THUNDER BAY - The city’s downtown south core will once again fill with the sound of music as City Hall Sounds returns for its seventh year.
The weekly concerts will be taking place every Thursday from noon until 1 p.m. in front of Thunder Bay City Hall, along with local food trucks, and information booths from various community partners.
“We know the perception of safety in the south core neighbourhood has its challenges, so we want to do things that help make people feel safe and secure,” said Thunder Bay Crime Prevention Council coordinator, Lee-Ann Chevrette.
“Just seeing people in this neighbourhood doing positive activities helps change the perception and in turn gets more people coming to the neighbourhood.”
In the seven years, it has been held, Chevrette said there has been a lot of positive feedback and support from the neighbourhood and beyond.
“It’s really important to bring music to this space,” she said. “Music tends to bring people together in a positive way and create an atmosphere that is really vibrant.”
Chevrette added the city is continuing to work at making the downtown south core feel like a welcoming and safe space with the help of increased police patrols in the area and events like City Hall Sounds.
“We have community safety ambassadors working in the neighbourhood in this summer again for the fourth year in a row,” she said. “That really seems to help in terms of creating a positive and consistent presence in the neighbourhood.”
“We know that active and vibrant public spaces are important determinants for community safety,” Chevrette continued. “The safer people feel engaging in, and being involved in, and attending events in a public space, the safer it makes people feel. When you see more people out doing positive activities and you are able to engage and feel included and involved, it tends to make people feel safe.”
This year’s City Hall Sounds lineup includes:
- Thursday, Aug. 1 – Robin Ranger
- Thursday, Aug. 8 – Cory Hoogsteen
- Thursday, Aug. 15 – Morning Light Acoustic
- Thursday, Aug. 22 – Ben Murray of the Earthling Collective
- Thursday, Aug. 29 – LockyerBoys
