Musician praises Dundas Place vibe as live shows continue on flex street
When Larry Smith and Tara Dunphy started playing their music on Dundas Street last week, they weren’t sure what to expect.
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When Larry Smith and Tara Dunphy started playing their music on Dundas Street last week, they weren’t sure what to expect.
But the duo, who’ve played at venues across the city over the last several years, were pleased with the reaction along the flex street, also known as Dundas Place, as they lent their talents to revitalization of the downtown through arts.
“I was quite pleasantly surprised how people responded,” said Smith, whose guitar is accompanied by Dunphy’s fiddle playing.
“I’m happy to just play anywhere, but people — whether it was skateboarders, shoppers or people strolling by — stopped and sat and listened and participated. I love it. There are all kinds of tourist destinations all around the world that have streets closed to traffic and people can walk anywhere and there are artists working (outdoors).”
Smith and Dunphy will be back on Dundas Place Wednesday to entertain the public and maybe win new fans.
They are one of eight musical acts who’ll be performing along the flex street for the third successive week, Wednesday through Saturday nights and Sundays during the day. Cars won’t be allowed on portions of the flex street.
The performances, part of London Arts Council’s London Arts Live program, as well as street sales and other events will run every week until the end of September.
Smith and Dunphy will perform at the corner of Dundas and Talbot streets from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by DJ Zarah Habib from 7 to 9 p.m.
Thursday will see performances at 206 Dundas by a yet-to-be-determined artist at 5 p.m. followed by the Laurraine Sigouin Trio at 7 p.m. at 236 Dundas.
The Adam Scott Band featuring Joel Jacobs will play Friday at 7 p.m. at 267 Dundas.
The Tanya Lovell Band will play Saturday at 5 p.m. at 215 Dundas and the Trusty Fox Trio at 7 p.m.
Jeremy Jeresky, the arts council’s curator of public programs and learning, said performances are aimed at putting money in the pockets of artists and a spring in the step of downtown visitors.
“I love to see the artists getting paid for doing what they do and for the public to be able to see them and have these amazing cultural experiences,” he said.
“We’re got performers who are highly seasoned professionals and others who are just starting out and need opportunities. These shows give those new artists a leg up in terms of experience and a great opportunity to play in public while getting paid. It’s a great opportunity for all the artists.”
Jeresky said closing the street to traffic is helping to revitalize the downtown, devastated by the pandemic when bars, live venues and restaurants were closed.
“This is about using culture as a key means to achieve revitalization,” he said. “I head down there on my bike every night and I can tell you it’s a beautiful thing to see and hear.”
Plans for the flex street include food trucks and seating for alfresco dining outside Budweiser Gardens on Wednesday nights and “art walks” created by the TAP Centre for Creativity on Thursday nights, when visual artists and musicians will dot Dundas Place across multiple blocks.
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