\ TO EAST \

We told you a little bit about Enzo Simone and the Surf Riders band just about a year ago when the group briefly took over a Sunday jam at a bar in Pickering.  That didn’t last too long, in part because Enzo is a pretty busy guy [see details below] and he ended up handing the event over to another anchor, who also didn’t stay very long.

Eventually, in January of this year, a fourth outfit tried to make a go of the event at West Shore Bar and Grill, but once again they didn’t last.  That maybe shouldn’t be surprising, since, as we told you then, the original group that ran the event successfully for a year-and-a-half actually abandoned the room to move their jam elsewhere.  (The club does virtually nothing to support its occasional live music, having no functional website and only occasionally bothers to update its Facebook page with sporadic last-minute posts a few hours before shows take place, making it basically useless.)

But back to Enzo, who tonight gets to perform at Linsmore Tavern in east TO —a club which promotion-wise is the exact opposite of West Shore.  His Surf Rock group, built around his prodigious instrumental guitar prowess, appears along with two other acts for the weekly Indie Night in the room at 1298 Danforth Ave., steps from the Greenwood subway station.

The Linsmore has figured out what it takes today to be successful utilizing live music as a draw, which the old-school bar does five or more nights every week.  All in all, this room, under music maestro, Ryan Mangano (whose father Basil has owned the room for over three decades of its nearly 82-year history)  does just about everything right,

Ryan covers all the social media promotional bases.  He has a fully up-to-date website with an easy-to-read and informative calendar; a Facebook page that already has the full September schedule in prominent view; a Facebook group where updates are regularly shared; and he is relentless in nearly daily posting detailed and enthusiastic bios and descriptions of the performers that play in the room to a wide variety of Facebook groups —always remembering to include the start time and covers (when there is one).

The club also sports an outside marquee that is kept up to date, has posters of upcoming shows all over the place and even features an electronic scrolling screen with visuals of the forthcoming acts along with bar specials, etc.  The room also features a house PA and decent show lights (though someone needs to teach bar staff how to aim and adjust them so that reflections from the window behind the stage don’t create a piercingly blinding shine that makes it impossible to see the performers faces and becomes unbearably irritating after half an hour of focusing on the show).

There’s no food (though you can order from the bistro next door via the bar) and no debit or credit card capability (an ATM in the back, however) but drinks are very reasonably priced and it’s a place that’s unpretentiously welcoming and relaxed enough that you don’t mind getting a little sauced.

The Indie Tuesdays event sees attendance go up and down, as all such nights are bound to do.  But sponsorship of the event by Steamwhistle Breweries means draught pints are available for just $5 while support from a TO music store, a satellite radio network and a promoter who books the acts means not only is there no cover but with so many people helping spread the word most Tuesdays it’s a really good musical experience with an enthusiastic audience and artists who are truly trying to make their mark.

Things kick off at 8 and Enzo’s band takes the stage for the final hour at 10 p.m.  In addition to his Surf Rock ensemble, Simone is a veteran of the musical scene who is also a Blues performer (he’s one half of the Toronto Blues Brothers Tribute act) and is equally adept at Rock and Jazz.  In the Surf genre he has found a way to infuse the best of both elements to the degree that his cover version of Dick Dale’s 1962 classic “Misirlou” was used as the opening tune in the movie “Pulp Fiction” several years ago.  And a new, more modern version of the song that he recorded just last year (and which you can hear on YouTube) and sent to Dale himself, elicited an email from the master praising his skills.  What more do you need to know?  Summer’s ending but the surf’s up tonight!

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Tuesday, August 30, 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.). 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

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

6-7:30> Leslie Huyler @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~ indie; $10-$20/pwyc

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

*6:30-9:30> Stacie McGregor @ Nawlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Jazz piano

7> open mic @ Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas St. E., TO

7:30> The Saint Dirt Elementary School Band @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick St., TO

8> Callfield; Amberwood; The Steady Rebels; Shy Harry @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $5

8-11> Marlon Chaplin @ Wolf Like Me, 834 Bloor St. W., TO

8> Toronto Folksingers Club @ Tranzac Club (Tiki ROom), 292 Brunswick St., TO

8-9:30> Annie Bonsignore @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~ indie; $10-$20/pwyc

8:30> Beatrice Sohler; Lilian Kimto @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~

*8:45> Tyler Yarema & His Rhythm @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues; $

9> Sam Coffee & The Iron Lungs; New Swears; Evergreen; Love Story; Electric Spoonful @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; no cover

*9> Chris Caddell Blues Band @ Lou Dawgs, 598 King St. W., TO ~Blues

*9:30> open mic @ The Paddock, 178 Bathurst St., TO

**9:30> Jazz jam hosted by Steve Amirault @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

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

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

*10> The Hit Pickers @ Cloak & Dagger, 294 College St., TO

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

10-11:30> Chris Birkett @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~ indie; $10-$20/pwyc

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

416 –TORONTO EAST

*6-9> Julian Fauth solo @ Sauce, 1376 Danforth Ave., TO East ~original Blues piano

7-10> Dirty Dishes @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Roots-Country/Folk-Bluegrass; no cover

8> Star Pilot; Dirty Hurricane; Enzo and the Surf Riders featuring Enzo Simone @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~indie; no cover

8> FingerStyleGuitar.ca open stage @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Roots

*8:30-11:30> Matt Winkler solo @ Firkin On Danforth, 2057 Danforth Ave., TO East ~acoustic Pop

8:30-10:30> We-B3 @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

*9-1> jam with Paul Storm and The Hog Town Torpedoes @ The Duke Live, 1225 Queen St. E., TO East

*9> open mic with host Asha Diaz @ Groove Bar, 1952 Danforth Ave., TO East

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

**9:30-12> open stage hosted by Jay Pennell or Kyle Duffin @ The Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

7> Music Circle with Deirdre @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke

*8> Groovestone @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Rock/Soul

*8> open mic with Steve Herman and Scott Deathe @ Refinery Public House, 3039 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

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

416 – TORONTO WEST

1-5> Rob Foreman Trio @ The Wine Garden, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO, TO West ~R&B/Swing; no cover with CNE admission

1:30-5:30> Danny Scott @ Casino patio/stage Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO West ~Pop Rock; no cover with CNE admission

3-6> Greg Wyard @ CNE Midway Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO West ~Pop Rock; no cover with CNE admission

3-6> Kelly Prescott @ CNE Northern Comfort Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO West ~Country Pop; no cover with CNE admission

5-8> Ali Berkok @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

5-9> Club Django @ The Wine Garden, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO West ~Jazz; no cover with CNE admission

6:30-10:30> The High Rollers @ Casino patio/stage Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO West ~Pop Rock; no cover with CNE admission

7:30-11> Hot Rocks @ CNE Midway Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd., TO West ~Rolling Stones tribute; no cover with CNE admission

7:30-11> Tristan Horncastle @ CNE Northern Comfort Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO West ~Country; no cover with CNE admission

7:30> Scott Helman & Tyler Shaw; Dan Talevski opens @ CNE Bandshell, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd., TO West ~modern Pop; no cover with CNE admission

8-10:30> Tuesday duos with Peter Hill on keys & guest tba @ La Rev, 2848 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Jazz/Blues

*8-11> Freeman Dre & The Kitchen Party @ The Inter Steer, 357 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~acoustic Folk-Rock originals & covers

*8> Cody McMillan hosts jam @ The Cat, 3513 Dundas St. W., TO West

8:30> Valley Maker; Greg Mashinter @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~original Seattle Pop; $10

9> Katey Morley; The Bleeding Hearts; The Detours @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W., TO West ~indie; pwyc

9> Redsteps @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Folk-Rock

9> Jazz Forge @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

*9> jam with The Northern Greys @ The Cat, 3513 Dundas St. W., TO West

519

*10> open jam with host Chris Brown @ Brando’s Beach House, 135 Market St., Brantford

705

7> open mic with Randy Hill @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

9> Matt Jarvis @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough

10> Jared Lutes @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

905 - EAST

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

*7-11> open acoustic jam with Darren Smith & Shayne Thomas @ The Thirsty Monk, 21 Celina St., Oshawa

9> James Barker Band @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country Rock

*10> open mic with Josh Beaven @ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa

905 – NORTH

7-10> open song circle with Patti McLaughlin @ Aw Shucks, 15474 Yonge St., Aurora

*8> open mic @ The Tickled Toad, 330 Steeles Ave. W., 905 North

*8-11> jam with Matthew Kane & The Brews Brothers @ The Crown, 9580 Yonge St., Richmond Hill

*8:30-12:30> open mic @ Falcon & Firkin, 10300 Yonge St., Richmond Hill

*9> open mic with Manny D, Andy Earle & Dave Breckels @ Big Chris BBQ, 17380 Yonge St., Newmarket

905 - SOUTH

*8> Blues & Jazz jam hosted by Wayne Janus & The Syncopaths @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton

*9> open stage @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

*9:30-1> Traditional Irish jam @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

905 - WEST

*8> The Phil & John Show @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~acoustic Pop Rock

*8-12> Big in Japan @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Funk; $

*8> open stage (signup at 7:30) with host Neil McNaughton @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; $2

*8> open mic night @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line, Burlington

*8:45> open mic with Matt Zadkovich @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga

*10> Chuck Coles of The Organ Thieves and Creepshow hosts open mic @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington

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