\ TO WEST \

West Toronto has become the pulsing heart of a live music scene that truly reflects the depth, breadth and variety of talents who actually live in Toronto more than almost any other part of the city.  That leads to an interesting intermingling of styles and genres aptly demonstrated by the lineups of little rooms along Roncesvalles Ave. and in the adjacent Junction neighbourhood.

Clubs like 10-shows-a-week rooms Gate 403 and The Local on Roncesvalles, primo showcase venue Hugh’s Room close by on Dundas St. West, and, further along that road, Junction spots like Revolucion, Axis and The Hole In The Wall and even the Magic Oven on Keele St. all chip in to create a very vibrant milieu that’s also a crucible for helping artists to develop skills and provide inspiration.

This afternoon there’s a nice concatenation of Roots-Country shows taking place in the area.  At the 2-6 p.m. open mic at Magic Oven (347 Keele St. a spit south of Dundas) this afternoon, brilliant Roots-Country songwriter David Storey is the host, which pretty much guarantees a turnout of highly talented performers from the same genre –especially since Brian Gladstone’s open mic at Free Times today starts its summer hiatus.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Roncesvalles, both The Local and Gate 403 also have shows with Country and Roots ribbons running through them.

At The Local (396 Roncesvalles next to the old theatre), Peterborough-area Country-Pop band leader Kayla Howran is in town and will team up with Dylan Ireland to do a 5-8 show.  This little sparkplug of a singer with an engaging stage persona delivers a lively show with her band so it could be interesting to see how she adapts to duo or solo mode.

Across the street at Gate 403, meanwhile, Bill Heffernan hosts yet another in a stellar series of weekly guests for his 5-8 shindig, which is inexorably approaching its own annual summer break at the end of next month.  Still going strong today, however, Heff’ welcomes Bill Colgate and at least some members of his Country-Roots-Rock troupe Cadre as the special guests.  Get there quite early to have any hope of getting a seat in the tiny room for this hugely popular weekly gathering.

There’s no cover for any of these shows we’ve mentioned, but if you’re still in the mood for some more Country-Roots musical mingling when they’re done, you will pay $22.50 at the door at Hugh’s Room if you want to check out the grande finale show of this year’s Tin Pan North Songwriters Festival.  The event has been going on the previous two nights at three other rooms in Brampton, Oakville and west TO and featured some first class Country and Roots songwriters.   I’m not really familiar with any of the five talents being featured tonight in two sets in the room at 2261 Dundas W. starting at 7:30, but based on the calibre of acts who’ve performed at the other shows I think it’s safe to say these artists will all be impressive.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Saturday, May 28, 2022

Listings are organized by area in which the shows occur and within each area field shows are listed chronologically.

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). Events preceded by question mark (?) usually take place but have not been confirmed. Admission prices followed by a slash and minus (/-) after the amount indicates door charge with availability of cheaper rates for some purchases. /+ indicates stated price is minimum.

Names of subscribers appear in bold, are underlined and, where applicable, include a live link to their websites. Advertisers’ listings are in larger, highlighted type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

ONLINE / ON AIR

10am> broadcast of Pete Otis’s Mountains To Climb as performed live and recorded at Black Swan Tavern @ 96.9FM Toronto / online @ www.Radio.Humber.ca

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

*12-3> The Sinners Choir @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

3> The Boxcar Boys @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO  ~pwyc

3-6> John Tank Quartet @ The Pilot, 22 Cumberland St., TO ~Jazz

3:30> Swing Shift Big Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

4> Taxi Chain @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~Celtic Rock

4-7> Salida Project @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~$

*4:40-7:30> The Happy Pals @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~New Orleans Jazz

*5-8> Blues & Troubles @ Déjà vu Bar, 389 College St., TO ~Blues

6-8> Denise Leslie @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~tribute to Ray Charles; $10/pwyc

6> Parkdale Rebels @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

6:30> Scott B Sympathy @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

7:30> Justin Bacchus @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~ Jazz; $

8> Chris Lowry & Tom Melville @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. TO ~Randy Newman tribute

*8:30-12:30> All Star Band feat. Joe Bowden & Brooke Blackburn @ Nawlins, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues

9> Phusion Trio @ Dominion Pub, 500 Queen St. E., TO ~cover Pop Rock

9> Bud Baxter Band @ Drums N Flats, 1980 Avenue Rd., TO North

9> Ameranouch @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~American Gypsy Jazz trio; $15

9> Islands; Lushlife; @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $15

9> Shotgun Jimmie; Canyon Carvers; Luka @ Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton St., TO

9:30> Emma Cava @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO

9:30> Pontune 5 @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North

9:30> Lady Kane @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St., TO North ~Funk/Soul/R&B; $10

9:45> Kebin Breit’s Folk Alarm @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Roots/Jazz Fusion; $

*9:45> Tyler Yarema & His Rhythm @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues; $

10> Ride The Tiger @ Orbit Room, 580 College St. TO ~Funk/Soul; $

10> Greg Cockerill @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10> The Fitzroys @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO

10> Shelter @ Bier Markt Esplanade, 58 The Esplanade, TO ~Pop Rock

10-2> Caution Jam @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Grateful Dead style jam band

10> Full Tilt @ Bier Markt King, 600 King St., West, TO ~Pop Rock

10:30> Wednesdays Engine @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

416 – TORONTO EAST

*3:30-6> Johnny Wright @ Outriggers, 2232 Queen St. E., TO East ~R&B

6-9> The Mediterranean Stars featuring Ed Roth on accordion @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Baltic Folk Jazz/love songs

6-8> Lily Frost with Thelonious Hank @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Country

7:30> The Butter Tones @ Royal Canadian Legion Branch 22 (Woodbine Heights), 1240 Woodbine Ave., TO East

8> One City Social Boogie @ The Only Café, 972 Danforth Ave., TO East

*8:30> open mic with host Jenn Kee @ The Grover Pub, 676 Kingston Rd., TO East

9-12> David Leask @ The Feathers, 962 Kingston Rd., TO East ~songwriter

9> Ross Burant @ Old Nick Pub, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East ~songwriter; no cover

9> Andrew Grady Duo @ Murphy’s Law, 1702 Queen St. E., TO East ~Pop Rock

9-11> Bidini Band @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

9:30-11:30> The Magpies featuring Chris Bennett @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Country

9:30> Decibel Kings @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Soundgarten tribute; $

10> Forever Man @ An Sibin Pub, 709 Queen St. E., TO East ~Eric Clapton tribute

10:30> Adam’s Rib @ Bier Markt Don Mills, 7 O’Neill Rd., TO East ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

*3-6> Danny B Band @ Blue Goose, 1 Blue Goose St., Etobicoke South ~R&B/Blues

**4-8> The Essentials with guest singer Brooke Blackburn @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Rock-R&B

*4-8> The Meteors with guest Virgil Scott @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Blues/Rock/R&B

7:30> Gord Sheard Quartet @ Old Mill Inn (Homesmith Bar), 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Jazz; minimum table charge

8> Groove Nights @ Old Mill Inn (Dining Room), 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~eclectic Pop Rock; minimum table charge

8> Snak The Ripper @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke

8:30> Little Peter & The Elegants @ Jay Jay’s Inn, 2847 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~50s/60s dance party Rock ‘n’ Roll

9> Happy Pants @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock

9> The Riot Kings @ Maple Leaf House, 2749 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Etobicoke ~Rock/Top 40/Blues

9:30> Motown Mania @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40; $

10-2> Southern Fried @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Southern Rock

10> The Hot Machine @ Bier Markt Etobicoke, 199 North Queen St., Etobicoke ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

8> Fort McMurray relief benefit with hosts Canada Rocks featuring Jim Cornell & guests Robin McColl; Quinn Mill; Echo Room @ The Loaded Dog, 1921 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough

9-1> Strome-Danckert Duo @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock

9:30> Rock jam with Tommy Rocker Band @ Centro Pizza, 3406 Kingston Rd., Scarborough

*9:30-2> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ Winners, 2181 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough

9:30> Rust Proof; Duckworth @ Stone Cottage Pub, 3750 Kingston Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock

9:30> Billik @ Kornerstones, 1601 Birchmount Ave., Scarborough ~Rock/Top 40

416 – TORONTO WEST

**2-6> open mic with guest host David Storey @ Magic Oven, 347 Keele St., TO West

**5-8> Bill Heffernan’s Saturday Sessions with featured guests Bill Colgate & Cadre @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. TO West ~Roots/Country/Pop

5-8> Dylan Ireland and Kayla Howran @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Country

*5-8> Blues jam with Ken Yoshioka @ On Cue Billiards, 349 Jane St., TO West ~Blues

7> Decadence @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West

7-9> Monkey Junk @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Swamp-Rock/Blues; $20

8:30> Tin Pan North songwriters showcase with Gil Grand; Amy Sky; Marie Bottrell; Small Town Pistols; Steve Wilkinson; @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~songwriters; $

9-1> Donné Roberts Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

9> The Royal Crowns; Tennesee Voodoo Coupe @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Rockabilly; $10

9> King Creosote; Michael Johnston @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West

9> Beau Réal; Canyun; Junior Felix; Vistas @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West

9> Chris Staig and the Marquee Players @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Rockabilly

9:30> Thunder Funk @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Funk/Blues

9:30> Colleen & The Bleeding Hearts @ The Cat, 3153 Dundas St. W., ~ Rock/Blues/R&B

9:30> The Fullertons @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St., TO West ~Blues-Rock

9:30> Parkside Drive @ Brazen Head Pub, 165 East Liberty St., TO West ~Pop Rock

10-2> Tim Bradford and the Bandits @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Country songwriter; $10

10> The Rathburns; Ginger Ale; The Monowhales @ 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas St. W., TO West ~indie; no cover

10:30> Orquesta Fantasia @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Salsa; $15

519

7:30-11> Mark Yan & Barry Mulcahy @ Edge Wine Bar, 205467 County Rd 109, Orangeville ~acoustic Pop originals & covers

8> The O’Deadly’s @ Fionn MacCool’s Kitchener, 4287 King St. E., Kitchener ~Pop

9> The Rough Copies @ Fionn MacCool’s Guelph, 494 Ediburgh Rd. S., Guelph ~Pop

9:30> Too Nice @ Fionn MacCool’s Orangeville, 75 Fourth Ave., Orangeville ~Pop

705

5> Rick & Gailie @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

8-11:45> Cab Fare @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood

8:30> House Brand @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

9> Rick Taylor @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood

9:30> Memphis Mudd @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie

9:30> Being @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

905 EAST

*3-5> The Quartet @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock

*4> Susan Latimer @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St., Oshawa ~original Folk

*9-1> karaoke with Rob MacArthur @ Tudor Rose, 700 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax

9> Greg Williams @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country

9-1> PRJ @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~Blues

9-1> Moondog Uproar @ Tap and Tankard, 224 Brock Rd. S., Whitby ~Rock/Pop

9> Lost Cause; Dielectric @ The Moustache Club, 15 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

9:30> Rough & Ready featuring Mike Eby on drums @ The Pearson Pub, 101 Mary St. W., Whitby ~Country Rock

9:30> Cece Pastor & Word Of Mouth @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St., Ajax ~Rock/Top 40

9:30> Bone-Yard @ West Shore, 877 Bayly St., Pickering ~Rock/Pop

10> Deuce @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock

10-2> Aerosol X @ Whisky John’s, 843 King St. W., Oshawa ~Rock/Top 40

905 NORTH

5-10> Brampton Rotary Rib n Roll with various bands @ Gage Park, Hwy #7 @ #10, Brampton

9-1> Nosmo King @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9> Richard Henderson @ Fionn MacCool’s Newmarket, 17315 Leslie St., Newmarket ~Pop

9:30> The Doubts @ Jake’s Boathouse Brampton, 59 First Gulf Rd., Brampton ~Pop Rock

9:30> Switchbeat @ Aw Shucks, 15230 Yonge St., Aurora ~Pop Rock

10> The Fumlblin’ Tumble Weeds @ Village Inn, 2 Holland St. E., Bradford

*11> DJ Ozne (Enzo Simone) @ Britannia Pub, 7359 Yonge St., Thornhill

905 SOUTH

**2-4:30> Davidson, Dicresce & Nero host jam with guests @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster ~Rock/Top 40

**2> Brant Parker Band with guest Tony “Wild T” Springer @ Donnelley’s Pub, 54 Front St., Thorold ~Blues

*2-6> jam w. Tom Finocchio @ Sam’s Place, Barton-Chestnut Sts., Hamilton

**2:30> special guest Morgan Davis with The Mighty Duck Band @ The Golden Pheasant, 244 Ontario St., St. Catharines ~R&B/Blues

**2:30> Blues Matinée @ Coach & Lantern (upstairs), 384 Wilson St E., Hamilton ~Blues

8> Jennis (Jen Gillmor & Dennis Gaumond) @ Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton ~Folk duo

8> Life Of Brian –Brian Griffiths Scholarship Award show @ Bay City Music Hall, 50 Leander Drive, Hamilton

8> Sylvester’s Cologne @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster ~Rock/Top 40

9> Art The Band; Social Change feat Max Forster @ Homegrown Hamilton, 27 King William St., Hamilton

9> Hamilton Music Awards Country/Roots showcase @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

9> Robin Benedict @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton

9> Funkhaus @ Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton ~Funk/Blues/R&B

**9> Niagara Rhythm Section with guest Mike McDonald @ The Old Winery, 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-On-The-Lake ~R&B/Blues

9:30> Hamilton Music Awards showcase @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

9:30> Higher Octane @ Stonewalls Hamilton, 339 York Blvd., Hamilton ~classic Rock

9:30> Wait and See @ Buddy’s Roadhouse, 1360 King St. E., Hamilton

9:30> By Design @ Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls ~Rock/Top 40

905 WEST

**2-6> Sil Simone Band with special guest Jerome Godboo @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Rock/Blues

**2-6> Saturday Blues Sermon with James Anthony & special guest John Dickie @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Blues

*3-7> jam with Michelle Deneault & Redder @ Port Credit Legion, 35 Front St., Port Credit

*3-7> open stage jam @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; $2

*4-8> Victoria Young @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit

8> Harte & Mazur featuring Elana Harte @ American House, 324 Dundas St. E., Waterdown ~songwriters; no cover

8-12> Conor Gains Band @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~Blues; $10

9> North Shore Blvd @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line, Burlington ~Pop

9:30> Tony Paglia Trio @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9:30> Rock Doll Social @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~classic Rock/Pop

9:30> Tomahawk Love @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock

9:30> final night with current owners (new owners as of June 1) @ Sixth Line Pub, 1500 Sixth Line, Oakville

9:30> Skip Tracer @ Gator Ted’s, 1505 Guelph Line, Burlington ~Rock/Top 40

9:30-11:45> Rocket 88 @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington ~Rock/R&B

9:30> The 905 Band @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Ave., Burlington ~Rock/Top 40

10-2> The Nancy Be Band @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Top 40; $

10> Shred Penner @ Bier Markt Mississauga, 55 City Centre Drive, Mississauga ~Pop Rock

10:30> Ramblin’ Band @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington ~Pop Rock

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