If you swing by Louise McKinney Riverfront Park this long weekend, chances are you won’t be able to shake off the groovy disco beats all over the place. After its debut last summer, Disco in the Park returns with an upgrade on your summer festival memories.
“It went surprisingly well last year, and this year we’re expanding the lineup with more DJs from across Canada and international titles from New York, Italy and Mexico,” says Joses Martin, general manager at Grindstone Theatre, who’s also a DJ at the festival.
Last year, there were over 500 people attending the festival everyday. And that was with only two headliners at the festival. Disco and dance music lovers get to see some of the biggest names at this year’s festival, including Jellybean Benitez, one of the first DJs at New York’s Studio 54 Radio, who was also a producer for Madonna and Whitney Houston.
“We always wanted it to be a multiple day festival, so there will be programs throughout the day, and after parties at late night,” says Martin. “We’re focusing on something quite specific here, being the only disco and house music festival in Canada.”
Considering the hot weather, Martin also mentions that there is a 5,000 square foot overhead shade structure at the venue for people to dance under. There will also be more food trucks and free water at the site.
“Hopefully in the next few years, we can continue to gain more attention across Canada and internationally, and make this a tourism element for people who are interested in disco music festivals. This is gonna be an Edmonton thing.”
Grab a wristband for the three-day dance feast at Disco in the Park, July 29 to 31.
