All performers who stay in the business any length of time develop affinities for certain venues where the combination of their talents, the owners/bookers and audiences’ warm response is just the right mix to make it feel like a “home” room.

This weekend two acts who have made waves in disparate genres return comfortably to places where they first started to make people perk up their ears and realize that these were artists with more than the usual level of talent to offer.

Julian Fauth was a shy, tentative performer when he first started tickling ivories and sharing some of his soulful Blues songs that sound as if they could have been written in the 1930s but that are actually all his own. One of the first rooms of note that made him feel welcome was Grossman’s on Spadina Ave on the rim of the Kensington Market area.

Since those days in the mid-1990s Julian has gone on to achieve much acclaim, including winning a 2009 Juno award for his Ramblin’ Son album. That’s led to appearances at festivals and venues near and far, but hearing him sit down at the old, well-used house piano at Grossman’s still feels particularly special. He’ll be there tonight, Fri. Dec. 11, accompanied by a talented band starting at 10 p.m. and there’s no cover.

Tomorrow night he’ll also feel pretty comfy when he and the group take the stage at Axis on Dundas St. W. in the Junction area for a Saturday night showcase. This room has become his another home-away-from-home, since for several years now he’s also been doing a Saturday and Sunday solo brunch show and often includes guest artists.

If Fauth represents genuine Blues feeling, then Big Tobacco & The Pickers are his doppelganger in the Country genre.

This talented outfit has been together since 2008 and started to really gain momentum and gather fans when they began their ongoing monthly residency at Cameron House on Queen St. West, where in fact they return this Saturday Dec. 12 (and every second-Saturday of the month) for a 6-8 show that’s a pay-what-you-can affair.

Tonight the group, which accurately calls its sound “new Country music true to old school tradition,” returns to another room where they’ve been favourites for some time, Dakota Tavern on Ossington Ave. at Dundas St. West.

Along with Cadillac Lounge (where the group this past May released their second acclaimed album, The King Is Gone) Dakota has been a showcase venue for the band for a few years now and despite a $10 cover charge (well deserved to see them in a room with a real stage and lights, not to mention great vibe) they usually pack the joint. No doubt they will for tonight’s 10 p.m. event as well.

It’s gotta feel great to have not just one but two or more places where you feel like you’re performing for an adoring family.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Friday, December 11, 2021:

Listings are organized by area in which the shows occur and within each area field shows are listed chronologically.

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, highlighted, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

416 - Toronto Central

*3-7> acoustic jam with John Hutt @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

*4-6> Hogtown Syncopators @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*5-8> Kensington Kitchen Party with host Kevin Jollimore of Sin City Boys, Kim Cadilla on bass & guest musicians @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~Pop Rock with heart

*5-7> The Friends of Hugh Oliver @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Folk

*5:30> Jazz Generation; Melissa Smeets @ Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas St. E., TO ~Jazz

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

6-9> Julie Michels @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz

6> Ritual; ’68; Lungless; Great Lakes; Big Evil @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St., TO ~indie; $12

6-8> Eliza Pope @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz

6:30> Mark Godfrey Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

7:30> David Woodhead’s Confabulation & guests @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

8> Patrick Brealey @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO ~Country/Rockabilly

8> Charlie McKittrick Band @ Drums N Flats, 1980 Avenue Rd., TO North

8> Diane Roblin Quartet @ Musideum, 401 Richmond St. W., #133, TO ~improvised new music; $20/-

9> Alma Soul @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W., TO ~R&B/Jazz

9-1> Hogtown Soul @ Monarchs Pub in Eaton Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St. W., TO ~Rock/Top 40

9> Jesse Parent @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W., TO

9> Reggae Dancehall @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., TO ~ $

9> Run With The Kittens; Elvyn; The Alpacas @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $10

9> New Grease Revival; Jack Marks’ Lost Wages @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO ~indie

9:30> Shawn Brady duo @ P.J. O’Brien, 39 Colborne St., TO ~acoustic Pop Rock

9:30> Red Velvet @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Rd., TO North ~Rock/Top 40

9:45> Brooklyn’s Huntertones @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

9:45> Dee Dee & The Dirty Martinis @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~60s R&B; $

10> Dave Murphy Band @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Rock/Funk/R&B; $

10> Melvin Colacino Blues Band @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO ~Blues

10> Aluminum Origami @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

10:30> Julian Fauth Band @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Juno-winning original Blues

10:30> Lindsay Brohan @ Fionn MacCool’s Esplanade, 70 The Esplanade

10:30> Music City North showcase @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

 416 - Toronto East

5:30-7:30> The Straight 8s @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

7> Always; Mardeen @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., TO East ~$26.75+

9> Tim Bovaconti Big Band @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East

*?> open mic with Matt & Mike @ The Grover Pub, 676 Kingston Rd., TO East

*9:30> David Macmichael & The $5 Tall Boys @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~alt Pop originals and covers

9:30> Frankie Foo & The Yoyo Smugglers @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Ska; $

416 – Toronto Etobicoke

6> 18^th Annual Christmas Wish Fundraiser for Salvation Army @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South

7:30> Chris Butcher 4 @ Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Jazz; min table charge

8> Blackness; Lisa Smith’s Powerhaus; Dirty Little Secrets; Sapphire City; V.E.T.I @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke ~$10

9> The O’Deadlys @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9:30> Fat Tony @ Refinery Public House, 3039 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~Pop Rock

9:45> Rotten Roll featuring Al Reilly for Rocker Jane’s birthday @ Maple Leaf House, 2749 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Etobicoke ~Rock/Top 40

10-2> Modern LP @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South ~classic Rock

416 – Toronto Scarborough

8> MOXY with opening set by Still Sunday featuring Jim Cornell @ The Loaded Dog, 1921 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough ~iconic Can-Rock

9> Cameljoe @ The Fox @ Scarborough Junction, 646 Danforth Rd., Scarborough ~Rock

9:30> Paul Storm Band @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough ~classic Rock/Blues

9:30> Robbie & Matt @ Stone Cottage Pub, 3750 Kingston Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock

9:30> Drive 3 @ Kornerstones, 1601 Birchmount Ave., Scarborough ~Rock/Top 40

416 - Toronto West

5-8> Jazz Forge @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

7-9> Norman Blake; Joe Pernice & guests @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO W.

7:30> Reid Henry Duo @ Brazen Head Pub, 165 East Liberty St., TO West ~acoustic Pop Rock

7:30> More Cheese @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~

8:30> Dala @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Folk duo; $40 (standing room only)

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

9> New Teeth; Outer Rooms; Terrorista @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West

9> When We Were Young @ The Tennessee, 1554 Queen St. W., TO West

9> Beams; LeBarons; King Cuddy @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W., TO West ~$5

9:30> Big Rude Jake @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St., TO West ~Blues

10-2> Big Tobacco & The Pickers featuring Anne Werbitzky on pedal steel @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO W. ~original authentic Country covers; $10

10> Battle Of Santiago @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~

10> Voodoo Walters solo @ On Cue Billiards, 349 Jane St., TO West ~Blues

10> Great Bob Scott @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West

519

9> Shred Penner @ Fionn MacCool’s Kitchener, 4287 King St. E., Kitchener

9> Dusty Strings @ Fionn MacCool’s Guelph, 494 Ediburgh Rd. S., Guelph

9> Hank Gets Dusted @ Brando’s Beach House, 135 Market St., Brantford ~Rock

9:30> Ross Burant @ Fionn MacCool’s Orangeville, 75 Fourth Ave., Orangeville

705

5:30> Rick & Gailie @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

8:30> Pop Machine @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

9>Wayne Kennedy $2 Punk Night with Mad Murdocks; Pseudo; The Corporate Life @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough ~Punk; $2

9:30> Lowest Of The Low @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough ~Can Rock icons

9:30> Jon Knight & Soulstack @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie ~Soul/Blues

10> Tom Savage @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

905 East

7-9> Frank Wilks; Madi McLean; Zack Castaldi @ Cocoa & Joe Café, 44 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~Roots-Pop

9-1> Stone House @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

9> Darren Hancock @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country

9> Crued; Chasing Shadows @ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa ~Motley Crue tribute

9> Last Bullet @ The Moustache Club, 15 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

*9:30> Karaoke with Rob MacArthur & Lorraine @ Royal Canadian Legion #322, 112 Hunt St., Ajax

9:30> Marc Joseph Band @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St., Ajax ~Rpcl/Top 40

10-2> Landing Jupiter @ Whisky John’s, 843 King St. W., Oshawa

905 North

8:30> Kevin Foster @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jackson’s Point

9> Southern Nights @ Fionn MacCool’s Newmarket, 17315 Leslie St., Newmarket

9:30> The Doubts @ Jake’s Boathouse Brampton, 59 First Gulf Rd., Brampton ~Pop Rock

9:30> Itchy & Scratchy @ Stewart Maguire’s Landing, 15 Allan Rd., Bolton ~Pop Rock

9:30> Kenny & The Angels @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Top 40/Rock

*9:30> open mic @ Big Daddy’s, 460 Elgin Mills Rd., E, Richmond Hill

10> Pop Machines @ Aw Shucks, 15230 Yonge St., Aurora ~Pop Rock

905 – South

6:30> James Ferris @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

9> Elephant Tricks; Duane Rutter Band; Elliott Brood @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~Folk-Rock/Country; $20/pwyc

9> Dave Ptolemy Duo @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Hamilton

9:30> Sleepless @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton ~indie; $

10> Madhatters @ Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls

905 West

*5> Adam Ostrosser & Joel Guenther @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Pop

*6-9> Krista Blondin @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock; $

8;30> Jerome Godboo Trio @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~Blues; $10

9> Full Tilt @ Fionn MacCool’s Oakville, 350 Dundas St. E., Oakville ~Rock/Top 40

9> Chris Chambers Band @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line, Burlington ~Pop Rock

9> Unruly Gentlemen @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Pop Rock

9:30> Screaming Evil Blues Band @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Blues-Rock

9:30> Side B Vibe @ Fionn MacCool’s Clarkson, 970 Southdown Rd., Mississauga ~Rock/Top 40

9:30> Dirty Pioneers @ Gator Ted’s, 1505 Guelph Line, Burlington ~Pop Rock

9:30> Absolute Journey @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Ave., Burlington ~Journey tribute; $

10-2> In 2 U @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock; $

10:15> Shawn Steinhart Band @ Failte, 201 City Centre Dr., Mississauga ~Rock/Pop

Copyright © 2015 Toronto Moon Magazine. All Rights Reserved