This Toronto MC is providing opportunities for performers at a restobar in St. Clair West

Radiant purple lights, cosy diner vibes and a roomful of smiles and cheers describes a typical Thursday evening at The Hashtag, St. Clair Avenue and Dufferin Street’s newest restobar. Every Thursday at 8 p.m., Jo’el Douglas (@remycreatives), also known as JMaroon, hosts an open mic where local and international performers fill the space.

Douglas is a Toronto-based music educator, entertainer and producer who’s travelled all over the world, but specifically focuses on sharing lessons from his homeland of Jamaica. He has spread cultural awareness through creative expression via workshops at University of Toronto and The Boys and Girls Club, and has hosted over 100 open mics in his life.

The concept of an open mic is in the name, where anyone regardless of their background or experience is open to share their skills. “I thought there was something that was missing and I really tried to fill the gap as much as possible. (Open mics) have been a great opportunity for my peers who I felt deserve to express themselves and more importantly, just be seen,” Douglas explained.

The Hashtag’s owners, Pratik and Tanvi Ohri, are self made immigrants from India, who also own Namaste India, a restaurant on Bloor Street West. The brother-sister duo was ecstatic about the opportunity to highlight local Toronto talent in the diverse community of St. Clair West at their fully family-owned restaurant.

“Nobody in this area is doing what we’re doing. We want to bring everyone together regardless where they come from and provide artists a place to perform because nowhere else close by offers that chance,” said Tanvi Ohri.

Every Thursday, new and returning performers from all over come prepared to showcase their talent and connect.

“This is my first open mic in Toronto. I arrived two weeks ago from Ukraine,” said Nikita Likhachov (@dbaby_daddy), who’s a talented saxophone player. His set featured renditions of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” along with his own jazzy improvisations. Later on, another performer joined Likhachov with a harmonica and the whole place lit up.

Douglas has also provided me the lucky chance to perform at The Hashtag’s open mic myself through raps, singing and spoken word. By being a participant myself, I’ve been able to both experience and witness the magic that happens in this space.

In the past few weeks I’ve attended, I’ve had the chance to connect with a stand up comedian from Washington D.C., a guitarist from Detroit and a local heavy metal rapper.

“I love to make music, I love to write, and I feel like I can be me when I perform,” said singer Rohan Sharma (@rohan0131). From a cappella to his own alternative hits, Sharma was able to perform what he’s been working on lately. He’s hoping to come out with a new single this year.

Despite 5 or 15 people showing up, Douglas always encourages positive energy and audience engagement at his shows.

St. Clair West is “such a musical neighbourhood because it’s very young. There isn’t much live music and that musical connection is important because people have been so isolated because of the pandemic,” said Lola Rose, who went from just walking by the venue to showing up every week for date night with her partner.

“A lot of the food The Hashtag offers is Indian based but the people are vastly diverse like singers, poets, all kinds. It brings a wholesome feeling. It’s so different from what I’ve experienced in this area before. The way Jo’el hosts helps people come together as people,” said Mehren Khan, a Toronto native who grew up hanging out in the neighbourhood during high school and university.

This intimate setting “attracts more inexperienced and vulnerable performers, as opposed to something like Bar Cathedral that has a huge stage,” said Omer Aliso, an audience member who frequently attends open mics throughout the city to support local music.

This sense of unity is exactly what Douglas aims to accomplish with his shows and his overall vision as a music educator. When he’s not igniting energy in the crowd, he performs a few of his own songs.

“I like people to treat my shows like church. Come as you are,” he said. Douglas invites everyone to participate by asking them to be his choir when he sings.

As for his future, he said family is what keeps him the most grounded. Douglas hopes to host more shows around Toronto, produce more cultural fusion songs and hold other musical events at different venues.

“I have a little one and she allows me to feel free expression. And I feel like with these open mics, I just want to do the same thing. I just want to create legacy. I don’t see myself as the best artist. I just want to make history.”

Likewise, The Hashtag plans to be a cultural hub that has lasting impact in the Corso Italia neighbourhood.

“We’re also hosting an open mic for stand up comedy and a magic show. We plan to have all these events and run with it,” said Ohri.

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