Arts & Culture

THE TORONTO MUSIC  community was crushed to learn of the passing of two beloved community members this weekend: Rough Trade co-founder Kevan Staples and Queen West and Kensington music mainstay Teddy Hawkins.

Staples’ longtime creative partner and Rough Trade co-founder Carole Pope shared the sad news on her Facebook: “Yesterday [Sun., March 23] my beautiful friend and Rough Trade co-creator Kevan Staples passed away. He was a bright light that will burn forever.” Rough Trade were a massively influential band beginning in the late ’70s whose music is still relevant, even challenging today. Staples had been battling a long-term illness and was 74.

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Drummer, songwriter, singer and beloved longtime presence on the scene, Teddy Hawkins suffered a heart attack Saturday while preparing for another show. The ever-busy performer had a full slate of upcoming gigs, typical for the hard-working musician. Instead, the first of many celebrations of Hawkins’ life will be held at Castro’s this Thurs., March 27. There is also a Hawkins celebration planned for Sat., May 11 1 – 6 pm at Smoke Show BBQ and Brew on Mt. Pleasant. Hawkins was 69. Billboard Canada writer Kerry Doole has an excellent obit on Hawkins.

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The Estonian Music Festival returns for its fifth year from May 22 to 25, featuring emerging and established acts from the Baltic country at a variety of downtown venues including Revival, Drom Taberna, Innis Town Hall and the increasingly popular St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Featured acts include: Tuulikki Bartosik and Sander Müldar, Caracol, Mart Avi, Katie McBride, Ensemle U and Vox Clamantis. Full festival details on its website and listings at nextmag.ca.

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The Horseshoe Tavern is expanding its programming influence beyond the legendary room’s walls again. The ’Shoe used to be part of the Collective Concerts team but exited that partnership in 2024. But now it’s back booking rooms in addition to its own, including an upcoming pair of shows at the Tranzac featuring two nights of veteran indie rockers Zeus unplugged with Golden Dogs on May 21 and 22. Look for more ’Shoe shows at the Cameron, Lee’s Palace and other Toronto venues. In other ’Shoe news, ’80s stars New Bomb Turks will play the club on Tue., July 29, with The Drowns opening.

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The Sadies are doing an intimate acoustic show at the Cameron House Back Room this Fri., March 28.

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The Departure Festival continues to add speakers to the conference including, Tegan and Sarah, Arkells Max Kerman and JUNO winner Febe Dobson as well as multidisciplinary artist Vivek Shraya and producer Murda Beatz. The festival and conference happen in Toronto at a variety of venues from May 6 through 11. The conference takes place at the Hotel X.

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The International Indigenous Music Summit (IIMS) has announced its 2025 dates, June 2-6, as well as it details on its Opening Night Gala at Massey Hall’s TD Music Centre. The Summit features launches a week of artist showcases, conference programming, cultural exchange and conversation.

The Opening Night Gala features: improvisational singer, composer and bestselling author Tanya Tagaq, nine-time Grammy nominated Powwow and Round Dance drum group Northern Cree, Indigenous Guatemalan singer-songwriter and Maya Kaqchikel activist Sara Curruchich and Métis fiddle phenom Alex Kusturok from Edmonton, AB.

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Neill Dixon, founder of Canadian Music Week, which became Departure festival when he sold it to Denver-based Oak View Group and Toronto’s Loft Entertainment in 2024, is suing the new owners for breach of contract and unpaid purchase fees. The festival’s new owners say they are continuing to negotiate with Dixon. Dixon’s lawyers filed the suit Mon., March 17. Full Billboard Canada coverage here.