Rambling scaliwag Jody Ferrer now restricted to one jam Tuesdays

/// He’s the minstrel that many people –especially several prudish open mic hosts and/or club owners— seem to love to hate, while savvy audiences with a sense of humour adore him and his cheeky, satirical-sarcastic and very clever Pop songs.

Jody Ferrer is living an adventure for a year as a “wandering troubadour” according to his Facebook postings, relentlessly attending several open mics nearly every night of the week all across TO in a quest to simply get his songs out there –when the small-mindedly anal retentives will allow him to.

He and/or some of his songs have been banned at open stages all across the city, where some people seem to find the mildly explicit onanistic references in “Stuck In The Friend Zone”, for example, not to their taste. But in other rooms he’s a much appreciated part of their scene.

At Relish on Danforth Ave. a little east of Woodbine, for example, he’s a favourite. He’s known to show up there for the Sunday night Stir It Up jam with several changes of attire in hand and to do hilariously loving send-ups of some the most popular of his fellow regular performers, including writing songs in the styles which characterize them. I can think of several open mic hosts who might find that a bit discomfiting, but personally I always found his music a delight when he came to my open stages.

But now those who think Jody is over the top have their chance at revenge! For he is now the official new host of the Tuesday night open stage at funky family-run Groove Bar at 1952 Danforth Ave., a block west of Woodbine. He’s already done a few nights filling in for erstwhile host Jacelyn Holmes, who seems to have gotten busy with modelling and other musical projects, so the owners of the club know what they’re in for and kudos to them for giving Jody a chance to show what he can do in the other chair.

There’s no cover and the night starts at 9 with a weekly feature set at 10 –tonight it’s songwriter Avelyn Waldman. I’m dropping in for this one –it’ll be worth it just to see Jody stay in one place for more than an hour or so. Maybe I’ll even perform my new ditty: “Stuck In The Groove Zone”! -Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca

LISTINGS:

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. 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 and include a live link to their websites where applicable. Advertisers’ listings are in larger type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

*5-8> Piano Jazz @ Sauce, 1376 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz

5-8> Andy Malette solo piano @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

6> Sarah Burton @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

6:30> Carissa Neufeld Group @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*6:30-11> The Woodshed jam with Don Niblett & Frank Zochodne @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

7> Karaoke with host Rob MacArthur @ Ajax Legion (RCL 322), 112 Hunt St., Ajax

7> Andrew Sheddon @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

7:30-9:30> Jordan Glick & The Usual Suspects @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. TO East ~indie Pop

7:30> Carol Oya @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick St., TO

*8-12> Phil & John Show feat. Phil Naro @ The Harp, 55 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock

8> The Ditch Horses featuring Reid Pickering with Chris Bennett; James Clark with Chris Bennett @ The Only Café, 972 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Folk Rock ~original Rootsy Pop

*8> David Baxter & Friends @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Rootsy Pop/Blues

8> Toronto Folk Singers Club @ Tranzac Club (Tiki Room), 292 Brunswick St., TO

8> Cindy Doire @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

*8> open stage with host John Marlatt @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville

*8:30-12:30> open jam with Frank Wilks & The Bell Bootz @ The Duke Live, 1225 Queen St. E., TO East

8:30> Andrew Collins Trio cd release for A Play On Words @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~~acoustic String Band; $22.50/-

*8:30> Django Jam @ Dominion On Queen, 500 Queen St. E., TO ~Django Jazz

8:30> John Prince; Shanika Maria; Keith Conkie  @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~acoustic

**9> open mic with host Jody Ferrer & 10 p.m. feature by Avelyn Waldman @ Groove Bar, 1952 Danforth Ave., TO East

9> Danny Marks & Alec Fraser Blues Night @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Blues

*9> open mic with host Nikki Lemonbeat @ Kitch, 229 Geary Ave., TO West

9> Trace Minerals @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West

9> Peter Elkas @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West; $10

9> Ababe Music presents John Orpheus; Courage My Love; Dog Bus; Ramsay Almighty @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West ~indie showcase

*9:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ The Fossil & Haggis, 790 Military Trail, Scarborough

*9:30> Peter Verity @ Black Swan, 154 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Folk Roots

9:30> Nicola Vaughan hosts jam @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

9:30> Mimi Oz @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO

*9:30-12> open stage hosted by Jennifer Brewer @ The Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East

9:30> Brad Cheesman Group @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*9:30> jam with Derek Downham @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~eclectic

9:30> Jack Connolly & The Gas Station Cowboys @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country Rock

*10-2> The Sattalites @ Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~orig. & cover Reggae/Funk

10> Nick Fraser presents @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick St., TO

10> The Sinners Choir @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

*10-11> Nik Beat’s Howl radio show @ CIUT 89.5 FM, ~spoken word & music

*10-2> Marshall Dane Trio @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~New Country/Pop

10:30> Jeans Off Duo @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

*10:30> blueVenus with Luke Roberts @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E.. TO East ~original Pop

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