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'''Kensington Market''' may refer to:
{{Infobox settlement|
|name = Kensington Market
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{CAN}}
|subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Canada|Province]]
|subdivision_name1 = {{ON}}
|subdivision_type2 = City
|subdivision_name2 = [[File:Toronto Flag.svg|25px]] [[Toronto]]
|image_skyline= Kensington market.jpg
|image_size=275px
|image_caption=Shops in Kensington Market
|image_map = Kensington Market map.PNG
}}
'''Kensington Market''' is a distinctive multicultural neighbourhood in downtown [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]. '''The Market''' is one of the city's oldest and most famous neighbourhoods, and in November 2006, it became a [[National Historic Site]]. Its approximate borders are College St. on the North, Spadina Ave. on the East, Dundas St. W. to the South, and Bellevue Ave. to the West. Most of the neighbourhood's eclectic shops, cafes, and other attractions are located along Augusta Ave. and neighbouring Nassau St. and Kensington Ave. The market is best travelled on foot or bicycle, as the narrow one-way streets and numerous dead-ends are difficult to navigate by car.


* [[Kensington Market, London]], famous market in London, England
==History==
* [[Kensington Market, Canada]], suburb of Torotono, Canada
===Early history===
[[File:TorontoDenisonEstateBellevue.jpg|right|thumb|'Bellevue' original Denison Estate, Denison Square (1885)]]
[[George Taylor Denison]], after serving in the [[British Empire|British]] militia during the [[War of 1812]], purchased an area of land in 1815 from [[Queen Street West]] to [[Bloor Street]], roughly between where Augusta and Lippincott Streets now run. Denison used the area now known as Bellevue Square Park as a parade ground for his volunteer cavalry troop, which he commanded during the [[Upper Canada Rebellion]]. This troop later became the [[Governor General's Horse Guards]]. The Denison estate was subdivided in the 1850s. During the 1880s, houses were built on small plots for [[Irish people|Irish]] and [[Scottish people|Scottish]] immigrant labourers coming to Toronto; many of these houses still stand along Wales Avenue and elsewhere, and these inexpensive homes have been inhabited by many waves of immigrants in the decades that followed.

===The "Jewish market"===
[[File:Jewish market day, Kensington Avenue, 1924.jpg|right|thumb|Jewish market day, Kensington Avenue, 1924]]
Kensington Market was slowly founded in the early twentieth century by eastern European [[Jew]]ish immigrants and some Italians, who vacated "[[The Ward (Toronto)|The Ward]]", an overcrowded immigrant-reception area between [[Yonge Street]] and [[University Avenue (Toronto)|University Avenue]], in large numbers after around 1910. It became a cluster of densely packed houses, and was one of the poorer areas of the city. It became notable for the open air market, reminiscent of those in Europe, that covered the streets of the area. From the beginning the market sold a great diversity of items imported from the homelands of the various immigrant communities.

Kensington was also known as "the Jewish Market". Jewish merchants operated small shops as tailors, furriers and bakers. Around 60,000 Jews lived in and around Kensington Market during the 1920s and 1930s, worshipping at over 30 local [[synagogues]]. After the [[Second World War]], most of the Jewish population moved north to more prosperous neighbourhoods uptown or in the suburbs. During the 1950s, a large number of immigrants from the [[Azores]], fleeing political conflict with the regime of [[António de Oliveira Salazar]], moved into the area and further west along [[Dundas Street, Toronto|Dundas Street]]. The arrival of new waves of immigrants from the [[Caribbean]] and [[East Asia]] changed the community, making it even more diverse as the century wore on. The [[Vietnam War]] brought a number of American political refugees to the neighbourhood, adding a unique utopian flavour to local politics. As [[Chinatown, Toronto|Chinatown]] is located just east of Kensington, the Chinese are now the largest ethnic element. During the 1980s and 1990s, identifiable groups of immigrants came from [[Somalia]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Sudan]], [[Iran]], [[Vietnam]], and other global trouble spots appeared in the Market to make new lives.

===The 1960s===
In the 1960s there were plans to tear down the densely packed small houses and replace them with large, apartment-style [[housing project]]s, as was done to neighbouring [[Alexandra Park, Toronto|Alexandra Park]]. These plans came to an end with the election of [[David Crombie]] as [[Mayor of Toronto]]. Crombie was strongly opposed to the massive urban restructuring plans that had been in vogue in previous decades.

===Recent development===
Today the neighbourhood is a noted tourist attraction, and a centre of Toronto's cultural life as artists and writers moved into the area. Land prices in the area have increased sharply, but despite its increased appeal to professionals, Kensington still remains a predominantly working class, immigrant community.

On December 1, 2006, Kensington Market was proclaimed a [[National Historic Site]].<ref name="historic site">{{
cite web
|url=http://news.gc.ca/cfmx/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=259609
|publisher=Parks Canada
|title=New Designations Recognize the National Historic Significance of Canadian People, Places and Events
|date=2006-11-30
|accessdate=2006-12-05
}}</ref>

==The neighbourhood==
===Landmarks===
Some area landmarks are the Number 10 Fire Station, Tom's Place, Bellevue Square Park with a statue of actor [[Al Waxman]], and [[St. Stephen's Community House]].

===Shops===
[[File:Kensington Market 2.jpg|right|thumb|Fruit shops in Kensington Market]]
The area is filled with a mix of food stores selling an immense variety of meats, fish and produce. It is said that more varieties of fruits and vegetables are for sale in Kensington than in any area of the world{{Fact|date=September 2008}}, but this has never been independently verified. There are also several cheese shops. The area is also home to stores selling a wide variety of cheap and used clothing, as well as a number of discount and surplus stores. It is also home to many restaurants covering a wide variety of styles and ethnicities. A unique architectural feature of the neighbourhood is the presence of extensions built onto the front of many buildings (which would be against by-laws in other places){{Fact|date=September 2008}}.

In recent years, the neighbourhood has seen a small explosion of upscale cafés, restaurants and clubs, replacing many of the older ethnic businesses. There has been much speculation that Kensington's long history as an immigrant working class neighbourhood is near its end{{Fact|date=September 2008}}. However, for now Kensington mostly retains its character as a great source for fresh foods, eclectic goods, "street food", and most of it at inexpensive prices. In fact, Kensington (as well as the Chinatown it abuts) retains its reputation as the smart place locals, university students and foodies go to shop, this in spite of the market's evident popularity with tourists.

====Counterculture====
Businesses such as Manifestudio, a photo gallery and radical eco-politics community space run by GlobalAware Independent Media, help create an environment friendly to radical politics. [[Trotskyism|Trotskyists]] are sometimes seen handing out pamphlets at the corner of Baldwin and Kensington. Over the past two decades, several radical bookstores have flourished in Kensington Market, including Who's Emma, the Anarchist Free Space, and Uprising Books.{{Fact|date=November 2008}}

====Commercial gentrification====
A small supermarket, Zimmerman's Freshmart, opened in the Market in early 2005, leading to some controversy{{Fact|date=September 2008}}. Some {{Who|date=September 2008}} are concerned it would compete with smaller businesses, or would otherwise lead to a more "corporate" market. This became the subject of an independent documentary, ''Reverend Billy Versus Zimmerman's Freshmart''{{Fact|date=September 2008}}. The arrival of [[COBS Bread]] in 2006 continues this potential trend. Also, the introduction of [http://www.dufflet.com/flash.asp Dufflet]-brand sweets and [http://www.acebakery.com Ace Bakery] breads in area shops has caused consternation amongst some traditionalists.

===Cars and pedestrians===
[[File:Pedestrian Sunday Kensington Market.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pedestrian zone]] Sundays take place in the summer]]
Narrow streets make the market challenging for those driving and especially parking in the neighbourhood. On Saturdays and some late afternoons, pedestrians walk freely down the middle of the street or between slow-moving cars.

Since 2004, residents and businesses have organized a series of Pedestrian Sunday events. Parts of Augusta St., Baldwin St. and Kensington Ave. are closed to motorized traffic and the streets become a pedestrian mall. Live music, dancing, street theatre and games are among the special events on the closed streets. Typically taking place on the last Sunday of every month, this type of event has been organized on half a dozen weekends a year since 2005.

Local businesses resist efforts to turn the area into a pedestrian mall, with the argument that they need to make deliveries and they need to be able to have shoppers come to their stores{{Fact|date=September 2008}}. Some local residents {{Who|date=September 2008}} also argue that the area is a living neighborhood, not a social or political laboratory for outside activists.

===Marijuana culture===
The market is also home to one of Canada's few [[cannabis]] cafés and boutiques, as well as a couple of [[head shop]]s. ''The Hot Box Cafe'' and ''Roach'o'Rama'' are businesses in Kensington Market where the consumption of [[cannabis]] takes place openly.

==Culture==
===Festivals===
{{Refimprovesect|date=December 2008}}

The annual ''Kensington Market Festival of Lights''<ref>[http://www.redpepperspectaclearts.org Kensington Market Festival of Lights]</ref> is celebrated on the streets of Kensington Market and at Bellevue Square Park during the [[Solstice|Winter Solstice]] in December. This carnival parade of giant puppets, firebreathers, stiltwalkers and samba was first created by Ida Carnevali in 1987 as a way of beckoning the return of the sun on the longest night of the year&nbsp;— an ancient solstice tradition celebrated around the world. In 1995, after collaborating for three years Ida officially passed the torch to local artists and firebreathers Andy Moro and Gabriella Caruso, co-directors of community-arts organization Red Pepper Spectacle Arts. In 1987 the parade consisted of a handful of costumed revellers&nbsp;— it now welcomes over 10,000 people and continues to grow annually.

Parade goers of all ages make their own fantastic paper lanterns at Red Pepper's storefront studio in popular workshops during the month prior to the parade. All parade imagery is collaboratively created by community artists, local schools, community organizations and volunteers working with Red Pepper's creative team.

Other artists and groups like the [[Samba Squad]],Shadowland Theatre,Clay and Paper Theatre, EagleHeart Drummers and Singers, Spirit Wind, Gaa Dibaatjimat Ngashi, Tumivut Youth Shelter, [[Maracatu Nunca Antes]], Darbazi Choir, Circle-Sing, [[Richard Underhill]] and the Kensington Horns and many more have been long-time co-creators of this event.

The procession wends its way through Kensington's narrow streets witnessing surprise theatrical scenarios on rooftops and at intersections throughout Kensington Market. A giant fire sculpture marks the final send-off to the old year.

The Festival of Lights remains hand-made and commercial-free since 1987.

===Music===
Kensington Market has been the home and founding location of many punk and metal bands, including [[Bunchofuckingoofs]] and [[Armed and Hammered]]. The Toronto based band [[Bedouin Soundclash]] filmed parts of their video ''[[When the Night Feels My Song]]'' in and around the market.

===Kensington in popular culture===
Former Toronto mayor [[Mel Lastman]] and actor [[Al Waxman]] (who starred in the [[CBC Television]] series ''[[King of Kensington]]'') were both born and raised in the Kensington Market neighbourhood. After Waxman's death, he was honoured with a statue located in the north-west corner of Bellevue Square Park. In addition to ''King of Kensington'', Kensington Market has been the setting for the television series ''[[Twitch City]]'', which was filmed above the record store Paradise Bound, and ''[[Katts and Dog]]'' as well as the street riot scenes of the 1984 comedy "Police Academy". Kensington Market was the primary setting for [[Cory Doctorow]]'s novel ''[[Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town]]''.

===Religion===
The winter solstice festival is an important gathering of Ontario's pagan community.

Two synagogues remain in the Market, from the early 20th-century period when the area was the centre of the Jewish community in Toronto.

Kensington Market is home to a significant [[Rastafari movement|Rastafari]] community.

<gallery>
Image:Al Waxman bronze in Kensington.jpg|Statue of Al Waxman in Bellevue Square Park
Image:Bob Snider.JPG|[[Bob Snider]] can often be found [[busking]] along Baldwin Street.
Image:KensingtonMarket MinskCongregation.jpg|Minsk Congregation Synagogue (1930), Kensington Market, Toronto
</gallery>
==Nearby streets of note==
* [[Spadina Avenue]]
* [[Dundas Street, Toronto|Dundas Street]]
* [[College Street (Toronto)|College Street]]
* [[Bathurst Street]]

==The other Kensington Market==<!-- This section is linked from [[Freddie Mercury]] -->
Kensington Market in the [[Kensington]] district of [[London, England]] was a three storey indoor market. In the 1960s and 70s, it catered to [[hippie]] and [[bohemian]] culture. Before [[Queen (band)|Queen]] became successful, [[Freddie Mercury]] and [[Roger Meddows-Taylor|Roger Taylor]] had a stall there.<ref>{{
cite web
|url=http://www.queenconcerts.com/london.html
|publisher=
|title=Queen Concerts, Queen places in London
|date=
|accessdate=
}}</ref> The building was demolished in 2001.

==See also==
{{Commons|:Category:Kensington Market|Kensington Market}}
* [[List of national historic sites of Canada|List of National Historic Sites]]
* [[List of neighbourhoods in Toronto]]
* [[No. 8 Hose Station]]
* [[St. Lawrence Market]]

==References==

<references />

==External links==
* [http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/205/301/ic/cdc/kensington/default.htm Kensington Alive - History presented in Multi Media]
* [http://myspace.com/kensmarket Kensington Market Myspace page]
* [http://www.kensington-market.ca kensington-market.ca: A Community/Information Site]
* [http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/cp-nr/release_e.asp?bgid=890&andor1=bg Parks Canada Background on Kensington Market National Historic Site]

{{Toronto Neighbourhood Geography
| North = [[Harbord Village]]
| East = [[Grange Park (Toronto)]]
| South = [[Alexandra Park, Toronto|Alexandra Park]]
| West = [[Little Italy, Toronto|Little Italy]]
| Center = Kensington Market
}}

{{Toronto landmarks}}
{{Toronto Neighbourhoods}}

{{Coord|43|39|17.18|N|79|24|02.44|W|region:CA-ON_type:landmark_scale:2500|display=title}}

[[Category:Kensington Market| ]]
[[Category:Neighbourhoods in Toronto]]

[[pl:Kensington Market]]

Revision as of 12:17, 18 August 2009

Kensington Market may refer to:

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