Ways to enjoy Downtown at a Distance

Community Events

There’s something for everyone in the Downtown District!

Catch the latest musical talent at the Empire Theatre, enjoy Friday Night Bites with your friends at the Brake Room, enjoy Preschool Storytime with your little ones at the Belleville Public Library – there’s something for everyone, from the youngest family member to the oldest.

This page is updated frequently. Check back often to stay up to date with the latest activities and events in the Downtown District!

Friday Night Live – Victor Cooper

UpFront Cafe – 313 Front Street, Belleville

Victor Cooper is back at UpFront Cafe! If you have missed his previous performances, or not seen him here before, here is your chance to do both! What people are saying:

Victor’s incomparable talents as a performer include his vocal range, guitar prowess and luminous stage presence. Audiences are sure to enjoy his acoustic renderings of pop-rock hits and original songs.

Doors open: 6 pm
Music: 7:30 – 10:30 pm

By donation!

Licensed venue
Snacks & refreshments available

Live Music: Tony Vani and Kenny Pauze

UpFront Cafe – 313 Front Street, Belleville

Join us at UpFront Cafe on August 16 from 2-4pm for Tony Vani and Kenny Pauzé, two highly seasoned musicians paired in this sizzling acoustic format for special appearances.

Tony Vani, from Belleville, Ontario, a skilled harmonica player/vocalist has performed at the Frankford Blues Festival, The Kingston Blues Festival, The Belleville Downtown Blues Festival and in and around the Belleville area as a single act and as a group act for decades. He is also co-founder of the yearly Belleville Downtown Blues Festival.

Kenny Pauze, a gifted Delta Blues and Folk guitarist from Elgin Quebec, has played in clubs and festivals including the Ottawa Folk festival and the International Tremblant Blues Festival. The music focuses on blues and folk styles yet covers a diverse range of styles from hot and feisty up-tempo boogies to down and dirty blues.

Doors open: 10 am
Music: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Pay what you can

Licensed venue
Snacks & refreshments available

Sunday Blues Jam

UpFront Cafe – 313 Front Street, Belleville

Sunday Blues Jam at UpFront Cafe features Backtracks with Terry Rose, Steve Fralick and friends.
The Jam is held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 1 – 4 pm. All welcome!

Doors open: noon
Music: 1 – 4 pm
No cover
BYOG (guitar)
Licensed venue
Snacks and pastries

Hankin’ Out with Bill Wood and Johhny G

UpFront Cafe – 313 Front Street, Belleville

Songs from singers named Hank – mostly Hank Williams.

Bill is the songwriter and front man for Bill Wood and The Woodies, a respected roots rock band on the Southern Ontario circuit.
An industry veteran singer-songwriter and former lead vocalist for Juno-nominees EyeEye.

Johnny G is a fantastic lap steel player that nails the retro Hank Williams vibe.

Listen to Bill Wood on Soundcloud, Spotify, iTunes, Google Play Music.

Doors open: 6 pm
Music: 7:30 – 10 pm
Cover: $10
Licensed venue
Snacks and refreshments available

$10

Thursdays with Cousin Gibbard Suede

UpFront Cafe – 313 Front Street, Belleville

Cousin Gibbard Suede brings his unique style and original tunes to the UpFront Cafe – first Thursdays each month from 3 – 5 pm.

No cover
Licensed venue
Snacks and refreshments available

313 Front St Belleville at UpFront Café

Live Music: Cousin Gibbard Suede

UpFront Cafe – 313 Front Street, Belleville

Cousin Gibbard Suede brings his unique style and original tunes to the UpFront Cafe on the first Thursday of each month from 3 – 5 pm.
No cover
Licensed venue
Snacks and refreshments available

Live Music: Cousin Gibbard Suede

UpFront Cafe – 313 Front Street, Belleville

Cousin Gibbard Suede brings his unique style and original tunes to the UpFront Cafe on the first Thursday of each month from 3 – 5 pm.
No cover
Licensed venue
Snacks and refreshments available

Nicholas Campbell and the Two Metre Cheaters

UpFront Cafe – 313 Front Street, Belleville

Get ready for an evening of toe-tapping, heart-pounding, Rockabilly, Honky Tonk fun! Merging the sounds of rock n roll from the genres golden era with the countrypolitan sounds of the 1960s, at 20 years old Nicholas Campbell has gained himself a reputation as “the real deal”.

Campbell first picked up the guitar at age 10 and was gigging by 11. Having found a fresh start during the pandemic, Nicholas began playing consistently with his band, The Meter Cheaters, who quickly rediscovered their groove as live shows began to become an option once again and they wasted no time in seizing the opportunity. The band worked to release Campbell’s debut album Livin’ and Other Western Ideas in 2021, combining elements of rockabilly, western swing, and good old-fashioned honky tonk. The result was a brisk, invigorating album that feels as fresh as it does familiar.

In 2023 the band worked alongside James McKenty on the 2024 release of Gonna Have a Ball Tonight!, Campbell’s sophomore record; an eclectic collection of songs recorded live off the floor by McKenty. The band has enjoyed worldwide coverage and airplay since, spanning from across North America to Europe and beyond. 2024 also saw the release of He Said She Said, the first single from a third upcoming album.

With the success of the first two albums, and new singles to come, Campbell and The Meter Cheaters have pursued a tour schedule of more than 195 shows a year, with highlights in 2025 being – multiple tours, working alongside Chris Spedding on “A Rockabilly Boogie”, a Tribute to Robert Gordon, opening for The Jim Cuddy Band, backing up recent JUNO award winners, Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys with Paul Brandt, and the anticipated release of Campbell’s 3rd album.

If you haven’t seen this young phenom in person, you need to get here! Check out his videos on YouTube. Here’s a good one:
https://youtu.be/12fDI-DsIF4?si=qRHvOwSJ5wtS8RWc

Doors open: 6 pm
Music: 7:30 – 10:30 pm
Licensed venue
snacks and refreshments

$25

Live Music: Cousin Gibbard Suede

UpFront Cafe – 313 Front Street, Belleville

Cousin Gibbard Suede brings his unique style and original tunes to the UpFront Cafe on the first Thursday of each month from 3 – 5 pm.
No cover
Licensed venue
Snacks and refreshments available