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Orwell

@barorwell

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Venue/Bar/Community Space
Touring bands, please still reach out and we will do our best to help!
For all inquiries email [email protected]

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GoFundMe link in bio.

We are saddened to announce that Bar Orwell has permanently ceased operations at our 1595 Dundas Street West location, effective Thursday, April 11, 2024, due to a constructive eviction. We were faced with a hostile and tenuous relationship with our "property manager" - our landlord's son - who repeatedly breached the contract and made unreasonable demands.

This culminated in an event where, during soundcheck, the landlord's son cut power to our unit for a second time. With great indignation, we had to make the devastating decision to indefinitely postpone all scheduled events and cease operations at this location. We simply could not, with any certain security, provide the safe and welcoming space we had worked so hard to create.

A constructive eviction occurs when a landlord takes actions that interfere with the tenant's use and enjoyment of the premises significantly enough to constitute "eviction in fact." We had hoped to resolve growing contention with our landlord's son, to ensure the longevity of Bar Orwell and to relieve us of the omnipresent mental anguish of uncertainty preventing us from fully investing in its development.

We want to make it clear that we will not be silenced or intimidated. We have substantial physical evidence of our landlord's persistent malfeasance, and will be taking legal action to hold him accountable for his actions. We will fight back by starting a new, better chapter, and by seeking justice for ourselves and the community we serve.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported us throughout this difficult time. We could not have made it this far without the tireless efforts of our community, and we want to express our unwavering support and solidarity for all those who have been affected by this injustice.

We urge everyone to join us in standing up against the issue and supporting our cause. Together, we can make a difference and create a better future for ourselves and for all those who depend on us. by @barorwell

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2 years ago

Wondering how to book Orwell? It's easy just message us at info@barorwell.com. If you haven't heard, we want to be a place for community and all things creative... we don't think we're the great arbitrators of taste and we're not just about music! Want to host some bands, an arts market, a clothing swap, exhibit your art, or something else? Great! Pitch it to us!

Here's some info and ground rules:
1. We are a free room to book.
2. You always keep 100% of your door (we strongly prefer PWYC, because, ya know, accesibility).
3. We're a 70 cap venue with a liqour license.
4. We've got a PA system, mics + stands, and a drum kit.
5. We're a small team here, trying to keep Toronto weird, help us out, bring your own sound tech and door person.
6. Live music has to be done by 11pm sharp, because sound complaints suck and we want to make this place a home for all those creative types for a good long time (after 11pm we're just a bar, but the party can go on)!
7. Dates are first come first serve. Thinking about doing something? Just go for it.
8. We have zero tolerance for bigotry. If you're an *asshole beyond just being not fun to be around we aren't afraid to kick you and your friends out. We don't care "how much business" you brought in.
9. Unfortunately we aren't a physcially accessible venue.

Share this far and wide!

Photo credit: @verge.photo (edited and cropped)

#toronto #torontoevents #dundaswest #littleportugaltoronto #littleportugalondundasBIA #livemusic #livemusictoronto #livemusicTO #torontomusicscene #torontoartist #torontobands by @barorwell

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4 years ago

The book wall was envisioned as our community bulletin board… and @bronwenballantyne finally got her shit together and went to Dollarama for some black card stock to make this a little more obvious. Got a business, event, etc. etc in the DIY ethos? Put it up here! by @barorwell

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4 years ago

Crash yourself into the welcoming doors of @theimperialpub in your #ghostcar with us THIS FRIDAY Dec 13th for our first live set. Featuring a solo set from @no_sunshine_collective 930 Doors PWYC hope to see ya! 🐍🐍🐍

Poster by the angelic @_schmidiot

#imperialpub #toronto #livemusic #noise taken in Imperial Pub by @barorwell

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2 years ago

Here's another one! Some of our favourite locals @connie.band and @himalayan.pink will be playing @swandiveto on Sunday August 11th to help us raise some funds. There will be a 50/50 draw (winner takes half!) and maybe a surprise DJ? I guess you'll just have to show up to find out!

Huge thanks to Abra for offering the space for us to do this!

8PM
$PWYC/Doors By Donation
Music Over By 11 by @barorwell

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2 years ago

Trying to keep the spirit alive as we search for a new location.

Come on out and beat the summer heat in a chill venue with even colder bands. Avant-goth industrial doom with some dance beats thrown in. Sometimes you just want to dance AND be sad, y'know?

@cryinghighh
@arms.armour
@gore_gloss
@output111

Thurs July 18 8PM
$10 NOTAFLOF
@nonoroom_thedockellis

Poster by @nation_of_kleisonia by @barorwell

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2 years ago

JUNE 9 @ the Baby G

@sundowner_to
@ancientgreece__
@aw_thats_cute_a_band

all proceeds to Bar Orwell

show up and put up to save the Orwellians from their unfair constructive eviction 👊

poster by the incredible @ecfyoung

ticket link in bio 🌞 taken in The Baby G by @barorwell

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2 years ago

CONVOYS
April 11 / April 25
Bar Orwell

Video shot by Lee Cochran @houdini.lee
Edited by me @ninjasong by @barorwell

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3 years ago

Sun March 31st | 730PM | $10PWYC

Come out and get JAZZY this Sunday. An evening of free and improvised sounds. Some real heavy hitters on this one. by @barorwell

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3 years ago

Ohhhhhh that’s right! New Tones coming back at ya on Saturday April 20 at @barorwell to celebrate spring, local music and all fun things green! 😎🥦😎

This is going to be a very special show!
We got such a siiiiick line up:

Swiims (new wave/shoegaze/dream pop)
Alex Southey (folk/shoegaze)
City Circuits (modern retro rock)
Skydoam (indie electro/new wave/dream pop)

Advance tickets $10 (link in bio)
Door tickets $15

See you on #420 ! 😎😎🥳🥳😎😎

*poster by @0807lobo of @skydoam
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#livemusic #torontomusic #torontomusicscene #torontoindierock #torontoindiemusic #torontoindie #toronto #toronto420 by @barorwell

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3 years ago

INRCHLD OPEN MIC 006 AT BAR ORWELL @barorwell, 1595 Dundas St W

MONDAY MARCH 25

@moodringparty open decks from 7pm-830pm ~ BRING YOUR USB

FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY:
@guardpetal
@anotherdaypassesmeby
@kalashnikov76music
@theprincessmelia
Flower Club
@justmimiisfine

Hi everybody :) We are BACK with another open-concept open mic accepting performances of ALL KINDS (for example but not limited to: experimental music, dramatic performance, slam poetry, performance art, AND MORE…)

Reach out to @inr_chld for any questions regarding the space and amenities.

Open sign up for 15 minute acts 830pm-10pm (please do not exceed 15 minutes)
~DM @inr_chld for advanced sign up~

THANK YOU SO MUCH AND SEE YOU SOON <3 by @barorwell

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3 years ago

Announcing our fourth featured reader as @dollyfuckingparton and guest host @sennahaha !

Bring a new/old/polished/scrappy poem or read a credited “cover.”

Max reading time for open mic is 5 minutes. Sign up/ hang out starts at 7pm, reading at 8. Reader must be present to sign up!

This event is pay what you choose, suggested $10.
Accessibility info: this event is 19+ and takes place at a bar where alcohol is served. There are 3 steps to get into the space, and the gender neutral bathroom is in the basement. There will be seating. Masks are warmly welcomed but not mandatory. We will have a HEPA filter running. The use of content warnings is up to each reader and not required. Hosts are happy to chat or provide friendly support to those who need it for any reason. Feel free to DM any additional questions about accessibility. by @barorwell

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3 years ago