Urban villages are walkable, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods that significantly improve the quality of life in big cities — and they’re a big part of Toronto’s unique character. They’ve also played a big role in the evolution of our music scene. This two-part episode takes us on a trek through four such interconnected villages and the hyper-local music scenes that defined them.
Part II of Urban Villages starts with a stroll along Spadina Avenue, looping through multicultural Kensington Market and along College Street towards Little Italy, connecting bluesy, post-Yorkville bohemia of the ‘70s with pre-millennial indie, punk, reggae and electronica. Iconic venues include the El Mocambo, Sneaky Dee’s, The Silver Dollar Room, Grossman’s Tavern, Graffiti’s, Ted’s Wrecking Yard and the Mod Club Theatre.