Live from Smiths Falls: Your Backstage Pass to Local Music & Art

Article by Amy Hogue

Spend some time in Smiths Falls and you will quickly feel the creative energy that thrums through the heart of the town. Located in the centre of Eastern Ontario, Smiths Falls is a community that embraces artists or all kinds – from musicians and performers to painters and makers.

Whether you are a performer looking for your next venue, a music or art lover, or just someone who loves discovering local talent, Smiths Falls delivers music and art with heart. Get ready for foot-tapping fun, live performances, and a creative scene that will have you coming back for more.

Foot Tapping Venues

Ever dreamed of performing your own musical masterpiece? Bowie’s Music Club is an intimate venue offering open-mic nights on Thursdays, and live music on Fridays, year-round. Songwriters will love the songwriter series they host every third Sunday of the month. This is where musical talent comes to life through song.

The Lockmaster’s Taphouse on Beckwith Street not only has a view from their patio of the Rideau River that would inspire any artist, but they also offer a rotating schedule of live music on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer. Rob Roy’s Pub & Restaurant and Union Street Bar & Grill are also known for their live music offerings on weekends.

Porchfest, held each year the last Saturday in May.

Photo: A&J Photography

All Aboard for the Arts

Set in a beautifully restored 1887 Canadian Pacific Railway Station, The Station Theatre has the ambiance and the line-up to match the beauty of its interior, delivering high quality entertainment in a historic setting. While you’re waiting for your event to begin, or during intermission, stroll through the rotating art gallery in the lobby, featuring work from local artists.

Don’t Miss: If you’re a true railfan and see the beauty in a historic rail car, plan your visit to include a stop at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario. Their restored dining car is almost an art form in and of itself.

Musical Moments

Known for its creative ingenuity, one of Smiths Falls’ most recent additions to musical events is a fantastic example of this. Porchfest is a free, old fashioned neighbourhood music festival that transforms regular front porches into stages the last Saturday in May. Here, guests pull up a lawn chair and take in a show of local and visiting singers, bands and instrumentalists from people’s front porch.

In July, the Downtown Summer Music Series is set to become an annual favourite, with free outdoor concerts showcasing local talent at the Town Square Bandstand and other locations in downtown Smiths Falls. You can also spread your blanket all summer long in Centennial Park for Movies Under the Stars, where shows take place every Thursday in July and August.

Local Hubs and Galleries

Smiths Falls Music is exactly what it sounds like—a creative epicenter for musicians, visual artists, and curious beginners. Offering music lessons, instruments for sale, a multimedia studio, and community workshops, it’s a welcoming place to explore your artistic side, no matter your age or skill level.

The Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum features historical exhibits and an art show featuring work entered for the annual art competition for Rideau Artist of the Year. This museum is worth a visit for both art and history lovers. Plan a visit to Smiths Falls’ Town Hall to view the rotating art exhibit of local talent.

Don’t Miss: You may find art in unusual places in Smiths Falls, including local restaurants. A surprising spot for interesting art is the Country Diner, which features artwork inspired by the cultural heritage of Smiths Falls.

The Old Post Office, a stop on the Heritage Walking Tour (Click Image for the tour brochure).

Photo: Marc Bastien

Art in the Streets: Walk this Way

Not all art hangs on a wall. Architecture lovers will enjoy the Smiths Falls’ Heritage Walking Tour, a self-guided invitation to introduce you to the unique architecture and history in town. Dive into Smiths Falls’ railway and industrial history and get a sense of the stories the streets of Smiths Falls have to share. Download the self-guided walking tour here.

Don’t Miss: Swing past the fabulous mural on the side of the Shoppers Drug Mart in downtown Smiths Falls. This mural has become the backdrop for a community gathering place and a stellar demonstration of the arts vibe here.

A Town for the Arts

Musicians and artists love Smiths Falls and it’s not hard to see why. Creative souls crave a community that offers the space and support for creativity to thrive. Among the many artists who call this community home are country artist Amanda Jordan, singer-songwriter Ambre McLean and music-producer Matt Connell. These artists – and many more – have put down roots in a community where they can find both inspiration and opportunity to create.

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