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Successful Supercrawl draws record numbers to downtown
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011
If you made it out to James Street North’s Supercrawl event on September 10, you likely found no shortage of two things: interesting artwork and Redeemer students. It always amazes me how many Redeemer students you can find curiously walking around James Street at any given time of the year, especially at Supercrawl. Ever since the artistic revival that swept (and is still sweeping) the neighbourhood some six or seven odd years ago, James Street has never been the same. The street is transforming from a series of decrepit laundromats and variety stores to Hamilton’s cultural hub. Without eschewing leftover business owners on the street, artists and entrepreneurs have revitalized the area largely by creating an atmosphere conducive to large scale artistic endeavors. As more and more gallery spaces revitalize old derelict buildings, Hamilton is getting a sense of the new energy that will take the place of the ambitious blue-collar drive. “Art is the New Steel” as they call it now a days.
This year, Supercrawl has set the standard in Hamilton for cultural celebrations of epic proportions with over 50,000 people amassing down one street in one night. This was undoubtedly a big celebration, especially considering that the Locke Street Festival and the Canadian Country Music Awards were held during the same weekend. As Mac Frosh fundraisers competed with panhandlers for attention in Jackson Square that morning, one thing was certain: never before have I witnessed the downtown core so overrun with energy. Sure there were the regular hipsters and satchel wearing bohemians, but this year there was so much more. I saw families come out and allow their children to join artists painting. I saw old couples slowly walking, peering into the world of young artists and performers. I saw high schoolers giddy to have another Saturday night option other than the mall or the movies.
On top of the many street performances and open-door galleries, Supercrawl hosted a number of concerts and shows on stages placed all down the street. Most of those who were there that night took in the performance by Broken Social Scene who packed the place. Other acts included the Junior Boys, Paley and Francis, J. Mascis and even the McMaster Laptop Orchestra. There were also a ton of interesting displays of visual art that superseded what is normally shown at Friday night artcrawls. The outside façade of the Brain, a popular bar on James street, was completely redone with yarn while the rooftop of the Mixed Media, an art store and gallery, was covered with towering inflatable beings.
The Supercrawl has generated and overwhelming amount of positive responses among the Hamilton residents. The city has already had numerous applications for future event sponsors and has received letters and emails of praise from a host of groups in Hamilton and elsewhere. Undoubtedly, James Street North has generated the kind of positive attention that Hamilton residents have been looking for. After years of living below the cloud of a ruined reputation, the fortunes of the “Ambitious City” seem to be steadily improving, thanks in large part to a creative group of local artists and entrepreneurs.
This year, Supercrawl has set the standard in Hamilton for cultural celebrations of epic proportions with over 50,000 people amassing down one street in one night. This was undoubtedly a big celebration, especially considering that the Locke Street Festival and the Canadian Country Music Awards were held during the same weekend. As Mac Frosh fundraisers competed with panhandlers for attention in Jackson Square that morning, one thing was certain: never before have I witnessed the downtown core so overrun with energy. Sure there were the regular hipsters and satchel wearing bohemians, but this year there was so much more. I saw families come out and allow their children to join artists painting. I saw old couples slowly walking, peering into the world of young artists and performers. I saw high schoolers giddy to have another Saturday night option other than the mall or the movies.
On top of the many street performances and open-door galleries, Supercrawl hosted a number of concerts and shows on stages placed all down the street. Most of those who were there that night took in the performance by Broken Social Scene who packed the place. Other acts included the Junior Boys, Paley and Francis, J. Mascis and even the McMaster Laptop Orchestra. There were also a ton of interesting displays of visual art that superseded what is normally shown at Friday night artcrawls. The outside façade of the Brain, a popular bar on James street, was completely redone with yarn while the rooftop of the Mixed Media, an art store and gallery, was covered with towering inflatable beings.
The Supercrawl has generated and overwhelming amount of positive responses among the Hamilton residents. The city has already had numerous applications for future event sponsors and has received letters and emails of praise from a host of groups in Hamilton and elsewhere. Undoubtedly, James Street North has generated the kind of positive attention that Hamilton residents have been looking for. After years of living below the cloud of a ruined reputation, the fortunes of the “Ambitious City” seem to be steadily improving, thanks in large part to a creative group of local artists and entrepreneurs.
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