Room to Grow @ Harmony Centre
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There’s something special about a space that evolves alongside the people who use it. This month’s theme, Room to Grow, is a celebration of just that — the many rooms, studios, gathering areas, and quiet corners that make Harmony Centre such a vibrant and welcoming place.
In this issue, we’re taking a closer look at the physical spaces within our walls and the energy they hold — from creative workshops to community conversations, from music to movement. Every room tells a story, and together they reflect the heart of our Centre.
Special this month we're hosting LAUGHTER UNLEASHED a Harmony Centre fundraiser on Sunday March 22 - Admission is pay-what-you-can and you recieve a tax receipt for your contribution.
We’re also excited to introduce a new addition to Harmony Today: a Resident Directory. Over the coming editions, you’ll see profiles and business cards highlighting the talented individuals who bring their work, passion, and purpose into this building each day. Our spaces come alive because of the people who use them — and we’re proud to showcase that growing community.
Thank you for being part of it. There’s always room to grow here.
Amy Stewart, Operations Manager
info@harmonycentre.ca
Office Hours: Tuesdays - Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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What Draws People to Harmony Centre?
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Over the past months, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with many of the people who make use of Harmony Centre — both long-term residents who operate their businesses here and weekly users who gather in our shared spaces. While I’ve written about the individuals who bring life to the building, I realized I had not yet written about Harmony Centre itself.
So, what is it about Harmony Centre that draws people in?
Harmony Centre is a multifaceted community space offering remarkable flexibility for a wide range of needs. Some groups use a single room on a regular basis, while others — such as the Georgian Bay Folk Society (the umbrella organization behind Summerfolk) — make use of multiple spaces for offices, public meetings, volunteer gatherings, and board meetings.
Harmony Centre includes more than a dozen office spaces and meeting rooms of varying sizes, along with three large event spaces — Greaves Auditorium, The Commons, and the Lower Hall — as well as a commercial kitchen, meeting rooms, and a kitchenette.
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With seating for up to 500, Greaves Auditorium is a premier performance venue. It features excellent acoustics, a stage with full lighting, a grand piano, a professional sound system, two separate entrances, and an accessible washroom. In addition to hosting one-time presentations and concerts, the Auditorium is home to regular groups including Grey Bruce Performing Arts, Rock the Sound Choir, Georgian Bay Concert Choir, The Queen’s Bush Bluegrass, and Harmony Drummers.
The Commons is a bright 1,300-square-foot space with stage area, and kitchenette access. A large white wall allows for film projection and presentations. This adaptable space hosts town halls, rehearsals, workshops, and community gatherings, as well as regular users such as Tai Chi, Karate, Hollow Reid Yoga, and Fiddlefern Contra Dance.
The Lower Hall is a fully accessible open space with its own entrance and washrooms. With dimmable lighting, projection wall, and proximity to the commercial kitchen, it is ideal for weddings, receptions, celebrations, and community events. Regular users include Tai Chi, Roxy Young Company, Sound Steppers and Solidarity Sundays.
Our Health Department–approved commercial kitchen is available for hourly rental and includes stainless steel counters, three deep sinks, two large refrigerators, two electric stoves, coffee makers, and a commercial dish sanitizer. Dishes, cutlery, and linens are also available. OSHaRE began here in 2012, and today Food Not Bombs prepares and distributes meals from the kitchen each Sunday morning.
Equipped with a projector screen, flip chart, large meeting table, chairs, and a wall-mounted monitor for hybrid meetings, the Boardroom is ideal for seminars and committee meetings. Regular users include Probus, Slow Celtic Session, and Queen’s Bush Bluegrass.
Studio 1 and Studio 12 are on the north side of the building with bay windows and beautiful natural light. Both rooms have keyboards in them and can be configured for a wide variety of uses. Regular users include Community Meditation, Women's AA Serenity Group, Music Jamming, and Grey Bruce Performing Arts.
Harmony Centre was developed as a space to share, create, educate, and perform. It is an accessible space intended to enrich our community by providing workspaces, performance venues, and opportunities for connection both within the user groups and the community at large.
Harmony Centre is relevant to the community – we don’t house the homeless, but Safe ‘n’ Sound is here. We don’t put on music festivals, but Summerfolk is here. We’re not a granting organization, but The Eva Leflar Foundation is here. By supporting organizations that deliver direct services to our community our presence helps to build and strengthen a healthy community.
Harmony Centre is dynamic and welcoming, offering spaces large and small to rent once or on a schedule by the hour, day, or on a longer term.
For more information, contact us at (519) 376-8880 or at https://harmonycentre.ca
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Profiles is a series of articles written by Harmony Centre Board member Lorraine Campbell and volunteer Tammy Allen. Taking turns as authors, they spotlight the people and community groups who bring this remarkable place to life.
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Sunday, March 22
1:45 - 3:00 p.m.
In The Commons (9th St. Door)
Who doesn't need a good laugh? Revel in the joy of laughter in this interactive workshop! You’ll be led in fun, playful group exercises to have you laughing in no time. Shake off stress, connect with others, and unleash your laughter for a mood-boosting experience.
Pay-what-you-can in support of Harmony Centre's Raise the Floor campaign.
Space is limited so sign up now at harmonycentre.ca/event/laughter
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Help us Raise the Floor
Our Lower Hall Flooring Campaign is still underway, and every contribution brings us closer to new, durable flooring that will serve thousands more community moments.
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The Community Headquarters Program is designed to foster community engagement and support local not-for-profit organizations by providing an affordable alternative to renting office space.
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Affordable Program for Small Groups
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Get organized, store your stuff, know where things are, make your gatherings more efficient — these are just a few of the benefits of Harmony Centre's Community Headquarters Program. Now, for as little as $75/month, you can have secure storage and shared meeting space at Harmony Centre!
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Harmony Centre is proud to be the new home of
"SeaLight Sisters"❤️
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A community dedicated to the health and well-being of women+ in the maritime industry.
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Bring your voice and an instrument or two (preferably acoustic or lightly amplified).
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Rooted in rock, blues, folk, country and light jazz, these sessions focus on deep listening, shaping tension and release, cueing transitions musically, and creatively reinterpreting familiar material.
NEW DAY, TIME, PRICE
Every Second Sunday
Starting March 1, 3:30 p.m. Studio 1
$10 or pay what you can
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FREE TRIAL in MARCH!
Mixed age family classes, ages 0-5 with a caregiver.
Experience the joy and learning MUSIC TOGETHER
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Join us for a free trial.
March 2, 9, 23, 30
Mondays 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Loft 5
(excluding March 16)
Contact Kelda: 519-371-8275
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Fiddlefern Country Dancers
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Saturday, March 7, 7:00 p.m.
No experience or partner necessary.
Beginner lesson begins at 7:00 pm.
By donation ($20 suggested)
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Saturday, March 7, 10:00 a.m.
at Harmony Centre
Learn the art of growing food from an expert.
No experience necessary.
Pay what you can.
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Saturday, March 28, 7:00 p.m.
Everything All at Once - a joyful community concert @ Harmony Centre
Tickets $20 at the door or purchase online
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Fiddlefern Country Dancers
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Saturday, April 4, 7:00 p.m.
No experience or partner necessary.
Beginner lesson begins at 7:00 pm.
By donation ($20 suggested)
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"The Pink Floyd of Folk Music"
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Friday, April 24
Doors: 6:30 p.m., Show: 7:00 p.m.
The buzz around this exhilarating duo is evident. Early booking is advised.
Here’s a sample of their music.
Tickets: $39.50
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Saturday, May 2, 7:00 p.m.
The Barrel Boys are an outstanding powerhouse band, nominated for Vocal Group and Traditional Album of the Year at the upcoming 2026 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Tickets: $35 at the door ($10 for students) or $30 in advance, through Eventbrite.
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Become a Harmony Centre Resident!
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Discover the cost benefits and community appeal of having your organization at one of the most well-known addresses in Owen Sound.
Monthly rental spaces feature new, fully operable windows, hardwired Internet and WIFI, and adjustable climate control.
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Studio 10 is a bright 156 sq ft space at the top of the stairs and opens onto the lobby/waiting room, with a table and seating area. The floor is the original easy-care linoleum and there is a built-in shelving/storage unit.
It rents for up to $663/month (including utilities and Wi-Fi), with subsidies available for eligible groups.
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At about three dollars per month per square foot, Harmony Centre spaces are available at below-market cost to charities, not-for-profits, social change groups and those in the arts.
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Schedule (Jan to April)
JR A (Ages 7-9): Wednesdays 4:00-6:00 p.m.
JR B (Ages 10-12): Thursdays 4:00-6:00 p.m.
SR (Ages 13-18): Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 p.m.
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Drawing & Painting Classes
Explore drawing and painting techniques with still life and portraits. Learn shading, colour theory, and how to work with various art materials.
Wednesdays 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Boardroom
Pay what you can.Text Mel to register @ 519-373-7971.
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Solidarity Sundays Back for a Third Season!
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Join the gang downstairs for a fun Sunday morning playing games, listening to music, and chatting with people who share your interests. This grassroots group is a case study in community building. Just show up and see where the energy takes you!
Sundays 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the lower hall.
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Stretch, Strengthen, Restore
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Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Bring a willing spirit and a desire for play. Some instruments available.
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First and third Sundays of each month in the Boardroom
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Drop in to join!
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The Queen’s Bush Bluegrass Club invites all pickers, singers and supporters to our regular Jam Sessions at Harmony Centre, Owen Sound. We meet in the round and rotate the lead so everyone has a turn to participate in a friendly and welcoming environment.
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The group meets on Thursdays September through June. At 2:00 p.m. in January, February, and March, and 7:30 p.m. all other months. Traditional and Contemporary Bluegrass – all acoustic. All levels encouraged. $5 donation per person.
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Weekly on Wednesdays (beginners 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., continuing classes 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.) and Sundays in the Lower Hall (beginners 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and continuing 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.). People of every age fitness level are welcome. Suggested monthly dues of $35 to join the Canadian Tai Chi Academy.
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**NEW** Resident Directory
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Meet some of the great organizations that call Harmony Centre home. We're pleased to feature our resident community in each issue of Harmony Today. We encourage you to connect, collaborate, and support the diverse services offered within our building. Watch this space for new additions each month.
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Offering strategic, creative solutions for your video, photography and podcast needs.
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Counselling for first responders, healthcare professionals and the general public.
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New clients and self-referrals are accepted through text, email or phone call directed to the office. Appointments may also be booked through the office website.
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Providing superior quality performances of choral masterworks and Canadian works.
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Early music family classes and small group & private voice coach.
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Vocalist, voice teacher and facilitator, Kelda offers joyful vocal lessons for all ages and abilities, including private and small group lessons in person or online.
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Empowering students to influence change in unsafe driving behaviours.
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Winner of the 2023 Initiative of the Year Award at the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario Road Safety.
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Harmony Centre is a member of
Arts Alliance Owen Sound.
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HARMONY CENTRE OWEN SOUND
890-4TH AVENUE EAST
519-376-8880
Harmony Centre is a charitable organization run and maintained by volunteers.
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