Danforth Ave. rules as Monday nights’ destination zone

\ TORONTO EAST \

There are plenty of fine open mics and other shows happening across the GTA on a Monday, but when it comes to variety and quality packed into a relatively close-knit area, it doesn’t get any better than Danforth Ave. in east Toronto.

Furthest afield is Relish, a block from the Woodbine subway station at 2152 Danforth Ave., where tonight star-studded 5-piece Bentroots delivers a no-cover whirlwind show of swampy Blues with Rock and Jazzy flourishes 8-11 p.m.

 

Near Broadview, Julian Taylor’s 8-12 open stage at Dora Keogh (141 Danforth Ave.) offers weekly features and tonight the 9:30 showcase is by his Dora’s Explorers amorphous group of quality Rock/Pop/Reggae players.

Across the street at Black Swan (154 Danforth Ave.), protest songwriter and icon Sebastian Agnello alternates between inviting open stage guests up and doing tunes from his repertoire of punchy, provocative Country-Rock/Roots originals and covers by artists like Shel Silverstein and Kinky Friedman from 9:30 till late.

As if all that weren’t enough there’s also an early weekly 7-11 show at Old Nick (123 Danforth Ave.) put on by Elana Harte –her M Factor Mondays include a set by her and two feature acts, including Arlene Bishop tonight.

-Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca

LISTINGS for Monday, September 15, 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.

5-8> Jonathan Feldman’s Zebrina Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

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

6> Sarah Jane Scouten @ 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> U of T Jazz Ensembles @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

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

**7:30> M Factor Mondays with host Elana Harte & features Sarah Burton; Arlene Bishop @ Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East

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

8-11> Bentroots feat. Michael Fonfara, Nick Balkou, Ed Roth & Robert Newman @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., Toronto East ~Swampy Southern Blues-Rock

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

8> Conrad Gayle @ The Only Café, 972 Danforth Ave., TO East

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

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

**8-12> BBQ & jam night with The Naysayers (from Dawson City, Yukon) @ 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 @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

*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> Bruce Chapman Blues Duo & guests @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Blues

*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> Mike Malone & The Writers Jazz Orchestra @ 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> Thelonious Hank @ 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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