Patio takes shape in Goudies Lane
You could hear the low music before seeing anything. Humming across sidewalks, around corners and down King Street, the electronic droning sounds coming from Goudies Lane marked the start of new life for the alleyway in downtown Kitchener.
On June 1, Goudies Lane was populated with artists, musicians, food and people, a rarity for the narrow corridor that stretches between Ontario and Queen Street, just East of King. The expanse – which usually serves as little more than a shortcut through downtown – will play host to a pedestrian patio for the duration of the summer.
While “pedestrian patio,” particularly one that takes shape in an alleyway, might sound strange, it will act exactly as a patio should. Planters, seating, occasional art and pop-up performances will generally be found in the lane during weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. And, as was exhibited on June 1, block parties with food vendors and interactive pieces will emerge periodically throughout the summer, too.
The inaugural event, hosted by Downtown Kitchener, drew an after work crowd. Bread Heads pizzas were being fired at the Ontario Street mouth of the lane. Burgers from J&P hit the grill a few feet away and sandwiched between both, passersby could take in a graffiti artist at work, or the eclectic music from the main stage. Those who wandered further found a community consultation board where attendees could vote on downtown improvements.
The lane – something one typically passes through – was a space of pleasant opposition. Instead of just cutting through, people stayed. They filled the multi-coloured seating iconic to the core, they migrated to the mezzanine atop J&P Grocery for pint, and they peppered the historic brick walls that bookend the alley with neon, geometric shapes crafted from masking tape.
The droning music carried further, though. It wafted out of the alley, onto the street, and into the core, carrying with it the sound of new life in Goudies Lane.
Be sure to check out more awesome events happening in downtown Kitchener this summer as the height of festival season is here with Kultrun, Cruise, Ribfest & Rock & Rumble. DTK streets will be turned into a racetrack for runners and cyclists. City Hall's patio becomes Discover Square every Tuesday, plus there's live music at lunchtimes on Wednesdays and Fridays. Goudies Lane Patio also has noon-hour performers on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we'll be throwing another free First Thursday block party this week (July 6th, 6-10pm), featuring three awesome local musicians, amazing pop-up dinner options (and J&P's second stint as a licensed grocery), oversized street games and some great all ages art activities.