Dave Cassells offers a soothing, inspiring start to your Saturday

\TORONTO WEST\

An accomplished instrumental guitar virtuoso who’s virtually unknown outside a small clique of Roots players in west TO, Dave Cassells is the epitome of the sort of artists who are getting their profiles raised via doing features at Humble Beginnings restaurant in the Junction area.

Under the stewardship of booker Folk songwriter Nicole “Songbird” Coward (who is also far less appreciated than her talent deserves, though whose forthcoming new album, Strong Enough For Love, could well change that) the family-run eatery at 3109 Dundas St. W., a bit west of High Park Ave., offers a weekly musical showcase of lesser known but highly gifted songwriters and performers.

Cassells is unusual even in that company in that, first of all, he plays exclusively instrumental music, primarily of the Flamenco and Rhumba styles, although he has some Classical pieces in his repertoire as well.

Even more distinctly, he’s marvellous songwriter in the genre, with an entire album of instrumental compositions to his credit. El Camino is a wonderfully relaxing yet uplifting and even inspiring listen from start to finish.

When you settle back in the dark and just let the music transport you, it conjurs visions of rich landscapes, story plots with moments of high drama and passion and other periods where the nearly liquid quality of Cassells’ string-plucking and brushing seems to flow over and even through you in a nurturing, refreshing wave.

These no-cover (they do pass a hat around) live musical sets at HB are short, starting at 12:30 and wrapping at 2:30, during which time you can also enjoy some wonderful menu selections, the ingredients for which are all purchased from local farmers’ markets and almost all of which are Ontario-sourced, as well as bakery treats from the restaurant’s own ovens.

The combination of nutritious, tasty food and the sonic nourishment for your soul from Cassells should be enough to get your day off to a far more than humble start.

-Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca

LISTINGS for Saturday, August 09, 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.

10am-noon> James Clark solo @ Etobicoke Farmers Market, 399 The West Mall, Etobicoke South ~indie Pop

*12-3> Julian Fauth’s Blues Brunch @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues

12-3> Chris Kettlewell & Friends @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

12:30-2:30> Dave Cassels @ Humble Beginnings, 3109 Dundas St. W., TO West ~instrumental Flamenco/Rhumba guitar

1-11> Krinos Taste Of The Danforth with live performances on three stages on Danforth Ave. between Broadview Ave. and Jones Ave., TO East

1-11> Kitchener Blues Festival with various artists on various stages in downtown Kitchener

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

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

2:30> The Mac’s feat. Rob MacArthur @ The Taste, Rotary Park, Ajax ~acoustic duo

*3-6> Danny B’s House Party Band feat. Michael Keys on piano @ Blue Goose, 1 Blue Goose St., Etobicoke South ~R&B/Pop

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

3> Jamzac @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

3> The Hot Five Jazzmakers @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO ~traditional Jazz; $5

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

*3:30-6:30> Climax Jazz Band @ Seven44, 744 Bayview Ave., TO North ~Jazz; $

3:30> Phil Kane Combo Delux @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

3:30> Barry Elmes Quartet @ The Pilot, 22 Cumberland St., TO ~Jazz

*4-8> The Bear Band & guests @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Rock-R&B

*4-7:30> Ronnie Hayward Trio @ McQueen’s, 993 Queen St. E., TO E. ~Blues/Roots

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

4-8> Fat Tony @ Lake Affect, 1 Port St., Port Credit

*4> PRJ @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St., Oshawa ~Blues

*4:30-6:30> Big Rude Jake @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E.. TO E. ~Blues/Roots

5-8> Michelle Rumball with Kevin Quain @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. TO West –Blues

5-8> Angie Gunn @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Honky Tonk

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

6-8> Big Tobacco & The Pickers feat. Anne Werbitzky @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

7:30> Nick Teehan Group @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~ Jazz

7:30> Iris Giraldo with Felicity Williams & guests @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

8> Reid Pickering with Chris Bennett; James Clark with Chris Bennett; Gayle Ackroyd @ The Feathers, 962 Kingston Rd., TO East ~songwriters

8-12> Luke Dante birthday gig @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; $5

8:30> JAZZ.FM91 World Music Festival 2014: Cuba @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO W. ~world Jazz; $35/-

8:30> Chris Birkett; MatinaZ @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. TO ~songwriters; $10

9> Julian Taylor Band for Taste Of The Danforth, Showcase Stage (Danforth Ave. @ Broadview), TO East

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

9-1> Tyler Schwende @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd., Scarborough ~acoustic Pop/soft Rock

9-1> Sweet Derrick Blues Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~ Jazz

9> The Swingin’ Blackjacks @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Rockabilly

9> The Belle Regards @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Gypsy Folk

9-12> Gina Pennesi Trio @ Morgan’s on The Danforth, 1282 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz

9> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West

9-1> Hot Buttered Soul @ Lake Affect, 1 Port St., Port Credit

9> David James Band  @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country

9-1> Slator Son @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

9:30> The Neil Young’uns @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Neil Young tribute; $7 adv., $15 door

9:30-11:30> Edgar Breau @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~songwriter

9:30> Al Reilly’s Catalyst @ Karla’s Roadhouse, 4630 Kingston Rd., Scarborough ~classic Rock

9:30> The Junction City All-Stars feat. Dave McManus with special guest David “Texas Twister” Mitchell @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Rock/Blues

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

9:30> Dunn featuring Dee Flat @ The Old Winery Restaurant, 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-On-The-Lake ~Rock/Top 40

9:30> Radio Play @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Blvd., TO North

9:30> 3MDM @ Stone Cottage Pub, 3750 Kingston Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock

9:30> 24^th Street Wailers @ Timothy’s Pub 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~R&B/Blues

9:30> Paul & Curtis @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9:30> Janet Jafferys Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

9:45> Gia & The Unpredictable Update @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

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

10-2> Soul Condition @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Rock/Top 40/R&B

10> Ride The Tiger @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Funk/Soul

10> Jack Marks @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10> Healing Power Presents showcase @ Tranzac Club  (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

10> Timeless @ West Shore Bar & Grill, 877 Bayly St., Pickering ~classic 70s Pop Rock

10-2> Victoria & Bobby Keys @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Top 40

10> Old Haunt @ The Red Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

10:30> Farewell Davidson; Gargantua @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

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