COQUITLAM, B.C., July 21, 2020 – Music lovers following Coquitlam’s free online Summer Concert Series are in for a treat July 24 and 31, as three distinctive artists take to the virtual stage.
The soulful and jazzy Bukola Balogun, alternative folk powerhouse Etienne Siew and country’s electrifying Aaron Pritchett are the next artists to perform in this year’s online version of the popular music series, usually presented at Town Centre Park.
The six-part series is running July 10 to Aug. 14. Catch Balogun and Siew July 24 and Pritchett July 31 at www.coquitlam.ca/summerconcerts.
Eclectic Offerings July 24 and 31
Presented on July 24, Bukola Balogun is a rising star who blends contemporary R&B and jazz to create her own signature soulful sound. A standout in CBC’s Searchlight competition, she has been working with Grammy award-winning producer Chin Injeti and Juno award-winning producer Ben Kaplan on her debut EP, set for release this fall.
Etienne Siew, also performing July 24, weaves both true-life experiences and imaginative tales into his alternative folk songs, crafted from the beauty and forests of the West Coast. Known for his warm tones, dynamic melodies and powerful vocals, Siew explores themes of love, loss and triumph over adversity in his debut EP Better Man.
A very different vibe will come to the screen July 31 with the high-energy country sound of multiple Canadian Country Music Association Award winner and Juno nominee Aaron Pritchett. The crowd-pleasing B.C. artist, who brings a rock energy to country audiences, is still going strong after a series of 14 career top-10 singles, a gold-selling smash hit, a recent string of top-10 songs and a sold-out national tour.
Each concert is about 30 minutes long. The shows are presented by Coquitlam Centre, produced by the City of Coquitlam and filmed by Hubcast Media Productions, and are available for viewing on-demand at www.coquitlam.ca/summerconcerts from 5 p.m. on the Friday concert date to the following Monday at 8 a.m. Coquitlam Centre also sponsors the City’s summer surveys.
Supporting Local Restaurants
Viewers are encouraged to order takeout and to plan watch parties at home with their bubble.
To support local businesses, Coquitlam restaurants serving up takeout are being featured as part of this year’s concert series. Featured for the July 24 and 31 concerts are Steve’s Poke Bar, Coffee + Vanilla, Kook’s Cooks and Coquitlam Grill.
Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Concerts
Aug. 7: Warren Dean Flandez (R&B)
Aug. 14: Sarah Wheeler and the Black Salt Sea (Queer Indie Folk)
Artist information is available at www.coquitlam.ca/summerconcerts. Be sure to RSVP to the Facebook event pages for weekly updates and reminders.
Take the Survey and Win
Coquitlam residents who watch at least one broadcast of the 2020 Summer Concert Series have a chance to win one of three $50 Coquitlam Centre gift cards by taking a City survey at www.coquitlam.ca/summerconcerts before Aug. 28. Sponsored by Coquitlam Centre, the survey collects feedback to guide the planning of future City events and programs.
About Coquitlam Centre
Situated in the heart of the Tri-Cities, Coquitlam Centre features over 910,000 square feet of retail on two spacious levels. Coquitlam Centre is the fifth largest shopping centre in British Columbia, offering over 200 retailers including Hudson’s Bay, Walmart, London Drugs, Sport Chek, T&T Supermarket, Best Buy, Golf Town, Apple, UNIQLO, lululemon athletica, Sephora, MAC, Aritzia, Plenty, Urban Barn and H&M all in one convenient location. Coquitlam Centre is a Morguard Managed Property. For information, visit coquitlamcentre.com.
About Hubcast Media
Hubcast Media International (HMI) is a group of media and technology companies with one vision: to create and connect a global community through content. For information, visit hubcastmedia.com
Join Coquitlam’s Efforts to #SupportLocal
The City of Coquitlam has joined the Tri-Cities #SupportLocal campaign to assist local businesses, many of which are struggling at this time. Coquitlam strongly encourages residents to #SupportLocal for their shopping and meals; view business listings at www.wegotthistricities.com and www.visitcoquitlam.ca for a directory of 200+ Coquitlam restaurants offering takeout, dine-out and delivery. See our video to learn more about how you can support local businesses.
Enjoy 75 Days of Staycation Fun
Be a tourist in your own town this summer with Tourism Coquitlam’s 75 Days of Summer campaign. Follow @visitcoquitlam on Facebook and Instagram from June 24 to Sept. 7 for prize giveaways and insider tips about things to do and great places to visit, eat or drink in Coquitlam. Watch for your daily dose of #SummerintheCQ inspiration and feel free to comment and share your own suggestions, tagging #ExploreCoquitlam and #SummerintheCQ. The City is also looking to purchase gift cards or prize packages from local businesses – contact 604-927-3913 or tourism@coquitlam.ca for information.
Supporting Our Community During the Pandemic
The City of Coquitlam is here to help, with these resources:
- Visit www.coquitlam.ca/csrp to learn about the City’s Community Support and Recovery Plan, which is providing immediate and long-term support for the non-profit sector, businesses and residents;
- Visit www.coquitlam.ca/spirit for a free library of activities for all ages, including fitness, arts and culture, outdoor activities and ways to connect with your community; and
- Visit www.coquitlam.ca/covid19 for updates on City services and initiatives and COVID-19 health resources.
Coquitlam residents and businesses are also encouraged to follow the City of Coquitlam on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and download the CoquitlamConnect mobile app for up-to-date City information. Links are available at www.coquitlam.ca/connect.