\ TO EAST \

There are those who vehemently deny that they even exist, but Toronto percussionist Darlene Sacks says that this afternoon she will offer irrefutable proof that not only is the handpan drum (or, more technically, simply the “handpan,” for reasons detailed below) actually real but that it’s also a legitimate musical instrument.

She’ll be demonstrating how her flying-saucer-shaped convex steel instrument —with crater-like sonic dimples that make it look and sound like it just came through a meteor shower— works as not just accompaniment but as a lead instrument when she does the featured set at today’s last 2016 edition of the monthly Lazy Cat Open Stage in east TO.

A sort of second cousin once-removed from the steelpan drums of Trinidad and Tobago origin, the handpan, invented by Swiss Jazz/steelpan player Reto Weber, started out life being known as a “Hang” when it was introduced by a Swiss company in 2001, and was itself basically the obverse of the steelpan.

Unlike the steelpan, which has a concave (shaped like a cave) surface with various indentations for tonal note variations and is played by striking it with sticks, the handpan is convex (like your eyeball) and features many double-dimples, which, like its surface, are played with the hand.  The indentations are arrayed as a scale of notes, with the little inner depressions adding an octave or various effects, it seems.

According to the website www.didgeproject.com, before they stopped production of them in 2007, the PanArt company that first released the instrument had secured rights to the Hang name, so starting around then subsequent versions of the unusual looking percussive construction became known as the handpan —which is essentially understood to mean “steel pan played by hand.”

Many purists, however, reject the “handpan” label and the PanArt owners are said to resent it, while some cultural traditionalists in the islands from whence sprang the steelpan note that “pan” is also used to denote that culture and argue the word should not be used for any instrument other than the traditional steelpan.  So yes, Virginia, some people believe the handpan does not exist!

Nevertheless, there is today a wide array of such instruments available, although there is said to be a waiting list for products from the dozen or so manufacturers, making them not cheap to buy —and apparently as a result there’s even a market for “knockoff” counterfeit handpans of inferior quality!

As you can hear on videos on YouTube, the sounds that this instrument (which can also be played upside down) produces seem to fit its spacecraft-looking shape, resonating ethereal, other-worldly vibrations and pitches which can add effects to others’ music or be used to create trance-like riffs and rolls of its own —similar in impact in that way, it would seem, to the didgeridoo. It can be supported on a stand or secured on the lap with a strap, and Sacks has performed on both versions at Lazy Cat in the past.

Sacks takes the stage about an hour into today’s 3-5:30 session, for which there’s no cover and snacks are available for donations to help cover the costs of operating the community centre in which its held.  The room is inside the co-op housing complex at 100 Bain Street in Riverdale, with the entrance off Sparkhall Street —look for the building with the smokestack on top.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, November 27, 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> Kiki’s Klezmer Trio for Jewish brunch buffet @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO

*11am-2> The Mercenaries @ Drake One Fifty, 150 York St., TO ~retro Rock/Soul

noon-3> Hart House Ensemble @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

1> “Beyond The Beat” showcase @ C’est What, 69 Front St. E., TO ~student showcase; 0$

3> Michael Laderoute & Rob Fenton @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~original Roots; 0$

3-5:30> Alex Michelle; Altered By Mom; Geoff Torrn @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., TO; indie; $10

3-6> The Jake Wilkinson Quartet @ Paupers Pub, 539 Bloor St. W., TO ~Jazz

3:30-6:30> Freeway Dixieland Band @ 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> Heidi Lange @ The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St., TO ~Jazz

5-9> Pretzel Logic @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~Steely Dan tribute; $

5> Steve-Paul Simms, Bob Cohen & Dave Lang @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~original Roots-Pop; 0$

5-6> Camilla Tafra @ Music Gallery, 197 John St., TO Central ~Classical cellist ensemble; 0$

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

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

*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; $

7-9:30> Carlos Morgan Duo @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $15

*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

7-10> fundraiser for LivWise Foundation with various acts @ Mod Club, 722 College St., TO; $75

7:30> “Gathering Sparks” with Eve Goldberg @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Folk

7:30> “Old Worlds” @ Tranzac Club (Tiki Room), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~storytelling

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

8-2> Ljae Simminz; E dot Farnousz; EarlyAM @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., TO; indie; $10

8> “AEONIA 4” with Edwin Sheard; McGee @ Tranzac Club (Main Hall), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

8> Gordon’s Acoustic Living Room @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~acoustic Pop; 0$

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

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

8> The Palominoes @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

*8-12> The Honour Roll with REMY trio @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W. ~freestyle Hip Hop; 0$

8> Skye Wallace @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W., TO

8> A$AP Ferg; Playboi Carti; Rob Stone @ Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St., TO ~originals; $32.50-55

8:30-10> Bobby Hsu’s Ob-Sessions @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~cabaret Jazz; $10/pwyc

9> Crankbox album release; guests Aniqa Dear; Katey Gatta @ Handlebar, 159 Augusta Ave. TO ~indie; $5

9:30> Barry Romberg @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

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

10> Steve Ward presents @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

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

**10> Blues jam with Nicholas Tabarias, Gary Kendall, Bill Hedefine @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

416 – TORONTO EAST

11am-2pm> The Pearl Motel for Jazz brunch @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. TO East ~Jazzabilly; -$

**2-5> Lisa Particelli’s Girls Night Out singers Jazz jam @ Morgan’s, 1282 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz

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

3-5:30> Lazy Cat open stage with hosts Linda Lavender & Andy Du Rego with feature by Darlene Sacks @ Bain Co-op Community Centre, 100 Bain Ave. (enter off Sparkhall Ave.), TO East ~0$

4> Cash On Demand @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Johnny Cash tribute

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

7-9> Castro Radio @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~0$

7> Cock Sparrer; Rixe; Bishops Green; Black Lungs; The Prowlers @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., TO East ~original Hard Rock; $48.50

7-11> Johnny Cox 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

*10am-2> tba for Bluegrass Brunch @ New Town Billiards, 2878 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~Bluegrass

4-8> BG Rhythm Section featuring Gary Kendall + guests Robin Banks & Teddy Leonard @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Blues/R&B

4-7:30> Voodoo Blues Revue @ Markland Pub, 666 Burnamthorpe Rd., Etobicoke ~Blues

5-9> Grey Cup Party (NO BAND) @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke ~sports

8> Indie Night with bands tba @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke

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

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

*7-11> open jam with host Billy Zee & 8-9 feature by Max Brand Band @ 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

11am-1:30> Jorge Maza & Pancho Galván @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Latin Jazz; $18 includes buffet

*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

2> Ken Whiteley’s Gospel Matinee with guest singers Joe Sealy & Jackie Richardson @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Gospel Jazz; $22.50

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

4-8> Mark Ripp & The Cofessors album release @ Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W., TO West ~original Pop

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

5-8 Amber Leigh Jazz Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

*5:30-9:30> Jay Douglas & Chris Butcher @ The Emerson, 1279 Bloor St. W., TO West ~Reggae; 0$

6-8> Mermaid & the Bear album release; openers Tragedy Ann @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~original Roots-Pop; $10

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

7:30-10:30> Erik Sedore; Frank Patrick; Wayne Neon for Festival of House Culture, 2466 Dundas St. W., TO West ~eclectic

8> An Ostrich’s Hypothesis; The Noolands; Conscious @ Smiling Buddha Stage 1, 961 College St., TO West ~indie

8> St. Royal Revue @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Jazz/Soul; $10

8:30> “The Last Waltz” celebration of The Band with Jerome Levon Avis, Chuck Jackson, Chris Murphy, more @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~tribute; $45

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

9> live music showcase with bands tba @ Smiling Buddha Stage 2, 961 College St., TO West ~indie

9> Jen Lane @ Opera Bob’s, 1112 Dundas St. W., TO West ~songwriter

9-12> Andrew Sisk; Two Minute Miracles @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~songwriter; $15

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

9> The Wanted @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Roots

9> Chelsea Reed; David Newberry; Bryce Jardine @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~indie

*10> Hot Breath @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W., TO West

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

519

1-4> “Guitars For Kids” fundraiser with various acts @ RCL #126 Preston Legion, 334 Westminster Dr. N., Cambridge ~donations please

2-4> FOURTH SUNDAYS Traditional English Music Folk Sessions @ The Argyle Arms, 210 King St. E., Cambridge

3-5:30> Guelph Concert Band presents “Royal Christmas” @ Three Willows United Church, 577 Willow St., Guelph ~Christmas concert; $

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

7-12> Oxford Blue; New Old; Richard Inman @ Van Gogh’s Ear, 10 Wyndham St. N., Guelph ~indie

8-11> Joseph Shabason Band @ Silence, 46 Essex St., Guelph ~original ambient; $10

*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> Odd Man Rush @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

10> Justin Million @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St., W., Peterborough ~keys

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

*10> Another Round @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock

905 NORTH

Noon-3pm> EMG Musical Gear Swap @ The Earl Of Whitchurch, 6204 Main St., Stouffville

**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

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

7:30> “Visionary Heroes” by York Symphony Orchestra @ Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St., Richmond Hill ~Classical; $

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

905 SOUTH

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

2-4:30> John Jackson; Stephen Miller @ The Station Coffee House, 5 Wadsworth St., Brantford ~Roots originals; 0$

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

3-7> “Slamfest” with Caustic Lime; Lost Generation; Pity; The Doomed; Decomposeur; Max Noon @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~Punk; $6

905 WEST

Noon-1pm> James Clark solo for Burlington Record Show @ Burlington Senior Citizens Centre, 2285 New St., Burlington ~indie Roots-Pop

**2-6> Country matinee with host Colin Connors and guests The McGrath Family @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Country

2> Smokewagon Blues Band album release @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~Blues; $10

*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> 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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