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We’ve written many times about the remarkable, unsinkable and very talented, engaging songwriter Murray Powell, who has shown a remarkable ability to overcome obstacles and bounce back from adversities.

Blind from birth, he went on to be his public high school’s valedictorian, was a pioneer in getting equal treatment for the disabled at his federal government workplace and turned the soul-shattering tragedy of the murder of his daughter into fuel for powerfully touching songs and a determination to find solace and healing in his music.

He also has a devilish sense of humour and while he may not be able to register you with his vision, he’ll quickly see through any pretention or posing you try to get away with.  Wry lyrics often infuse songs about the trials, tribulations and many joys of love as well as pithy story and observational tunes.

Since recovering earlier this year from another big setback —when he was badly injured in an accident on the subway last year— the barrel-chested Country-Roots songwriter has also shown himself increasingly adept at weaving covers and repartee into a very entertaining night of song and monologues.

He told me at a show earlier this year that he was in the process of putting a band together (as well as a new album in the works) and tonight the combo, dubbed the Velvet Moon Band, debuts as the feature act for a benefit on behalf of a theatre organization known as The Glenvale Players taking place in the august music-dedicated concert space at Hugh’s Room in west TO.

He’s assembled a unit with some formidable talent.  While I’m not familiar with the drummer, Ron Hacket —who is also visually challenged— his bass player and backing lead guitarist are well known to fans of Country, Blues and Roots music.  Veteran four-stringer Darwin Bruce is adept at various genres, as is stellar six-stringer Kevin Bell.

The Glenvale Players collective for which the benefit show is being staged is a non-profit, non-unionized theatrical group composed of blind, vision-impaired and sighted performers as well as some with other disabilities, putting on shows and holding workshops, etc. as way of developing skills and providing a creative outlet for its members.

His 8:30 p.m. show of two one-hour sets in the room at 2261 Dundas St. West also includes a silent auction with nearly 50 items to bid on and cover is just $25.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Thursday, October 20, 2021

Listin

gs 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 or event page. Advertisers’ listings are in larger type and highlighted, include a live link to their website and also have a copy of the ad included in listings.

ONLINE / ON AIR

9-10am> “The Bill King Show” with host Bill King & guests @ CIUT 89.5 FM ~Blues/Jazz

Noon-2> Blues on Rock Radio UK with Carolyn Fe

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

6> Rum Fit Mosey @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

6-8> Debbie Fleming @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Pop/Jazz; $10-20/pwyc

6:30> Victor Bateman Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*7> open mic with Derek Mok @ Kensington Lodge, 21 Kensington Ave., TO

*7:30-9:30> Bluegrass Thursdays with Houndstooth @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

8> Katey Gatta @ Dominion Pub, 500 Queen St. E., TO ~cover Pop Rock

*8-12> Joe Bowden @ Nawlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues

8> Inevitable; Grass Grows Back; Mustard Junkies; The Alta Kakas @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., TO ~indie; $6

8:30-1> open mic with Alicia Porter @ The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St., TO

8:30> Emma Cava Quartet @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W., TO ~eclectic songwriter; pwyc

8> Brooklyn Doran; Oh Geronimo; The Maladies of Adam Stokes;  @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St., TO ~indie

9> Relic Kings album release; guests Robert John; Texas Dirty @ Cherry Colas, 200 Bathurst St. TO ~indie; $

9-11:30> Lisa Michelle; Gina Pennesi; Omar Lunan @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~neo-Soul covers; $15

9> The Pack A.D.; Bill Moon; Rooftop Love Club; Dead Love @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $17.50

*9-1> Blackburn @ Jo Mamas, 317 King St. W., TO ~Blues

9> Uptown Soul @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St., TO North ~Funk/R&B; $5

*9:30> jam with host band The Regulators @ College St. Bar, 574 College St., TO

9:30> Bad Luck Woman & Her Misfortuntes @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Blues; no cover

9:30> Barry Elmes Quintent @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*9:45> Alison Young @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz; $

10> Janes Party @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10> Willieam Hunt @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

10> Dixie Chicken @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Little Feat tribute; $

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

*10:30> Mike Barnes @ Pauper’s Pub, 539 Bloor St. W., TO ~acoustic Pop

416 – TORONTO EAST

7-9> Rory Cummings Band @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~cover & original Country-Pop; no cover

7> Born Ruffians; Casper Skulls @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., TO East ~$25-30

8-12> tba @ Black Bear Pub, 1125 O’Connor Drive, TO East

*8:30-10:30> Jerry Leger & The Situation @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Folk-Rock/Country

9> Fraz Milne Electrical Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~indie

9> The Réves @ Murphy’s Law, 1702 Queen St. E., TO East ~Pop Rock

*9:30> open jam with host Kar Wong @ Sportsters, 1430 Danforth Ave., TO East

*10-2> karaoke with Shane Taylor @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East

*10-1> open jam with host Michael Villamor @ Breakwall, 1910 Queen St. E.

416 - TORONTO ETOBICOKE

7:30> Ted’s Warren Commission @ Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Jazz; min table charge

8> Grump @ Bier Markt Etobicoke, 199 North Queen St., Etobicoke ~indie Pop Rock

9> Pretzel Logic @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Steely Dan tribute; $10

*9:30-2> Skip Tracer @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd., Etobicoke South ~Rock/Pop

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

8-12> jam night with host band Camel Joe @ The Birchmount, 462 Birchmount Rd., Scarborough

9> jam hosted by Tommy Rocker Band @ Karla’s Roadhouse, 4640 Kingston Rd., Scarborough

9:30> High Rollers @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO WEST

5-8> Concord Jazz Quintet @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

7-9> Tres Bien Ensemble with Penny Blacks @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~$10

8> Cactus Club album release; guest Pierson Ross @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W., TO West

8> Modest Cowboys @ The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W., TO West ~indie; $

8-10> La Fievre; Isla Den; Fee Lion @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West ~indie; $

8:30> Velvet Moon Band featuring Murray Powell for Glenvale Players theatre group benefit @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~original Country/Roots/Blues; $25

8:30> Andrew Downing album release for Otterville @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~songwriter; $15

9> Ed Vokurka’s Vicarious Virtuoso Violin @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz; pwyc

9-11:45> The Ben D’Cunha Trio @ The Piper’s Pub, 782 St. Clair Ave. W., TO ~Jazz

*9-12> open mic night with Anthony Abbatangeli @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W., TO West

*9-1:30> open stage with Jay Pennell @ Dave’s On St. Clair, 730 St. Clair West, TO West ~eclectic

9-12> Toby Hughs @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

9> Dreamboats; MamaHawk; Austin Roberts @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W., TO West ~indie

10> Bruce Domoney Band; Chairmen of The Board @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West ~original Rock/Blues

9> Local Haunts @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West

9> Mutt Smallbatch tape release; guests glassEYElashes; Naomi Floods @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~indie; $?

10> Jadea Kelly album release with guests Sweet Alibi @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~songwriter; $15

11> The Digs @ Drake Hotel Lounge, 1150 Queen St. W., TO West ~no cover

519

*7:30-12> open mic with K.M. Smith @ Molly Bloom’s Guelph, 91 Wyndham St. N., Guelph

7:30> Sara Rose @ Fionn MacCool’s Orangeville, 75 Fourth Ave., Orangeville ~Pop Rock

8> open mic night @ M&M Bar, 475 Main St., Cambridge

*8-11> open mic with Sandy MacDonald @ Williamsburg Arms, 1187 Fischer Hallman Rd., Kitchener

705

7-11> The Groove Project with guest @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood ~Blues

*7:30> Rob Phillips Jazz/Blues Trio and Marsala Likianchuk @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

*8> The Joe Huron Trio @ Sticky Fingers, 199 Essa Rd., Barrie ~Jazz/Blues

8> R.G. Peever @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood

*9> jam with Ted Rusk @ The Sauble Dunes, 11 Southampton Parkway, Sauble Beach

9> The Damn Turht; CallField; Maxwells @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough ~indie; $

9:30> Emily Burgess @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

10> Peter & The Wolves; Lee Dodington @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

905 EAST

*5-8> Nelson Denis @ Frank’s Pasta, 42 King Street E., Cobourg ~eclectic mix (Folk, Jazz, soft Rock, Latin)

8-11> tba @ Rum Diaries, 368 Bayly St. W., Ajax

*?> jam with Darren Smith & Shayne Thomas @ The Corner Pocket, 45 Prince St., Oshawa

*9> jam @ The Wee Pub, 371 Wilson Rd. South, Oshawa

9> Joanne @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

*9:30> jam with Billick @ Harp & Crown, 300 Kingston Rd., Pickering

*10> Karaoke with Rob MacArthur @ St. Louis Ajax, 11 Harwood Ave., Ajax

10> open mic jam followed by Edward Bose @ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa ~indie Rock; $

905 NORTH

*6:30-10:30> jam with Faces for Radio @ Coasters, 55 Rutherford Rd. S., Brampton

*7:30-11:30> jam with house band @ 52^nd St. Tap & Grill, 30 Kennedy Rd., S., Brampton

7:30> Amanda Rheaume @ Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St., Richmond Hill ~Jazz; $

*8> 6^th anniversary of open mic with host Kevin Kerr @ The Duchess of Markham, 53 Main St. N., Markham

*8-11> Jam with Jayme Lynn Reed @ Offsides Sports Bar, 200 Simcoe Ave., Keswick

8> Countermeasure @ Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton ~14-member a cappella troupe; $

9> open mic (signup starts at 8:30) @ The Barrel, 2180 Steeles Ave. W. Vaughan

*9> open mic with Howard Ross @ Tipsy Cow, 6298 Main St., Stouffville

905 SOUTH

8> Jazz vocal jam with hosts Sue Ramsay Trio @ Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton

8> Tom Swick record release party; guests Laura Cole; Justin Dunlop @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

8:30> Joshua Hyslop; Justin Rutledge @ Mills Hardware, 95 King St. E., Hamilton ~songwriters

*9> LMT Connection @ Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls ~R&B/Funk

*9> open mic night with rotating hosts @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Hamilton

10> Strummers Union @ The Pheasant Plucker, 20 Augusta St., Hamilton

905 WEST

*6-9> Ric Jacobs @ Ivy Bar, 3330 South Service Rd., Burlington

*7-11> James Anthony Band & guest Lisa Hutchinson @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Blues

*8-12> jam hosted by The Personics @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington

8-12> Brad James @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington

*8> Salsa band @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Latin

*8> Celtic Night @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line

8:30> Mark Lalama Trio @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St. Oakville ~R&B; $15

9-1> Freedom Train @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Pop

9:30> Glenn Groves @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Honky Tonk Country new & old

*9:30> jam with Jack B Nimble @ Abbey Road Pub, 3200 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga

9:30> Chris Partland @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock

10> Bryan T. @ Bier Markt Mississauga, 55 City Centre Drive, Mississauga ~Pop Rock

*10:30> The Killin’ Time Duo @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington ~Pop Rock

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