Today, the City of Toronto announced a full line-up of free City Hall Live events taking place all summer. City Hall Live is a music showcase and event series that features Toronto bands, venues, grassroots music organizations and presenters. City Hall Live creates paid opportunities for Toronto musicians and provides live music performances for residents and visitors.
For summer 2023, City Hall Live programming will include:
Music on the Fly at YTZ
Date: Monday, June 26 until Sunday, July 2
The City, along with Nieuport Aviation and ArtHaus, is excited to form a new partnership that brings music to Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ). This program provides local musicians with an opportunity to showcase music for the thousands of people that travel through YTZ. These complimentary performances will give passengers the opportunity to experience local live music while creating more paid opportunities for Toronto musicians. More information on Music on the Fly at YTZ is available on the Nieuport Aviation webpage.
City Hall Live at Union Summer
Date: Wednesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. from June 28 until August 23
The annual outdoor festival, Union Summer, presented by TD, returns for its sixth year to Union Station. The festival highlights emerging and well-known Toronto artists, including City Hall Live’s Spotlight on Women. The full line-up of 58 days of performances at Union Summer is available on the Union Summer Events webpage.
Live at the Clark with City Hall Live
Date: Mondays in July and August, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Scarborough is a diverse and vibrant community and, in partnership with Waveland Canada, this music series will give Scarborough residents a space to connect with Canadian musicians and gather with fellow community members. More information on the series is available at: www.waveland.ca.
City Hall Live at Centennial Park – Exhibition Place
Date: Every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in July
In partnership with City Hall Live, Exhibition Place will be hosting Music in the Park at ExPlace in Centennial Park. The series will feature a diverse line up of emerging and established Toronto musicians. More information is available on the Exhibition Place Community Events webpage.
City Hall Live at SummerSeries Ontario Place Trillium Park
Date: Friday, August 11 until Sunday, August 13
In partnership with the Province of Ontario, City Hall Live will be programming a weekend of live music and activities as part of the SummerSeries at Trillium Park at Ontario Place. Friday, August 11 will be a night of dancing under the stars with dance lessons and live Salsa and Brazilian Forro bands. Saturday, August 12 will be a night of R&B and Soul music, and Sunday, August 13 will feature an afternoon of music and family activities. More information on the City Hall Live weekend events is available at: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/city-hall-live/.
Artist applications for City Hall Live performance opportunities may be submitted at any time. Artists applying may also be considered for other events co-curated by the City. More information about City Hall Live weekend events and Artist Opportunities is available at: www.toronto.ca/business-economy/industry-sector-support/music/support-opportunities/artist-opportunities/
The City also has ongoing programs and initiatives to support local musicians:
• YYZ Live
Now in its eighth year, YYZ Live is a music showcase series held at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The program offers paid performance opportunities for artists while showcasing Toronto’s talented musicians across a variety of cultures, communities and musical genres to both visitors and residents. Produced by the City and Toronto Pearson International Airport, YYZ Live is a musical celebration featuring free live performances in Terminals 1 and 3. This summer, YYZ Live will add a third stage, curating some special concerts for arriving passengers. More information on upcoming YYZ Live shows available at : https://www.torontopearson.com/en/while-you-are-here/art-and-culture/music-at-yyz.
• Music 311
Music 311 brings the music of Toronto artists to the 311 phone system. People who call 311 for information about City services or programs are occasionally placed on hold. As part of the Music 311 program, callers will hear recorded music from local musicians while they wait to speak to a customer service operator.
• Live Music Venue property tax program
To help support live music venues early in the pandemic, the City introduced reduced property taxes for every eligible live music venue. Now in its fourth year, this permanent program continues to help local venues and is currently supporting 58 total eligible venues. More information is available on the Creative Co-Location Facilities Property Tax Subclass Designation webpage.
• Amplified Music on Patios program
The City’s Amplified Live Music on Patios (AMP) program runs from May through November. Following successful pilots in 2021 and 2022, amplified live music is now permitted citywide as a permanent element of the City’s annual CaféTO program. AMP allows amplified live music on CaféTO patios to add energy and vitality to participating main streets – and help create more paid opportunities for local musicians. More information is available at www.toronto.ca/amplified-live-music-on-patios.
• Licensing & Zoning for Restaurants, Bars & Entertainment Venues
The City is reviewing the licensing and zoning regulations for restaurants, bars and entertainment venues – including nightclubs and live music venues – and exploring strategies to support and enhance Toronto’s Night Economy. More information is available on the Night Economy Review webpage.
• It’s OK* Studios – City of Toronto partnership
This summer, the City will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the opening of It’s OK* Studios. The City collaborated with It’s OK* Community Arts to transform a vacant City-owned retail building into a Black-led, interdisciplinary, multipurpose music space through a short-term, affordable lease. This is an example of how access to City-owned space can create strong partnerships with grassroots music organizations to support Toronto’s vibrant music and arts scene. Learn more at www.itsokworld.com.
Quotes:
“Programming like City Hall Live is an important way the City creates more paid opportunities for local musicians of all genres and cultural backgrounds. I encourage Toronto residents to take advantage of these free performances throughout the summer, and I’d like to remind local musicians to apply for these opportunities.”
– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park)
“The City is committed to doing all we can to support our vibrant music community. I’m pleased to see such a wide variety of performances offered across the city this summer, helping make live music more accessible for Toronto residents and visitors alike. I encourage everyone to get out and support our local music venues and festivals in what I’m sure will be an exciting summer season.”
– Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.