About Us
Celebrating our First Year: September 20, 2024
On September 20, 2024 we celebrated one year since our first show in our new home. One year may not seem a long time in the nearly quarter-century history of Hugh’s Room but we had much to celebrate. Before to irrepressable Tom Wilson took the stage we were able to announce both acheiving our $1.3M bond campaign goal and the announcement of a tremendously generous gift by the Green Sanderson Foundation and the naming of our main hall in their honour.
We were also pleased to provide the audience with a printed update of everything that has happened here in the last year – and to acknowledge the voluminous efforts of the broad Hugh’s Room Community that has made our new future possible. You can read that report here: CELEBRATING OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY
Our History
Among Toronto music venues, Hugh’s Room live has always stood alone – a wonderful quiet space where musicians could be heard. A place that gives voice to the broad ‘roots’ canon of North American and Global Music representing our rich multicultural fabric. Hugh’s Room has hosted some of Canada’s most iconic musicians, including Dan Hill, The McGarrigles, and Sylvia Tyson, as well as international giants like Al Stewart, Jesse Winchester, Odetta, Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Jeff Daniels, Tom Rush, Albert Lee, Maria Muldaur, David Lindley, Richie Havens, Fairport Convention and countless others.
Where We Have Been
Founded in 2001 by Richard Carson in memory of his brother Hugh, a musician who died of cancer, our long-time home at 2261 Dundas West holds many memories for the thousands of Hugh’s Room Live patrons and artists. Our decision to leave was imposed on us by the financial pressure of increased rent. Nevertheless, in hindsight it was the right choice given what the live music industry has endured the last three years. “2261” will always remain a special place in our hearts, but as the music industry responds to massive structural changes brought on by the pandemic, technological innovation and other factors, Hugh’s Room Live must adapt and take this opportunity to build for the future. As audiences return to live performance, we want to fulfill our vision: to be the recognized leading intimate small to mid-sized concert venue for established and emerging artists. But we have dreams of being so much more.
What Happened The Last Few Years
In 2021 we gathered a group of Hugh’s Room Live stakeholders to take a deep dive into our what the future looks for our community and we came away with some big ideas. At the same time, we successfully stage over 100 performances – at first virtually and as live performance returned we programmed Hugh’s Room artists at several venues in the west end of Toronto. With the support of agencies such as FACTOR, The Canada Council for The Arts and Ontario Creates we presented through 2022 and into 2023 a wide range of shows at partner venues such as 3030 Dundas West, Revival in Little Italy, Tranzac in the Annex and The Paradise Theatre on Bloor. This allowed us to keep supporting artists while bringing back live music to our dedicated (and patient) audiences while continuing our search for a new home.
Where We Arrived
After a great deal of effort, indefatigable tenacity, a false start or two, and the generous support of over 1000 donors and supporters in the Hugh’s Room Live community in July of 2023 we secured our new home at 296 Broadview Avenue in the East Chinatown/Riverdale neighbourhood in Toronto’s East End. Securing our own venue was always the only path to success and the growth of Hugh’s Room Live. We did it through community based and grassroots financing. We did it thanks to you.
What We’ll Do Now We’re Here
Now Hugh’s Room is back, we of course want to do and be everything we were before – creating a wonderful convivial listening room for fans and the great artists who grace our stage. But we have even bigger plans. Bigger visions call for more space. Our goal is to become the hub or meeting place for Toronto’s diverse music community. Our new venue will allow us to engage more fully with community groups and partners, offer educational programs, studio space and masterclasses and provide opportunities for artists for all disciplines and all communities. Our first priority was to open for live music and we have done so – presenting over 60 concerts in the remainder of 2023 with many more to come. We hope you will join us.
The Hugh’s Room Live Team
Brian Iler, Board Chair
Brian is a cofounder of Iler Campbell LLP, a community organizations activist, cofounder of the Northwind Folk Festival, and music lover who has played an integral part in bringing back Hugh’s Room Live.
Jim Thomas, President
A Director of HRL since 2019, Jim is a jazz flautist who has decades of senior management experience in business and government, including Ontario Deputy Minister positions.
Quisha Wint
Board Member
Quisha is President of QW Productions Corp., a leading recording studio, and is an accomplished songstress, performer, arranger and singer-songwriter. Quisha serves on the Hugh’s Room Live Programming Committee.
Adam Moffatt
Board Member
Adam is an accomplished producer, curator, programmer and arts manager based in Toronto. He is currently Manager of Performance Programs at the Royal Ontario Museum, and has produced hundreds of events, including with (but not limited to) the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, National Arts Centre and Kaha:wi Dance Theatre.
Laura Fernandez
Board Member
Laura Fernandez is the host of Cafe Latino on JAZZ.FM91 and a tireless advocate for Canadian artists and particularly for those in the Hispano-Canadian community. An accomplished visual artist and musician her latest album Ok, Alright was released in 2020. Laura is also an award winning real estate broker and a key leader in the search for a new Hugh’s Room venue. In 2015 she was named one of the “10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians”.
MJ Perry
Board Member
MJ Perry is Vice-President and Owner of Mr. Discount. She is founder of WTFest and a member of the Board of the Empire Club of Canada. Her current semi-retirement project is to complete a PhD, and she is helping HRL forge new partnerships and reach new communities.
Michael Capotosto CPA
Board Member
In addition to holding multiple past CFO positions in the hospitality industry, including expansions of Prime Restaurants and The Great Canadian Bagel, Michael is a Toronto musician who plays with several bands and serves as the Hugh’s Room Live Board as Treasurer.
Barbara Jesson
Board Member
A seasoned marketing strategist, Barbara brings a wealth of Marketing and Communications expertise to the Board. She has worked with many of the world’s leading brands including Lufthansa, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Lockheed Martin, Labatts, Glenfiddich and Japan Tourism. Barbara chairs the Hugh’s Room Live Marketing Committee.
Richard Carson
Chair Emeritus
Richard started Hugh’s Room in 2001 in honour of his late brother, Hugh. He managed it until 2017 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to HRL.
Staff
Michael Booth
Executive Director
A former member of the Hugh’s Room Board, Michael assumed the role of Interim Executive Director for Hugh’s Room Live in October of 2022. Former Operations Director for JAZZ.FM91 and Policy Advisor on the Culture and Entertainment Industries for Toronto Mayor David Miller, Michael brings decades of experience in venue operation and event production to Hugh’s Room Live.
Mary Stewart
Artistic Director
Former manager of the acclaimed Lynn Crawford restaurant Ruby Watchco, Mary joined HRL in 2018 as General Manager. As a musician, she has performed at the club and knows the music community. Mary served as General Manager until becoming the Hugh’s Room Artistic Director upon the acquistion of 296 Broadview.
