BIA, cathedral plan summer concert series in park

By Nancy Miller –

A new free concert series premieres in St. James Park on June 21.

Hosted by the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA, the series will celebrate a new spirit of revival in this beautiful oasis of calm for residents, office workers, dog walkers, tourists, street people and garden lovers alike.

According to Al Smith, executive director of the BIA, “We’ve been thinking of something like this for a while now and we hope it will become an annual event. The concerts are an opportunity to bring together the whole community for six evenings of music and fun,” he added.

The idea for a concert series came from Bob Neighbour, a local writer and St. Lawrence resident.

“After Occupy Toronto pulled their tents from the park, the damaged grass was generously replaced by Landscape Ontario, the Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario, and Project EverGreen. It was so beautiful I thought it might be good to do something to celebrate the park,” Neighbour says. His “something” turned out to be six concerts over the summer with live music in the gazebo.

He approached Smith, St. James cathedral dean Douglas Stoute, and ward councillor Pam McConnell for approval and received it, along with encouragement and offers to help. He then went looking for six musical groups to play.

Neighbour’s request to musicians was also met with enthusiasm. “From (Cuban jazz musician) Jane Bunnett to (New Orleans traditionalists) the Happy Pals, everyone was keen. The idea of a revival of St. James Park really appealed to them.”

St. James Park adjoins the St. James Anglican cathedral and is partly owned by the cathedral and partly by the city. The parish of St. James began in the late 1700’s but the current gothic revival cathedral didn’t start until 1853.

Pathways in the park are lined with benches and criss-cross through the centre diagonally. At the centre of the X, a large ornamental gazebo is a reminder of a simpler past when weekly concerts were common.

“This is where the music will happen,” said Neighbour. “It’s time to bring life back to the old girl.”

The BIA invites everyone looking for a break in their busy schedules to come and enjoy the concerts.

“Pick up a picnic supper at one of the many restaurants in the area, put down a couple of lawn chairs, and enjoy a free two-hour classical, jazz or Cuban Romantico concert,” Smith invites. “What could be better on a warm summer evening?”

The St. Lawrence Market BIA is a non-profit organization whose membership includes every business and commercial property owner within the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood. The BIA works cooperatively to improve the public realm, promote the neighbourhood and events, and support local business. Its mandate includes developing and implementing streetscape beautification including heritage lighting and signage, and promotional programs with a view to increasing business revenues and tourism in the area.