Beautiful weather and great bands make it a perfect CNE day

\TORONTO WEST\

It would seem that, just in time for Labour Day, Summer has finally arrived. With a weather forecast of nothin’ but blue skies and a high of 26 degrees, it’s a perfect day to check out the latest edition of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) on the fairgrounds by the lake.

I know many of you, like me, I admit, have probably long ago lost interest in the grand old dame of summer fairs, with its hokey-pokey carnies, crazy rides, overpriced food and crowds of ill-behaved teenagers, cranky older folks and whiney, crying/screaming children. In some ways it’s become more like a shopping mall than a social event … and yet … and yet … it’s the CNE fer cryin’ out loud!

And no shopping mall has entertainment like you’ll find at the CNE’s Midway stage today. With no bandshell show on Mondays (hard to figure why) the attention musically should be completely on the two groups who share four sets of performance duties —and deservedly so because they’re both super-talented groups fronted by uber-versatile singers.

The David Love Band at 3 and 6 is a sizzling trio that resurrects and honours the great melodic Pop Rock tunes of the 60s and early 70s with style, energy and passion. As I’ve told you before, singer David Love, who’s an ace guitarist as well as a studio session man for Randy Bachman, a member of touring troupe Classic Albums Live, is half of awesome acoustic duo Love & LeBlanc and was a long-time member of The Carpet Frogs, is on bass in this combo, with equally gifted six-stringer Darrell McNeill handling the lead/rhythm work.

Obviously whoever is booking the Midway Stage likes them too: they’re on the second of a three-day stint at on the stage, one of the few among a stellar roster of groups that is playing more than one date.

I’ve also written recently about the second act, Shawn Brady (at 7:30 and again at 11). This young man is extremely adaptable —he fronts the world-class Elevation U2 tribute band, has his own Electric Blood indie outfit, does a killer acoustic duo show with keyboardist Hervé Bassett and is the leader of party-Rock dance band Eye Pod Shuffle. He’s also a bit of a marathon man: when I saw him and Hervé last November he did a bladder-busting 100-minute set!

Either of these bands alone would be worth the admission price to get onto the CNE grounds and with two of them together —not to mention the weather— it’s a no-brainer that, if you are thinking about going to the Ex, this would be the day to do it.

Cotton candy, candy apples, beer, magic cleaning solutions like Diamond Brite and everything else is extra of course. But you won’t feel the need to spend anything on rides because you’ll be spun around and up and down and feeling quite thrilled if you catch both of these acts!

-Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca

LISTINGS for Monday, August 25, 2021:

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). 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 type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

3 (and 6)> David Love Band also feat. Darrell McNeill @ CNE Midway Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lakeshore Blvd. West, TO ~60s Pop Rock

*5> The Cosmotones @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E.. TO East ~Rockabilly

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

*6-9> Calliope’s Nest open stage/jam for women @ Lola Pub, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

6:30> Jake Koffman Group @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

7> Cheryl White @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~R&B

*7> Hard Time Mondays with Rick & Gailie @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

7:30 (and 11)> Shawn Brady @ CNE Midway Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lakeshore Blvd., TO West ~contemporary & classic Rock

**7:30> M Factor Mondays with host Elana Harte & features Katey Morley; Rory Taillon @ Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East

7:30> Mike Smith Presents @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

7:30> Mega City Swing Band @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~R&B/Swing

8-11>Stratochief @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., Toronto East ~eclectic Rock/Roots/R&B

8-12> open stage with Julian Taylor & 9:30 feature by Michael Danckert @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave. TO East

**8-1> open stage with host Michael Burton @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO

*8-11> open stage @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough

**8-12> BBQ & jam night with Shawn Brush @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; ($8.95 with BBQ dinner special starts at 6)

*8-12> open stage @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

**9-1:30> jam with No Band Required -3^rd anniversary jam @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

9> Nicole “Songbird” Coward’s online album release for Strong Enough For Love @ www.streetjelly.com

*9-1> Hamstrung Stringband @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Bluegrass

9> blueVenus @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E.. TO East ~original Pop

*9-1> eclectic open stage/jam @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West

*9-1> jam with Tom Barlow @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit

*9:30-2> Sebastian Agnello & friends @ Black Swan (ground floor), 154 Danforth Ave., TO East

9:30> Socialist Night School @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*10-2> jam with Kimberley Wetmore & Company feat. Dave Girdlestone of Soul Funkshun @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore E., Port Credit

10> Jordan John @ The Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~R&B/Blues

*10> open mic (2 songs; signup starts 8p.m.) @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

10> J Swinnerton Band @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10:30> Big Otter Creek Unplugged @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

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