Joy of music washes away woes of rain at TD Niagara Jazz Festival

It was a joyous Saturday afternoon and evening as the TD Niagara Jazz Festival descended upon Thorold. 

And to think that the event — which was supposed to take place at Battle of Beaverdams Park — almost didn’t happen.

When it became clear on Friday afternoon that rain and thunderstorms would dominate, Councillor Mike De Divitiis stepped up to the plate and saved the day.

“Because of Mike’s experience in the business, he knew there should be some sort of back up plan,” Councillor Tim O’Hare told ThoroldToday. “When he heard there was none, he moved in and said take this place.”

That’s how the festival moved indoors to two local venues, a mere stone’s throw away from the park. 

De Divitiis offered up the Moose & Goose, and the owner of Donnelly’s Pub, Joe Viele, gave free rein of his establishment next door.

“I always thought the show must go on and you need a plan B,” said De Divitiis, in an interview with ThoroldToday. “When I noticed the rain, I know how it feels to lose a lot of money. In stead of going down with the ship, I decided I’m set up perfect for it.”

Vendors were able to set up their stands inside the venues, and De Divitiis handed his bar over to volunteers from Thorold Minor Hockey so they could raise funds, as they had intended to do at the park.

“It’s just great charitable acts today to keep the show going,” said Councillor O’Hare.

And so in less than 24 hours, the festival switched gears and put on an afternoon and evening of intimate club shows.

The joy from pulling off such a daunting task was palpable in the room.

“We’re so excited,” festival organizer Juliet Dunn told the gathered crowd. “To get rained out is never a fun thing. This is really the best rain option we could have ever hoped for. We’re just absolutely thrilled.”

Dunn told ThoroldToday that the event has been a long time coming.

“I always knew we would do something with Thorold,” she said. “It’s wonderful. There couldn’t have been a better rain option. This way everybody’s safe. You have to make the call.”

The day of jazz and world music was kicked off by Philip Davis who delivered the Indigenous opening to the afternoon.

“I’ve played here before with my band Ol' Child,” he said. “This is a great room and it so suits the atmosphere we have today.”

Mayor Terry Ugulini was also present to give thanks.

“The arts and sports are the backbone of our community,” he told the gathered crowd. “The City of Thorold has once again stepped up to the plate with the help of Juliet and her team. We look forward to growing this relationship and building it moving forward.”

And then it was time for music, as The Imbayakunas Music Group from Ecuador lit up the stage with their traditional Andean sounds and contemporary Latin rhythms. 

The audience got up from their seats and started dancing the afternoon and night away.