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Yonge Street's Amazing Music And Pop Culture History

By Mark Vendramini.

YongeSign - Mark Vendramini.jpg

Saturday, May 6

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

DETAILS

Language: English 

Theme: Arts and Culture.

Accessibility: Busy sidewalks.

WALK DETAILS:

YONGE STREET'S AMAZING MUSIC AND POP CULTURE HISTORY...

"Canadian music fans need more walking tours like this."

Alan Cross, A Journal of Musical Things

 

Yonge Street's connection to music, theatre and pop culture is literally second to none. This in depth tour will show you a side of "The Strip" you never knew existed. Toronto's Yonge St has been described as a musical/theatre mecca equal or better than Times Square or Hollywood Blvd. From Jazz and Motown to Hip Hop. Rock&Roll and Metal to Alternative. This 90 minute tour will visit a TON of sites of pop culture significance in Toronto and the world.

 

WE MEET AND BEGIN THE TOUR AT ADRIAN HAYLES INCREDIBLE 22 STORY HIGH MURAL AT 429 YONGE STREET. We then proceed south on Yonge Street stopping at a minimum 14 historic spots.

 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS...

 

We examine 2 huge 22 story murals commemorating Toronto's musical history.

You will learn what made Yonge Street a favourite location for record collectors not only from Toronto but most of Southern Ontario and Upstate New York.

The former site of Club Bluenote. Where Jackie Shane amazed fans with her incredible voice.

Yonge and Dundas. GROUND ZERO for Toronto's music scene and site of "The most decisive event in Rock and Roll history". Where Bob Dylan himself changed the course of Rock and Roll forever.

We visit the Friar's Music Museum.

The Mirvish (formerly The Imperial, formerly The Pantages) Theatre and discuss it's colourful history.

We examine the historic Massey Hall.

The scene of the most shocking crime in Toronto's history. One that changed Yonge St forever.

The corner of Yonge and Queen. Where in the 50s CHUM Radio put on a promotion that brought all of downtown to a standstill.

The tour ends at Nathan Phillips Square. Where many memorable concerts have taken place. AND PERHAPS THE MOST FAMOUS CONCERT IN THE CITY'S HISTORY... that never happened.

All this and MUCH more.

  • Walk Start Location: 429 Yonge Street. Just south of College Subway.
    Red soccer jersey. Blue baseball cap.

  • Walk End Location: Toronto City Hall.

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