Kootenay Savings Music in The Park

Local sounds to touring bands bring the variety to Kootenay Savings Music in the Park this year

The Trail & District Arts Council cannot wait to showcase a stunning array of local and touring artists this Summer in Gyro Park at Kootenay Savings Music in The Park. From 6:15 pm to 8:00 pm every Thursday from June 27 to August 15, there’s great live music for everyone, with two acts per night featuring everything from alt-rock and country to world music and jazz.

The series starts Thursday, June 27 with three local favourites: the Trail Maple Leaf Band playing concert band pieces and marches, followed by the piping tunes of Trail Pipe Band, who are joined by B, McJones Highland Dancers.

Next up on July 4 are the highly danceable 6-piece Blues, Rock and Boogie Band White Lightning followed by headliners John Hewitt Band from Alberta bringing their mix of original old school rock, folk and Americana.

Then on July 11 the Ron Halliday Band opens with their lively jazz and blues originals and covers. Then, Argentinian pianist and composer Gabriel Palatchi and his trio play an original blend of genres such as Latin jazz, tango, funk, and world music.

The Night Markets are now an essential part of Music in the Park, and they return on July 18 and August 15 from 5-8.30 pm! Organized by Trail & District Arts Council, in partnership with Trail’s incrEDIBLE Farmer’s Market, The Night Market is a fun evening of food trucks, vendors, beer garden, and of course live music.

A triple bill of talent heats up the first Night Market on July 18. The music will kick off at 5:45 pm as the Kym Gouchie Trio presents a show that is a unique blend of art, storytelling, and music.

Then from 6:30-7 pm fiddling world favourites Twin Fiddles take to the stage featuring award-winning performers JJ Guy, Gordon Stobbe, and Geoff Horrocks. Headlining the evening is Lisa Nicole and her band playing their modern country originals.

Also, tonight you won’t want to miss a sneak peek at the talented kids in this year’s Triple Threat Theatre show “Matilda – the Musical”.

The month ends with Steve Marc’s dancy reggae/calypso grooves and uplifting/healing vibes from his 5-piece band before headliners  Melody Diachun and The Swing Bastards bring their special blend of R&B, Funk, Jive and Blues on July 25.

Opening on August 1 are The Eisenhauers, the husband and wife duo from Kimberley BC, who blend traditional alt-country with modern folk. Headlining the night is Meredith Moon and her band with their modern Applachian folk sound.  Meredith, the daughter of Gordon Lightfoot, is a serious talent in her own right, as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, who plays guitar, banjo and piano.

High energy acoustic duo KNS play rock inspired by the Eighties on August 8 before Robin Layne & The Rhythm Makers, who bring their groove heavy mix of jazz, folk and marimba.

A full evening of shopping, music and drumming fills the August 15 Night Market. The last show of the season features Maritime Kitchen Party with their foot-stomping Celtic music and Canadiana at 6:15 pm before Stubbs and the take to the stage at 7:15 pm for an hour of spontaneity and fun with this crowd-pleasing and theatrical 5-piece!

Then throughout the Night Market, Rhythm By Nature will run 15-minute drumming workshops at 5:15 pm, 5:45 pm, and 7 pm where you can set free your inner rhythm, connect with your community, and let the beat move you in a fully interactive and immersive drumming experience!

Artistic Director, Nadine Tremblay, says, “It is a pleasure and a challenge  to program a lineup of the best local acts and touring groups every year. We are aiming to create a fun and affordable family night out for locals and visitors with music that will appeal to everyone. It’s rewarding to see all generations enjoying the music in the park together, while relaxing on their blankets or dancing to the bands. The whole experience is a Summer staple around here”

Admission is by donation with a $3 minimum suggested. Or, support the Trail Arts Council’s programming by buying a $30 Season Pass for the whole summer.

Kootenay Savings Music in the Park is the perfect opportunity to bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic, hit the water park, get outside, and listen to live music from local favourites to touring talent with friends and family.

Please remember, No Smoking, No Dogs, and especially No Smoking Dogs!

Shows are moved indoors if the weather is not cooperative. Check our Facebook page by 2:00 pm on Thursdays for the exact location.

For more details on upcoming acts, please visit trail-arts.com.

This show is made possible thanks to support from BC Arts Council, BC Touring Council, the Government of Canada, Kootenay Savings, City of Trail, Columbia Basin Trust, Teck Trail Operations, and Tourism South Kootenay. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.

Thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust Resident Directed grants, we will be building a beautiful backdrop and shelter for the stage this year that will help with visibility and keeping artists and staff cooler in the sweltering heat. We will also be offering shuttle buses from the arena to the Night Markets thanks to this funding stream, which should help alleviate the parking issues on busy nights.