Six years ago the City of Toronto, possibly taking time out from organizing a fantasy Stanley Cup victory parade, officially approved a plan to turn Toronto into a “Music City.” Good times, remember? So many pipes, so many dreams.
Field Trip affair was announced this week for July. But the lifeblood music clubs are in tough straitsMusic City is still open for business, but who can afford the fare? Though it all sounds swell, there are flies in the buttermilk. Even with the loan guarantee in its back pocket, the non-profit Hugh’s Room Live needs to raise another $2-million by the end of June to complete the purchase of the building. As for the west end DIY venue, the lease is for two years only. Long-term plans call for the plot of land upon which the building sits to be used for a public park and affordable housing.
“Where are the dollars?” asks Brian Iler, board chair of Hugh’s Room Live. “To make things really happen in this city, there has to be a commitment from all three levels of government. For venues like Hugh’s Room, it’s very tough to survive, and nothing much has changed in terms of funding.” One sticking point is the matter of property taxes. While the city has reduced them for music venue owners and operators by 50 per cent, Hugh’s won’t be eligible for the discount until it has occupied the new building for one year.
Something about musicians having to work 3 regular jobs to afford even a Studio apt in the city might be causal.
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