\ TORONTO EAST \

While lovers will be preparing for Valentines Day on Saturday, patriots for the 50^th anniversary of Flag Day Sunday and parents for Family Day on Monday, many GTA fans of Roots and Blues music are probably a lot more excited about the 13th edition of the Winterfolk Blues & Roots Festival taking place from tonight through Sunday.

True to its name, the five-stage, four-venue festival on Danforth Avenue near Broadview Ave. does combine dollops of first-rate Blues with an even healthier helping of stellar Roots acts — though I’ve never been quite sure why Blues is listed before Roots in its name, since it was started (and is still presided over) by Folk songwriter Brian Gladstone, whose only Blues song that I’m familiar with is about the angst of working in an office tower. But a rose by any other name still smells as sweet and whatever you called this three-evenings and two afternoons assembly of superb talents, it would still be a kind of music and social masterpiece.

A highlight of the season that truly fulfills its mission of brightening an otherwise potentially depressing time of year, Winterfolk is not only replete with awesome performers on stage, it also attracts many musicians among its attendees and is a chance for them to socialize at a time when they might otherwise be hibernating. As such, it’s the first sign that winter won’t last forever, that Spring indeed is in view.

 

Though most of the shows are free (the festival does ask for a $10 or pwyc donation to purchase a button that gains you entry to all shows over the weekend) there are also several star-studded events, including two tonight, that have cover charges.

Highlights tonight include the two paid shows (one upstairs at Black Swan featuring mostly Blues acts including Alfie Smith, David Essig, Jack de Keyzer and Al Lerman, the other at Globe Bistro featuring artists such as Suzie Vinnick, Clela Errington and Jon Brooks) plus a Country showcase at Dora Keogh, and, at Terri O’s, a workshop with Tony Quarrington, Danny Marks and Ben Sures followed by very entertaining Country-Roots band Glen Hornblast & The Queen Street Cowboys.

One Roots artist who won’t be in attendance tonight is uniquely enchanting and gutturally sincere songwriter Roger “Pops” Zuraw, who does a 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.  show out in his old stomping grounds of Etobicoke at the Second Cup on Dundas W. near Islington. But while he may miss out on the fun tonight, Roger will make up for it by being on stage tomorrow as part of a Gladstone showcase.

That show, and all of the weekend’s Winterfolk listings, along with an indication as to which shows have a cover, will be included in our Daily Listings posts and also can be accessed on the www.winterfolk.com website.)

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Friday, February 13, 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, highlighted, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

Winterfolk XIII for Friday, February 13, 2022                        

Shows are free unless indicated otherwise. For paid shows visit http://www.winterfolk.com/winterfolk-advance-ticket-sales/ to purchase advance tickets.

7 p.m. - midnight at Black Swan 2nd Floor Lounge, 154 Danforth Ave.
“The Blues Of Winterfolk” with Alfie Smith; The Heavyweights Brass Band; David Essig; Winterfolk All-Star Blues Band with Jack de Keyzer. Al Lerman, Gary Kendal & more. ($15 advance; $20 door)

7 p.m. - midnight at Black Swan 2nd Floor Lounge, 154 Danforth Ave.
7: Sebastian Agnello;
8: Stars of The Black Swan with Sebastian Agnello; Steven David; Michael Bar; Dan Dimock; Lynn Mantle; Trevor Jones; Kenny Butterill
10: Onion Honey

7 p.m. - midnight at Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave.
7: Jessica Stuart Few;
8-10: Nashville Songwriters Association International presents host Roger Beckett; Krista Earle; Brad Battle; Paul Lamarche; Melissa Lynn; Carrie Demaeyer; Andy Griffiths; Glenn Marais; Angela Saini;
10: Rae Billing & The Unpayables

7 p.m. - midnight at Globe Bistro, 124 Danforth Ave.
7: Acoustic Harvest presents a showcase with host Lillian Wauthier and performances by Clela Errington; Jocelyn Barth; Jon Brooks; Suzie Vinnick; more ~$10 advance; $15 door

7 p.m. - midnight at Terri O’s, 185 Danforth Ave.
7: Brian Litvin & Jabulani; 8: Andrew Collins Trio;
9: Songs & Stories with host Danny Marks with Tony Quarrington, Jory Nash & Ben Sures;
10: Glen Hornblast & The Queen St. Cowboys

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

5-8> Roger Chong Jazz Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

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

*6-9> Hailee Rose Duo @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~acoustic Pop Rock

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

7> Drunk Ado About Nothiong @ Tranzac Club (Main Hall), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

7:30> Roger Zuraw @ Second Cup Islington, 4580 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke ~original Roots

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

8> Mississippi Bends @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~gritty Swamp Rock; $10

8:30> Joanne Crabtree & Paul Mills @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~Roots; $10

8:30> Alfie Zappacosta @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~songwriter; $39/-

9> The Sleepovers ep release @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~indie Pop Rock; $5

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

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

9-1> The Boxcar Boys @ Monarchs Pub in Eaton Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St. W., TO ~ Folk/Jazz

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

9> The Riot Kings @ Maple Leaf House, 2749 Lakeshore Boulevard East, Etobicoke ~Rock/Top 40/Blues

9-1> Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St., Oshawa

9> Paul Nathan @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country

9> Ballroom Babies @ Blarney’s Gate, 1151 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~Rock/Pop

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

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

9:30> Johnny Max & The Heart Attacks @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9:30> tribute to The Police @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Rd., TO North

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

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

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

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

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

9:30> Pat & David @ Shakers, 580 Kerr St., Oakville ~Pop Rock

9:30> Hot Buttered Soul @ Gator Ted’s, 1505 Guelph Line, Burlington ~Pop Rock

9:30> Bare Blue Sea @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Pop Rock

9:45> Chuck Jackson @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Blues

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

10-2> Superstitious @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South ~classic Rock

10> Amanda Rose Band with Josh Gordon on guitar @ Crown Bar, 9580 Yonge St., Richmond Hill ~Pop Rock

10-2> Midnight Jewel feat. Brian Potts on bass @ Whisky John’s, 843 King St. W., Oshawa ~Pop Rock

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

10> Mel Colacino Blues Band @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO

10-2> The Royal Crowns @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO W. ~Rockabilly; $10

10-2> Scully & The Crossbones @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock

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

10> The Silver Hearts @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough ~

10:30> Shikha Sehgal with special guests Neil Mac Cearnaigh; Sam Dlugokecki; Jean Baptiste De Collier @ Not My Dog, 1610 Queen St. W., TO West ~indie Pop

10:30> Clifton David Broadbridge @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Blues-Rock

11> The Jessica Stuart Few @ Amrsterdam Bicycle Club, 54 The Esplanade, TO ~indie Pop

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