\ TO DOWNTOWN \

As it prepares to wrap its 49th season in two weeks (with, once again, The Curries husband-wife duo closing things out on June 29) the weekly Fat Albert’s Wednesday night coffee house open stage remains a premier event for songwriters to share their talents with their peers.

As we’ve told you previously, this non-alcohol, non-profit, volunteer-run event that started in a church basement in 1967 (and is now held at the Steelworkers Hall at 25 Cecil St. off Spadina south of College) is all about the music.  There’s no bar sales goals to worry about, no servers hustling appetizers, no televisions or between-set piped in music and no chattering mobs of sports fans to spoil the magic.  As the event’s website says, “what we pay is attention.”

As also previously recounted, over its five decades many well-known artists have participated in the evenings, which give every performer except the feature just two songs each, in an order determined by a draw that takes place following the 7-8 p.m. signup period.  Feature sets, which are greatly coveted by the famous and obscure alike, are longer and really are a kind of badge that says you’ve arrived as a songwriter.

And tonight’s feature set by one such artist who’s becoming more and more prominent and prolific on the TO Roots scene over the past couple of years, Harpin’ Norm Lucien, totally exemplifies the Fat Albert’s spirit and mission.

As I mentioned in an article in April, this versatile, soulful songwriter, who began to perform locally as a harmonica accompanist at open stages about five years ago (whence the “Harpin’ in his appellation), has steadily garnered a lot of deserved accolades for his powerful and often catchy songs that are heartfelt exhortations to respect the environment and our fellow humans and to treasure love and life in all its forms.

In addition to both accompanying and inspiring Folk songwriter Nicole Coward (she named her latest album after her cover of his “Strong Enough For Love”) Norm has been asked to host several open stages, has done recent gigs at Winterfolk and Nashville Bound showcases, has had tunes included on SongTown compilation discs, last year released a 5-song ep of originals and is a much in demand as a guest or band member (for his guitar playing and original songs as much as for his harpin’ these days) by many of his fellow Roots and Pop talents.

Norm’s feature set should start around 9 but it’s worth arriving for the first 8 p.m. performance because you just never know who that might be.  Cover charge at Fat Albert’s is still just $2 I believe and there’s coffee and pastries usually also available for a nominal amount.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Wednesday, June 15, 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 and 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

5> Gordon Shawcross @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO

*5:30> Kama House Band @ Kama, 214 King St. W., TO ~Jazz

6-8> Gigi & Friends featuring Genevieve Marentette @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10

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

6:30> Jim Gelcer Group @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*7> Jim Heineman Trio @ Nawlins, 299 King St. W., TO ~Jazz

*7-10> Blues jam with Mark Stafford & Ken Yoshioka @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St., TO North

7> Kalyna Rakel album release for The Other Side & guest Jeremie Albino @ The Supermarket, 268 Augusta Ave., TO ~indie; $

7:30> Chemistry @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., TO

7:30> No Angels Dancing with Allison Cameron & Stephen Parkinson @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. TO

*7:30> Jeff Willingham @ Lou Dawgs Ryerson, 76 Gerrard St. E., TO ~acoustic Pop

**8-12> Girls Night Out Jazz singers’ jam with Lisa Particelli, Peter Hill et al @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO

**8 (7 p.m. sign-up)> open stage with 9 p.m. feature by Harpin’ Norm Lucien @ Fat Albert’s, 25 Cecil St. (Steelworkers Hall), TO ~Roots

8-1> open jam with Wednesday’s Child feat. Johnny Bootz Hutt @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

*8> open mic with host Jay Pollock & feature @ Touché Martini Bar, 669 College St., TO

8:30> 60s Folk Revival with Sue & Dwight, Michelle Rumball & Tony Laviola @ Free Times Cafe, 320 College St., TO ~Folk singalong; $10

9> The Digs @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Funk/Jazz/neo-Soul; $

*9 (signup at 8:30)> open mic with Alan Carter @ Lowdown, 276 Augusta Ave., TO

*9-2> What’s Poppin’ indie jam @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St., TO

9> Northern Saints; Love Tapper; The Last Honest Fool; The Tired Flames; Port Citites @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $5

9> Abigail Lapel @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO ~indie

9:30> Montreal’s Jazzamboka @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

10> Tim Bradford @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Country songwriter

9:30> Josh Cole Quartet @ Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave. TO

*10-2> Blues-Rock jam with Bruce Domoney @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave. TO

10> NXNE Festival @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

*10:30> The LMT Connection @ Orbit Room, 580 College St. TO ~Funk/R&B; $10

416 – TORONTO EAST

*7:30-10:30> The BTBs @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz

*8> acoustic open mic with Phill Hood & feature by Andy Ferri @ An Sibin Pub, 709 Queen St. E., TO East

8:30-10:30> Mediterranean Stars featuring Ed Roth on accordion @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Baltic Folk Jazz

9> Kevin & Samantha Kennedy @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East

*9:30> open stage with Nicola Vaughan @ Black Swan (downstairs), 154 Danforth Ave., TO East

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

7:30> Havana Nights @ Old Mill, 21 Old Mill Rd. (Home Smith Bar, minimum table charge) ~Jazz

7:30> Anti-Nowhere League @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke

8-1> Gib & Tam @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~

9> Space Jazz jam with guitarist Meagan Luchko & Kevin Bolger & band with weekly guest tba @ Placebo Space, 2877 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~Jazz ; $10/pwyc

416 – TORONTO WEST

5-8> Rick Maltese @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

7-11> BackTrack Band featuring Marty Zatzman @ Cadillac Lounge (patio) ~big band Motown

8> In The Round with Gillian Nicola; Brooklyn Doran; Nancy Dutra; Miss Kitty @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West ~songwriters; $10/pwyc

8> Paul Reddick @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues; $?

*8> MFA open mic @ Remix Lounge, 1305 Dundas St. W., TO West

**8:30-10:30> Hump Night Blues with Dave McManus & Cleave Anderson, George Baumann + special guest Paul “Storm” Polisano  @ On Cue Billiards, 349 Jane St., TO West ~Blues

8:30> Justin Nozuka; Down By The Riverside @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~songwriters; $20

8:30> Richard Shindell @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Roots songwriter; $30

9-12> Blues Night with Julian Fauth & guests @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~original Juno-winning Blues

9> Jonathan Rajesky @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West

9> Brendt Diabo & The Ramblers @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Rockabilly/Country

9> Zeppelinesque @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Zeppelin tunes; $10

*10> Kristine Schmitt & The Lonesome Ace Stringband @ The Hole In The Wall, 2867 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Pop

519

8> Annette Haas @ Fionn MacCool’s Kitchener, 4287 King St. E., Kitchener ~acoustic covers & originals

9> The Phil & John Show feat. Phil Naro @ Molly Bloom’s Waterloo, 170 University Ave., Waterloo ~acoustic Pop Rock

705

*7-11> open jam with The Freacon Band @ The Beacon, 146 45th St., Wasaga Beach ~ Blues, Jazz; $5

7> Christine Atrill Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

8> Craig Smith @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood

9> Dylan Menzie with Jacob Henley @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough ~songwriter

905 EAST

7> Bruce Gorrie @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

*8-11> open mic @ Frank’s Pasta, 426 King St. E., Cobourg

9> open mic @ The Moustache Club, 15 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

*10> open mic @ The Thirsty Monk, 21 Celina St., Oshawa

*10> Two For The Show @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock

905 NORTH

*7> open mic night with Tanya Joy Senior @ Col. McGrady’s Pub, 44 Brock St. W., Uxbridge

*7-close> open mic with Kevin Ker @ The Mill, 139 Mill St., Unionville

*8:45> open mic jam with Matt Zady @ Magnums, 21 McMurchy Ave. N., Brampton

*9-1> open mic jam with Whiskey Birds @ Sweetz Lounge, 5289 Hwy 7, Woodbridge-Vaughan

*9:30> open mic with The Villagers @ Main’s Mansion, 144 Main St., Markham

*10-2> jam night with Switchbeat Trio @ Maguires, 284 Queen St. E., Brampton

905 SOUTH

*7> open mic night @ Donnelley’s Pub, 54 Front St., Thorold ~Blues

7> Learie McNicolls @ Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton

**8-1> Boogie N Blues jam with Ian Andrews & Friends @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

8> Terrie Petrie & band hosts Country Wednesdays @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster ~Country

*8:30> Something Country @ The Endzone, 1900 King St. E., Hamilton ~Country

9> Lori Yates’s Creative Genius Songwriting Workshop finale with Paul Jackson; Amy Nicks; Greg Rider Farrll; Ernest Hesketh; Ian Neilsen @ Homegrown Hamilton, 27 King William St., Hamilton

9> Singalong with Judy Marsales @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Hamilton ~Rock/Top 40

9> Black Pussy; Sour Pussy @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

905 WEST

8-1> Songsmiths hosted by Lorne Allan with Andy Griffits; Jeff Orson @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~songwriters; $5

*8:30> The Carson Freeman Diversion @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock

9-1> Jeremy and Jenn @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Pop; $

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