First of two benefit shows at Hugh’s Room for Fathead singer John Mays happens tonight

\ TORONTO WEST \

Whether or not the surgery that Fathead singer John Mays was scheduled to undergo January 28 was successful in stemming the pancreatic cancer with which he has been diagnosed, he’s not going to be able to do much performing for some time.

So even before the operation was scheduled (the good news is that these procedures have a very high success rate, well over 80%) fellow members of the multiple Juno-winning R&B/Blues group and others in TO’s musical community had rallied to organize not one but two show spectaculars at Hugh’s Room to raise money to help him pay the bills as he fights the blight.

(Neither the club’s website nor the band’s have indicated whether the surgery did take place and if so how it turned out, but in any case he’ll certainly need help to get through the coming weeks.)

The Saturday show featuring members of his band and star guests tomorrow is now sold out, but it appears there are still tickets available for tonight’s affair, which also offers a panoply of Blues stars for a way-underpriced admission charge of just $27.50.

Hosted by Danny Marks, tonight’s show, originally billed as “A Tribute To The Delta Blues,” also includes highly regarded and soulful artists Alfie Smith; Julian Fauth, Doc MacLean and Michael Pickett, but I’d expect a lot of “surprise” special guests to also end up taking the stage for this one.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Friday, February 06, 2022:

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

*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 & guest musicians @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~Pop Rock with heart

*5-7> open mic with The Foolish Things @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~original Pop

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

5-8> Kathleen Gorman Group @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

6> First Friday with Sandi Marie & Under The Bus @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Roots/Country

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

6:30> The Jive Bombers @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

7-9> The Double Cuts @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Western Swing

7> Bass Piano with Andrew Wedman, Tania Gill & Ryan Driver @ Tranzac Club (Tiki Room), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

7> Nags Players present “Sleeping Beauty” @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~theatrical

8:30> “Tribute To The Delta Blues” fundraiser for John Mays with Alfie Smith; Julian Fauth, Doc MacLean, Danny Marks, Michael Pickett & more @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues/R&B; $27.50

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

8> Jessica Speziale; Ron Sexsmith; more @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~indie Roots-Pop

8> Conor Gains Band @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~Blues; $10

8:30> Jae Kniat; Jae 10; Jana Teovanovic @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~Best of The Open Stage songwriters; $6

9> Taunted By Girls feat. Michelle Deneault @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9> Midnight Jewel featuring Brian Potts on bass @ Blarney’s Gate, 1151 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~Rock/Pop

9-1> Fraser Melvin Blues Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Blues

9> Catfish @ The Only Café, 972 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Blues

9> Grace @ Eton House, 710 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Funk-Rock/Disco-Soul

9> Elana Harte @ The Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East ~indie

*9> open jam with William A. Miller @ Crossroads Bar & Pool Lounge, 3478 Danforth Ave., Scarborough

9-1> Turbo Street Funk @ Monarchs Pub in Eaton Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St. W., TO ~ Funk/R&B

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

9> Kris Barclay @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country

9-1> Cobra Kings @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Top 40/Rock

9:30> Mark T Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jerry Garcia tribute; $10

*9:30> David Macmichael & Dean McKinnon @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~alt Pop originals and covers

9:30> Al Reilly’s Catalyst @ Harp & Crown, 300 Kingston Rd., Pickering ~classic Rock

9:30> Valerie & The Dreamcatchers featuring Tony Oldland @ The Junction, 646 Danforth Road, Scarborough ~Rock/Top 40

9:30> Hell N Back feat. James Alcock @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Rd., TO North ~AC/DC tribute; $

9:30> Michael Theodore Band @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40

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

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

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

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

9:30> Lisa Smith’s Powerhaus @ Big Daddy’s, 460 Elgin Mills Rd., E, Richmond Hill

9:30> Michael Blues Band @ Shakers, 580 Kerr St., Oakville ~Pop Rock

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

9:45> Atomic @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Swedish/Norwegian Jazz

9:45> Dee Dee & The Dirty Martinis @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues

10-2> Modern LP @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South ~ Rock/Top 40

10> Ken Yoshioka with Dave McManus @ The Hole In The Wall, 2867 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues

10> Bob Marley tribute @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Rock/Funk/R&B

10> Kayla Howran @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO

10> Diesel Dog; Stephen Lewis @ Cage 292, 292 College St., TO ~Funk-Roots Fusion

10> Alun Piggins & The Yum Yums @ the Press Club, 850 Dundas St. W., TO ~Roots-Rock

10-2> Alistair Cristl @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO W. ~Rockabilly

10-2> Jackhammer @ Fionn MacCool’s Ajax, 36 Kingston Rd., E., Ajax ~Pop Rock/Top 40

10-2> Two For The Show @ Whisky John’s, 843 King St. W., Oshawa ~Rock & comedy

10> Throxum; Renders @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough ~

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

10:30> Ramblin’ Band @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington ~Pop Rock

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