Final attendance figures aren't in, but judging by the huge turnouts for the events (especially for Canada Day, which marked the return of fireworks to the area after a two-decade absence), it appears the investment is paying off.
“The summer events were well-attended, especially the Friday night Indie concerts that drew regular crowds of 500 people,” said My Mississauga manager Melissa Di Carlo.
Paul Mitcham, the City’s commissioner of community services, is also gratified by the progress the three-year-old program is making.
“The long-term objective for My Mississauga is to attract over one million visitors to the Civic Square on an annual basis and build community awareness of the square as the downtown focal point. Survey feedback, media exposure and attendance indicate the program interest and has been well-received by residents,” he said.
So much so, the City is mulling extending the activities to spring and fall.
The ever-popular Peter Appleyard brings down the curtain Saturday, Aug. 30 when he celebrates his 80th birthday with a concert on the main stage, starting at 7:30 p.m. Listen for tributes to Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, both of whom the acclaimed jazz vibraphonist has performed with.
Indie Friday is sure to go out with a loud bang, since it’s featuring a punk rock concert including Mayday, Mr. Pink, Dance Electric, Bolton Natives and Corporation.
What makes My Mississauga compelling is the diverse programming.
Last Friday’s Indie concert, for instance, was geared towards reggae-ska lovers. And it couldn’t have turned out better for Canadian-Jamaicans. Earlier that day, the local expats were glued to television, watching in joy as Usain Bolt and company completed a Jamaican sweep of the sprint events at the 2008 Olympics.
And then they were treated to a jammin’ reggae and ska concert.
Like they’d say in Kingston town, “Everyting is irie mon!”
Jamaican-born Terence Campbell, wearing the now-familiar black, green and gold colours of the Jamaican flag, was front and centre, summed it up best.
“Almost every day there are street parties and reggae concerts in Jamaica,” said the 24-year-old. “When I came here six years ago, I really missed them. I’m pleased that more and more events, like this one, are cropping up.”
Campbell so misses reggae’s messages of love and brotherhood, he and two buddies were off to the inaugural Ottawa Reggae Festival, which took place on the weekend, immediately after the Mississauga concert.
But first, along with several hundred other young people, they partied to the music of Hyper Ninja Clan, The Good Times, Walk Off The Earth and One Night Band at Library Square. The four bands aren’t likely to make Jamaicans forget Bob Marley & the Wailers; they’re not even likely to share the same stage as Maxi Priest, who has reportedly sold more records than the master himself and who performed in Ottawa. And Mississauga’s Ska/Reggae Night certainly wasn’t Reggae Sumfest, in Montego Bay.
Still, it was reggae, Jamaica’s gift to the world.
The bands are all young up-and-comers on the reggae/ska scene.
Montreal’s One Night Band, for instance, is hot off the 2008 Vans Warped Tour. The sextet has built its reputation by adding its own flavour to Jamaican classics.
Hyper Ninja Clan is gaining a following on Supernova’s Ontario Mission District Tour, and Burlington’s Walk Off The Earth, with its imaginative and inspired concoctions, is doing gigs in Canada and the northern U.S.
Still, Campbell and his pals were looking to the real deal — Maxi Priest — Saturday in Ottawa.
“He’s a Jamaican, mon, just like Marley and Usain. That makes them kings of whatever they do,” said Campbell.
jchin@mississauga.net
