When it comes to distinct neighbourhoods, Windsor takes pride in knowing where to go for the right vibe. Summer is heating up and festival season is underway, with no shortage of weekend events that continue through to Labour Day.
What’s great about a Windsor music festival is how intimate our city’s layout makes it feel. The Electric Avenue Jazz Festival, the Mystic Garden Music Festival, and the Windsor Hip Hop Festival are rooted in established neighbourhood hubs. Rather than watching performances from nosebleed seats, the festivals are street-level, putting audiences up close with the artists. It’s the kind of music that flows out into the neighbourhood, drawing passers-by into the excitement. These festivals are immersive to their core.
WindsorEats owner Adriano Ciotoli calls the Electric Avenue Jazz Festival a “full sensory experience,” complete with vibrant murals, food trucks cooking up tasty dishes, and of course, the smooth sounds of jazz. The inviting atmosphere of the festival has a lot to do with its location. WindsorEats never misses an opportunity to celebrate, and the neighbouring Electric Avenue Art Alley offers a venue as lively as the performances.
The weekend is filled end-to-end with performances, including Detroit legend Dwight Adams, best known for touring as Stevie Wonder’s trumpet player for 25 years. Jazz enthusiasts can also look forward to local talents Austin DiPietro and JUNO-nominated Russ Macklem. It’s the kind of event made for slowing down and soaking it in. The event runs July 3rd from 6 pm to 9:30 pm and July 4th from 5 pm to 11 pm. It’s also free to attend, thanks to festival sponsor St. Clair College Alumni Association.
Mystic Garden Music Festival celebrates its second year at Lanspeary Park on Ottawa Street. Expect a heavy lineup of high-energy, international headliners alongside regional and local artists from Toronto to Detroit. “Whether you’re into dubstep, house, techno, drum and bass, or other styles, there’s something for everyone,” says Aaron Pazmandy, who organizes the event through his company Kenekted, in partnership with NXT LVL Entertainment.
While music takes the main stage, the festival also promises local food and market vendors, interactive art exhibits, and new activities. Introducing a roller skate event and a Sunday pool party, there isn’t much chance of getting bored at this festival. The two-day event runs July 11th from 12 pm to 12 am and July 12 from 12 pm to 10 pm. Tickets do need to be purchased in advance, found at mysticgardenmusicfestival.com.
The party doesn’t stop after July. The Windsor Hip Hop festival kicks off at Ernest Atkinson Park on August 8, from 11 am to 8 pm. “The festival is a community-focused celebration of hip hop culture, local talent, creativity, and unity,” says organizer Dewaun Hanna. The local hip hop scene has been building itself up for a long time. This festival embraces the art and celebrates the artists, platforming the DJs, dancers, and vendors that make this community what it is. For more details or to find out ways to get involved in the festival, visit www.windsorhiphop.ca.
It’s no accident that jazz, techno, and hip hop are at the root of these local festivals. As a border city to Detroit, Windsor has a rich history in celebrating artists of each genre. Talent curated on both sides of the border continues to reshape their sound. “I think a lot of people underestimate the incredible events that can happen when a community comes together and celebrates something they’re passionate about,” says Pazmandy. Events like these platform talent that specifically reflect our region and, Ciotoli says, “celebrate our unique cross-border connection.” Windsor doesn’t mess around with their summer; once the sun stays, it’s a mass effort to enjoy the best time of year in the city.
