January 14th, 2016
Bob Marley, Eglinton West, and reggae music … what do they have in common? Find out at the Toronto Public Library’s upcoming “edutainment” session on the history and culture of reggae music, taking place at the Maria A. Shchuka Library (1745 Eglinton Avenue West), from 7-8pm on Thursday, February 4th.
The session is presented by Natty B of Treajah Isle Records, and will detail the history of reggae through a multimedia presentation featuring music, images, and video. The event will also highlight Eglinton West’s strong reggae heritage. The area’s rich reggae roots were officially recognized last year with a plaque from Heritage Toronto and the christening of Reggae Lane.
For more information, see the event page on the Toronto Public Library website, or call 416-394-1000.
January 13th, 2016
In 2015, Torontonians were running through the 6ix with their woes and proudly proclaimed Drake’s track “Know Yourself” as our city’s new anthem. In 2016, a new song will be penned to represent our city thanks to a new contest launched by CBC Toronto.
Song In The 6ix challenges songwriters to compose an original songs about Toronto for the chance at a $10,000 prize and a CBC-produced music video! To enter the contest, songwriters are being asked to make a video recording of the original Toronto-themed song or composition and submit it between January 18 and February 19, 2016 via the contest entry page.
Judges for the contest consist of CBC hosts Shad (q), Gill Deacon (Here And Now), Tom Power (Radio 2 Morning), Errol Nazareth (Big City Small World) and Senior Producer of Music & Performance for CBC Toronto, Sonia Arab. While mentioning the CBC or their hosts isn’t a requirement, songwriters are being asked to include “The 6ix” or “Song in the 6ix” in their anthems/love letters to Toronto.
Stay up to date with the contest using the hashtag #cbcTHE6IX and we look forward to hearing your entries!
January 8th, 2016
Live From City Hall is a new music showcase series that features local artists performing in the first-floor rotunda of one of Toronto’s most iconic and recognizable buildings. On Thursday night, Mayor John Tory provided opening remarks at the official launch event, which featured performances by folk/roots duo The Young Novelists and the eclectic neo-soul group The Muso Project.
“Music is the universal language that binds people together,” said Mayor Tory, while reiterating the City’s commitment to supporting the industry, supporting culture and the arts, and using music to help grow the economy.
“Our residents deserve a vibrant music scene, which can help make Toronto attractive to visitors and drive economic growth, job creation and investment in our city. I encourage everyone to attend Live from City Hall and see what our artists have to offer.”
TD Canada’s Kevin Barnes, Senior Vice President and Region Head, Greater Toronto Region, also provided opening remarks stating, “We are thrilled to be the presenting sponsor of this unique series that not only brings live music to City Hall, but also provides performance opportunities for local artists and bands.”
Toronto Music Advisory Council members Mike Tanner (Music Sector Development Officer), Zaib Shaik (Film Commissioner and Director of Entertainment Industries), and Councillor Michael Thompson (TMAC Co-Chair) also provided remarks throughout the evening, all stressing the importance music has in our city’s history and future.
Tory won’t take full credit for the series idea however, and cites his trip to SXSW and the Toronto’s Music City Alliance with Austin, TX as a major influence. In Austin, weekly council meetings are often accompanied by a musical performance from local artists, an initiative that was highlighted in Music Canada’s Toronto-Austin report.
The Austin trip also helped Mayor Tory understand how music can better utilize public spaces, as he hopes to do with Nathan Phillips Square this summer by moving the Live From City Hall performances outside. As the Toronto Star’s coverage points out, Tory feels 2015’s successful Panamania concert series “proved that there’s an audience out there for these things.”
Live From City Hall is scheduled to occur bi-weekly on Wednesdays throughout 2016. Details on how artists can apply to play the series, as well as be featured on the new Music 311 program, are available on the City of Toronto’s website.
January 7th, 2016
On Thursday January 28, 2016, The Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne St) will play host to A GTA Music City concert benefiting music education charity MusiCounts. The funk, rock and pop spectacular will be hosted by radio personalities Alan Cross and CBC’s Talia Schlanger and feature musical acts God Made Me Funky, Bucket List and The Elwins.
The night will also feature special guest performers and Juno winners Joey Landreth of The Bros. Landreth and Simone Denny, vocalist for 90’s dance/house group Love Inc. 80’s metal queen Lee Aaron, who’s gearing up for a new album in March 2016, will also perform at the event.
Established in 1997, MusiCounts has raised nearly $8,000,000 to help support music education in Canada and impacted over 700 school communities from coast to coast. The CARAS-associated charity has supported over 330 post-secondary music program graduates and honoured 10 extraordinary music teachers through the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award.
Tickets for the 19+ concert are on-sale now!
January 5th, 2016
Big Tobacco & the Pickers (photo courtesy of City of Toronto)
Following an exciting soft launch in October, the City of Toronto once again invites the public to City Hall Rotunda this Thursday, January 7, for the official launch of the Live from City Hall performance series.
Mayor John Tory and Kevin Barnes from TD Bank, the series’ presenting sponsor, will provide opening remarks beginning at 5 PM. At 5:15 PM, indie roots act The Young Novelists will take to the stage with funk/soul group The Muso Project following at 6 PM. The event is suitable for all ages and free to attend.
Live from City Hall, presented by TD, will continue biweekly throughout 2016, showcasing local artists across multiple genres from around Toronto. The series is part of the City of Toronto’s commitment to create more opportunities for live music performance in Toronto. Details and application info for Live from City Hall can be found on the City’s website. The City is also still collecting submissions for Music 311, a new initiative that brings the music of Toronto artists to the 311 phone system.
