The new year is not faring well for vital venues in Toronto's music scene. Recently, the DIY space Soybomb closed down; then came Hugh's Room, the jazz and folk space in the city's Roncesvalles neighbourhood; and then the Hoxton, a space for both hip-hop, pop, and electronic shows on King West. Today it was confirmed to Indie 88 that punk and rock staple The Silver Dollar Room will be shutting down this year.Dan Burke, a legacy promoter in the city who has helmed the Dollar in the last bit of its 60-year history, confirmed to the local radio outlet that the venue would be closing but that it would it's "gonna be like the Alamo, — go down with guns blazing!" The Silver Dollar, which was deemed a historic site two years ago, has hosted many then up-and-coming bands, both locally and internationally, including Perfect Pussy, Jay Reatard, Dilly Dally, and Fucked Up, to name a few of the overwhelmingly vast amount of musicians who have come through the tiny space at College St. and Spadina Ave.Word initially spread because a Facebook event with local outfit The Highest Order said the band was throwing a farewell show for the venue. The event description suggests that the venue's closing may be because of the City of Toronto. The description reads:
Due to some more foul planning moves on the part of the City of Toronto, as we understand it, The Silver Dollar Room is closing in May. We won't be around in April for the other goodbye shows, but wanted to say goodbye to this legendary venue that has definitely served us well (and under age ahahahha) over the years.An official closing date hasn't been announced yet.Sarah MacDonald is a staff writer at Noisey Canada. Follow her on Twitter.
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