Today, Mayor John Tory announced a City of Toronto pilot program to allow amplified live music on patios to support Toronto’s economic and cultural recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, City Council approved the pilot for three City wards: Beaches-East York, Toronto-Danforth and Davenport.
Mayor Tory made the announcement on the CaféTO patios of Local 1794, Trecce and Cumin Kitchen, which run from 1792 to 1820 Danforth Ave. He was joined by Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão (Davenport), and Councillor Brad Bradford (Beaches-East York), who represent two of the participating pilot areas.
As Toronto safely reopens, the Live Music on Patios Pilot aims to add energy and vitality to participating main streets, encouraging people to return to their favourite restaurants and bars, as well as visit local shops and services. By permitting restaurants, bars and venues to hire musicians to perform on CaféTO patios, the program will also help local artists, who have been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Owners and operators of a CaféTO main street patio located in one of the three pilot wards are eligible to participate from now until Sunday, October 31. Amplified live music will be permitted within the following scheduled times: Thursdays and Fridays, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays, noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays noon to 6 p.m.
Participating venues can obtain advice from the City’s Music Office on the logistics of hosting a musical performance, such as:
• renting and setting up a public address system to amplify music appropriately
• measuring and limiting music volume to respect neighbours and comply with the Noise Bylaw
• configuring patio space for musical performances
• booking and working with artists using the Music Office’s Musician Directory.
Venues in the three pilot wards that are interested in participating in the Live Music on Patios Pilot are encouraged to email music@toronto.ca for more information.
CaféTO is a quick start program that makes it easier for many restaurant and bar owners to open patios, expand them and access additional space for physical distancing, More information about CaféTO, including important safety and accessibility requirements, is available at http://www.toronto.ca/cafeto
Quotes:
“As our vaccination rates increase and we continue to safely reopen, Toronto looks forward to once again enjoying live music. Reigniting Toronto’s arts scene will be crucial to rebuilding a vibrant city and invigorating the restaurants and small businesses that make our main streets and anchor our communities.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Toronto artists have been hit hard by the difficult but important measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. With brighter days on the horizon, opportunities for musicians to share their craft with the public will be crucial to Toronto’s cultural recovery.”
– Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão (Davenport), Member of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee
“Members of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee and key stakeholders in the arts industry have shared their creative ideas for a strong recovery. This pilot to allow amplified live music to outdoor patio spaces will bring Torontonians the joy of live performance again. After navigating an incredibly challenging 18 months, this pilot is about investing in our music sector, energizing our main streets, and supporting local businesses.”
– Councillor Brad Bradford (Beaches-East York), Chair of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee
“Toronto musicians and local businesses have been hit very hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bringing amplified live music to patios will help artists and generate business for the restaurants and bars hiring them, as well as adjacent shops and services on our main streets.”
– Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto Danforth)
SOURCE: City of Toronto
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