After 19 years, presenting live music three or more nights a week for most of them, Fionn MacCool’s on the Esplanade in downtown TO closed recently with very little notice —unlike the hullabaloo that ensued around the shuttering of The Hideout after just a few years (though very impressive years with original live music seven nights a week) on November 1.

While no reasons were given for the Fionn closure, The Prime Pubs chain that owned the restaurant tried this week to put a positive spin on it by announcing it was donating the fixtures, furnishings and wall art from the room to a new pub planned for the Canadian Forces base in Trenton, Ontario.  Ironically, some of that hardware being shipped to the military base would have previously been part of a package that had been sent overseas after Prime bought and dismantled the contents of a pub in Dublin, Ireland in 1997 and used it to open the Esplanade location.

The uptown area has been hit hard too.  The July 2015 closing of Unicorn Pub on Eglinton Ave. E., which was a home to live music several nights a week for a couple of generations of players, and now the announced closure later this month of another longtime area musical bastion across the street from that, Scruffy Murphy’s, has left a lot of performers scrambling to find new haunts.

Not all the downtown club scene news is bad though.  Rebel is now in action on Poulson Street where Sound Academy (and previous incarnations of the big-box style room) used to be.  And this weekend, at least, a lot of little rooms are featuring live music for the Canadian Indie Week festival —albeit if only for the duration and to take advantage of the late-serving exemptions such events also engender.

And there are constantly, it seems, new rooms popping up on listings that I see in other local publications and on social media —though many have very short lifespans and in most cases probably deservedly so, since the level of intelligence of bar owners these days seems to be paralleling the curve of change in the amount of common sense and grasp of everyday basics by those millennials who design current computer programs, browser updates and gadgets.  And that ain’t an upward rise.

Nevertheless, there’s also some unqualified good news to report.  Fat City Blues at 890 College St., between Ossington and Dovercourt, a room that offers, I’ve been told (by a former kitchen employee who only has good things to say about the place) superb eats and that has a classy but welcoming vibe, is once again offering top calibre live music and is set to make a bit of a splash about it.

I had actually given the place a poke in the ribs the other day in a comment I made on an event page for a show they were planning, calling them out for not being able to update their website with any listings since June.  To my surprise and impressed delight, they quickly responded —but not with the usual “oh we’re so busy, you’re so mean” passive-aggressive whining routine that many people use to turn a justified criticism into an attack on the commenter.  Rather, they replied with a forthright admission that they had fallen on some hard times back in the summer and needed to take a break from music as part of a reorganization.  But, they added, that is now done and they are back at it and raring to go.  That sort of honest and positive response makes me think this place is being run by a grownup!

There’s live music there tonight and tomorrow, in fact, with powerfully soulful Blues songwriter Sugar Brown (aka Dr. Ken Kawashima) and his combo on deck this evening from 9, demonstrating there’s taste and style in their music menu selections as well as in what’s coming from the kitchen.

That impression is solidified by the group they’ve got in tomorrow night: retro-Rock/Soul supergroup The Mercenaries, which had previously been a weekly staple of the room’s live music program and is also, of course, the usual Sunday feature at the hip Dakota Tavern nearby.

Next weekend the club returns to Thursday through Saturday shows and is planning a three-night launch party from the 24^th through 26^th.  Stay tuned for details!

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Friday, November 18, 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.). 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 type, highlighted, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

CIW = Candian Indie Week Festival

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> Hugh Oliver & Friends @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Folk

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

6> David Celia @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~original Pop

6-8> Elizabeth Martins @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10-20/pwyc

6:30> Bugaloo Squad @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

7> CIW: Skunkmello; The Lad Classic; The Honeyrunners; Philip Sayce; @ Mod Club, 722 College St., TO ~eclectic indie; $

7> Incendies; Missioner; Output; The Sole Pursuit; Two Year Plan @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St., TO ~indie

7:30> Sarah Greene @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

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

8> The Thin Skulls for Gordon Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research @ Tranzac Club (Main Hall), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Tragically Hip covers; $donation

8> CIW: Little Coyote; High; Cream Machine; hey! dw @ Supermarket, 268 Augusta Ave., TO ~indie; $10

8> Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS) @ Adelaide Hall, 250 Adelaide St. W., TO ~$25

8:30> Megan Worthy & Friends @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~songwriter

*8:30-12:30> All Star Band feat. Joe Bowden & Brooke Blackburn @ Nawlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues

8:30> The Falcon; Kyule Kinane; Arms Aloft; Penske File @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., TO ~indie; $16.50

9> Jim Dan Dee @ Drums N Flats, 1980 Avenue Rd., TO North ~Rock/Top 40

8:30> CIW: Devil Met Contention; Caleb Lovely; The Rationales; Molehill; ATX6 Showcase @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W., TO

9> tribute to Brian Cober with Mike Daley and many more @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~eclectic; donations

9> The Planet Smashers; The Johnstones; K-Man & The 45s @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $18.50

9> Bill Wood & The Woodies @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~original Roots-Rock

9> CIMF: Trampa; Playing To Vapors; The High Definitions; Blacki Jackett Jr; Piffbreak Arcade; The Royal North; Atomic Tomb; The Unchained; Cable Street @ UG3 Live, 77 Peter St., TO

9> Sprattacus; Jim Jr.; Jack Moves; Bywater @ The Central, 603 Markham St., TO ~indie

9-11:30> Steve Koven Trio @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $15

9:30> Sherry Jacoby @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO

9:30> Arsenals @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St., TO North ~Ska; $10

9:45> Quinsin Nachoff’s FLUX @ 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 7-piece; $

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

10> Freeman Dre & The Kitchen Party @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO ~original Roots-Rock

10> Vivienne Wilder @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

10> Lindsay Brohan @ Bier Markt King, 600 King St., West, TO ~Pop Rock

416 - TORONTO EAST

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

7-9> Bossa Tres @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Latin Jazz

7> Steven Page; guest opener Blair Packham @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Can Pop icon; $37.50+

9-12> Peter Eastmure & Animal Kyngdom @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Pop Roots originals and covers; no cover

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

9> Lucas Stagg @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Rockabilly/Pop

9> The Dreamboats @ Eton House, 710 Danforth Ave., TO East ~vintage Pop Rock; $7

9:30> T-Twisters @ The Duke Live, 1225 Queen St. E., TO East ~Pop Rock

9:30> Kat Vhonda Duo @ Murphy’s Law, 1702 Queen St. E., TO East ~Pop Rock

9:30> Paris Black Band; openers Sister Hyde @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~original Glam Rock & covers; $5

10:30> The Wrong Kids @ Bier Markt Don Mills, 7 O’Neill Rd., TO East ~Pop Rock

 416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

7:30> Mike Downes Trio @ Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Jazz; min table charge

8> Ethan Brosh; Chemical Burn; Driftglass @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke ~Rock; $

9> Kick Back @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9> Owen’s Sound @ Maple Leaf House, 2749 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Etobicoke ~Blues/R&B

9:30> Community Soul Project @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40; $

10-2> Modern LP @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South ~classic & contemporary Rock; no cover

10> Synsonic @ Bier Markt Etobicoke, 199 North Queen St., Etobicoke ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

9:30> Al Reilly’s Catalyst also featuring Anthony Cee @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough ~classic Rock; no cover

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

416 - TORONTO WEST

5-7> Meredith Moon and the Oldest Man I Know @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~old-time

5-8> Julia Pal Trio featuring Peter Hill @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

7:30> Havelin @ Brazen Head Pub, 165 East Liberty St., TO West ~Pop Rock

7:30> One Big Song @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Jazz; no cover

8> CIW: Seven Days Sons; Deon; Emmaline; Los Bolitas; Rod Purpose; Redd; 9 Life; #Family Grind @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West ~eclectic indie; $10

8> CIW with various bands @ Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W., TO West ~eclectic indie; $

8> The Palominos; HarAcash and the Morals; Castro Radio @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W., TO West ~indie

8> Kalle Vainio @ Gallery 345, 345 Sorauren Ave., TO West ~Finnish pianist composer; $20

8> International Pop Overthrow Festival with Arlene Paculan; The Fairest and Best; The Histrionics; The Nines; The 905s; The Jeremy Band @ Duggan’s Brewery, 1346 Queen St. W., TO West ~eclectic indie; $5

8:30> Nathan Rogers; Ariel Rogers; Beth Rogers; more @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Stan Rogers tribute; $27.50

8:30> The Shuvs album release; Matt Cooke and the Grand Marquis @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~original Pop; $10

8:30> Robert Linares Brown @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Cuban Salsa; $15

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

9> Schema Factor; Fuck Bud; Deathsticks; Child lesh; Goth Girl x Cares @ Smiling Buddha Stage 1, 961 College St., TO West ~Noise; $

9> Sugar Brown @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St., TO West ~Blues

9> Jake Chisholm @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Blues

9:30> Beautiful Salt featuring Elana Harte @ Amico’s Pizza, 1648 Queen St. W., TO West ~Roots/Blues songwriters; no cover

9> Body Heist; Bourbon Dk; Dominant Species; Stinkbox @ Smiling Buddha Stage 2, 961 College St., TO West ~indie; $

9:30> Ken Yoshioka Band @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues

10-2> Shane Murphy @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West

11> Course of Time @ Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W., TO West ~$10

519

6:30> Jeff Shows @ The Village Well, 19 Queen St. E., Cambridge

7> Sandy MacDonald & Sue Windover @ The Rabbid Fox, 58 Beech Ave., Cambridge ~Roots

9> Jon Creeden and the Flying Hellfish; Limiter @ Jimmy Jazz, 52 Macdonell St., Guelph

8> Skullfist; Warlord Messiah; Killfast @ Maxwell’s, 35 University Ave. E., Waterloo ~Metal; $15

8:30> Pocket City @ Fionn MacCool’s Kitchener, 4287 King St. E., Kitchener ~Pop

*9-2> jam night @ The Cave, 105 Shade St., Cambridge

9> Shy Harry Band @ Kiwi Gastropub, 47 Dickson St., Cambridge

9-1> Olivia & The Creepy Crawlies; Dylan Menzie; My Father’s Son @ Dstrct, 10 Wydham St. N., Guelph

9> Lotus Wight & The Everlovin’ Jug Band @ The Cornerstone, 1 Wyndham St. N., Guelph ~Country Rock/Rockabilly

9> Darryl Romphf @ The Brownestone Gastropub, 39 Queen St. E., Cambridge

9> Tom Kovacs @ Fionn MacCool’s Orangeville, 75 Fourth Ave., Orangeville ~Pop

9> Klawz @ Brando’s Beach House, 135 Market St., Brantford ~contemporary Rock

9:30> Dan Edmonds; Nicolette & The Nobodies; Let’s Just Be Friends @ E-Bar, 41 Quebec St., Guelph ~indie; $10

10> Blown Cover @ Van Gogh’s Ear Guelph, 10 Wyndham St. N., Guelph ~cover Rock

705

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

8-11:45> Erinz Fire @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood

8:30> Classic Collective @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

9> Winnie Brave @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood ~songwriter

9> Weekend at Bernie Martin’s @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough ~Bernie Martin covers with various artists; $10/pwyc

9:30> Public Animal @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

9:30> Those Unmistakable 80’s @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie ~80s covers

10> Selina Martin @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

905 EAST

9-1> Robis Band @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

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

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

9:30> Two For The Show @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St., Ajax ~Pop Rock

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

10> The Creepshow; openers The House of Haunt; Johnny 2 Fingers & The Deformities @ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa ~Punk/Psychobilly; $

10-2> Spitfire Kings @ Whisky John’s, 843 King St. W., Oshawa ~Rock

905 NORTH

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

9> Connie Scriver Band @ King Richard’s Pub, 15570 Yonge St., Aurora ~Pop Rock

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

9:30> Just One More @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Top 40/Rock

9:30> Baz Littlerock Band @ Spot One, 289 Rutherford Rd. S., Brampton ~Rock

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

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

905 SOUTH

6:30> East Coast Kitchen Party @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

8> Union Duke @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster ~Rock/Top 40

9> The Viletones; Artificial Dissemination; Fleshrag @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~Punk; $

9> Lightcraft from Indonesia; Bad Reed; Beach Red; Jon & His Friends @ The Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton ~indie; $10

9:15> The Old Winos & guest tba @ The Old Winery Restaurant, 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-On-The-Lake

9:30> Soul Train Sessions @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton ~Soul; $

9:30> Steel City @ The Gladstone Hamilton, 1385 Main St. E., Hamilton ~Country Rock

9:30> Desire @ Stonewalls Hamilton, 339 York Blvd., Hamilton ~U2 tribute

9:30> The Associates @ 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> Sil Simone & Rebelljo @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock

8> Taunted By Girls featuring Michelle Deneault for “Pets Rock” Humane Society fundraiser @ Port Credit Legion, 35 Front St. N., Port Credit – Mississauga ~Rock/Pop

8> Jasco; Grey \\ Water @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~original Pop; $10

9> Killin’ Time Band @ Fionn MacCool’s Oakville, 350 Dundas St. E., Oakville ~Pop

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

9:30> Elyse Saunders @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Country Rock

9:30> LVCK @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock

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

9:30> Hardline Crush @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Ave., Burlington

9:30> Groove Hammer @ Jersey’s Bar, 1450 Headon Rd., Burlington ~Rock/Top 40

9:30> The Marlas @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Pop Rock

9:30-11:30> Rik Jacobs @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington ~Roots-Pop

10-2> Tomohawk Love @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~

10> Wasted Measures @ Bier Markt Mississauga, 55 City Centre Drive, Mississauga ~Pop Rock

10:15> Shanya Lynn Dawson @ Failte, 201 City Centre Dr., Mississauga ~Country Rock

10:30> Tone Deaf @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington ~Pop Rock

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