We want Jimmy Joy’s Music Room to keep going

When I heard last week that Jimmy Joy’s Music Room was being told to shut down – at least for as long as it takes to figure out some bureaucratic b***s*** – I was pretty disappointed.

The disappointment was aimed at the fact the Town of Huntsville would shut down a community-oriented gathering spot that had become a place for kindred spirits to meet and listen to good music.

This wasn’t some underground den of ill repute: it was literally a couple’s garage that bands and musicians would perform in for those who would pay them in a “pass the hat” type donation-based fashion.

Most of these musicians – many of them local, all of them Canadian – are earning a living going to these types of small places and working on their craft. They share their original music and cover tunes with a joyful audience and in turn make what could qualify as “gratuities of appreciation.”

The owners of the property, Jimmy and Joy Brendish, never made money on the endeavour. This was not about financial gain, it was about community and music and bringing them together.

I went to visit my buddy Jimmy and brought him a homemade espresso (I made it a tad bit weaker than I would my own) and we had a nice chat about the situation. Though much of what we chatted about will remain between us, I can safely say that it’s a frustrating situation for Jimmy and Joy.

I would be frustrated too considering situation: here they are, having spent thousands of dollars out of pocket to have a place where non-famous musicians can play in front of small groups of people in a friendly setting – literally in a private garage – and it’s become some big issue thanks to a glaring lack of common sense by certain parties.

Learn More About the Venue: Jimmy Visits The Chris O Show.

To sum up the situation, Jimmy Joy’s Music Room is a personal garage on the Brendish’s property in Port Sydney that had people visiting it to play music in front of a what would constitute a small party (40 people or so) is now being called a “Community Hall” or something to the effect of as someone at Town Hall has decided this circumvents some bylaw or another.

***The official terminology is needing a building code permit for “Assembly Occupancy”***

Of course, there is no common sense being shown (there never is when overpaid and underworked people waste our tax dollars on ridiculous issues like this one) and so a place where Jimmy and his friends would also play music (literally a garage band – dad joke alert) is now closed.

Months ago, the Town told the Brendish’s that they needed to apply for a certain permit and go through the rigmarole of red tape and unnecessary nonsense to keep operating. The couple started to do so, even hiring a planner out of pocket, and working towards the goal of becoming “compliant.”

Then, despite all these efforts, a town planner issued an Order to Comply – as well as subsequent emails – telling the Brendish’s to stop activities at Jimmy Joys immediately and to have a whole whack of plans and paperwork (many of which take up to a year to get completed) in by July 31, 2024.

Why that date? No one is saying. What about all the work done prior to become compliant? Apparently, it doesn’t matter.

What’s next?

Hopefully, the Town Council – which for all intents and purposes is very supportive of Jimmy Joy’s Music Room – can help navigate this frustrating situation and provide some answers, as well as perhaps extending that due date to ensure all the required paperwork and plans are submitted on time.

Because realistically, under these types of rules and regulations, literally any large home or entertaining area can now be called a “concert hall, community hall, or something like it” and the municipalities, province or feds can come after you for it.

Consider that every weekend at cottages throughout Muskoka there are gatherings of 100 (or more) people with live music, bars, and food. Sometimes these are parties thrown on boathouse rooftops, sometimes they’re at the main cottage, sometimes they host them under giant tents or in garages, and sometimes they have their rec rooms (that are close to 5,000 square feet) converted into music rooms.

So, what’s stopping the governments from now calling those private home spaces “community halls” and shutting down those private parties?

It’s a good question. And one we should all be asking as we see more and more government oversight in all aspects of our lives . . . but, that’s a topic for another day when I level-up The Chris O Show and you all subscribe and help donate to this independent media blog.

Back to the issue at hand: The one thing I can see Jimmy is so grateful for (and he says it aloud as well) is the community support he’s receiving via emails, text messages, phone calls, and social media posts.

He’s even received support and advice from people in Temagami, Acton, Prince Edward County, and throughout the province. The independent musician community – and those who appreciate them – is a strong and supportive one!

Get more information and see some supportive posts about Jimmy Joy’s Music Room at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089502438794

Also, like and follow the page for more information on what’s transpiring – as well as a potential fundraiser to help cover the costs of getting all the permits in order and keeping the gem known as Jimmy Joy’s Music Room alive!

Let’s have common sense and community mindedness prevail in the coming weeks (maybe months) so that this obviously altruistic initiative is allowed to continue.