Music
The Last Waltz of the Oxford Hotel
There's a little house in Kensington Market that has hosted concerts and art shows in its backyard and kitchen for the last two years. It's called 'The Oxford Hotel' at 117 Oxford Street, and it's closing forever.
I starting spending time with one of the roommate's of the 'Oxford Hotel' last summer (it's just a name by the way; you can't stay there.) You almost have to know somebody involved to find out about a small, grassroots music venue like this one. Not to say the house hasn't seen its fair share of music fans and popular artists come through.
Timber Timbre comes to mind, who I saw play a wonderful set there in June 2008. Kimya Dawson, of the Moldy Peaches, checked in to play a show during the 2007 Toronto Film Festival, when she was in Toronto for the Juno premiere (the soundtrack is filled with her songs).
Jordaan Mason at KOS Restaurant
"We had trouble finding a house that could hold music shows; we found 117 Oxford a week before we were scheduled to move in" says Jordaan Mason, a musician and a roommate at the Oxford.
"Then Kimya posted on her MySpace page she needed a show when she was in town for TIFF. We hosted her a week after we moved in. It would have been a lot more difficult to book her after Juno came to theatres; she's become very popular."
There are five roommates who live in the house, mostly artists like Jordaan, who all give up their space and time to host and organize these shows. It's a small bohemian getaway hidden just off the main stretch of Kensington Market.
"I didn't know it existed until Jordaan Mason played at 'The Boat' and told me they sometimes host shows at his house," says Keith Hamilton, frontman of 'Hamilton Trading Co' and music booker for 'The Boat' in Kensington Market.
"I set up a gig for myself there last summer; I turned up and the stage was just the kitchen floor of the house, with speakers set up next to the microwave. We had fourteen of us in the 'Hamilton Trading Co' choir; there was barely enough room for the band let alone an audience. But that's what was magic about the whole thing, the intimacy. People listen to pins dropping and hold their breath at the Oxford Hotel. That's what you want people doing to your music."
The Oxford is hosting a blowout four final days of concerts and events this week. On Thursday they have a roster of folk acts lined up starting at 7:00pm. On Friday there is a rock show featuring Fashion Tips, an awesome party rock band. Saturday is another full night of music starting at 2pm and Sunday promises "the largest game of 'the village' ever." (A fun murder mystery-esque camp game.)
I asked Jordaan why there aren't more grassroots music venues in an arts focused city like ours.
"It makes a lot of sense to have house shows in small towns, because there's usually just one venue on Main Street and it's reserved for rock or hardcore bands. There are other house venues in Toronto, they just aren't very well publicized because they aren't about building hype or money.
For the performer it's really nice to play at a house because you know that people are there to listen to you; usually people don't talk while you play and if they do they'll usually stand outside. It's exciting for the audience because performers tend to do things at a house show they wouldn't do in a proper venue; they take requests, talk a lot more or perform obscure covers they wouldn't normally sing."
Photos of the Oxford by Tara Fillion. Photo of Jordaan by Robin Sharp.
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This is wonderful.
and this weekend event is going to also be wonderful.
Guess I will have to dig out my "vintage" t-shirt for this shin dig.
Why is this place closing? Seems like that might be good thing to include.
It's closing because the pretentious meters were way too high even for Kensington.
If I didn't have people visiting me right now I'd come out and play The Village with you guys. It actually would have been easy to get me to play there again. I did one tour of big shows and it sucked. I am doing mostly backyards and driveways these days. That is where the love is.
One of my good friends used to live beside this sorry excuse for a "venue" and let me tell you, it was the most obnoxious parade of overwrought hippies I've ever seen. Toronto does not need your mini-folk festivals. I think your vintage Smiths shirt might still have some asbestos in it, Jordaan, because you forgot how to spell your name. Two A's? Get the f out of here.
Why all the hate guys?! I know I'm playing this weekend there and going to drink as much organic beer as I possibly can and sing my songs about heart break, hunky guys, season 2 of the o.c, and art! all inspired by a writer you've never heard of so you're in for a treat.
Ba-bye. It's not all *that* wonderful when you live nearby. Us neighbours are happy to see the end of this, the noisiest house on the block.
Where exactly do you live, Alex? Is it OK if I move in next door, setup my Marshall stacks and run a "grassroots music venue" there? It's not Queen St., people, it's Oxford.
It'd be awesome if this party got broken up by cops and all the hippies got tazed by reality. Especially that fruit who spells his name with an extra A because he's, like, sooo artsy. I want to taze him myself after looking at that picture.
These comments are ridiculous. I wonder if people realize that when they spout negative connotations they are putting themselves in a position to be considered prejudice and bigot.
It does seem a little noisy for a neighborhood though.
noise isn't the issue it's how bad the music is.
And how filthy the people are.
This is an amazing venue, and the people who live there are awesome, supportive, talented people. It really is a special spot, and very welcoming. I'm glad to have been a small part of it (as an audience member). Thanks for posting this, Robin. I hope the weekend goes awesomely, and best to luck to everyone moving out.
someone with a blog as bad as yours should know their opinion doesn't matter.
Yeah, I guess I'd better not go; I might catch gay or maybe get hippie germs.
Come on haters, let the kids have there last days of fun before they have to grow up and get jobs.
I sure hope i can grow a scraggly beard and un-shower in time for the show. Dont want them knowing im a newbie.
It seems like that guy who is keeping up the rude commentary is probably not going to show.
It's pretty easy to be snarky on the internet.
Geez. Who pissed in your cornflakes? What a bunch of mean grumps...
gonna be calling in noise complaints at 11:05
Like it or not, your obvs reading it
Despite what the neighbours may say, these guys-especially jordaan-have done so much for the broader community. It's a shame people lose sight of that.
LOL, people are so stupid. eet's just music for your ears. Thank holy christ that High Art for the Lowdown doesn't pop up on oxford...you never know.... you never know...
jordaan's been doing great things, can't wait to host him at our place.
I had no idea that so many commentators on blogTO were mouth-breathing anti-social crybabies whose biggest complaint in life can be summed as: "Yet another Saturday night! No one to talk to on Facebook chat, and down the street thems lousy kids are having fun without me! Waaaaaah!"
Great article, Robin.
Oxford, how I shall miss you.
Maybe we can round up some rogue Tamils to protest this crap.
Not once have I ever been tempted to even step foot near that place or I would be charged with assault. Yes, I want to spend my night with a bunch of losers and hopefully hit on some fat hairy hippie girls. You predictable and molded pieces of shit get over yourselves. You can have your douche gatherings all you want just do not keep me up with it when I come back home at night.
Since when was a dilapidated shack in a skeezy part of town considered a "hotel"?
Last time I read something about such a commune, Manson was brainwashing his troops into killing some people. Can I expect the same coming out of this dump too? Except its people reeking of desperation and Mill St beer instead of LSD.
Living downtown is noisy. Get used to it. You want quiet, don't live in places where interesting things are happening. Move to North York.
Oh ya....this thing sounds about as interesting as a colonoscopy.
And half the fun.
Eat it up, assholes. These kids aren't doing anything wrong.
I'm sure Toronto's Finest have better things on their radios to attend to than sating your whinging demands to shut the place down "at 11:05".
Unless you don't think there's a bigger crime than organizing, publicizing, and running a weekend of free events to celebrate a growing community?
What these people are doing seems to be pretty generous: giving up the space in their own home for the enjoyment of the public. Especially considering they're in the middle of MOVING OUT, a hectic time for anybody.
SO. 1: shut up; you're being rude on a public city forum.
2: If you had any complaints as a neighbour, you had two years to discuss them in person with the house in question, LIKE AN ADULT.
Hahahahaha!! Owneeeeed
Its time for these "kids" to grow up.
At least they have been confined to the dingy enclosure that is kensington. Thankfully the rest of us havent had to put up with their kumbaya crap for the past two years. If the city workers want to be paid overtime to clean up this garbage too, im all for it.
Anonymity + the Internet = People Being Dicks.
Word math equals not funny.
The satisfaction of knowing you're upset and angry and most likely crying into a hemp towel is outstanding
MORE
BRING ON THE MEN! mmmm
I AM THE REAL JORDAAAAAN MAAAAASON
Guys the show is CANCELED. I'm as upset as anyone, but I encourage you to crybate to photos of Ani DiFranco as a means of protest all the 'bad vibes' we've been getting.
Charged with assault...I like how redapplesballs is a tough guy on the internet...youd get arrested for assualt? most like arrested for being a cunt and a waste of space. How does the oxford relate to anything like the Manson family? Iv studied it and really cant see the relation....I feel sorry for your lack of intelligence. This is more then a "hippy" house. People of all ages and subcultures have attended events at this house. Iv personally chatted up punks, yuppies, hip hop kids, teachers you name it. So while the internet provides you with the bliss of being anonymous you should still at least check out some part of the festivities this weekend. These have been an amazing two years getting to come to that house. Its a sad day that it is over.
we actually sat around last night and read all these comments. the fact that people (including me) are taking TIME out of their DAY to write hateful stuff is absolutely hilarious.
we love you jordaan and oxford hotel!!! too bad a few office 9-5 yuppies can't handle a little noise at night :)
You're not a scene when only your friends attend your shitty parties. Plus, nothing you offer is free as there is always a cover and the music, speaking specifically about JordAAn here, is crap. Learn to sing you spoiled brat.
I'm glad you're leaving the area, maybe now I can put my kids to sleep without the sound of poorly played harmonicas, banjos, and guitars keeping them up. Also, thanks for not checking with the community before hosting loud parties.
You won't be missed.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
If you people have such a problem with the house, then why don't you voice your issues with the tenants instead of repressing your feelings and posting anonymous comments on an internet article? Not very productive.
Which can't be said for the Oxford Hotel, which has been extremely productive in creating friendships and oppurtunities.
I've read a lot of comments along the lines of "These kids need to grow up." Is everyone miserable that their life isn't anything they had expected? Haven't experienced joy in 20 years?
These people are getting together, enjoying each others' company and having a good time. Not to mention everyone is invited and welcomed. There is no cover, just an encouragement to donate some change if you enjoyed your time.
I think the lot of you need to "grow up."
It's funny you mention that Adam. A couple friends and I were trying to move into this space, and after reading some of these comments a part of me is glad we didn't get it. I mean who wants to live in a place with passive-aggressive, cowardly neighbours who only voice their opinions via message board when you are about to move out ? That's pretty weak. Is it that inconvenient to go over there and talk with someone? Or is it just the Canadian instinct of inaction taking over?
Anyways, I've only been there a handful of times, including last night and it was pretty fun. Cops didn't come at 11:05 as promised, and ran into a bunch of people I haven't seen in a while. It's cool that spaces like this exist in the city, but they rarely last long. Good on Jordaan and crew for making this happen.
Over the last two years I have tried to make as many relationships with my neighbours as possible, including delivering fresh produce from our garden and having regular chats on the street with them. I know many of them on a first name basis.
Only once have we received any noise complaints... though I was very surprised. We make sure to end the music before 11 though on occasion (once every 6 months maybe), there have been lingering crowds of people. On these occasions, I have had much anxiety and felt a need to encourage people to leave.
The neighbourhood has a distinctive group of people living here. The oldest occupants are Italian and Portuguese, followed by many middle-aged Asian immigrants, and lastly, us lowly University students and the new wave of Bohos fixing up places and selling (yes people still want to live here despite us) for $600,000-1,000,000.
I am amazed that the commentors here who claim to be our neighbours are completely unfamiliar to me and are very knowledgeable of who Jordaan is and what his music sounds like. If there has been a major inconvenience because of our presence here, I wish you had expressed your concerns to me personally. I suspect though that some of these commentators are simple haters who for whatever reason feel the need to attack Jordaan specifically.
I apologize for any disturbance.
*I was just watching the Owle Bird play in the backyard and was not surprised though delighted to see our neighbours smiling and clapping at the end of their set.
Who would have thought that someone who would dish out so much extra cash in monthly rent to live in Kensington Market, a neighborhood known for it's hippy, artsy counter culture businesses and residents could be such a square. It's just a little folk music on a Friday night?
"No revenge is more honourable than the one not taken."
-Danish proverb
Narratives is fantastic, it is thorough and by nature of focusing on shows that are generally five bucks or less, it’s also a de facto political statement. We are lucky to live in a place that has a real alternative to the mainstream alternative-branded corporate garbage. That was a mean thing to say, anonymous person, I’m sure you were trying your best to be funny but you came off sounding like a meanspirited cowardly jerk.
Congratulations to the good folks at the Oxford Hotel for finding their own voice and for giving us all something more than mechanical entertainment.
Okay for what is worth here's my five cents. I feel enough has been said to defend the Oxford Hotel so I will just talk about my personal experience at this amazing place.
I moved to Toronto a little over 2 years ago and struggled to find an accepting, non-judgmental group of people with which to spend my time. At the Oxford Hotel I met everything from Hippies to Punks to Jocks to Hip Hop kids. I've found the one thing that everyone who I met there has in common is the willingness to make anyone feel welcome. Thanks to The Oxford Hotel I have made, in my short time in Toronto, life friends.
Although there is a definate leaning towards DIY singer/songwriter music at the Oxford the doors were always open to all musicians. One of the best shows I've been to in Toronto was last summer when Peace Loving from Massachusetts played in 117 Oxfords back yard. This art house band created a web of sound from Turntables, Tape Recorders and Home made noisemakers. I watched as the the unexpecting diverse crowd sat and absorbed the strange music. Unfortunatly, I've only had the chance to play at the Oxford twice; once with the Danger Music Ensemble (an improvising ensemble) and once with the Owle Bird (Spooky Chamber rock with Strings). Both times I found the crowd one of the most polite and supportive in Toronto. I will miss the Oxford but will always cherish all the friends I've made there and every musical act I was able to catch.
I haven't been here -- the pic of the outdoor space looks amazing though -- but I've been to my fair share of events or shows that subscribe to a similar ideology. The problem with things of this nature is both the absurd comments by (a) those who despise "indie arts" as well as the self-righteous comments made by the(b)"indie arts" types (for lack of a better term, no sarcasm or negativity implied) subjected to them. Frankly they're almost the same. Club land is terrible, but you know what else is? This twee as shit, self-important, incredibly dogmatic "scene" that runs opposite to it. How some club land douche is anymore offensive than some kid who "doesn't see gender" (read: doesn't know how to go down on a girl yet)is beyond me. Some of the music at these events is awful, truly terrible, as worse as the mall-house shaking the walls in clubland. The strange thing is that for the most part clubland is oblivious to places like this, nor could it care less. Places like this however sing propaganda about how it is inclusive, loving, open etc...when really it's as exclusory as king west or clubland.
ps. a reference to Juno? Gross, that this anti-female, anti-choice emo orgasm has come to be celebrated by the "indie scene" actually confirms how out to lunch or easily seduced the belle and sebastian fetishists who celebrate it are.
@ robert
I'm curious; where did the "doesn't see gender" quote come from?
I think either a) Me, You and Everyone You Know or b) Ghost World?
a) a film so gross it makes Paper Hearts watchable.
b) a real good film.