Free Outdoor Concert Series Returns to Downtown Grimsby This June

Downtown Grimsby is pleased to announce the return of the Music on the Forty Concert Series, a free, family-friendly live music experience taking place Thursday evenings throughout June from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Coronation Park, 77 Main St W. Now entering its third year, the popular concert series has become a summer tradition in the community, bringing residents and visitors together to enjoy live music in the downtown core. Featuring a lineup of talented performers including Hamilton All Star Jazz, Shari Vandermolen, The Beelays, and Groove Miller, Music on the Forty promises a month full of music and community.

The series was created by longtime Grimsby resident Allan Gaumond, who recognized the opportunity to turn the park stage into a lively hub for music and community connection.

“It’s been amazing to watch this grow into an event people look forward to every year,” said Allan Gaumond, founder of the Music on the Forty Concert Series. “We’re excited to welcome everyone back this season and hope to see people out enjoying the great lineup of performers and spending time in the community each week.”

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, along with snacks and bug spray, and settle in for a night of great music. While in the area for the concerts, visitors are encouraged to take advantage of everything downtown has to offer, including local restaurants and cafés, unique shops, and convenient spots for errands or services. Arriving early offers the chance to explore the Grimsby Farmers’ Market, which runs every Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Main Street East, featuring fresh produce, local goods, and artisan products.

“We’re excited to have Music on the Forty back for its third year,” said Mark Wood, Board Member of Downtown Grimsby. “While you’re here for the concerts, we hope you take some time to check out the local businesses that help make Downtown Grimsby such a great place to spend an evening.”

All performances are weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, updates will be shared 30 to 60 minutes prior to showtime on social media. Rained-out performances will not be rescheduled. Admission is free, and parking is available nearby. This year’s lineup features four performances with a mix of genres and local talent.

June 4: Hamilton All Star Jazz has brought classic and contemporary big-band jazz, featuring the music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and others, to audiences throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe for over 40 years. The evening will feature performances by the Rising Stars and All Star Jazz Bands.

June 11: Shari Vandermolen is an award-winning performer and Niagara-based jazz, and blues vocalist who has been entertaining audiences for years. She brings timeless music to life with warmth, elegance, and effortless charm. Known for her rich tone and engaging stage presence, she blends beloved jazz standards, soulful ballads, and lively blues tunes into performances that feel both nostalgic and refreshingly alive. She’s sat in with jazz legends in New Orleans at the Irvin Mayfield Jazz playhouse and released her debut album “Quarter to Nine”(2015) which can be found on most streaming platforms.

Shari will be joined by David Brideau (on guitar), Clark Johnston (on bass), Cory Snider (on drums) and Fraser Hutchinson (on trumpet) for a night of Traditional Jazz, Vintage blues and a dash of jazzified contemporary tunes.

June 18: The Beelays, a female-fronted funk-rock fusion sensation in Hamilton, Ontario, deliver a soulful and electrifying musical experience. With spontaneous improvisation and a captivatingly quirky style, they defy expectations, pushing boundaries with original lyrics and funky grooves. The Beelays create an immersive, uplifting, and contagious energy that transcends the stage.

June 25: Groove Miller is a groove-based unit performing for the sole purpose of getting great musicians together and getting their audience onto the dance floor! To accomplish this, they draw from a mix of Blues, Funk, R+B, Hip Hop, Soul and Jazz grooves that keep the audience wondering what is next but definitely wanting more!

Thank you to our sponsors, M&M Food Market (36 Main St E, Grimsby) and The Dog Spot (43 Main St E).