Kitchener Launches Sunday Grind: Music and Coffee Unite

A new weekly event, dubbed the Sunday Grind, is set to invigorate downtown Kitchener this winter by combining live music with local coffee culture. Starting on January 11, 2024, the initiative will run every Sunday until March 15, 2024, featuring local DJs spinning tunes at various cafes. The Kitchener Downtown BIA orchestrated the event to highlight the vibrant café scene while engaging the community through music.

Arnold Yescas, the arts and culture manager at the Kitchener Downtown BIA, conceived the Sunday Grind to address the typically slower months of January, February, and March. “We have so many amazing cafes downtown, and I wanted to showcase our café culture while bringing a little musical flair to it,” Yescas explained. The initiative aims to draw in more visitors during these quieter weeks, providing a unique atmosphere in the heart of the city.

Fresh Ground Kicks Off the Series

The first venue to host the Sunday Grind will be Fresh Ground, a plant-based non-profit café operated by the Working Centre. Located near the Kitchener Market, Fresh Ground is committed to creating inclusive spaces that welcome diverse community members. Cassandra Polyzou, the community tools and enterprise hub lead at the Working Centre, expressed optimism that the event will increase foot traffic. “We aim to create spaces where people feel welcome and can access quality plant-based food and coffee,” Polyzou stated.

The event will feature local DJs, including Owen Fleming of Eardrum Productions, who usually performs at weddings and festive gatherings. For the Sunday Grind, Fleming plans to adapt his style to suit the café environment, focusing on lounge house tracks that create a relaxed yet engaging atmosphere. “This gives me the opportunity to test some new material that I’m excited to share,” he said.

Transforming the Café Experience

Yescas emphasized that the Sunday Grind represents a departure from traditional bar-focused events, aiming instead to activate cafés during daytime hours. “Many downtown events focus on alcohol, so we wanted to create a vibrant experience in the early part of the day,” he remarked. This move reflects a growing trend of seeking community-oriented activities that foster inclusivity and creativity.

The Sunday Grind will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday, allowing attendees to enjoy coffee and music in a welcoming environment. The initiative not only supports local businesses but also reinforces community ties, as all profits from Fresh Ground and other Working Centre locations are reinvested to support shelter, housing, and outreach work.

As Kitchener embraces this innovative blend of coffee and music, the Sunday Grind promises to be a delightful addition to the winter calendar, inviting locals and visitors alike to experience the city’s unique café culture. For more information about the event and its participating cafés, interested individuals can visit the Kitchener Downtown BIA’s website.