Ride the Tiger at the Drake Hotel!

The Lounge at the Drake Hotel

“Soul & Motown” Treat!

Last night I went to the Drake Hotel to see an amazing band called, Ride the Tiger! They displayed a fantastic array of Soul and Motown classics, which featured the many musical talents of the band. With a booming voice the lead singer reminded me of Mayer Hawthorne (who is another favorite artist of mine). 

The Drake itself is a staple in the Queen West neighborhood of Toronto. As stated on their website, “The Drake Hotel is a cultural, entertainment and hospitality landmark in Toronto. In the seven years since our opening, Drake has come to be known as an energetic hub for visual & performance art as well as dining and hospitality, thus providing one of Canada’s most unique and sought after hotel and culinary experiences. We are clearly more than a place to eat and sleep: we are a hotbed for culture. We eagerly await your arrival and open our doors to your hearts and minds".

Not only is the Drake Hotel a fantastic venue to visit when you want to hear great music but Ride the Tiger is definitely a must see band in Toronto! They will be playing the Drake on Monday nights but definitely check out their website for additional shows!

Image Source: http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/scrapbook/347

North by Northeast Music Festival

“NXNE” New Treat!

I didn’t realize what was coming to Toronto at first- but I noticed huge stages being built off of Yonge Street and kept hearing music late into the night outside- well now I’m finally clued in… It’s the North by Northeast Music Festival and Conference (NXNE)!

Toronto is the place to be this week for music! Just like our SXSW (South by Southwest) festival known in the US, this week is the NXNE (North by Northeast) guaranteed to showcase original music and some amazing upcoming bands. There are 50 panels, 40 films, and 650 bands that are participating- so if you don’t have your itinerary planned yet- better step outside because you’ll hear bands playing almost everywhere you go! This festival showcases, “indie favorites, unsigned bands, and major- headlining artists alike”. With an estimated 280,000 people attending this week- I'm excited to be a part of the festivities too!

Image Source: http://nxne.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Black-Lips1.jpg