September 4th, 2015
Canada’s Walk Of Fame has announced the programming for their 2015 festival taking place across Toronto September 24 – October 1. The 6th annual week-long festival will feature ticketed concerts at Massey Hall and The Horseshoe Tavern, as well as free all-ages concerts at Yonge-Dundas Squre. The full schedule can be seen below and tickets are on-sale now!
Friday September 25, 2015 – 8 PM – Massey Hall
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy – Visions of Cape Breton and Beyond
Tickets
Saturday September 26, 2015 – 8 PM – Massey Hall
The Tea Party: The Edges of Twilight – The Iconic Album LIVE
Tickets
Monday September 28, 2015 – 8 PM – The Horseshoe Tavern
Future Legends At The Horseshoe featuring Bellwoods, Ascot Royals, Ria Mae, The Beaches
Tickets
Tuesday September 29, 2015 – 12 PM-11PM – Yonge-Dundas Square
Day 1 – FREE Festival at YDS featuring Brett Kissel, Kira Isabella, Autumn Hill, Ashley Condon, Tomi Swick, Eh440 and family activities!
Info
Wednesday September 30, 2015 – 12 PM-11PM – Yonge-Dundas Square
Day 2 – FREE Festival at YDS featuring 54-40, Treble Charger, Attica Riots, DEUCEnDIP Julian Taylor & more
Info
Thursday October 1, 2015 – 12 PM-11PM – Yonge-Dundas Square
Day 2 – FREE Festival at YDS featuring Skratch Bastid, Trevor Guthrie, Francesco Yates, Ill At Will, Jill Hennessy, Liam Titcomb & more
Info
July 30th, 2015
Update: The survey deadline has been extended to September 14th, 2015
Yesterday, as part of the City of Toronto’s ongoing review of its noise by-laws, the Municipal Licensing & Standards (MLS) division and the Toronto Music Advisory Council held a public consultation in which the music industry was given an opportunity to provide feedback and help shape future policy on the subject.
Toronto’s Music Sector Development Officer, Mike Tanner, helped to facilitate the consultation, which was well attended by members of Toronto City Council – both Councillors Mike Layton and Michael Thompson were in attendance – as well as members of the music community. Venue owners, both big and small, as well as festival owners, promoters, and BIAs all had the opportunity to comment on the city’s noise policies and how they affect the music community.
A series of recommendations, prepared for MLS by members of the Toronto Music Advisory Council, were discussed at the public meeting. The discussion points touched on several key issues relating to noise and music in the city, specifically by identifying ways in which the city could:
- Achieve objective and consistent measurement;
- Accommodate different types and sizes of music venues;
- Fairly investigate and resolve disputes;
- Make noise exemption permits more accessible; and,
- Identify policies that would benefit both the city and the music community in the future.
Ultimately, the recommendations were well-received by the venue owners and the other members of the music community that were in attendance. The tone of the meeting was kept very positive and suggestion-oriented throughout. This was viewed largely as an opportunity to make positive suggestions and work collaboratively with MLS and the city.
The challenge of balancing live music and the benefits it brings to the city with concerns about noise is something that comes up in Music Canada’s recent Mastering of a Music City report. The report recommends that government work with the music community to identify music-friendly and mutually beneficial solutions. We are glad to see that this kind of dialogue is occurring here in our own Music City.
If you are interested in having your voice heard as part of the City’s noise bylaw review, we would urge you to complete the MLS survey and add your feedback. The city has extended the survey deadline to September 14th, 2015.
July 22nd, 2015
RCA hip hop recording artist and proud Torontonian P Reign is set to launch his 1st annual celebrity kickball tournament this weekend benefiting the Children’s Aid Foundation. Dubbed #RWeekend, the community event will take place Friday July 24 from 7-10 PM at Wishing Well Park (1700 Pharmacy Ave) in his hometown of Scarborough, ON.
“RWeekend is about giving back to our city, our community, our people. With partners like Children’s Aid Foundation, the community, and my friends, we can show kids that they have the support they need to achieve their goals,” said P Reign of the inaugural event.
Newly signed Toronto Raptor Corey Joseph will be captain of one team while P Reign will serve as captain of the other, with both teams featuring celebrity guests and friends. All team participants will be making donations to benefit the Children’s Aid Foundation, while community members are encouraged to attend and make a donation during the game.
https://instagram.com/p/5cux-suqZ_/
July 10th, 2015
The City of Toronto and Music Sector Development Office Make Tanner have announced the launch of two new and exciting initiatives highlighting the talents of local musicians that will feature live and recorded music.
Music 311 is a new initiative that brings the music of Toronto artists to the 311 phone system, a service residents, visitors and businesses can use to get information about City of Toronto services or programs, or make a request for service. As part of the Music 311 program, recorded music from Toronto artists will play while callers are placed on hold to speak with a customer service operator.
Live From City Hall will be a free music showcase that will provide local artists with the opportunity to place on the first floor rotunda at one of Toronto’s most unique architectural attractions.
With the launch of Music 311 and Live From City Hall, the City Of Toronto is further establishing it’s commitment to provide more live music opportunities for local artists and guide the city’s music sector through the development of the Toronto Music Advisory Council.
An online application for artists is now available for artists who wish to take part in the program.
The full details can be viewed at the City Of Toronto website.
June 10th, 2015
4479 is proud to partner with the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (DYBIA) this summer to present Play The Parks, a free all-ages performance program which will transform the area parks and public spaces. To celebrate the partnership between DYBIA and 4479, Play The Parks will kick off its 3rd season on Tuesday June 16, 2015 at 4:47 PM with 9 artists performing live at Trinity Square Park.
Curated by 4479, the free event features the return of Project ATX6, a film & tour project that follows six Austin, TX-based musicians to international music festivals. The 2015 ATX6 artists will arrive in Toronto to perform for the 2nd year in a row at the North By Northeast Festival following their performances in the park, a relationship that stemmed from the signing of the Austin-Toronto Music City Alliance in 2013.
This year, the ATX6 features: Gina Chavez (Latin / Americana), Jonathan Terrell (Rock/Country), Elsa Cross (Americana), Silas Lowe (Bluegrass), Jana Horn (Indie Rock), Brian Kremer (Crooner). They will be joined in the park by Toronto-based musicians Joel Schwartz on guitar, James McEleney on bass and drummer Sly Juhas. The Regent Park School of Music choir will also be performing at the launch, which will be emceed by iconic Canadian musician Greg Godovitz, who fronted the band Goddo.
“Downtown Yonge is a neighbourhood where music thrives and we’re proud to present our third year of music programming in our public spaces,” says DYBIA Executive Director Mark Garner. “Play the Parks is just one element of our multi-pronged Music Strategy, which was released earlier this month. It’s part of our ongoing efforts to re-establish Yonge Street as the city’s ‘Music Mecca’”.
Launched in 2013 with two locations, Play the Parks is now expanding to five venues throughout Downtown Yonge to host the 30 performances from June-September: Trinity Square Park, the courtyard behind College Park, the patio at 1 Queen East, MacKenzie House museum and the newly-refreshed McGill Granby Parkette.
“Downtown Yonge is a powerful partner for the music community and we are pleased to be supporting their efforts to activate the downtown with music programming,” says Amy Terrill, Vice President, Public Affairs, Music Canada.
A vibrant music city, as Terrill points out, needs spaces and places of all sizes and configurations where music can be recorded, performed and conceived.
“Yonge Street is the natural location given its deep musical roots.”
