\ TO EAST \

The weather’s still a bit chilly to think about going to the beach, let alone catching a wave on a surfboard, but a couple of shows in east TO tonight will give what feels like a holiday weekend (you can bet a lot of people called in sick after yesterday’s celebrations) a definite proto-summer feel.

If you have fond memories of campfire-style song circles with earnest songwriters sharing their tunes then the 9-12 “In The Round” show at Hirut Café, on Danforth Avenue will definitely appeal to you. Host Boris Buhot welcomes two venerable, close-listening worthy fellow songwriters: Juno-winning guitarist, arranger, accompanist, composer and singer Tony Quarrington; and down-to-earth avuncular Country ditty-crafter Herb Dale.

The small venue at 2050 Danforth Ave., around the corner from the Woodbine subway station, is designed around music —though its Ethiopian cuisine, along with some North American-style dishes prepared by namesake owner Hirut, is as much an attraction as any sonic delights. Hirut’s husband Tibebe, in fact, is a musician of some talent and the room’s dedicated stage with a street-window backdrop features good sound and soft, engaging lighting that creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

That’ll definitely benefit Quarrington, whose verbal wordplay and intricate guitar stylings certainly deserve a room in which he can actually be heard, and it’s always a special (and too rare) occasion when he takes the spotlight to do his own material —so this is an inspired fit. Uncle Herb, as Dale’s friends and fans often call him (harkening back to his welcoming, relaxed open staging hosting over several years) can also be soft-spoken musically but also has some rollicking wit and wisdom in livelier tap-along tunes that easily become earworms. Buhot’s darker, musically dense and powerful original Grunge-Folk tunes, expressed on his debut United Truce album (there’s one track on our website at the Featured Tracks page on the Music tab) and to be featured on a new disc he’s presently recording, should command their own attention; but being performed in a room where people listen to the lyrics is something his songs deserve.

Suggested cover, shared by the talent, is $10 but you won’t be turned away if you can only afford less than that.

Meanwhile at Linsmore Tavern, a few steps from Greenwood subway station a couple stops to the west, a summer vibe will be in full crest starting at 9 tonight as The Beach Party Boys makes its debut appearance in the happening party room that’s also very live music friendly.

An acclaimed tribute to The Beach Boys, this group, fronted by the artist formerly known as The Riverdale Kid (Fernando Curcione), has been playing to sold-out rooms, stadiums and arenas across North America and Europe for the last few years. They got a standing ovation at a festival in California and have even shared a stage with the original namesake band in Montreal three years ago.

As Curicone tells it: “We opened for The Beach Boys in August of 2013 in Montreal [then] we watched [them] perform from the side of the stage and when they were about to do their last song, “Surfin’ USA,” Bruce Johnston of the BB waved us to come on stage and perform with them.” The experience was the “thrill of a lifetime —surreal to say the least,” he added.

Having his group do an intimate show like tonight’s is a rarity, partly explained by the fact that Curcione grew up in the neighbourhood and, like anyone less than the venue’s 80 years of age, has known it forever. At 1298 Danforth Ave., the old-school bar has prices that are far lower than you’d expect while listening to the quality of acts they present weekend nights on a very professionally set up ground-level stage with a generous dance area —though there is a cover to help make all that balance out, tonight $15.

Pass the marshmallows and then catch a wave … summer is coming and its heralds are already here!

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Friday, March 18, 2022:

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

416 - TORONTO CENTRAL

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

*5-7> The Friends of Hugh Oliver @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Folk

*5:30> Jazz Generation; Melissa Smeets @ Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas St. E., TO ~Jazz

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

6-8> Ambre McLean @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz, Blues & Pop; $10/pwyc

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

7:30-9:30> Sara Greene and special guests Signe Miranda & Paul Kolinski@ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

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

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

9> The Lipstick Junkies; Death Valley Yacht Club; Dress Black @ Cameron House (Back Room), 408 Queen St. W., TO

9-11:30> CD release, Rebecca Binnendyk’s Some Fun Out of Life @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz and jazzy Pop

9> SATE with The Dreamboats; Muskadaza; Faiyaz & The Wasted Chances @ The Silver Dollar, 486 Spadina Ave., TO ~Torch Rock, Soul; $

9> Grass Grows Back; Mayflys Landing; Man Made Forest; Harpacash & The Morals; Hello Harvard @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~$8

9> The Devil’s Drink @ Irish Embassy, 49 Yonge St., TO ~Pop Rock

9-10> Veins @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO

9:30-12> Bill Wood and the Woodies @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~Roots-Rock

9:30> Tuesday Heartbreak @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Rd., TO North ~Soul

9:30> Rock Therapy @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St., TO North ~Rock; $10

9:45> Dave Young Quintet @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

9:45> Dee Dee & The Dirty Martinis @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~60s R&B; $

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

10> Freeman Dre @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO

*10> Homesick featuring tba @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St., TO ~Punk; $5

10> James Clark @ Amsterdam Bicycle Club, 54 The Esplanade, TO ~indie Pop

10> Ronley Taper’s Lipliners @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~indie art Rock

10> Fiction @ Bier Markt Esplanade, 58 The Esplanade, TO ~Rock/Top 40

10> The Nighttime; Long Road Act; The Regrettables; Stereo Division @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., TO ~$7

10> Of Gentlemen And Cowards @ Bier Markt King, 600 King St., West, TO ~Pop Rock

10:30> MZ Debbie @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Blues

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

416 - TORONTO EAST

5:30-7:30> The Straight 8s @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

9> Beach Party Boys featuring Fernando Curcione @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Beach Boys tribute

9> In The Round with host Boris Buhot, Tony Quarrington, Herb Dale @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave., TO East ~songwriters

*9> open mic with Matt & Mike @ The Grover Pub, 676 Kingston Rd., TO East

9-1> Wayne Neon and The Amazing Tubular Orchestra @ Black Swan Tavern, 154 Danforth Ave., TO East

9> Chris Staig and the Marquee Players @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East ~indie Pop/Rockabilly

*9:30> Allun Piggins @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Indie Roots-Rock

10:00> I Hate You Rob @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

10> Lady Shake @ An Sibin Pub, 709 Queen St. E., TO East ~Pop Rock

10:30> Shred Penner @ Bier Markt Don Mills, 7 O’Neill Rd., TO East ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

7:30> Brian O’Kane Trio @ Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Jazz; min table charge

9> Side Winder @ Maple Leaf House, 2749 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Etobicoke ~Rock

9> Whayles @ Placebo Space, 2877 Lakeshore Blvd. W., TO  ~Top 40, Rap, Classcs

9:30> Oakland Stroke @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Tower of Power tribute; $10

9:30-1> Double Shot Blues Band @ Refinery Public House, 3039 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke  ~Blues

10-2> 5 In The City @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South ~Pop-rock hits

10> Nice Boys @ Bier Markt Etobicoke, 199 North Queen St., Etobicoke

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

9:30> tba @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough ~classic Rock/Top 40

9:30> jam with Tommy Rocker Band @ Centro Pizza, 3408 Kingston Rd., Scarborough

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

9:30> Bone-Yard @ The Loaded Dog, 1921 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough ~Rock/Top 40

416 - TORONTO WEST

5-8> Ken Taylor: Fixin’s Jazz Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

5-7> Kim Beggs and Justin Haynes @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West

7-9> Sean Pinchin with Ben Kunder @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO W. ~Roots-Rock; $

7:30> David Buchbinder Trio @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Jazz

8> The Filthy Radicals, Peace Be Still, V for Maria @ Smiling Buddha, (basement) 961 College St., TO West

8-10> tba @ Humble Beginnings, 3109 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Roots/Roots-Pop

8:30> The Kruger Brothers @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Bluegrass; $

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

9> Benjamin Hermann & Dana Sipos @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~Folk; $10

9> Processor cassette release with Castle If, Jay Holy @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West ~indie; $

9> Mal @ The Tennessee, 1554 Queen St. W., TO West

9> The Love Addicts @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Motown, Soul

9> Daylight For Deadeyes @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Indie Rock

9:30> D’Arcy Good @ Amico’s Pizza, 1648 Queen St. W., TO West ~Roots/Blues songwriter

9:30> Paul Reddick @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St., TO West ~Blues; $

10-2> The Black Pearls @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO W. ~Travelling Willburys tribute; $

10> Halls Of Devotion @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop, Soul; $pwyc

10> Michael Dequevedo; Honey B Hind @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West

10> Papiosco y Grupo Ritmicos de Toronto @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Afro-Cuban Salsa; $15

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8> Sandman @ Maxwell’s, 35 University Ave. E., Waterloo ~Metallica tribute; $15

8> James Kuttelwascher @ Fionn MacCool’s Kitchener, 4287 King St. E., Kitchener ~Pop

9> Guitared & Feathered @ Brando’s Beach House, 135 Market St., Brantford

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

705

5-7> Chester Babcock @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

9> Bent Nail @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood

9> The Lad Classic with Cleopatrick and Viscosity @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough

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

9:30> The David Love Band also featuring Darrell McNeill @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie

905 EAST

9-1> Jerome Godboo @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~jumpin’ original Blues

9> Room 237 @ The Moustache Club, 15 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

*9:30> Karaoke with Rob MacArthur & Lorraine @ Royal Canadian Legion #322, 112 Hunt St., Ajax

9:30> 2 For The Show @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St., Ajax ~Rock/Top 40

10> Midnight Jewel featuring Brian Potts on bass @ Fionn MacCool’s Ajax, 36 Kingston Rd., E., Ajax ~Pop Rock

10> Deuce @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock

10-2> Beneath Cherry @ Whisky John’s, 843 King St. W., Oshawa

905 NORTH

7-11 James Anthony’s Rockin’ Blues & Soul @ Spot 1 Grill, 289 Rutherford Rd. South, Brampton

8:30-12> Errol Organs @ Spot 1 Live, 289 Rutherford Rd. S. Brampton  ~Bob Marley Tribute from Trench Town

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

9> Sean Bourke Band @ Muddy Water Hotel, 25 Main St. W., Beeton ~original Roots-Rock/Country

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

9:30> The Mixx @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Bon Jovi, Queen, Billy Idol

10> The Koar @ Aw Shucks, 15230 Yonge St., Aurora ~Pop Rock

10> Glass Stafford Blues Project @ CJ Barley’s, 213 The Queensway, Keswick ~Blues

905 – SOUTH

6:30> Ferguson Young with James Ferris @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

7:30> Brenda Brown Quartet @ Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton ~Jazz; $10

8> Prime @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster

9> Johnston; Spruce Invaders; Whoop-Szo @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

9> Katie Harbour @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Hamilton

9:30> 6:30> Soul Train Sessions; Turbo Soul Funk; Grease Monkey; Soul Finger @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton ~indie; $

9:30> Fear The Worst @ Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls

905 WEST

*5> Adam Ostrosser & Joel Guenther @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Pop

*6-9> Krista Blondin @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock, R&B

8> Alfie Smith with Kent MacMillan hosting tribute to Mo’ Kauffey @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerry St., Oakville

9> 7T8 @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Ave., Burlington

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

9:30> The Remenents @ Gator Ted’s, 1505 Guelph Line, Burlington ~Pop Rock

9:30> Talent Show @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Tickets only

10-2> LMT Connection @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Funk/R&B

10> The Terminators @ Bier Markt Mississauga, 55 City Centre Drive, Mississauga ~Pop Rock

10:15> Christian James Band @ Failte, 201 City Centre Dr., Mississauga

10:30> Porch Stool Jam @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington ~Roots-Rock

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