Reigniting the spirit of live music with mini patio concerts this Saturday

Despite no summer festival in July, the Northern Lights Festival Boréal team has been steadily planning new ways to bring live music experiences to the community. The organization is thrilled to announce NLFB #49, a diverse and exciting  presentation of festival programming in alternative formats.  

NLFB is launching a  two-part series in celebration of its 49th edition, with plans to re-introduce live music in ways that are safe, responsible and fun. As the kickoff event of the NLFB #49 programming,  the organization will present a ‘Patio Tour’, the afternoon/evening of Saturday August 29th. Some of the North’s finest local musicians will visit local restaurants/bars for mini performances, entertaining patrons while they enjoy the finest food and drink the Nickel City has to offer.  

Four talented musicians will grace these patio stages for this event. Jamie Dupuis (New Liskeard, ON), is a Canadian guitarist/composer and producer, best known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances, and his arrangements on the guitar and harp guitar. Paul Lemelin will also appear, a Canadian Grand Master Fiddle Champion from Sudbury. Recipient of NLFB’s prestigious Jackie Washington Award, Matt Foy occasionally takes a break from numerous musical projects to explore his love of early guitar music, dub, surf, psych, and beyond. Also performing will be Dr. Tom’s Travelling Medicine Show. Sudbury’s foremost bluesman Tommy Fyfe celebrates his love of old-time blues and ragtime sounds.  

Participating establishments include: The Townehouse Tavern, The Laughing Buddha, La Fromagerie, Twiggs Coffee Roasters, 84 Station, Tuco’s Taco Lounge, Di Gusto, and P&M’s Kouzzina. For schedule updates and specific showtimes please check NLFB’s social media account or this page.

NLFB’s top priority is the health and wellbeing of its community, and has consulted with Public Health Sudbury & Districts in the planning of this and further initiatives. Proper distancing and protocol will be in place, including barriers as necessary. Masks will be mandatory when entering and exiting, in line with the province’s Stage 3 guidelines. Anybody with questions about these protocols are invited to contact the NLFB team directly. 

Catching the music is 100% free of charge, but NLFB strongly encourages the public to enjoy the delicious food and beverages offered by the participating establishments. NLFB’s goal is to reignite the much-missed spirit of real live music, and bring those experiences to the community, while highlighting a few of the much-loved local spots. 

As a teaser of what is to come: Northern Lights Festival Boréal #49 programming will culminate in a festival-style drive-in  concert on September 19th. Featuring some of the most raved about performers from past festivals, this will be the first ever presented in the community, and will be hosted  through a partnership with Horizon Drive In. Be sure to follow NLFB on social media to receive updates about the location, lineup, on sale date, and schedule.