\ TO CENTRAL \

Summer is officially over and, as if watching the calendar, Mother Nature has begun offering a taste of the cooler weather to come.  While many will cope with the change in part by getting flu shots over the coming couple of months (I’m glad I did last year, I can say unreservedly) other tonics are available that help bolster your mood as the temperatures fall —and few would dispute the beneficial health effects of that.

Even before he became newly health-conscious well over a year ago now, Roots songwriter, guitar ace and Winterfolk Festival founder/director Brian Gladstone was well aware of the salubrious effects of music on general well-being —in fact it was one of the reasons why he started his festival in February, at a time when many are direly in need of a psychic pick-me-up.

As if to emphasize that relationship between music, mood and well-being, Gladstone has long referred to the various open stages he’s run in a variety of venues over the past decade or so as “Dr. B’s Acoustic Medicine Show” —and that of course is the moniker he’s still using for his successful Saturday afternoon series at Free Times Café, now just about to enter its third year with its season kick-off today.

The series began November 1, 2021 and takes a break in the summer months —and also at the height of the winter festive season and for Winterfolk— but the 2-5 pm or so events have since the beginning, as we told you about this time last year, consistently been very busy and attract a particularly high level of talent.  No doubt many see it as a chance to bring their material to Brian’s attention:  while there is a committee that selects Winterfolk artists, the festival’s website acknowledges the fact that appearing at Brian’s Saturday open stages could help your chances.

(As the site says: “Although not considered a formal Winterfolk audition, nor an official festival activity, UNOFFICIALLY … Brian Gladstone runs an open stage Saturdays at the Freetimes Cafe in Toronto.  All artists are welcome to come out and play some tunes.  If there is any talent that he believes is ‘festival quality’, it will be reported to the Winterfolk Artistic committee.  If there is any interest on behalf of Winterfolk, they will connect with the artist.”)

But whether or not you are a festival-calibre performer, it’s certainly of benefit and a fillip to both your mental and physical health, as well as your musical growth, to be associating with some of the finest of local Roots and Blues talents who regularly appear at the event.  In addition to the joys of being able to perform on a stage where the sound settings are taken seriously and people actually listen, it’s a great weekly learning and networking opportunity.

And like the flu shots we can these days all get free courtesy of the government, there’s no cover charge to attend the event —though of course it would be rude to spend nothing given that it takes place in the rather small cozy back room of the club at 320 College St. a little east of Augusta Avenue.  Buy a beverage and toast to your health!

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Saturday, September 24, 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, highlighted type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

*12-3> The Sinners Choir @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

2> Dr. B’s Acoustic Medicine Show open stage with host Brian Gladstone @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. TO

2-4> Poetry & Music Salon showcase & open mic with host Brenda Clews & performances by Karen Lee, Linda Stitt, Michael Mirolla, Kirk Felix @ Palmerston Library, 560 Palmerston Ave., TO

3> The Boxcar Boys @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO ~rootsy Folk Jazz; pwyc

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

3> Full Bore Blues @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave., TO ~Blues Rock

3-6> Jay Clayton Vocal Jazz workshop @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~$50 sing, $20 to audit

3-6> Bob Brough Quartet @ The Pilot, 22 Cumberland St., TO ~Jazz

3:30> Jerome Godboo Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Blues; $

4> The Screwed @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~Punk Rock

4-7> York Jazz Ensemble @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~$

*4:40-7:30> The Happy Pals @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~New Orleans Jazz

*5-8> Blues & Troubles @ Déjà vu Bar, 389 College St., TO ~Blues

6> Colonel Tom & The American Pour featuring Peter Hill on keys @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~original Honky Tonk

6-8> The Distillery @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Blues; $10-20/pwyc

6:30> Scott B. Sympathy @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Roots/Blues originals

7:30> Justin Bacchus @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~ Jazz; $

8:30> Kennedy Station @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. TO ~$5

8:30-1> Jerome Tucker Band with Rob Christian, Carl Harvey, more for Libra birthday jam @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Blues; $10-20/pwyc

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

9> The Wrong Kids @ Dominion Pub, 500 Queen St. E., TO ~cover Pop Rock

9> Big Racket @ Drums N Flats, 1980 Avenue Rd., TO North

9> Marwills @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~original Roots-Rock

9> Stephen Stanley @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~Roots Rock

9-11> Broadsway @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $25

9> UIC; The Leather Uppers; Adaptor 45 @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~original Rock; $15

9> Christina Custode @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO

9> Forever Man @ Scruffy Murphy, 150 Eglinton Ave. E., TO North ~Clapton tribute

9:30> Poor Man’s High; The Love Orchestra; HiPlayers Blues; Get Down Collective @ Crown and Tiger Bar, 414 College St., TO ~eclectic; $5

9:30> Groove Marmalade @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~Rock/Top 40; $

9:30> Susie Grooves & Co @ Originals, 1660 Bayview Ave., TO North ~cover Rock/Blues

9:30> Lady Kane @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St., TO North ~Funk/Soul/R&B; $10

9:45> Pat LaBarbera & Kirk Macdonald Quintet @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz tribute to John Coltrane; $

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

10> Hot Fiyah @ Orbit Room, 580 College St. TO ~Funk/Soul; $

10> LambLion; The Pigott Brothers; The Owls Seem What They Are Not @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO ~indie; pwyc

10> Greg Cockerill Band @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10> A Memory From Ken Aldcroft @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

10> Price Brothers Trio @ Bier Markt Esplanade, 58 The Esplanade, TO ~Pop Rock

10-2> Caution Jam @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Grateful Dead style jam band

10> Wolves In The Throne Room; Cloud Rat @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., TO ~originals; $18.50

10> Daylight For Deadeyes @ Bier Markt King, 600 King St., West, TO ~Pop Rock

10:30> Stone The Radio @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

416 – TORONTO EAST

*3:30-6> Johnny Wright @ Outriggers, 2232 Queen St. E., TO East ~R&B

6-8> Bossa Tres @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Latin/Gypsy Jazz

6-8> Thelonious Hank & Lily Frost @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Country

7> The Proclaimers; Jenny O @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., TO East ~$30.75-$50

7:30> Kiss CF Goodbye fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis research with various acts including Hell N Back featuring James Alcock; Rock And Roll Over; Invincible; Staring At The Sun @ Opera House, 735 Queen St. E., TO East ~tributes to AC/DC, KISS, Pat Benatar, U2; $

8> Monarch Park reunion with Frank Wilks & Freedom Express @ Stone Lion, 1958 Queen St. E., TO East

9-12> David Leask @ The Feathers, 962 Kingston Rd., TO East ~songwriter; no cover

9> karaoke @ King’s Belly, 429 Donlands Ave., TO East

9> Luck Factory @ Old Nick Pub, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Pop

9> Tim Bovaconti Big Band @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Rock/Top 40

9> The Dawgs @ The Eton House, 710 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Rock/Pop; $5

9:30-11:30> Kim Jarrett @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~original & cover Roots-Pop

9:30> Zeppelinesque @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Led Zeppelin tribute; $

10:30> Of Gentlemen & Cowards @ Bier Markt Don Mills, 7 O’Neill Rd., TO East ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

*3-6> Whitey & The Roulettes @ Blue Goose, 1 Blue Goose St., Etobicoke South ~R&B/Blues

**4-8> The Essentials with guest singer Johnny O @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Rock-R&B

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

7:30> John MacMurchy Quartet @ Old Mill Inn (Homesmith Bar), 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Jazz; minimum table charge

9> Eddy Moon & The Silverbirds @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock

9> Nasty Habits @ Maple Leaf House, 2749 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Etobicoke ~Rock/Top 40/Blues

9> Oakland Stroke @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Tower of Power tribute; $10

10-2> Hereafter @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Rock/Top 40

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

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

9-1> DK Smith @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock

9:30> Rock jam with Tommy Rocker Band @ Centro Pizza, 3406 Kingston Rd., Scarborough

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

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

9:30> Bone-Yard @ The Loaded Dog, 1921 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough ~Rock/Top 40

416 – TORONTO WEST

*noon-3> Julian Fauth solo @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues

*Noon-3> Danny Marks @ Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W., TO West ~Blues/Jazz

**2-5> Yor Magic Open Mic with host Sasan Beni @ La Rev, 2848 Danforth Ave., TO West

4> Nicole Dunn’s Plectrified Blues @ TO Lounge, 1384 Queen St. W., TO West ~Blues

**5-8> Bill Heffernan’s Saturday Sessions with featured guest Michelle Rumball’s Beauty Saloon @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. TO West ~ Roots/Country/Pop

5-8> Daylight For Deadeyes @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Pop Rock

*5-8> Blues jam with Ken Yoshioka @ On Cue Billiards, 349 Jane St., TO West ~Blues

7> Lucas Dipasquale & guests @ Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W., TO West ~$12

8:30> Ray Montford @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~rootsy Pop originals; $

8:30> The Bills album release @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Folk-Pop originals; $27.50

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

9> The Pedlers @ Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W., TO West

9> Chris Staig & The Marquee Players @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Roots Rock/Pop

9:30> Wasted Measures @ Brazen Head Pub, 165 East Liberty St., TO West ~Pop Rock

10-2> Big Tobacco & The Pickers featuring Anne Werbitsky on pedal steel @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West

10> Mob Barley & The Railers @ 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Bob Marley tribute; no cover

10:30> El Quinto @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Salsa; $15

519

3-6> Wild T & The Spirit @ Brando’s Beach House, 135 Market St., Brantford ~Blues

4-8> Mushy Peez @ Norfolk Tavern, 200 Main St., Port Dover ~

8> The Weber Brothers; The Rebneys @ The Brig, 200 Main St., Norfolk

8:30> The O’Deadly’s @ Fionn MacCool’s Kitchener, 4287 King St. E., Kitchener ~Pop

9> Footbridge Road @ M&M Bar, 475 Main St. E., Cambridge

9> Must Stash Hat @ Woolwich Arrow, 176 Woolwich St., Guelph ~original art Rock

10:30> Paisley Road @ Norfolk Tavern, 200 Main St., Port Dover

705

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

7:15> Alyssa Wright @ Barrie Bus Terminal, 24 Maple Ave., Barrie ~Jazz

8:30> Briannah Cotton Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

9> Sean Pinchin @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood ~original Roots-Pop

9> Jennifer Holub; Brian Dunn; Sean Conway @ The Spill, 414 George St., Peterborough

9:30> Heavy Pet with special guest Karen Dodd @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie

9:30> Dub Trinity @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

10> Mysterious Betty; Act on It @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

905 EAST

*4> Bruce and Doug @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St., Oshawa ~Blues

8> Letdown Bearings; Matlock Expressway; Headswirl @ The Moustache Club, 15 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

9> Paint album release party for disPLAY; guests The Strange Cases; Cabbages and Kings  @ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa ~original Brit-flavoured Rock ‘n’ Roll; $7/2 for $10

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

9> TJ King @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country

9-1> Waterdowns Blues @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~Blues

10> Homesick EMO Night @ The Moustache Club, 15 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

10-2> The Spitfire Kings @ Fionn MacCool’s Ajax, 36 Kingston Rd. E., Ajax ~Rock/Blues

905 NORTH

8-11> Pulse In Tempo @ Yogi’s Bar, 1285 Elgin Mills Rd. E., Richmond Hill ~Pop Rock

9> Vinyl Groove @ Muddy Water Hotel, 25 Main St. W., Beeton ~Rock ‘n’ Roll

9-1> Dufferin County Line @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Country Rock

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

9:30> Pop Machine @ Aw Shucks, 15230 Yonge St., Aurora ~Pop Rock

10> Bon Jovi Forever @ Village Inn, 2 Holland St. E., Bradford ~Bon Jovi tribute

905 SOUTH

**2-4:30> Davidson, Dicresce & Nero host jam with guests @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster ~Rock/Top 40

**2> Brant Parker Band with guest tba @ Donnelley’s Pub, 54 Front St., Thorold ~Blues

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

**2:30> special guest tba with The Mighty Duck Band @ The Golden Pheasant, 244 Ontario St., St. Catharines ~R&B/Blues

**2:30> Blues Matinée @ Coach & Lantern (upstairs), 384 Wilson St E., Hamilton ~Blues

8> Hannah Shira Naiman; Niagara String Band @ Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton ~Country

8> Dala @ Station 1 Coffeehouse, 28 Main St. E., Grimsby ~original Roots duo

8> East Mountain reunion with Jerry Doucette & guests @ Bay City Music Hall, 50 Leander Drive, Hamilton ~vintage Rock/Pop; $15

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

8> Fast Romantics; First Ghost; Betour; Jamie Cia; The Royal Foundry @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~indie; $10

9> The MacLeans @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton ~original Folk Rock

9> XX Bassmusic 4 @ Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton ~emerging original electronic music; $

**9> Niagara Rhythm Section & guests John Findley & Rob Gusevs @ The Old Winery, 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-On-The-Lake ~R&B/Blues

9:30> Bypass Off @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

9:30> The Rewind Line @ Stonewalls Hamilton, 339 York Blvd., Hamilton ~Rock/alt-Rock covers

9:30> Vinyl Flux @ Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls ~Rock/Top 40

10> Persons album release; guest Guy Madonna @ Havin, 26 Barton St. E., Hamilton ~indie

905 WEST

**2-6> Sil Simone Band with special guest Jeff Eager @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Rock/Blues

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

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

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

4-8> Victoria Young @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop/Blues/Jazz

8:30-1> Andy Griffiths & The Lost Groove with John Marlatt for double-birthday bash @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~Roots-Rock/Country; $10

9:30-11:45> The David Love Band also featuring Darrell McNeill @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington ~60s melodic Pop Rock

9:30> Marshall Dane @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Country Pop/Top 40

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

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

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

9:30> 905 Band @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Ave., Burlington ~Rock/Top 40

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

10-2> Tom Barlow Band @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Top 40; $

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

10:15> Orangeman @ Failte, 201 City Centre Dr., Mississauga ~Pop Rock

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

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