Reggae Heritage: Explore Eglinton Avenue West!
The rich local Jamaican music history along Eglinton was showcased during a recent Jane’s Walk. On May 7th, in keeping with the spirit of urban activist Jane Jacobs, I led 40 citizens around the neighbourhood that grew into the remarkable home to Jamaican immigrant record and clothing shops, barbers, salons, restaurants, recording studios and meeting places.
As Jamaicans immigrated to and visited Toronto, “they didn’t just bring their bodies,” as Mr. Arnold Rowe, vice president of the local York Business Improvement Association explained. They brought their music, food, and culture with them.
The tour began at the Maria A. Shchuka branch with an introduction to the library’s online Research Guide to Reggae Lane: Toronto's Jamaican Music Scene, 1960s to the Present. We then watched a short film about Jimmy Wisdom, the Jamaican Ambassador for the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.
It was great to then go visit Jimmy at his barber shop across the street. The tour continued on with a walk down to Treajah Isle Records shop to visit Chozen and Natty B., who stock music, culture and health Caribbean and Rastafari products.
Mr. Rowe explained the Jamaican and Caribbean history of the area in the BIA office. Then we paraded to the magnificent Reggae Lane mural that honours reggae artists both from the area and Jamaica. Poet Inspirator, Simeon, treated the walk participants with a poem he wrote for this Jane’s Walk. And then he thrilled us with his band by playing some chilling reggae music. (Check out TPL's collection of reggae CDs.)
And what better way to bring the walk to an end than with some delicious Jamaican beef patties, generously donated by Randy's Patties and the York Business Improvement Association.
Have some time this weekend? Why not enjoy some of the free programs that the city has to offer? Check out walking tour "Transforming Reggae Lane" as part of Doors Open Toronto 2016. This is a great for you to get an inside peak in some of the most unique buildings in the city.
Interested in art? The TD Gallery at Toronto Reference Library has a new exhibit on until July 23.
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