Good new music venues rarely pop up around town so the Garrison on Dundas Street West is a welcome addition to the landscape.

Thanks in part to its smoking hot location and a well-known booking agent, the Garrison has made quite the name for itself in a relatively short time. Housed in a space that was once a Portuguese sports bar, the bar has a cozy front room and a large back room with a stage and tons of room for dancing. Already on the way to institution status the space has already hosted well-known local parties such as Turning Point and Trampoline Hall, and live acts like experimental punk band, Aids Wolf, and queer electro pop dancers, Kids on TV. Just this past month, Iowa legends, Leslie & the Lys, had the crammed venue jumping in a sweaty dance party.

Another great venue to open recently is The Annex Wreckroom. This space has existed in several previous incarnations  including The Tequila Lounge where I saw Peaches perform with Tracy and the Plastics in the 90s but now it hosts local DJ nights and brings in Canadian and international talent. It will be one of the many venues for Canadian Music Week coming up in mid-March.