In addition to being a dynamic and versatile singer who can cover a wide range of classic Rock numbers or slow it down and go all tender on an acoustic ballad, Scarborough singer Al Reilly is well known among his peers as a big-time supporter of other people’s performances.

It’s one of the reasons his Catalyst band usually packs rooms when they put on their own shows and why his Monday night jam at The Rockpile in Etobicoke has been a huge success despite being in what for many of his peers is an out-of-the-way room.

Reilly and wife Brenda Elaine in fact are often in the audience on off-nights when other members of his band, such as bass player Chris Hume, guitarist Anthony Cee or keyboardist Rick Anderson, have gigs with other groups that they’re involved with and the pair also regularly get out to events put on by others in their wide social circle of talented players.

Reilly’s also always ready to lend a hand for a good cause and in fact often turns his own regular gigs into special events to raise funds for those in distress, to honour fans and friends who’ve passed away or to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and pretty much any other occasion for which his tribe wants to hold a party.

Although he’s recovered well from a couple of medical setbacks that have assailed him over the past couple of years, tonight he’s going to have his stamina tested, as he and his bass player Hume are scheduled to appear at two benefit shows a good ways apart within a pretty tight time frame.

In Reilly’s hometown Brampton, longtime resident and veteran musical master David Love and his eponymous band are staging the Second Annual Jeff Mara Memorial Jam and benefit for the Canadian Cancer Society.  Mara, a veteran bass player who many, many years ago was part of a group, Titan, that also included Love, passed away a year or so ago from cancer “far too early in his life,” David says.

“We spent a lot of time on the road and off stage together … and I don’t want him to be forgotten,” Love posted on a Facebook event for the 6-10 show at Spot One, 289 Rutherford Rd. South.  Reilly, who got his musical start nearly 30 years ago as frontman for a band called Quadrant in the “Flower City” (as it used to be known until supplanted by the sobriquet of “Bramladesh” in the ‘90s), knew Mara too and is scheduled along with Hume to join Love’s band for an 8 pm set appearance.

Meanwhile, down the highway a piece at The Rockpile, another Rock singer and Reilly pal, James Alcock, is putting on a benefit as well, this one running 4 till midnight and aimed at raising funds for Kids Help Phone.

In addition to a couple of the bands that Alcock fronts (Rock/Hard Funk outfit Cocked and Loaded and his better known Hell N Back AC/DC tribute) one of the groups scheduled to perform at the Rockin’ 4 The Kids extravaganza at the club is, you guessed it, Reilly’s Catalyst!  I’m not sure how rigorously organized the set times are, however, since the group is scheduled to hit the stage there at 5555 Dundas St. West, near Highway 427, at 9 pm.  I suppose it’s doable if Hume, who has supercharged wheels, is on his game barreling down the blacktop —but it could be a hairy ride!

Also appearing at the Etobicoke show are Southpawz, The Overdrives, Dirty Little Secrets and Sheer Heart Attack.  Admission is just $10 and there’s a ton of great raffle prizes up for grabs as well as giveaway bags of gloves, scarves and earmuffs for kids, since this is an all-ages event and parents are encouraged to bring their progeny along.

Any juniors in attendance definitely also stand to learn a life lesson about giving 110% for something that’s important —and as a bonus they’ll also get schooled in some great vintage Rock ‘n’ Roll by seeing it done live up close and powerful.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, November 13, 2021

Listings are organized by area in which shows take place and listed chronologically within each area field.

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

*6, 7, 10 & 11am; 5 & 7 pm> “Sunday Morning Soul” with Johnny Max @ www.sundaymorningsoul.com ~Blues

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

11am-2pm> Gloria Valentine & Nina Shapilsky for Jewish brunch buffet @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO

noon-3> Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

1> Toronto Improvisers Orchestra @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

3-5> Sue & Dwight with Dave Lang @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Folk classic singalongs

3:30-6:30> Red Hot Ramble @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*4-7> Michael Brennan @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St. TO ~East Coast Rock/Blues Roots

*4:30-8> New Orleans Connection All Stars & guests @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~New Orleans Jazz

4:30-7:30> Laura Marks @ The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St., TO ~Jazz

5> More Songs & Poems with Max Layton, Robert Priest & house band featuring David Hines & Ed Roth & special guest Lis Soderberg @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

5> Basketball Knees album release party @ The Central, 503 Markham St., TO

5-9> The Dreamboats @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~vintage Rock/R&B; $10

6-7:30> John Alcorn @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

*6-9> open mic with Eddy Culjak @ Fox & Fiddle Wellesley, 27 Wellesley St., TO

*7-1> Freefall Sundays open stage (2 songs each -signup @ 7 or pre-sign online) @ The Supermarket, 268 Augusta St., TO

7-9:30> Tom Reynolds Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*7-10> Brooke Blackburn @ Nawlins, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues/Jazz/R&B

7> Jack Marks & His Lost Wages @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Country

7:30> Guh! @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

8-12> Good Enough live karaoke band @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., TO ~no cover/pwyc

8-11> “Music Can Heal” benefit with 3 pianists: Christopher Simmons, William Wescott, Steve Koven @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $30

8-12> Ryan Casselman @ Wolf Like Me, 834 Bloor St. W., TO ~acoustic Pop

*8> jam/open mic with backline & host band Meg and the Scene @ The Antler Room, 146 Front St. W., TO

8:30> Jeremy Carver-James @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

*8> open mic with Kyle @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO

*8-12> The Honour Roll with REMY trio @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W. ~freestyle Hip Hop; no cover

9> Man Dwn @ The Central, 503 Markham St., TO

9:30> Stefan Bauer Organ Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*10> Horshack feat. Chris Caddell @ Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~Bluesy contemporary & classic Rock

10> Clutton/Michelli/West @    Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

10> New Grease Revival @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Country

**10> Blues jam @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

416 – TORONTO EAST

11am-2pm> Jazz Collective for Jazz brunch @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. TO East

**2-5> Yvette Tollar & Dave Restivo @ Morgan’s, 1282 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz

*3-6> open mic with Nicola Vaughan @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave., TO East

4> Fraser/Daley Duo east-end album release for Fifty Miles of Elbow Room @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

*4:30-8:30> jam @ Black Bear Pub, 1125 O’Connor Drive, TO East

5-7> Cadre @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Roots Rock

7> Porter Robinson & Madeon; Danger Robotaki @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., TO East ~recording artists; $42+

7-11> John Findlay Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave, TO East ~R&B/Blues

*9-1> jam with the Stir It Up Band featuring David Macmichael @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East

9> Watch This Sound @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~vintage Jamaican music

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

4-12> Rockin’ For The Kids benefit for Kids Help Phone with several bands: Southpawz; The Overdrives; Dirty Little Secrets; Cocked and Loaded featuring James Alcock (7-7:45); Sheer Heart Attack; Al Reilly’s Catalyst (9-9:45); Hell N Back featuring James Alcock (10-11) @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke ~$10/pwyc

4-8> BG Rhythm Section featuring Gary Kendall + guests Kevin McQuade & Michael Fonfara @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Blues/R&B

5-9> Michael Theodore Band @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke ~Pop Rock

*10-2> jam with Rebecca Matiesen & Phoenix @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

*7-11> open jam @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough

8-12> acoustic jam with hosts Tommy Rocker & John Robbie @ Al Mac’s, 2459 Kingston Rd., Scarborough

416 – TORONTO WEST

**11-2> live Jazz brunch @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W., TO West

*noon-3> Julian Fauth & Ken Yoshioka @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues

* noon-3> The Cosmotones @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Bluegrass

*4-8> Blues/Rock jam with Cody @ The Cat, 3513 Dundas St. W., TO West

4> Whiskey Jack @ Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W., TO West ~Roots-Rock/Country

**5-8> John Borra & Sam Ferrara w. guest @ The Communist’s Daughter, 1149 Dundas St. W. TO West ~Country

5-8 Robert Lee @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West

*5:30-9:30> Jay Douglas & Chris Butcher @ The Emerson, 1279 Bloor St. W., TO West ~Reggae; no cover

5:30-8> Open mic (5:30-6) & sets by Christine Lyon; Ben Gallagher; Anushka Ataullahjan; Nicola Winstanley @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~songwriters; pwyc

6> Monk’s Music @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz; pwyc

8> Sad 13 ft Nyssa @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West ~indie

8:30> Danielle Knibbe; Claire Coupland @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~songwriters; $10

8:30> Karl Silveira Quartet @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz; pwyc

9-1> L.A. Turcotte’s Sultans of Soul @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

9> Adam Olmstead @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West

9> Melanie Fraser; Richard Garvey; Andrew Bennett @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West

*10> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~retro Rock/Soul; $10

519

2-4> Traditional English Music Folk Sessions @ The Brownestone Gastropub, 39 Queen St. E., Cambridge

*3-7> acoustic open mic with Scott Rhodes @ The Pick and Shovel, 30 Water St., Cambridge

7:30> Phillip Sayce @ Maxwell’s Music House, 220 King St. N., Waterloo ~original Blues-Rock guitar phenom; $16.75

*9-1> jam @ Ivy Arms Pub, 201 Main Street East, Milton

*10-2> open mic with Nathan Coles @ Jimmy Jazz, 52 Macdonnell St., Guelph

705

3> Christine Atrill Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

10> Michael Casteels book launch @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St., W., Peterborough

905 EAST

*3-6> Chris Stapley & Earl Johnson @ Ridges Pub, 776 Liverpool Rd., Pickering ~acoustic Blues/Rock

6-10> open jam with Juggernaut @ The Edge Lounge, 250 Bayly St. W., Ajax

*7> Gibran & Matt “Smokey” Wildfong @ Harwood Blues, 7 Harwood Ave., Ajax ~Blues

*8:30-12:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ Pearson Pub, 101 Mary St. W. Whitby

9> Doug Dale @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~Jazz

9> Los Bungalitos; SAGO; Punching Nuns; Cigar Hurt Babies; more@ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa ~indie; $10

905 NORTH

**1-3> Joe & Frank with guest performer @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jackson’s Point ~Jazz

*1:30-4:30> Blaine Burnie, Mark Thackway & friends @ Coach House Pub, 3 Felcher Boulevard, Stouffville ~acoustic Roots

*3-7> open stage with Kevin Ker @ The Earl Of Whitchurch, 6204 Main St., Stouffville

*3-7> Daniel Davies Band hosts jam @ C.J. Barley’s, 213 The Queensway South, Keswick

*4-8> open mic with backline & keys @ Yogi’s Bar, 1285 Elgin Mills Rd. E., Richmond Hill

*5:30-9:30> open jam with host band Faces For Radio & guest @ Crown and Anchor Pub, 389 Main St. N., Brampton

6-10> Second Annual Jeff Mara Memorial Jam & Canadian Cancer Society benefit with The David Love Band also featuring Darrell McNeill; The Goodman Brothers Band; Al Reilly of Catalyst with The David Love Band; more @ Spot One, 289 Rutherford Rd., Brampton

*6-9:30> The Andy Earle Trio @ Big Daddy’s Newmarket, 446 Davis Drive, Newmarket ~Blues

*8> acoustic open mic with Kat Vhonda @ Wild Wing North Newmarket, 340 Eagle Street, Newmarket

905 SOUTH

2-6> Bay City Blues Band & guest Terry Gillespie @ Bay City Music Hall, 50 Leander Drive, Hamilton ~Blues; $5

*3> Brother Tom hosts kitchen party jam @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton

8> Lorraine Leckie; John MacLeod & Harri Palm; Alex Radeff of Donkey @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~original Pop; $10

905 WEST

**2-6> Country matinee with host Colin Connors and guest Wendy Lynn Snider @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Country

3-6> jam with host Buddy Love Band @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville

*3-6> Chris Partland @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock

3-8> Salsa band @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Latin

*4-7> Glenn Groves @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington ~Country

*4:30-8> Chuck Jackson’s All Stars @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Blues

**5:30-8:30> The Stew @ Mulligan’s, 2458 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~R&B/Rock

**7-11> The Nomads @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock

*7:30-11:30> open jam hosted by Troy Harmer & The Persuaders @ The Brown Barrel, 1515 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton

8> Folk Music Night open stage with host Tom Miller @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~food bank donation

*8> open mic night with house band featuring Mike Shotton, Tim & Dave Johns @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington

*9-1> Kevin Reid & Derek Lathrop @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~$

*10:30> Adam Cooke & The Adams Family @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington

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