Hmmm a bit slow this weekend, bit slow indeed. Social Strife is at the Atria Saturday May 20 and . . .
Ah it's May 24 isn’t it - ah yes - sure what’s the point of gigs, everyone’s away yes. Up North, yes? If ever there was a time for this city to check itself it's this 2023 May 24 weekend coming up. I recall speaking with some promoters who factor in the city’s traditional schedule into their bookings. Winter everyone goes South, summer everyone goes North. Interesting, like its 1983 or something, but it is their money, so I get it.
It never applied to me, this schedule. Maybe because I never had the dollars, maybe because I never had the inclination, maybe because I had no family cottage to hang at or inherit. Maybe yes, maybe no but nevertheless the Regent Theatre is dark this Long Weekend and the Biltmore Theatre only has what they are billing an Old School Dance Night - I don’t know what old school they are talking about, maybe Donovan? Not my old school I hope, gak!
And my old school, as will be the way with many others, is not in this town anyway, not even in this country. Sure the private sector is based on profit so one has to be cautious. Its said fortune favours the brave but let's not be foolhardy etc. Reality is, the population in this town and this province is changing and so are the summer habits, and within those changes there are real business opportunities
But I do understand the risk to private enterprise, booking shows on this holiday weekend. But what I have never understood is why the public sector has never stepped in. It may be politicians and staff tow the line that they are stewards of the public purse and also need to be not foolhardy with the hard-earned dollars of their constituents. But they also need to be cognizance of these constituents and their asks, and it maybe not always on such a conservative track. Anyway I kinda think City Hall et al shuts down because many if not all, have cottages to go to as well, yards to spruce up, pools to open etc, so why make extra work with a festival or some community event. And even for those without an actual place up north there’s still lots of reasons I’m sure, big one being of course winter is over so let's get “Straight Outta Dodge” as my new fave band, the jangly just this side of out of control Small Faces ish trio, Spirit Josh, sings.
What about the people who are just getting outta Dodge, just a road trip to shake off the winter webs, and get some air between them or you and their or your routine. Ask yourself where is this mythical Dodge you are leaving from- is it Picton, Peterborough, Papineau? Probably not.
And so ask yourself why isn’t Oshawa on the map for those road trips? Why is Oshawa Dodge? And not Picton or Peterborough or Papineau? Why isn’t Oshawa the destination for people in Picton who want to get outta their Dodge? Why isn’t Oshawa the place for people in Oshawa who just want to take their Dodge out for a run to the Lake and see some entertainment there or even downtown for a stroll and some on street buskers’ buzz.
I understand the risk to the private sector but maybe some research on demographics might be in order, maybe an expanded roster of booking agencies who see opportunity in diversity, maybe see what other businesses in other cities are doing to attract people to their downtowns 24/7 365 - and maybe the public sector should step up and fill the gap, make the investment for economic reasons, (Ec. Dev. Class 101 - Events attract people, people attract business) and to encourage those who also want a break but don’t do the “traditional Canadian” constellations in Bobcaygeon thing, who want to take that break in their own city, or drive from other cities to Oshawa and spend some $$ here, and maybe the public sector could create that break with a food truck event at the Lake or community park picnics, or bands in the Bandshell (that last one is easy, I mean it’s right there in the name) you know it can’t be rocket surgery to get this happening. Man I can see why people want a break from this City - it's maddening at the very least.
And of course the long weekend means nothing to me so I, like the mad man I am, booked a band into the new Kops location at 34 King Street East, yes the bit of King downtown!! So hopefully if there are people who like live music still in the city reading this column to find out what they can possibly do, then hi to those folks and yes you are welcome on Saturday May 20 evening at least to Kops to see Chastity. Tickets here.