Reggae now has its own lane in Toronto, Canada.
The City of Toronto will be renaming a laneway off Eglinton Avenue West in honor of the neighborhood’s history as an “epicenter” of reggae music.
The street is called Reggae Lane.
Though the sign with the name of the street was mounted earlier this year, there will be an official ceremony on September 19.
Local residents will be unveiling a reggae-themed mural in the laneway, as well as a Toronto Heritage plaque featuring artists like Jackie Mittoo and Leroy Sibbles.
The naming of the laneway was championed by local Councillor Josh Colle who speaks proudly of the area that is to be renamed in a a bid to revitalized and beautify the whole area.
“In the 1970’s and 80’s, in this stretch, where the lane runs, there were countless record stores, recording studios, performers living, hanging out there. It really was the epicenter of reggae music,” Colle was quoted as saying about the project.
Reggae musicians will also be celebrating at the lane’s unveiling.
Attendees to the celebration in addition to be given a tour of the laneway, hear some vibrant reggae music and feast on some Jamaican patties.
In the 1970’s and 80’s, an estimated 100,000 Jamaicans immigrated to Canada and many settled in the vicinity of Eglington Avenue West.
The area became known as Little Jamaica and became the center of one of the largest Jamaican expatriate communities in the world.
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