Sault Ste. Marie looking to become Canada's next music city
The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce is banking on local talent to help make its case for the Soo as a music destination.
To that end, the chamber has formed a task force with an aim on making Sault Ste. Marie Canada's next "Music City."
The Soo's music scene is commemorated with an exhibit at the Sault Ste. Marie Museum. The most recent contribution is a list containing every artist and music venue associated with the local music scene since the beginning. Bill Cowen of "The Soo Music Project" says the city has long been a musical hotspot.
"I think the lack of anything very formalized and specific about things is actually something that engenders a lot of musical talent," says Cowen, who points out that for a lot of performers, music started out as just something to do.
"It's something very, very specific that you can get together with other people," he says. "You don't need a venue, you don't need a bar to play in."
The president of the Sault Chamber of Commerce says it's the city's rich musical history that makes it a candidate to become Canada's next "Music City."
"You don't get a certificate or anything, but what you create is that brand for your community of being somewhere that is a real beacon for the industry," says Rory Ring, who has recruited entities such as the Music Tourism Alliance and the Algoma Conservatory of Music to take part in the chamber's "Music City" campaign.
"You have talented producers, music education, artists, and you have a city, city staff, which is also critical, that want to support the arts," says Chris Campbell of Music Tourism Alliance.
"The Algoma Conservatory's role is to sort of use Music City as a conduit to further the careers of all the talent that's coming through the conservatory and the talent that's already in the Soo," says Greig Nori of the Algoma Conservatory of Music.
Meantime, Ring points out that it was London's designation as a "Music City" that helped it make its case to host the Juno Awards in 2019.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.