\ TO WEST \

It’s distressing to have to report, after telling you about a fine Parkdale bar that celebrated 21 years in business yesterday (Mezzrow’s), that another nearby room which has been trading upon a legacy of live music stretching back 16 years in its room appears now, under the current owners, to be a venue that would best be avoided by performers.

Just over a year ago new owners of Tennessee at 1554 Queen St. W., just a few doors away from Mezzrow’s, resurrected the name of the old Tennessee Tavern, which, as I reported on March 6 of last year, after many years as a neighbourhood watering hole had become an integral part of a very rich live music scene in Parkdale for about three years starting in the spring of 2000 when a new owner had taken over.  Although that owner eventually abandoned live entertainment and sold the room after smoking rule changes in 2004 had a severe impact on the business, the subsequent owners, who rechristened it Mitzi’s Sister, for a decade operated it as a hive of live music and it was a very vibrant presence on the local arts scene.

After Mitzi’s closed in 2014 and the room went dark for some while, it was, as I cheered last year, exciting to me to see live music was again being offered in a seemingly reborn room in which I’d had many wonderful experiences at a halcyon time for the local music scene and in the evolution of this publication.  But now it seems I need to curb my enthusiasm.

A half hour before their scheduled set last night at Tennessee, the Catalyst band scheduled to headline the show was told that not enough people were in attendance and was offered half the agreed-upon pay to cancel their appearance, according to the group’s leader Al Reilly, a well known and highly respected veteran performer with an impeccable reputation for professionalism.

“It wouldn’t have pissed me off nearly as much if we hadn’t had this conversation in the afternoon and I offered then to back out but was assured that I would get my money,” Reilly posted on social media last night, adding later in a chat that the band had already spent over $50 in the bar while waiting to play.

This was after the club had made absolutely no effort to promote the show —there was no post on their Facebook page and their website calendar shows no band scheduled to perform that night, despite the fact that in addition to Catalyst three other bands were on the bill described on a Facebook event created by an artist or promoter known only as Eemotive: Sister Hyde, Moon Monger and Sleeping Lies.  The club didn’t even bother to post a link to the event on their page and while Reilly did pump it through Facebook, a look at the timelines of the other bands and suggests they were far less diligent in doing so.

Although Reilly told me that he was dealing only with the promoter in this instance (who appears to have been involved with Metal music nights in the room on at least a couple of previous occasions) one commenter on Reilly’s social media thread said that the club had “apparently [done] this several times to a few bands over the past several months,” though no details were provided.

In any case, there’s absolutely no doubt that Reilly’s band was hugely screwed by agreeing to perform at this show in this room.  Even if the promoter is in large or small part to blame, one has to think that the venue owners, in allowing such a situation to ensue, are content to be insouciantly indifferent or even callously irresponsible in their dealings with performing artists.  Unless and until the situation is rectified, I have to call Tennessee a must to avoid and won’t be listing or writing about any future shows there.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Friday, May 20, 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

*5-5:45> Robert Scott @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~solo piano Jazz

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

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

6-8> Kevin Quain @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~moody Blues; $10/pwyc

6:30> Teri Parker Four @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

7> Jacob Martins; Carmen “Social Potion” Toth; Andre Dantas @ The Central, 603 Markham St., TO

7:30> Sarah Greene and special guests @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~songwriter

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

8> Adrian Parks’s Storytelling Variety Show @ Tranzac Club (Tiki Lounge), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

8:30> Brownman and Marcus Ali @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W., TO ~original Jazz/Reggae-Latin Jazz; $10

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

9> The James Clark Institute; Civil Wray @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO ~indie Pop

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

9> Bo Welland @ Drums N Flats, 1980 Avenue Rd., TO North ~Rock/Top 40

9> Stereo Division and guests @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W., TO

9> Dreadnoughts; Flatfoot 65; Stink Box @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~original; $13.50

9> Colin Hunter & The Joe Sealy Quartet @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $

9:30> Plaza Ratz featuring Kevin Huckell @ Queen’s Legs, 286 Eglinton Ave. W., TO North ~classic Rock and originals

9:30> Chantelle Hope @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO  ~indie

9:30> Coveralls @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Rd., TO North ~Rock/Top 40; $

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

9:45> Huntertones @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Brookly 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> Paul E. Lopes; Choppa Chop @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., TO ~dancehall Reggae; $

10> Freeman Dre & The Kitchen Party @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO ~indie Roots Rock

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

10> Fiction @ Bier Markt Esplanade, 58 The Esplanade, TO ~Pop Rock

10> Suicide Machines; Bastardous; Piffbreak Arcade @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., TO ~$

10> Milkman and the 2% @ Bier Markt King, 600 King St., West, TO ~Pop Rock

10> Jo Po Trio; The Soul Kicks @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

10:30> Jerome Godboo Band @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Blues

416 - Toronto East

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

7> Kaytranada; Lou Phelps @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., TO East ~$35-40

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

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

9:30-1:30> Sam Taylor & The East End Love also featuring David Macmichael @ The Peppery Cat, 1953 Queen St. E., TO East ~original & cover Blues/Blues-Rock; no cover

*9:30> Vaughn Passmore Duo @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~covers & originals

9:30> The Great Grantsby @ Murphy’s Law, 1702 Queen St. E., TO East ~Pop Rock

9:30> Idioteque performing OK Computer live @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Radiohead tribute; $15

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

10> Side B Vibe @ Bier Markt Don Mills, 7 O’Neill Rd., TO East ~Pop Rock

416 – Toronto Etobicoke

7:30> Hans Luchs Trio @ Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Jazz; min table charge

9> Phil & John Show featuring Phil Naro @ St. James Gate, 5140 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke ~acoustic Pop Rock

9> Ron Russell @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40

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

9> Blushing Brides + guests Wild Child; more @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke ~original Rock; $

9:30> Freedom Train @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40; $

9:30> Elmer Ferrer Band @ Refinery Public House, 3039 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~Rock/Pop

10-2> Molly’s Chamber @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South ~classic Rock

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

416 – Toronto Scarborough

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

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

416 - Toronto West

5-7> Angie Hilts @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West

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

7> Bryce Jardine & The Parlour Birds with guests @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West

7:30> Dan Kosub Duo @ Brazen Head Pub, 165 East Liberty St., TO West ~Pop Rock

7:30> Richard Whiteman Trio @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Jazz; no cover

8> Avataar for Small World Music Festival Asian Music Series @ Small World Music Centre, 180 Shaw St., TO West ~east-west World Fusion; $

8> Frank Patrick “Gifts of the Groove” tour kickoff @ Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W., TO West ~R&B groove; $

8:30> Crystal Shawanda; opening set by Danny Marks @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues; $35

8:30> Peirson Ross @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West

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

9> “For the Love of Madness 2” @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West

9> The Celebration Army; Jeremy Porter & The Tucos; The Ossington Rippers; The Mighty Ffud @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W., TO West ~indie; $7

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

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

9:30> Julia Cleveland @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West

10-2> The Southern Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO W.

10> Guaracha Y Son @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Cuban Salsa; $15

10> Parkside Drive @ 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Rock/Funk Soul covers; no cover

519

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

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

705

5-7> Grieg & Latchford @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

5:30> Rick & Gailie @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

8-11:45> Cab Fare @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood ~

8:30> Rob Philips Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough ~Jazz/R&B

9> Sean Pinchin @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood ~Roots-Rock/acoustic covers

8> Jason Dunn & Niamh Willis @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough

9:30> Janes Party @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough ~indie Rock

9:30> Chuck Jackson and the All Stars @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie ~Blues

10> The Boo Bradley Project @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

905 East

9-1> Garden Street Blues @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

9> Mokomokai; Shotgun Cure; Meth Angel @ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa ~Metal; $

9> Tijuana Jesus @ 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> Marc Joseph Band @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St., Ajax ~

10> Another Round @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~

905 North

9> Of Gentlemen and Cowards @ Fionn MacCool’s Newmarket, 17315 Leslie St., Newmarket ~Pop

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

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

9:30> Two For The Show @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Top 40/Rock

*9:30> open mic @ Big Daddy’s, 460 Elgin Mills Rd., E, Richmond Hill

10> North Of Seven @ Aw Shucks, 15230 Yonge St., Aurora ~Pop Rock

905 – South

6> Darling Cora; Christine Leakey @ Homegrown Hamilton, 27 King William St. Hamilton ~Folk-Rock; $6/pwyc

6:30> Ferguson Young with Liam McGlashon @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

8> Stuart Laughton’s Radio Dial @ Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton ~eclectic vintage Pop/Jazz

8> Off The Road @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster ~Rock/Top 40

9> Morgan Davis; Frankie & Jimmy @ Homegrown Hamilton, 27 King William St. Hamilton ~Blues; $10/pwyc

9> The Weight @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Hamilton ~Rock/Top 40

9> TB Swampbusters; The Marlas; Karis Hell & The Damned Band @ The Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton ~Blues/Rockabilly/Soul

9:15> The Old Winos & guest Eric Mahar @ The Old Winery Restaurant, 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-On-The-Lake

9:30> Soul Train Night @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton ~indie; $

9:30> The Chasers @ Stonewalls Hamilton, 339 York Blvd., Hamilton

9:30> 351 Cleveland @ Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls

10> Bill Wood and The Woodies @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

10> The Stick Brothers @ The Wellington Arms, 222 Cannon St. E., Hamilton

905 West

4:30> Waterdown Music Festival with many acts including Kate Todd @ Waterdown Memorial Park, 200 Hamilton St. N., Waterdown

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

*6-9> Sil Simone & Joe Rebello @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~ Blues/Jazz/Pop

8> Alfie Smith with guest Rick Zolkower @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~Blues; $10

8> Jumpstart @ Winjammer By The Lake, 5353 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington ~Rock

8-11:30> The Ballroom Babies @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington

9> The Rider Project @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line, Burlington ~Pop

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

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

9:30> Southern Sky @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Ave., Burlington ~Southern Rock & Blues tribute; $

9:30> Vic & Willy @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Pop Rock

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

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

10:15> Shawn Steinhart Band @ Failte, 201 City Centre Dr., Mississauga ~Pop Rock

10:30> Stinky & The Hotrodz @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington ~Pop Rock

Copyright © 2016 Toronto Moon Magazine. All Rights Reserved