Niagara Falls Fun - Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls Canada

Originally printed in the Review

Musicians take to Queen Street
Weekend festival offers ‘eclectic’ mix of musical acts, organizer says
Posted By Corey Larocque

Downtown Niagara Falls is tapping into the music of the bygone big band era in an attempt to recapture Queen Street’s heyday, when it was the place to be.

The Toronto All-Star Big Band, a renowned jazz band, is headlining this weekend’s Music On The Street festival. The band plays the hits of the 1930s and 1940s, the era of giants like Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller but it recruits its musicians from the youth of the Greater Toronto Area. (more…)

Printed originally by the Review

New city trail could open by end of year
Would follow old railway corridor
Posted By Corey Larocque

Niagara Falls could have a new recreational trail running along the old Canadian Pacific railway corridor connecting the downtown area and Clifton Hill by the end of the year, city officials say.

The city is moving forward with its plan for a $364,000 trail where the trains used to run, said Denyse Morrissey, the city’s parks, recreation and culture director.

She outlined plans to build a 1.3-kilometre trail parallel to Ontario Avenue and Palmer Avenue during a downtown committee meeting Monday (more…)

Printed by the Review

Music, food, and shopping: Springlicious returns to Queen Street: Watch the video
Thousands take in Queen Street music, food, beer and wine festival
Posted By Corey Larocque

Springlicious struck again. Thousands of people filled

Queen Street over the weekend for the second annual Springlicious music, food, beer and wine festival, creating a showcase for new business that recently arrived.

“Myself, I didn’t know these places exist,” said Janice Ane, a Niagara Falls woman, who was seeing some of the newer downtown businesses for the first time because the festival brought her downtown. Click here for more and to watch a video

Printed by the Review

Will Springlicious lightning strike twice? – COLUMN
Downtown festival can build on goodwill it started in its rookie year
Posted By Corey Larocque

Last year’s April Wine has evaporated, but the buzz lingered all year. It’s time now to see if the 2009 vintage of Springlicious has the same intoxicating effect last year’s event did.

A year ago, people fell in love with downtown again – even if, in some cases, it was just a one-night stand. The first-ever Springlicious music and food festival last year gave people a reason to come downtown. (more…)

Printed by the Review

Can the downtown do it again with Springlicious?
Posted By COREY LAROCQUE

Last year’s April Wine has evaporated, but the buzz lingered all year. It’s time now to see if the 2009 vintage of Springlicious has the same intoxicating effect last year’s event did.

A year ago, people fell in love with the downtown again -even if, in some cases, it was just a one-night stand. The first-ever Springlicious music and food festival last year gave people a reason to come downtown. (more…)

Printed by the Review

GO decision shows Niagara has arrived

Amid the continuing stream of bad news about the economy and the job market, Thursday’s announcement the provincial government is extending GO train service into Niagara couldn’t have come at a better time.

For years, local politicians, business leaders and The Niagara Falls Review have argued linking Niagara by commuter train and bus to Toronto made complete sense for numerous and patently obvious reasons.

After years of lobbying, the province has decided to create a weekend GO train service, with the pledge that if there proves to be enough demand, seven-day-a-week service is a real possibility. (more…)

Read more and Watch Video here

As printed in the St. Catharines Standard

Weekend GO Trains coming to St. Catharines, Niagara Falls

Transportation Minister Jim Bradley announced summer GO Train service on weekends to Niagara this morning.

The trains will stop in both St. Catharines and Niagara Falls, ferrying tourists to and from Toronto. Passengers will be allowed to bring bicycles on the trains. (more…)

Printed by the Review

Santa delivers fun, business to downtown
Posted By ALISON LANGLEY , REVIEW STAFF WRITER

A sea of faces along Queen Street resulted in brisk holiday business for retailers Saturday.

With an estimated 5,000 people in downtown to watch the annual Santa Claus parade, businesses were ready with warm drinks, art galore and organic treats.

Many storefronts advertised holiday specials throughout the day and cafes and restaurants were packed.

“The parade was great, what little we saw of it. We were just so busy,” said Cathy Segeren, manager at Balzac’s Cafe. (more…)

Printed by the Review

Live, from Queen Street
It’s Fort Erie’s Gypsy Theatre, eager to be part of downtown Niagara Falls
Posted By JOHN LAW , REVIEW STAFF WRITER

It didn’t take long for the deja vu to hit John Dalingwater and Bernadette Feeney.

Nearly 20 years ago, during a lousy economy, they refurbished an old building in downtown Fort Erie into a new theatre.

Here they are again, fixing up an old downtown building, opening a new theatre, dealing with another recession. Only this time -like the gypsies they’re named after -they’re on the move.

In May, the Niagara theatre company will open a sister stage in Niagara Falls at the former Seneca movie theatre on Queen Street. (more…)

Printed by the Review

Artists ‘feel the difference’ after downtown festival
Posted By TONY RICCIUTO REVIEW STAFF WRITER

Art Saturdays, the six-week long festival that took place in downtown Niagara Falls, made a difference, says Suwanna Upper, the owner of Moodie’s Bakery.

“It was a very big help because we had people coming in and out of the store all day from 8:30 a. m., when we opened to 4:30 p. m., when we closed,” said Upper. “We were really able to feel the difference.”

The celebration kicked off Sept. 20, and the idea was to put the spotlight on some of the new artists and galleries that have opened on Queen Street over the past year.

In addition to the art, they had acting and dance lessons, art workshops and even a weekly Creative Creature costume contest leading into Halloween. (more…)