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Street Jammin’ downtown Paris!

BIA brings infusion of energy to your shopping experience

By Carolina Saenz

Beautiful Paris is buzzing with locals and tourists alike enjoying all that summer in Paris has to offer. The Downtown Paris Business Improvement Association (BIA), however, has taken it up a notch with the new Paris Street Jams. An addition to the already wonderful dine and shop downtown experience, Paris Street Jams liven up our town with live music twice a week. On Thursday evenings at Cobblestone Commons and on Sunday afternoons on William Street, performers spread the kind of joy and togetherness only music can bring. Courtney McColl, owner of the Fizz Soakery, and Katherine Pickering, owner of The Paris Bohemian Gallery, share more about this BIA initiative. They are the duo behind this project, which they describe as an ongoing learning experience that takes a tremendous amount of effort to coordinate. “We want to start building a culture downtown that everyone is talking about. A place visitors will continue to return to and bring their friends. Somewhere locals can enjoy live music, food, art and shopping steps from their home,” McColl explains. Pickering observes that the Paris Street Jams add a much needed “Street Culture” to downtown and invite both locals and visitors to experience an inclusive dimension of our arts culture, Continued on page 16

which is currently building a lot of momentum in our community. “Street Jams is a bit of a pilot project to enhance the cultural experience to integrate other art facets, like actors, storytellers and other live art experiences,” she expands. The first performance took place on July 14th and so far the list of artists featured includes SIVLE, Calm Canopy, The Nick Vokey Band, and Justin Pitters. Upcoming solo artists include Missy Bauman performing on William Street, and the bands Passion Over Reason on August 11th and The Grand Rivermen on August 18th , at Cobblestone Commons. Musicians interested in performing are invited to apply through the BIA’s Instagram page @downtownparisbia. Three-tofour-piece rock, indie, and cover bands are invited for the Thursday jams, while solo performers are encouraged to apply for the Sunday jams as the performance area is a bit smaller. “Walking the streets of downtown Paris, hearing live music and seeing the crowds gather has been an infusion of energy Paris needs,” shares McColl. In addition to the Thursday evening Street Jams, the Thursday Night Lights event happens every week downtown and participating businesses stay open until 8 pm for customers to shop late. Continued on page 17

Have you noticed music coming from downtown on Thursdays and Sundays? The BIA is presenting a new street jam series featuring local talent. Be sure to check it out this month! Submitted Photos

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“We hope that this will continue to catch on and have all our local businesses participating! Support from our local residents and visitors is key. If you need something to do on a Thursday night, downtown Paris is the place to be,” adds McColl. The Paris Street Jams are already garnering a very positive response, even having a small following of locals attending the shows weekly. “Seeing the crowds gather in the Cobblestone Commons as the music starts to fill the air is so exciting! We have been very happy with the turn out and hope it continues to grow,” gushes McColl. The shows are expected to continue for as long as the weather permits it and if logistics work next year, the Paris Street Jams could become a summer tradition in downtown Paris. “We just ask people continue to spread the word, support and bring your friends/family out! We can’t wait to meet you and have you experience Paris, ON,” concludes McColl.

Ontario Cup quarter final match in Paris today!

Heads up soccer fans! The Paris FC U15 girls are playing in their Ontario Cup quarter-final match today at 4pm at Greenlane Sports Complex. Paris is coming off a 3-0 win in the third-round match against Windsor TFC. If you're looking for a chance to cheer on the black and red and want to catch some local soccer action, you won’t want to miss this one!

Paris FC photo