The biggest jazz festival for emerging musicians in Canada, T.U. Jazz Fest is holding its 9th annual festival at Mel Lastman Square on Labor Day weekend. With over 150 equity-deserving musicians across Canada featuring some of the JUNO Award musicians will serve the music lovers in the GTA with Jazz In the Now.

Summer Live Music Festival

- Bringing a new innovative event to the Willowdale area: From July 13th to 30th and the entire Labor Day weekend in 2023, every Thursday through Sunday in the half of July, North York residents and Willowdale visitors will experience the power of culture from a wide range of genres, styles and musicians

- Equity-deserving groups of artists: Including Indigenous, women, people of colour, people with disabilities, LGBTQ++ and emerging artists, over 150 equity-deserving artists will get a chance to develop their fan base and network as all musicians will perform to the in-person audience as well as online streaming audiences over the world. Most live concerts will be archived to be watched and used as their portfolio. 

- Cultural Workers: Over 100 cultural workers will be hired for the SLMF throughout the 3 weeks. All the cultural workers will get all necessary endorsements and certifications for reference to the ongoing gigs.

- Business opportunities for local businesses:

Willowdale Businesses: Through SLMF, Willowdale East expects to get up to a 100% increase in its revenue compared to the regular days in 2021 and 2022. Also, local food vendors will be invited to sell their products at Mel Lastman Square to the MLS visitors