Gladstone Hotel - Speak Easy and Morgan Davis Blues Musician

I ventured through Queen West to the Gladstone Hotel to attend a Toronto Blues Society Thursday night event and listen to the Morgan Davis CD release party. Morgan is a fine blues musician, but not exciting enough for my tastes. He was a one man act, playing a variety of guitars, and even a cigar box guitar. Apparently he resides in Halifax now and is only visiting Toronto. He definitely should have had an accompaniement to brighten up his music. A drummer, bass and harp would have added alot to the presentation. For a CD release there could have been more energy, but then again, this is the blues!

I was impressed that next to the Melody bar,  was a black and white  exhibit by a young Sri Lankan photographer. Surrounding the exhibit was a group of young, chic members of the Sri Lankan community, and this cosmopolitan mix made me realize how lucky we are to live in Toronto and have this accumulation of various ethnics. They each add such a cool vibe to this town. The Sri Lankans were humble, polite and well mannered. Very different than the media interpretation we get of the Tamil Tiger etc. The exhibit showed pictures of Sri Lanka as it is under military control during these times.

On the second floor was an art exhibit known as the Speak Easy, a monthly gathering of the creative types. The Speak Easy http://www.speakeasyto.com/ happens the first Thursday of every month and the art form changes each event. A very cool group of art enthusiasts were milling through the gallery. Now in its 15th year SpeakEAsy has gained a reputation for showcasing the city's most talented artists designers and photographers. It is a pay what you can event with a $4.00 suggested donation.  Queen West has really become an arts mecca with a young refined crowd, expressing themselves in a variety of ways.

I know this street from my days as a commercial realtor leasing stores to methane clinics, and trying to lease vacanies in plazas that were drug distribution centers. I remember walking into retailers, trying to have them relocate, and realizing that I might be in the middle of a drug transaction, and leaving quickly.

Gentrification is often led by young artists searching for low rent districts to sell their wares or works. after them come the traditional businesses and residents who enjoy the flair of the creative types.

The Gladstone hotel has become an excellent gentrification landmark and anchor combining the history of the Hog Town establishment and infusing it with a young artsy urban crowd. Definintely a place to explore on Queen West.

Don't forget to wear black.

The Adventure Guy