Other cities try, but Thunder Bay is one of the few that gets it, says musician Mark Potvin.
The blues guitarist was referring to the city’s Summer in the Parks program, which once again in 2010 will bring together 23 of the region’s best musicians in an eight-week concert series starting June 23 at Marina Park.
"Being a free event, it attracts people from all different walks of life, people who may not listen to that music. So it really gives me access to an audience of 4,000 people. On a really busy night that place is packed, crammed full of people," Potvin said Tuesday at the launch of this year’s Summer in the Parks line-up.
"I think, as well, the different mix of music really kind of shows what Thunder Bay has to offer. When I go to Toronto, the one thing that great musicians ask is what’s in the water in Thunder Bay, why do we have such great musicians coming out of Thunder Bay. And I think it’s having great events like this, that helps propel people up a couple of levels."
A tradition in the city in some form or another since 1904, Summer in the Parks kicks off June 23 with its traditional opening act, the legendary Roy Coran Jazz Big Band, followed by Mark Potvin’s Little Swing Band that features his three sons.
Over the course of the next seven weeks, acts as varied as country’s Suitcase Stanley, the Celtic offerings of Flipper Flanagan and the Flat Footed Four, rockers Powerhouse and the Polka Pirates will grace the Marina Park band shell.
It wasn’t easy narrowing the field to 23 – including 10 newcomers – from the 53 who applied, said event co-ordinator Jean-Paul De Roover, especially when expectations are already high.
"Summer in the Parks has become one of the most prominent community events throughout the summer that that whole family can enjoy," De Roover said. "We have worked with our advisory committee this season to bring a total of 23 acts of various styles and genres to the stage. They are sure to please audiences of all ages and tastes."
Potvin said in his travels, including a stint on the advisory board of the Ontario Arts Council, he’s noticed that none seem to be able to pull off an event like Summer in the Parks.
"Yes there are other communities that hold great festivals, like the Blues Festival or a jazz festival or a folk festival, but this doesn’t fit that bill. It covers the gamut. (We have) a very different, eclectic mix of music on opposite ends of the spectrum … and it’s incredible that we have such a wide array of musicians and performers."
Although parking won’t be available in the park, De Roover said he encourages the public to take advantage of the Summer in the Parks shuttle bus, which runs Wednesday nights from the Heart of the Harbour Parkade on Court Street through the downtown core.
