\ TO CENTRAL \

Jazz festivals are a common feature of the Toronto music scene these days and music festivals are a regular occurrence in the unique little creative neighbourhood of Kensington Market.  But a Jazz festival taking place in the Market?  That boggles the mind of folks like myself who associate the unique inner-city enclave with decidedly more Roots-Rock or Blues based styles of musical entertainment.

But not only is “The Market” —as denizens and regular visitors call the area between Dundas St. West and College Street and Spadina Avenue and Augusta Ave.— putting on the three-night/two day Kensington Market Jazz Festival involving nine venues this weekend, there are some major talents appearing as part of it.

That’s perhaps in large part due to the fact that the event is the brainchild of famed TO singer Molly Johnson, who, according to the festival website, was born and raised in the Market.  Together with fellow performer/songwriters Ori Dagan and Genevieve Marentette and with participation of the Kensington Market BIA, local venue Tom’s Place owner Tom Mihalik and others, the idea was hatched in April and has blossomed impressively to include a stellar lineup.

Mainstream Jazz diva Carol Welsman helped kick things off yesterday night along with performances by other luminary talents such as Jim Cuddy, Heather Bambrick, Ivana Santilli and Robi Botos to name just a few.  Today’s lineup, which runs in the afternoon in three of the rooms and the evening in the rest, includes more stars such as Tabatha Johnson, Shakura S’Aida, The Shuffle Demons, Kevin Breit & Folk Alarm, Reg Schwager, Soul Stew, Lou Pomanti and two groups featuring Peter Hill on piano: Laura Hubert Band and Alex Pangman & Her Alleycats, among with many other well known local staples of the genre.  Tomorrow is equally impressive with giant talents like Joe Sealy, David Restivo, Tony Quarrington, Michael Occhipinti, Jane Bunnett, John Alcorn and Bernie Senensky among the features.

You can see or download the full schedule from the festival’s events lineup page, or see the graphic accompanying the article for details on today’s shows.  Covers for each show are collected individually and range from $10 and up.

Surprisingly to me, several of the rooms in the area that regularly feature live music seven nights a week (Lola on Kensington Ave. and Graffiti’s on Baldwin St., and Grossman’s on Spadina Ave.) aren’t part of the event, which may simply be because their schedules are committed to other artists well in advance.  (For example, Graffiti’s has its regular monthly matinee with Sin City Boys this afternoon.)

But the lack of participation by some of the area’s main rooms also indicates it has room to grow, that if this year’s event is a success (and despite a lack of promotion it certainly deserves to be) then not only is it likely to return next year but, in Johnson’s words from the site, “this could be the start of something big!”

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Saturday, September 17, 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

Noon-11pm: Kensington Market Jazz Festival with various acts in seven venues [see article and graphic for lineup and venue details].

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

Noon-11> Bloor/Ossington Folk Festival with many acts including Bidiniband; catl; Wax Mannequin; more @ Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor St. W., TO ~eclectic Roots

1-5> Brother Paul @ Lola Pub, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

3> The Hot Five Jazzmakers @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO ~traditional Jazz; $5

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

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

3:30> Chris Hunt Tentet + 2 @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

4-7> Sin City Boys featuring Kevin Jollimore @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~vintage Pop Rock covers/Tex Mex originals; no cover

4-7> The Way Back @ 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

5-8> various poets including Donna Langevin; Max Layton; Robert Priest; for 100,000 Poets For Change @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W., TO ~spoken word; no cover

6-7> Alex Pangman & Her Alleycats featuring Peter Hill on keys for Kensington Jazz Festival @ Supermarket, 268 Augusta Ave., TO ~Jazz; $10

6-8> Dan Taylor; The Command Sisters @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Folk/Pop; $10-20/pwyc

6> Grier Coppins @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~songwriter

7> Julianna Barwick; Blunt Chunks @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

7-8> Laura Hubert Band featuring Peter Hill on keys for Kensington Jazz Festival @ Poetry Jazz Café, 224 Augusta Ave., TO

7:30-1> Burn Down The Capital @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

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

8> Chris Ryan @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

8> Ricard Dias Gomes; Ida Toninato; Kat Estacio @ The Music Gallery, 197 John St., TO ~art Rock; $15

8> The Waverleys; Matthew Oomen @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. TO ~songwriters; $10

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

8:30> Okkervil River; Lee Harvey Oswald; The Deslondes @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., TO ~indie Rock; $24.50

8:30-11:30> Colin Hunter with Joe Sealy Quintet @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $15

9> Candice Sand Trio @ Dominion Pub, 500 Queen St. E., TO ~cover Pop Rock

9> Graham Nicholas; Stan Simon; The Del Fi’s @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W., TO

9-2> Traitrs; Morthouse; Eyeballs; Basement Revolver @ The Silver Dollar, 486 Spadina Ave., TO ~indie; $

9> The Mekons; Skinny Lester; Simone Denny @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~Punk/alt-Rock/indie; $20

9> Shannon Chapman Band; Rhyme Jaws; Emsea @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO ~original Funk/neo-Soul

9:30> Pop Cherry @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~vintage Pop Rock

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

9:45> Roy Assaf Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~NYC Jazz; $

9:45> Robin Banks Band @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues; $

10> Ride The Tiger @ Orbit Room, 580 College St. TO ~Funk/Soul; $

10> New Grease Revival @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10> The Miltkman & The 2% @ Bier Markt Esplanade, 58 The Esplanade, TO ~Pop Rock

10-2> Grant Fullerton Band with guest Neil Chapman @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Blues Rock

10> The Soulkicks @ Bier Markt King, 600 King St., West, TO ~Pop Rock

10:30> Shawn Brady & The Northern Sons @ 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> Thelonious Hank @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Country

7> Harpin’ Norm Lucien and Paul Cross for church fundraiser @ Woodbine Heights Baptist Church, 1171 Woodbine Ave., TO East ~original Roots-Pop; $20

7> Max Brand Band @ Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11, 9 Dawes Rd., TO East ~classic early Rock/R&B

7-9> Roots & Branches @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Roots/Blues originals; no cover

8> Kyp Harness Trio @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave., TO East ~trenchant original Roots

9-12> Kickback @ The Feathers, 962 Kingston Rd., TO East ~Roots-Rock; no cover

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

9-11> Bidini Band @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Country-Roots

9> Trish O’Brien Band @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East

9> Andrew Fetterley Duo @ Murphy’s Law, 1702 Queen St. E., TO East ~Pop Rock

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

9:30-11:30> Tyler Ellis @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~original Folk-Rock; no cover

9:30> Burn @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Deep Purple tribute; $10

10:30> Daylight for Deadeyes @ 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 Penny Skolski @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Rock-R&B

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

7:30> Melissa Lauren Trio @ Old Mill Inn (Homesmith Bar), 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Jazz; minimum table charge

8> Against The Wind featuring Josh Gordon & Amanda Rose @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke ~Bob Seger tribute; $15

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

9:30> Mob Barley & The Railers @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Bob Marley tribute; $10

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

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

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

8> Stargazer @ The Birchmount, 462 Birchmount Rd., Scarborough ~tribute to Ronnie James Dio; $10

8:30> Black Suit Devil @ The Loaded Dog, 1921 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough ~Rock

9-1> Fraser-Daley @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd., Scarborough ~Rootsy Blues

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> Loading Zone @ Stone Cottage Pub, 3750 Kingston Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO WEST

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

2-5> Irish Music Session with David Meenan @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Irish

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

5-5:30> various poets including Linda Stitt, Brenda Clews, Norman Allan, many more for 100,000 Poets For Change @ Jekyll and Hyde, 2340 Dundas St. W., TO West ~poetry about social change; no cover

**5-8> Bill Heffernan’s Saturday Sessions with feature Bill Heffernan’s Homeland Security Roadhouse Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. TO West ~ Roots/Country/Pop

5-8> The Hit Pickers @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Bluegrass

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

5:30> Desarae Dee album release party with guest Mo Saxx @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~original; $10

6-9> The Don Valley Shotgun Band @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

7:30> Sharon Van Letten @ Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W., TO West

8> Jeremy and Jenn @ Gladstone Hotel (Melody Bar), 1214 Queen St. W., TO West ~Pop duo

8:30> Rita Chiarelli; Sweet Loretta @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues; $

9> The Fairest and Best; BackTrack Band featuring Mary Zatzman @ Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W., TO West ~original Pop/Motown

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

4> West Side Rockabilly Story with various Rockabilly bands, pinball, vendors, dance lessons, more @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W., TO West

9> Moskitto Bar @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Celtic/Balkan

9> Simple Damned Device @ The Cat, 3153 Dundas St. W., TO West ~original & cover Rock/R&B; no cover

9:30> Were Heads cassette release with guests Animalist; High Signs; Grids @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West ~indie; $

9:30> Andrew Grady Band @ Brazen Head Pub, 165 East Liberty St., TO West ~Pop Rock

10> Coresteppers 28l Aaron Spectre @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~$15

10-2> Tim Bradford & The Bandits @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Country; $

10> Park Eddy; Blast From The Sun @ 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Pop Rock

10:30> Ricky Franco & The P-Crew Orchestra @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Salsa; $15

11> The Jessica Stuart Few @ The Bristol & Bombay, 1087 Queen St. W., TO West ~indie Pop

519

3-6> Delmar Junction @ Brando’s Beach House, 135 Market St., Brantford

8> Paul McInnis @ The Garafraxa Café, 131 Garafraxa St. S., Durham

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

9> The Vaudevillian album release; guest Ginger St. James @ Rhapsody Barrel Bar, 179 King St. W., Kitchener ~old-time style originals

9:30> Bobby Cameron @ Fionn MacCool’s Orangeville, 75 Fourth Ave., Orangeville ~Pop

705

1-6> The Fred Grant Squares 20^th anniversary with various guest acts including The Band of Brothers; The Wee Stinky Band featuring Wayne Neon @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie ~eclectic

2> Perkolator @ The Spill, 414 George St., Peterborough

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> Another Day @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

9> Kate Quinn Duo @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood

9> Super Funk Band of Awesome @ The Spill, 414 George St., Peterborough ~Funk

9:30> Memphis Mudd @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie ~Blues

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

905 EAST

2> Walk for Sick Kids fundraiser with entertainment featuring Rob McArthur, etc. @ Red Lion, 44 Hunt St., Ajax

*4> PRJ @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St., Oshawa ~Blues

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

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

9> Johnny Menace album release; guests Xephyr; Citizen Red; No Lives Matter @ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa ~indie; $5

9-1> Jenn & The Jets @ Tap and Tankard, 224 Brock Rd. S., Whitby ~Rock/Pop

9> BA Johnston; VS the Borg; Deathsticks @ The Moustache Club, 15 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

10-2> Five Wheel Drive @ Whisky John’s, 843 King St. W., Oshawa ~Rock/Top 40

905 NORTH

7:30> Soul Mates featuring Sue Martin @ The Cornerhouse, 6403 Main St., Stouffville ~Rock/Top 40

7:45-11> City In Wires; Ravyn Red; Castro Radio @ Yogi’s Bar, 1285 Elgin Mills Rd. E., Richmond Hill ~original Pop

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

9> Kingfishers @ King Richard’s Pub, 15570 Yonge St., Aurora ~Pop Rock

9:30> Philcos @ Jake’s Boathouse Brampton, 59 First Gulf Rd., Brampton ~70s-90 Rock/Disco/Dance

9:30> Rearview Mirror @ Spot One, 289 Rutherford Rd. S., Brampton ~Pearl Jam tribute

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

10> Lipstick Scream @ Village Inn, 2 Holland St. E., Bradford

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

7-11:30> Dorian Gray; Great Lakes; Past The Verge; Sunnycide @ Mikado, 7 Helliwell Lane, St. Catharines ~indie; $10

8> Butterflywingtip @ Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton ~original Rock duo; $10

8> Acoustic Moments @ Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton ~acoustic Reggae

8> Jack’D Up @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster ~Rock/Top 40

9> Killin Time Band @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Hamilton ~Pop Rock

9> CATL; Matty Simpson Band; The Handsome Devils @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~indie alt-Country

9> Semi-Tones @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton

**9> Niagara Rhythm Section & guests Fraser Melvin & Andrew Moljgun @ The Old Winery, 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-On-The-Lake ~R&B/Blues

9:30> Grant Ave. @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

9:30> Thorn & Roses @ Stonewalls Hamilton, 339 York Blvd., Hamilton ~acoustic Pop Rock trio

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

905 WEST

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

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

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

4-8> Larry Melton @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock

8> Harte & Mazur featuring Elana Harte @ American House, 324 Dundas St. E., Waterdown ~original acoustic Pop Rock

8-12> Patrick Ballantyne Band @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~songwriter; $10

9> Project 360 @ Shakers, 580 Kerr St., Oakville ~Pop Rock

9> The Extractions @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Pop Rock

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

9:30> Susie Grooves Band @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Pop Rock

9:30> The Mahones @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~original Celtic Rock

9:30> Chris Syire @ Gator Ted’s, 1505 Guelph Line, Burlington

9:30-11:45> Rhythm & Bones @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington

9:30> Keep The Faith @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Ave., Burlington ~Bon Jovi tribute band; $

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

10-2> The Wheat Kings @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Tragically Hip tribute; $

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

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

10:30> Friday Night Special @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington ~Pop Rock

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