\ ETOBICOKE \

It’s the longest night of the year, as the Winter Solstice takes place so naturally, this evening being a lynchpin for holy days in numerous religions that celebrate on or around it, there are Christmas-type parties happening all over the place.

Some of them, of course, can be called a seasonal or festive party in name only, really, since they’re basically the usual fare offered by various bands —albeit wearing Santa hats and presumably liberally lacing the joint with mistletoe in order to grab a chance for a smooch with the apple of their eye.

Many of the special events, however, do include holiday songs or carols and we’ve tried to indicate where that is definitely the case in our listings below —though it’s not always easy to know for sure exactly what’s going on in many rooms given the appallingly bad promotion so many clubs and bands do these days.

Naturally it being a time of year when charitable mindedness prevails for many, quite a few of the events are also collecting non-perishable food items for various food banks and other community organizations aiming to help out low-income folks over the festive season.   In some cases the food donation is in lieu of a cover charge and in others it’s expected in addition to the admission fee.

At one of our favourite bars holding its annual Christmas do tonight, however, in return for bringing along a food donation to the club’s annual food drive (which runs, btw, until the end of the year) you’ll be treated not only to a live band but also a sumptuous free buffet.

Southside Johnny’s owner John Theodore always, as we told you a couple of years ago for the 2015 edition of this event, pulls out all the stops for the festive occasion that starts at 5 (dinner served around 6) and runs all evening.

The buffet is always awesomely delectable in this room at 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. near Brown’s Line that’s as renowned locally for its food as it is for its lineup of excellent musical talent Thursdays through Sundays weekly.

There’s usually also giveaways of various items, as John, despite being a hard-nosed businessman much of the time, is also well known as a generous host and has a soft spot for Christmas, often bringing along his family to take part, and the room is always filled with much merriment. 

Adding to the spirit is one of the GTA’s most versatile and entertaining combos, Skip Tracer, with frontman Kevin Bath always able to keep you alternating between dancing to the group’s high-energy, wide-ranging musical repertoire and laughing at his hilarious repartee and improvisations between songs.

Even if you don’t live in the Alderwood/Long Branch area, for this party it’ll be worth the trip to Etobicoke tonight!

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca
[email protected]

 

SHOW LISTINGS for Thursday, December 21, 2021

For KEY to listings codes and schemata see note at end of shows list.

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ONLINE / ON AIR

9-10am> “The Bill King Show” with host Bill King & guests @ CIUT 89.5 FM ~Blues/Jazz

Noon-2> Blues on Rock Radio UK with Carolyn Fe

8> Ken Wallis show with tracks and interviews @ www.bluesandrootsradio.com

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

*5-8> Danny Blue @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave. ~acoustic Pop

5-6> Brendan Canning with Choir Nation @ Union Station, 65 Front St. W. ~Christmas; $0

*5-9> open jam @ Steve’s Music, 415 Queen St. W.

6-8> L J Folk with Peter Hill on keys @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~Jazz & Christmas tunes; $10-20/pwyc

6> Corin Raymond @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W. ~songwriter

6-9> Dan & Jean-Luc @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave.  ~Roots-Rock; $0

6:30> Worst Pop Band Ever @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

6:30-9:30> Kensington Market Solstice parade with Lorne and The Kensington Horns @ Kensington Market, Oxford at Augusta

7-9:30> music and poetry open stage (signup at 7) @ Queen Gallery, 382 Queen St. E. ~$5/donation

*7:30-9:30> Bluegrass Thursdays with Houndstooth @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.

8> Julian Taylor Band annual holiday concert @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W. ~original Funk/R&B/Soul/Pop; $

8> The Barra MacNeils @ Roy Thomson Hall, TO Central, 60 Simcoe St.  ~East Coast Christmas show; $

8> July Talk @ Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St. ~contemporary original; $

*8-12> Joe Bowden’s Nothin’ But The Blues @ N’awlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues

8> Erik Bleich & Carl Lorusso Jr. “Last Hurrah” finale show with guests @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St.

8> Smash it Up 21 Christmas party with Mark Malibu & The Wasagas; The Dave Howard Singers; Eugene Ripper; more @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W. ~eclectic indie; $

8:30-1> open mic with Alicia Porter @ The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St.

8;30> The Achromatics holiday party @ Supermarket, 268 August Ave.  ~Funk/R&B/Soul

9> Nequita Russell; XOLOEBO; Josh Grant @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St. ~indie; $10

9> “Choreographer’s Ball” @ Mod Club, 722 College St. ~musical dance presentation; $25

9> Joe Bowden Project @ Poetry Jazz Café, 224 Augusta Ave. ~original Jazz; $

*9-1> Blackburn @ Jo Mamas, 317 King St. W. ~Blues

9> Blu @ Shangri La Hotel, 188 University Ave. ~Christmas

9> The Foggy Hogtown Boys & Drunk Fiddling Santa @ Tranzac Club (Main Hall), 292 Brunswick Ave. ~Country/Roots-Rock/Rockabilly

9> The Mandevilles; Luke Austin; Tiger and Bloom @ The Ballroom Bowl, 145 John St. ~indie; $0

9> open mic @ Originals, 1660 Bayview Ave.

*9:30> jam with host band The Regulators @ College St. Bar, 574 College St.

9:30> Freeman Dre & The Kitchen Party’s “Festivus Show” @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Roots-Rock; $

*9:45> Stacey Kaniuk @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E. ~Jazz/Blues/Pop; $

10> Christmas Surf party with C&C Surf Factory; The Surfragettes @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W. ~Surf Rock

10> Graham Kartna; Jim O’Brien Jr; Ted Kennedy; Kyvita @ Handlebar, 159 Augusta Ave. ~electronic music; pwyc

10> Bertie & Her Gents @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave.

10> The Reklaws @ Rock ‘n’ Horse Saloon, 250 Adelaide St. W. ~Country; $

10-2> Parkside Drive @ The Hideout, 423 College St. ~Rock/Top 40 covers & contemporary original; $

10> Glass Tunnels @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. ~experimental

10> After Funk @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO  ~Funk/R&B/Soul~Christmas

10> Honors; The 25^th Hour @ Velvet Underground, 508 Queen St. W.  ~contemporary original; $

10> Jack Walker’s “Festivus Miracle” @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E.

*10:30> Mike Barnes @ Pauper’s Pub, 539 Bloor St. W. ~acoustic Pop

416 – TORONTO EAST

6-9> Lamblion @ Pan On The Danforth, 516 Danforth Ave. ~Jazz

7-9> Lilly Mason Trio @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. ~songwriter; 0$

7-11> David Barrett recording release for Isolated Guitar @ Whistler’s Grille, 995 Broadview Ave. ~original Jazz; $

7> Serena Ryder @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave. ~Funk/R&B/Soul; $

8-12> open mic with Amber Durette & Gary Edward Allen & feature by Richard Charles Moulaison @ Legends, 774 Danforth Ave.

8> The Throwdown @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave. ~Funk/R&B/Soul

8> Jazz Money @ The Shore Leave, 1775 Danforth Ave. ~Jazz

8-10> Artie Roth & Steve Koven @ Sauce, 1376 Danforth Ave. ~Jazz

*8:30-10:30> Jerry Leger & The Situation @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E. ~Folk-Rock/Country

9> fotosound @ Eton Houe, 710 Danforth Ave. ~Rock/Top 40 covers

*9:30> open jam with host Kar Wong @ Sportsters, 1430 Danforth Ave.

*10-2> karaoke with Shane Taylor @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave.

416 - TORONTO ETOBICOKE

5> Christmas party with draws, giveaways, free buffet and live band Skip Tracer at 10 @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. ~admission by n-p item for foodbank holiday drive

7> open mic night @ Fair Grounds Organic Café, 2785 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

7:30> Alex Samaras @ Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Rd. ~Jazz; min table charge

8> Humber Blue; Scheduling Conflict for Out of The Cold fundraiser @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W. ~indie; $10

9> Pretzel Logic @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line ~tribute to Steely Dan; $

9:30> Bryan Tyrell @ The Old Sod, 2936 Bloor St. W. ~Pop

*10-2> Christmas party continues with Skip Tracer @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. ~Rock/Pop

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

5:30> jam/karaoke night @ Blue Lagoon, 2532 Eglinton Ave. E.

*8> open mic with David Wildsmith @ Silly Goose Pub, Scarborough, 1703 Victoria Park Ave.

*8-12> Christmas jam with Juggernaut & guests Darren James Smith @ Muckish Irish Pub, 74 Hymus Ave. ~Christmas Rock

8-12> jam night with Copy Machine @ The Birchmount, 462 Birchmount Rd.

9:30> Y-US @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd. ~Pop Rock

10> jam & karaoke @ Smiling Jacks, 3482 Lawrence Ave. E.

416 – TORONTO WEST

5-8> G Street Jazz Duo @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz

6-9> Kensington Hillbillies recording release for Belly Of The Beast @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. ~Country/Roots-Rock/Rockabilly; $15

7> Amanda Toms & Friends fundraiser for Daily Bread Food Bank @ 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas St. W. ~~Rock/Top 40 covers; $10 (collecting n-p goods for foodbank)

7:30> Art at the Mezz @ Mezzrows, 1548 Queen St. West

8> The Tang; Astral Nomad; Burn Apollo; Earlybird @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W.  ~indie; $

8> David Delisca; Ania Soul; Kareem Bennett; more @ Drake Hotel Lounge, 1150 Queen St. W. ~eclectic indie; $10/$5 with n-p goods for foodbank

8> Beth Rogen; Gun Ho Catalyst; 4 Legged Squid @ The Baby G, 1608 Dundas St. W. ~indie; $

*8> open mic @ Axis Gallery & Grill, 3048 Dundas St. W.

8:30> Origins; Mandy Lagan @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W. ~tribute to Joni Mitchell & originals; $

8:30-1> Samba holiday party with Brazilian Trio; Batucada Carioca @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W.

9> Ed Vokura @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St.  ~violinist; pwyc

9> “Venus Fest Winter Solstice Party” with Jennifer Castle; Aisha Sasah Joh; Ora Cogan @ The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W.  ~eclectic indie music & words; $15

*9-12> open mic night with Anthony Abbatangeli @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W.

*9-1:30> open stage with Jay Pennell @ Dave’s On St. Clair, 730 St. Clair West ~eclectic

9-12> Chris Staig & The Marquee Players @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz

9> Little Boxer; Ferraro; girlongirl recording release for single @ Smiling Buddha Stage 1, 961 College St. ~indie; $

9> Baby Doomers; I Feel Sorry; Nice Going @ Smiling Buddha Stage 2, 961 College St. ~indie; $

9> Christmas party with Raoul & The Big Time @ Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W. ~Blues/R&B; $

9> Discmen @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave. ~90s Rock/Top 40 covers

9> The Swinging Pussycats @ Shameful Tiki Bar, 1378 Queen St. W. ~Surf/Rock/Rockabilly

9> Sean Burns @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Winnipeg songwriter

9:30> The Reposadists Quartet @ Reposado, 136 Ossington Ave. ~Jazz

10> Al Tuck & band; Aaron Comeau @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. ~recording release for tribute album to  Gene MacLellan; $

11> The Digs @ Drake Hotel Lounge, 1150 Queen St. W. ~groove Rock; 0$

519

*6-10> Lucas Stagg @ Argyle Arms, 210 King St. E., Cambridge ~Roots-Rock

6> Dave Menard @ StrykerZ Kitchen, 120 Ottawa St. N., Kitchener

7> Sandy MacDonald @ Easy Pour Wine Bar, 1660 Blair Rd., Cambridge ~Roots-Rock

7-9> Gwen Potter @ McDougall Cottage, 89 Grand Ave. S., Cambridge ~kitchen ceilidh

7> Peter Shaw @ Lancaster Smokehouse, 574 Lancaster St. W., Kitchener ~Christmas songs

7> Our Father Star; Torn Down Units; Quinn K @ Black Wolf Smokehouse, 139 Broadway Ave., Orangeville ~indie; $

*7:30-12> open mic with K.M. Smith @ Molly Bloom’s Guelph, 91 Wyndham St. N., Guelph

7:30> Charity Brown’s semi-annual Christmas Show @ The Boathouse, 97 Jubilee Drive, Kitchener ~Christmas; $10

8> Rob Szabo @ Rhapsody Barrel Bar, 179 King St. W., Kitchener

*8:30> acoustic jam hosted by Mike Meacher & Vic Freitas @ Kiwi Gastropub, 47 Dickson St., Cambridge

*8:30-12:30> acoustic jam with Dennis Napper & Joe Lopez @ Fiddle & Firkin, 707 King St. E., Cambridge

9:30> Brad James @ Stampede Corral, 248 Stirling Ave. S., Kitchener ~Country

*10-2> Mike Something @ Royal Electric, 52 Macdonell St., Guelph ~acoustic Pop

705

*7:30> Rob Phillips Jazz/Blues Trio and Marsala Lukianchuk @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

8> The Reed Effec; Slamboni; Loaded 4 Free @ Foxx Lounge, 16 Dunlop Street East, Barrie ~eclectic indie; $5

*8> The Quickshifters @ Hot Belly Mama’s, 378 George St., Peterborough ~pwyc

8> The Kents Holiday Homecoming with guests Lost Cousins; Hutch; Cleopatrick; Mary-Kate Edwards @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough ~original Roots/indie; $10 + collecting n-p goods for foodbank

8-12> Donnie Meeker with Fish Bar Super Group @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood ~Blues; $5

*8-11> Open mic @ George & Orange Taproom & Kitchen, 67 Orange St., Cobourg

8> Campfire Poets Duo @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

*9> jam with Ted Rusk @ The Sauble Dunes, 11 Southampton Parkway, Sauble Beach

9-1> Get The Funk Out @ Donaleigh’s Irish Public House, 28 Dunlop St. E., Barrie ~Funk/R&B/Soul

*10> Jan Schoute @ McThirsty’s Pint, 166 Charlotte St., Peterborough

905 EAST

*5-8> Nelson Denis @ Frank’s Pasta, 42 King Street E., Cobourg ~eclectic mix (Folk, Jazz, soft Rock, Latin)

*6-10> Sticks & Tones @ Fionn MacCool’s Oshawa, 214 Ritson Rd., Oshawa ~Rock/Top 40 covers

8-11> Mellow Dee & guest Amber Hardy @ Rum Diaries, 368 Bayly St. W., Ajax ~soft groove Pop/R&B

*8-11> open mic night @ George & Orange Taproom, 67 Orange St., Cobourg

9-12> open jam with Chris & Jay @ Brooklin Pub, 15 Baldwin St., Whitby

9> Blues jam @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

*9-2> open mic with Rich With Sin @ Gravity Lounge, 45 Prince St., Oshawa

9> Deuce @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~acoustic Pop covers & originals duo

*9:30> jam with Billick @ Harp & Crown, 300 Kingston Rd., Pickering

*10> Karaoke with Rob MacArthur @ St. Louis Ajax, 11 Harwood Ave., Ajax

905 NORTH-EAST

7-10> open mic jam with house band Mr. Mad Trio @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jacksons Point

*8> open mic with host Kevin Kerr @ The Duchess of Markham, 53 Main St. N., Markham

*8-11> Jam with Jayme Lynn Reed @ Offsides Sports Bar, 200 Simcoe Ave., Keswick

905 NORTH-WEST

*6:30-10:30> jam with Faces for Radio @ Coasters, 55 Rutherford Rd. S., Brampton

7> Neil Cotton & Dave Hubert @ Uncorked On Main, 72 Main St. S., Georgetown ~Country

7:30-11> jam night @ Spot 1, 289 Rutherford Rd. S., Brampton

*7:30-11:30> jam with house band @ 52nd St. Tap & Grill, 30 Kennedy Rd., S., Brampton

9> open mic (signup starts at 8:30) @ The Barrel, 2180 Steeles Ave. W. Vaughan

*9> open mic with The Almost Cool Band @ St. George Pub, 7 Main St. N., Georgetown

*10:30> jam with Gary White & Friends @ Bryden’s, 270 Main St. E., Milton

905 SOUTH

7> Chuck Jackson & Tyler Yarema @ Mississippi Queen Foods, 635 King St. E., Hamilton ~Blues/R&B; $

*7:30> open mic @ Station Coffee House, 28 Main St. E., Grimsby

*8-10> open mic with The Vaudevillian @ Rust City Brewery, 27 King William St., Hamilton

8> Josh Coulter @ Judge and Jester, 17 Main St. E., Grimsby

9> 20 Fingers @ Ale House, 802 Upper Gage Ave., Hamilton

9-1> DLUX with Jesse O’Brien @ Uno Mas, 150 James St. S., Hamilton ~Hip-Hop/Soul

8:30> Chris Chambers @ Lou Dawg’s Hamilton, 116 George St., Hamilton

9> open jam with Tim Ninehouse and Mr. Jay @ George Hamilton Restaurant, Hamilton, 152 King St. W.

*9> jam with Hank & The Boys @ Tartan Toorie, 969 Fennell Ave. E., Hamilton

*9> open mic night with rotating hosts @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Ancaster

10> Strummers Union @ The Pheasant Plucker, 20 Augusta St., Hamilton ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

10> Shari, Jonny & Justin @ Cat N Fiddle Hamilton, 174 John St., S., Hamilton ~Roots-Rock

905 WEST

4:30> Adam Cooke @ SB Prime, 380 Brant St., Burlington

5:30-1> acoustic all-ages open mic @ Marco Polo Restobar, 1971 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga

*7> Fraser/Daley @ Anchor Bar Burlington, 2000 Appleby Line, Burlington ~original Rootsy Blues

7> Burlington Slam Project open mic @ Black Bull Burlington, 1124 Guelph Line, Burlington

7> Rob Reed @ Max Resto Lounge, 2180 Itabashi Way, Burlington

*7-10> Clarke County @ Montana’s BBQ Mississauga, 5031 Hurontario St., Mississauga ~Country

*7-11> James Anthony Band @ 5 West Brewpub, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington

?*7:30> Bluegrass jam @ RCL #551 Waterdown, 79 Hamilton St. N., Waterdown

8-12> Jam night with Screamin’ Evil Band featuring Keith Danby @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington

8> Barlow, Yeh, McNeill @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Top 40 covers & originals

8> Kent MacMillan @ Bronte Sports Kitchen, 2544 Speers Rd., Oakville

*8-12> jam hosted by The Personics @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington

*8> Celtic Night @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line

9> Pink Leather Jacket @ Door FiftyFive, 55 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit

9> The Ramble Series & guest Mike Branton @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St. Oakville ~Blues/R&B; $

9-1> Freedom Train @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Pop

*9:30> jam with Jack B Nimble @ Abbey Road Pub, 3200 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga

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

LISTINGS KEY

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.

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