, Electric Electric etc and thats just Ontario and just July, lots of choices. If you like festivals and think one would be beneficial to the fine folks of Oshawa build one. Private businesses are supporting these festivals in St Catherines, its the private sector who is kickstarting these things. Its up to the private sector in Oshawa not Council nor Parks & Rec.
However I’m very left of Left and I do think it is the government’s job to ensure that all have access to the benefits of sports and arts, and the conditions within which private enterprises can thrive. And if the government of the day doesn’t ensure that all have access to the benefits of sports and arts, and the conditions within which private enterprises can thrive, then thats what the ballot box is for.
So here’s my advice if you are asking what to do to celebrate the arts of this very fine country of Canada this Canada Day weekend, go to St Kitts, go see a place its own kids celebrate and praise. I mean do you know anyone from any hometown who thinks their hometown is great, like I don’t. I had some kids in the shop who were from the County who grew up there, and I’m like , man thats so cool, and they’re like, oh man its so boring!!
But being born and raised in St Catherines seems to mean something to these AOF global rockers. Thats something to see and be in on. Thats some celebration.
Plus its on the GO line so you don’t have to worry about the gas either kids.
