- Niagara Jazz Festival will kick-off its season with the Summer Mardi Gras event on June 20 at Niagara Parks’ Oakes Garden Theatre
- Multi-media concert will feature Red Hot Ramble, the Heavyweights Brass Band and special guests from New Orleans
- For more information and to buy tickets, visit niagaraparks.com/jazz.
Niagara Falls, ON – Niagara Parks, in partnership with the Niagara Jazz Festival, will host Summer Mardi Gras, the Festival‘s flagship event to kick-off their season, on Friday, June 20, at Oakes Garden Theatre, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Niagara Falls, this high-energy outdoor celebration will bring music, culture and community together for one unforgettable night that captures the spirit of New Orleans – the birthplace of jazz. The event will feature headliners Red Hot Ramble and the Heavyweights Brass Band, along with special musical guests from New Orleans.
Red Hot Ramble is a Toronto-based jazz group known for blending traditional jazz, blues, funk and New Orleans-style second lines, with a Canadian twist. Pianist and vocalist Roberta Hunt, formerly of Toronto’s legendary traditional jazz band, The Happy Pals, joined forces with fellow musicians Glenn Anderson and Jack Zorawski—alumni of Big Rude Jake’s jump/blues band—alongside rising sax star Alison Young. With the addition of trombonist Jamie Stager, they became a dynamic quintet known for high-energy shows that get audiences dancing, singing and celebrating life.
Toronto-based powerhouse the Heavyweights Brass Band, delivers New Orleans-inspired grooves with a unique blend of original tunes and bold covers. Known for bringing crowds to their feet, this accomplished quintet has toured widely, sharing stages with legends like Trombone Shorty and The Roots, and collaborating with icons such as Giovanni Hidalgo and members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
Captivating and informative multi-media storytelling will be interwoven during the live music to celebrate the vibrant culture of jazz music, all while highlighting Niagara’s rich Black and Indigenous history, in recognition of June as National Indigenous History Month. The licensed event will also feature Comfort Kitchen serving up a menu of classic New Orleans favourites including jambalaya and bread pudding. Audience members are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to make themselves comfortable for an evening of incredible music in a relaxed, outdoor setting.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit niagaraparks.com/jazz.
Event Details
Date: Friday, June 20, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:00 p.m.)
Location: Oakes Garden Theatre – 5825 River Rd, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3K9
Tickets: Regular admission tickets are priced at $33 per person. A discounted rate of $23 per person is available for musicians, arts workers and students.
Parking: Guests are encouraged to take advantage of nearby parking options and public transit, including Niagara Parks’ WEGO bus system. More information can be found here.
Media Assets are available here.
About Niagara Jazz Festival
The Niagara Jazz Festival, presented by TD through its corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, is an award-winning not-for-profit music festival dedicated to celebrating jazz and world music. The year-round festival, now in its 12th season, aims to inspire, educate and develop jazz audiences by combining live music with an immersive Niagara experience including food, wine, culture, attractions and natural wonders.
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