Sound of Music broadcasts local artists as part of Canada Day celebrations

News 100 blueBy Maddy Van Clieaf

July 1, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Sound of Music and the City of Burlington got together to let people hear some of the Sound as part of Canada Day Celebrations.

The smell of funnel cake, strums of guitar and thump of the bass that consumes Spencer Smith Park when the Sound is live was missing but local bands old and new, from Carly Rae Jepson to the Spoons, Terri Clark, and Lonestar to the rising group Grandson, the Sound of Music is where family, friends and music lovers join together to celebrate the vibrant arts scene in Burlington and beyond.

Instead of enjoying the cool breeze and unavoidable mud coating the bottom of every pair of sneakers- for it’s not the Sound of Music without rainfall beforehand- the authentic sound of Burlington can be heard from the comfort of your living room.

Hayley Verrall - standing with guitar

Hayley Verrall

Uploaded onto soundofmusic.ca,  (CLICK HERE) a video with live performances from nine different local bands and performers can be streamed. The mix of performers comprises fresh faces Abby J Hall and Hayley Verrall, with Burlington staples Bliss and Suzie McNeil. The artists perform both original pieces and covers of famous CANCON songs from the likes of Blue Rodeo and Joni Mitchell.

Included in the music stream are interviews from previous festivals, introducing a wave of nostalgia and reminiscing past years. The online format can’t fully capture the magical ambiance of roaring crowds and mosh pits, but it highlights rising local talent and gives a taste of what is to come. Anticipation for upcoming SOM festivals vibrates through the live stream.

Suzie McNeil

Suzie McNeil

In addition to the live stream, the Sound of Music has put together a Spotify playlist full of Canadian hits available here.  There is also an interactive music experience through QR codes scattered about hiking trails and public spaces.

Andrea Ruthart, Kakisheway, from White Bear Treaty number 4, Cree Nation, made an impactful guest appearance to speak about the Hope for Healing project, helped by the City of Burlington. She and other Indigenous community members spoke on the meaning of reconciliation and the Indigenous song performed at Spencer Smith the day prior.

“This started with burning sweetgrass and blessing the land, and a song, which is also a prayer and a blessing, and a poem, and a call to action. The song was about the fire dance; it was about being seen and heard, which the indigenous community in our country for decades was not.   “Mayor Marianne Meed Ward explained, “Music is a way to bridge that.”

The segment is sincere, although no Indigenous music was played or performed during the live stream. While the City of Burlington is celebrating, Indigenous communities in Canada are choosing not to recognize Canada Day this year to reflect and mourn the tragedy of residential schools and their legacy, which continues to plague Canada.

For Indigenous voices in the community to be heard and recognized, they need to be played and celebrated. The Sound of Music offers a large platform to do just that. Without true change and recognition of Indigenous artists in Burlington, the path to reconciliation will be a long one in the arts sphere.

 

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