Queen Street Celebration

After Yorkville's "Summer of Love," Toronto's coolest scene moved south to Queen Street and the Ontario College of Art, inspiring collaborations in art and music that, by the mid '80s, had helped create the punk, new wave, and world beat eclectic mix.

On stage, from 1:30 p.m.: Johnny & the G-Rays, The "B" Girls, Mary Margaret O'Hara, The Parachute Club plus Mojah, Lillian Allen, Micah Barnes and Telmary. Meanwhile, at Ontario College of Art & Design, from noon, catch a glimpse of period artifacts and photographs, plus a video program extending past 6:30 p.m. with a panel discussion and closing cabaret by Andrew J. Paterson.

SCHEDULE

1:30 - 6:00 p.m.
100 McCaul Street (outdoors)

1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
Johnny & the G-Rays, lead by John Macleod. The band became legendary for combining the musical styles of British Rock, Jazz, Country, and Blues. As Mr. McLeod says, "Some of that mix might be better understood today than it was then!" 

The B Girls join Johnny and the G-Rays. They got their start at the off-Queen Street do-it-yourself punk club, The Crash and Burn, and quickly became noted on the New York scene playing clubs like CBGB's.

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Mary Margaret O'Hara, an artist who epitomized the Queen West scene makes an extremely rare and unique performance appearance, having spent time pursing other artistic endeavours over the last few years. An original multi-talented "Queen Streeter" (singer, songwriter, actor, visual artist), Ms. O'Hara's original songs have been covered by Holly Cole, Cowboy Junkies, Everything But The Girl and The Walkabouts. She is also a graduate of O.C.A.

4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
The Parachute Club, featuring four original members, including Lorraine Segato and Billy Bryans. One of Canada's most critically acclaimed and commercially successful groups joins forces with several other hot players from the 80's Queen Street scene: Juno Award-winning dub poet Lillian Allen, singer/songwriter Mojah (formerly of ‘80's reggae band Truths and Rights), Micah Barnes and Cuban rapper and poet Telmary. To this day, "P. Club" songs such as the city's anthem-like Rise Up, and Love and Compassion, remain staples on Canadian radio.

OCAD Program
Noon - 6:00 p.m.

100 McCaul St (indoors)
Exhibitions from the 1970's and ‘80's
Photographs, poster art, "D.I.Y" promo piece and memorabilia

12:30 - 5.30 p.m.
Ground floor auditorium
Documentary screenings:

Lorraine Segato's The Rebel Zone, Peter Vronsky's Crash and Burn plus a collection of archival band footage. Independently shot, raw video footage show overviews of what it was like in the streets surrounding the Ontario College of Art (OCA) during the late 1970's and early 1980's. The footage charts the explosion of the musical scene while showing how the music was interwoven with the growth of artists stemming from the art school.

6:30 - 7.30 p.m.
One time only special screening

Deanne Taylor's ART vs Art - A landmark documentary which tells the story of the "Hummer Sisters" political and cultural campaign against Art Eggleton running for Mayor in 1982 which led to their success in capturing ten percent of the vote. A rare opportunity to see this historic footage.

7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion

Q&A with Deanne Taylor (VideoCab), John Hamilton (Diodes, Secrets), Johanna
Householder (Clichettes and OCAD Faculty), and Mark Ganes (Martha and the Muffins).

8:45 p.m.
Cabaret

A special interdisciplinary performance titled "mono-logical" by Andrew Patterson, famed founder of Government.

The Globe & Mail May 31, 2008 - When a new wave washed over stuffy old Toronto

Created and produced by Martin Robertson, Ideas in Motion.

Associate producer, video and research, Henry Martinuk.
In collaboration with the Ontario College of Art & Design.