This year’s iteration of the Upside Downtown concert series is going to be the biggest and best version yet of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge’s annual event, says AAC Executive Director Steven Foord.
“We’re back with nine weeks of free live concerts on Rotary Square every Thursday in July and August,” notes Foord. “We’re thrilled to showcase, not only the amazing local talent we have in the city, but we’re also welcoming in a couple of feature artists from abroad.”
The concerts, which will also include a variety of food trucks and a cash bar, will begin July 3 and will run until Aug. 28 from 5-7 p.m. in front of Casa.
New for 2025, Upside Downtown will feature opening sets by participants from the Chinook High School Battle of the Bands July 3 and July 10.
The series finale will be Pop Up, Get Down Aug. 28.
According to Foord, the end of season event will close 8 Street South in front of Casa for an unforgettable night featuring emerging local artists from Shaela Miller’s Youth Songwriting Retreat.
A big aspect of the concert series is the integration of art, Foord explains. “We’re integrating visual art into the series.”
At the heart of it, Foord notes, the series is about accessibility, art, community and it’s about getting people into Lethbridge’s downtown core. “And really experiencing what Lethbridge is all about.”
Downtown BRZ Executive Director Sarah Amies says the AAC puts in a tremendous effort to put on the concert series each year. “It just enlivens our downtown, even more than it is already.”
“I’m so looking forward to that end concert, but I can’t wait to see what the eight weeks before that brings us. It’s so great we’ve invited local performers and youth to come and show us their skillsets, as they’re becoming performers of the next generation. It’s going to be a wonderful event every Thursday night. I’ll be here dancing and hopping and I certainly hope everybody else does too.”
For a full list of performers check out artslethbridge.org/upside-downtown.
