Dakota Tavern's "renovation" marks the end of an era for a beloved T.O. live music venue

It appears that renovations by the Dakota Tavern's new owners are much more drastic than live music fans had hoped.  

Derek Downham remembers the Dakota Tavern

The death of The Dakota Tavern represents so much more than just the loss of a great live music venue.

This is where some of Toronto's greatest bands were born and nurtured.

This is where strangers met to dance and fall in love. 

This is where for many years there was a mutual respect between band, audience and staff.

That's what made it so very special.

My emotional connection to The Dakota cannot be overstated. 

I am honoured that I had the opportunity to be a part of it's heyday for 11+ years on Sundays with The Beauties and as part of so many other groups. I actually can't calculate how many shows I played there. Several hundreds, certainly.

Thank you to Jennifer Haslett, Maggie Ruhl & Shawn Thomas Creamer for giving myself and so many others the opportunity to play and build community at The Dakota.

While many of us have already moved on and mourned the loss years ago, I feel this needed to be said.

Thank you.

There will never be another scene like The Dakota on a Sunday when The Beauties played. The music, the abandon, the happiness...truly the greatest and longest running weekly gig I have ever seen or been a part of. It's where I met and played for my heroes like Stuart Copeland, Johnny Marr...Jason Momoa would pick me up like a rag doll. The nights with Kevin Drew and the Metric crew were nothing short of legendary. The Beauties got to play the Junofest Gala, signed to Six Shooter Records and played Zach Galafanakis' wedding because of these nights. This is all just the tip of the iceberg of what came out of these incredible shows. 

Thank you to every one of you who came out and supported us and the venue.

I've lived a truly blessed musical life, and a huge part of that is because of The Dakota Tavern.

So Long, Dakota

There is no way

To draw the end of a line

There is no way to tell ending of time - it’s over 

And in a way we are a victim of crime

Another way to paint a picture so fine, moreover

So Long Dakota, Carry On Dakota

We had a day 

we had a decade or more

There wasn’t anybody keeping the score

It’s over 

We saw the morning through a bottle of wine

We held each other 

‘Til the end of the night spilled over

So Long Dakota, Carry On Dakota

- DD

Now, more than ever: 

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING LIVE MUSIC. 

Without you, it ceases to exist. 

Remembering guitarist Amancio D'Silva on his birthday

Raising a glass to guitar virtuoso Amancio D'Silva with a few recordings you may have missed. 

Nigeria's Lijadu Sisters' rare Urede album being reissued

The 1974 "Urede" album from Nigerian twin sisters Kehinde & Taiwo Lijadu is being recirculated by Numero Group. Check out "Fasiribo (Apala)" below.  

Here's the scoop...

After decades of mystery and anticipation, The Lijadu Sisters' ultra-rare 1974 album Urede, is finally resurfacing. A true gem that has eluded even the most dedicated collectors, this album offers a long-awaited opportunity to experience the very beginning of the sister's recorded musical journey - an electrifying fusion of Afropop, Funk, and Jazz that began to define their legendary sound. Check out "Fasiribo (Apala)" off the Urede album below. 

Watch Mike Wilhelm play Robert Johnson's "Come On In My Kitchen"

Since it's Mike Wilhelm's birthday today, here's his version of "Come On In My Kitchen" and Robert Johnson's 1936 original. 

Remembering Chuck E. Weiss on his 80th birthday

Remembering hipster Chuck E. Weiss on what would've been his 80th with a few 78 finds and some Art Fein's Poker Party clips. 

African icon Angélique Kidjo plays Koerner Hall, March 25

Benin's brilliant Angélique Kidjo promises a dazzling performance of songs from her latest release, Mother Nature. 

Here's the scoop...

African Music icon… Five-time Grammy Award winner … one of the most extraordinary voices in international music. March 25th, the Royal Conservatory in association with Batuki Music Society is proud to welcome back to Toronto, Benin's fabulous Angélique Kidjo! Renowned for her ingenuity, Angélique joined forces with captivating young creators of West African music to record her most recent album,  2021's “Mother Nature.” Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Angélique performing the songs from Mother Nature and more in Toronto at Koerner Hall!

Angélique Kidjo

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 8 pm

Koerner Hall (273 Bloor St. West)

Tickets from $65, available online here. Use code KIDJO for 15% Off tickets. 

You can also call 416.408.0208 or get tickets in person at the Weston Family Box Office.

Remembering country great Dick Curless on his birthday

Remembering honky tonk hero Dick Curless on his birthday with a few TV appearances with Buck Owens and more.