\ ETOBICOKE \

For those of us for whom the pain of losing our mothers before we were ready to still stings —in my case even after a decade and for others I know, much longer— Mother’s Day is a bittersweet occasion.  I read somewhere once the observation that “you never really get over losing a parent” and I suspect that’s true at least until the amount of time you’ve been without them is as long as you knew them —so for most of us that’s more than the rest of our lives.

One thing that does help to overcome the sense of vacancy that’s emphasized when such days roll around, at least, is that new life keeps abornin’ and when your mother’s granddaughter and apple of your own eye herself becomes a mom that helps provide a sense of balance to it all that eases the poignancy a bit. (“Happy Mother’s Day” Crystal Melody!)

But for other folks, too —for various different reasons— Mother’s Day can feel more like a stab in the heart than the warm, glowing feeling that the greeting card companies and ad agencies attempt to manufacture around it.

An interesting article published Friday in the Toronto Star makes the point that for “non-binary” parents (i.e. gay, transgender, whatever) both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day make them feel excluded and less valued; the writer proposes a single “Guardian’s Day” instead (with more flexible timing).  Definitely food for thought.

The author, Emma Teitel, notes in her piece that the founder of Mother’s Day (in 1914!) Anna Jarvis, had very different intentions for the event than what it quickly evolved into during her lifetime.  In fact, according to another Star article, by Louise Surette originally published in 2000, Jarvis spent her last years vigorously protesting what it had become and died alone and penniless in an asylum at 84 years of age in part due to exhaustion from her fruitless efforts to stop its commercialization.

Regardless of all that preamble, for those who are planning to go out for brunch or dinner or later either with their moms or as a treat from their own progeny (or perhaps alone just to sort of distract yourself) many bars and restaurants have helpfully in some cases added extra shows today, in others are hiring particularly impressive talent or in some instances are incorporating some sort of motherhood theme.

If I were taking my Mom out on the town to celebrate (or my daughter if she lived close enough to make that practical!) today I’d strongly consider catching a trifecta of great shows out in Etobicoke.

From 4-8 you can see a very talented Blues outfit comprised of members of Downchild Blues Band (bassist Gary Kendall is the anchor) for their weekly show at Blue Goose Tavern at 1 Blue Goose Rd. off Royal York Rd. (next to the Mimico GO station) —the home of the now legendary original Pie Guys Sunday jams in the ‘90s— and with special guest today Paul Reddick, who won this year’s Juno award for Blues Album of The Year.

At some point before that one ends, however, I’d scurry over to Timothy’s Pub at 344 Brown’s Line to catch a superior vintage Pop Rock act that from 6-10 will be putting on a “60s Dance Party” show that would warm any mom’s heart.  David Love and Darrell McNeill along with Kevin Mulligan on drums, are the David Love Band, well known all across the GTA as the premier 60s dance night power trio, as I’ve told you on a few occasions, including before one of their first shows at Timothy’s back in 2015.  The food here is excellent, btw.

If mom’s still raring to go (or if you had other afternoon/early evening plans but your mama likes to Rock late) there’s a special edition tonight of the 10-2 Sunday jam hosted by Rebecca Matiesen and her Phoenix combo at Southside Johnny’s at 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. a little east of Brown’s Line, and it’s very much mom-related.

Host Rebecca is experiencing her first Mother’s Day without her mother in her life.  Maya Matiesen, who was always a lively presence and occasional stage participant at Rebecca’s gigs in the early and mid-90s (when, as a singing keyboardist, she was first breaking onto the live music scene in Parkdale in room, ironically enough, known as West Side Johnny’s) passed away on February 3, Rebecca just recently announced.  Having chatted and drank with Maya and Jazz guitarist husband Ed many times back in the day, I can testify she added spark and sparkle to any musical gathering, as indicated in an article that appeared in the November 1992 edition of The Open Season monthly jam magazine (the grandparent of the publication you are reading).

Next Saturday, in fact, at the 3-6 jam at Port Credit Legion hosted by Michelle Deneault, Rebecca’s is transforming the event into a celebration of Maya’s life, with —naturally— live entertainment planned.  One of the acts will be Blues composer and keyboard whiz Scott “Professor Piano” Cushnie, an acclaimed veteran all-star talent (he was the first Canadian member of Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks as well as touring and recording with Aerosmith) who was well acquainted with the family.

That’s particularly relevant today because tonight Cushnie —who celebrated turning 79 exactly a week ago and is excited about the recent release of his new Toys In The Attic album— will be a special guest on the keys.  As anyone familiar with the event or Matiesen’s many talents well knows, she’s very accomplished doing Rock, Blues and original tunes on the house keyboard she sets up at the jam every week.  But I’d expect the Professor will of course want to bring in his own 88s rig … raising some interesting possibilities for interplay between the two instruments at some point.  If you end up hankering for some late-night grub here, btw, go for the jumbo wings: they’re awesome and on special for 75-cents each on Sundays after 4 and the kitchen is always open till 1 a.m.

With or without your mom, Etobicoke has a musical recipe today and tonight for both some soul nurturing and capriciously fun moments.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

 

 

SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, May 14, 2022

For KEY to listings codes and schemata see note at end of shows list.

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ON AIR / ONLINE

*3-5am> The Rock-A-Round with Slim Tim @ www.rockabilly-radio.net ~ Rockabilly tracks (from UK, repeat of Fri show, also runs Wednesdays 6-8am)

5-8> “Across The Universe” with Ken Stowar on CIUT 89.5 FM

*6, 7, 10 & 11am; 5 & 7 pm> “Sunday Morning Soul” with Johnny Max @ www.sundaymorningsoul.com ~Blues

8am-8:30> Humber College Radio Broadcast Program’s “Unsigned” series live-to-air singer-songwriter profiles with guest songwriter Bradley Barnham @ Radio Humber, 96.9 FM and online (repeats of previous evening’s show)

9am> “The Hoose Radio Show” Wee Dan Hoose @  http://www.bluesandrootsradio.com/ ~ artist interviews and tracks

9pm-9:20> Humber College Radio Broadcast Program’s “Unsigned” series live-to-air singer-songwriter profiles with guest songwriter David Leask @ Radio Humber, 96.9 FM and online (repeats 8 am tomorrow)

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

11am-2pm> Mitch Smolkin & Nina Shapilsky for Jewish mothers’ brunch buffet @ Free Times Café, 320 College St.; $5 (music only)

*11am-2> The Mercenaries @ Drake One Fifty, 150 York St. ~retro Rock/Soul

noon-3> Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz

1> Toronto Improvisers Orchestra @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.

3-5> Sacred Lamp @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.

3> Brother Paul @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave.

3:30-6:30> Red Hot Ramble @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

3:30> The Orpheus Choir of Torontop; Vesnivka Choir; Andriana Churchman; James Westman @ Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W.

*4-7> Michael Brennan @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St. TO ~East Coast Rock/Blues Roots

*4:30-8> New Orleans Connection All Stars & guests @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave. ~New Orleans Jazz

4:30-7:30> Ambiance The Band @ The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St. ~Jazz

6-7:30> Sheila Brand & David Warrack @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

*6-9> open mic with Eddy Culjak @ Fox & Fiddle Wellesley, 27 Wellesley St.

7> “Nashville Bound Mother’s Day Special edition” with host Glen Hornblast; Clela Errington; Meg Tennant & Saide Atlas @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. ~songwriters

7> Damien Alexander; Sterylize; Lora Ryan Band @ C’est What, 69 Front St. E. n~songwriters; pwyc

*7-1> Freefall Sundays open stage (2 songs each -signup @ 7 or pre-sign online) @ The Supermarket, 268 Augusta St.

7> open mic @ Cherry Cola’s, 200 Bathurst St.

7-9:30> Bugaloo Squad @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

7-9:30> Fern Lindzon Trio @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. ~Jazz; $

*7-10> Brooke Blackburn @ Nawlins, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues/Jazz/R&B

8> The Doublecuts @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W. ~young Country

*8> jam/open mic with backline & host band Meg and the Scene @ The Antler Room, 146 Front St. W.

8-1> Two Ninety Two @ Array Space, 155 Walnut S. ~Rhinoceros saxophone quartet

*8> open mic with Kyle @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St.

8:30-10> Marion Abbott & Ann Paula Bautista with John Pugh @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

9> The Marrows; Ghost Town Architects; The Handsome Savages; The Tickets @ Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W. ~Metal/Grunge/Hard-core; $

9:30> Jacob’s Cattle @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

*10> Horshack feat. Chris Caddell @ Orbit Room, 580 College St. ~Bluesy contemporary & classic Rock

10> Mr. Rick’s Ruckusjuice @ Trinity Common, 303 Augusta Ave. ~Roots-Rock

10> Lina Allemano Four @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.

10-2> Paige Armstrong acoustic @ The Hideout, 423 College St. ~Blues-Rock

**10> Blues jam with Bill Hedefine & guests @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave.

416 – TORONTO EAST

10am-2pm> Dan Farrell for Mother’s Day Jazz brunch @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. ~Jazz; 0$

1:30> The O’Pears @ Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd. ~songwriting Roots trio; $

**2-5> Yvette Tollar & David Restivo @ Morgan’s, 1282 Danforth Ave. ~Jazz; 0$

*3-6> open mic with Nicola Vaughan @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave.

4> WE-B3 @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E.

*4:30-8:30> Rock/Blues jam with William A. Miller’s Black Bear All-Stars @ Black Bear Pub, 1125 O’Connor Drive

5-7> Frank Sa Gypsy Jazz Trio @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. ~0$

7-9> Michael Massaro Jazz Trio @ Via Mercanti Pizzeria, 1501 Gerrard St. E. ~Jazz

7> Lee Scratch Perry; Subatomic Sound System @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave. ~contemporary Jamaican original; $

7-11> John Findlay Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave ~R&B/Blues; 0$

*9-1> jam with the Stir It Up Band featuring David Macmichael @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave.

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

4-8> BG Rhythm Section featuring Gary Kendall + guests Paul Reddick & Greg Cockerill @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd. ~Blues/R&B

6-10> David Love Band also featuring Darrell McNeill @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line ~melodic 60s Pop Rock

5:30> Populusque Romanus; Rikashay; Censor; Talking In Our Sleep @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W. ~indie; $15

*10-2> jam with Rebecca Matiesen & special guest Scott “Professor Piano” Cushnie celebrating Toys In The Attic album & 79^th birthday @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

2-6> Dan Walek hosts acoustic jam @ Norm’s Place, 3439 St. Clair Ave. E.

*6-10> jam with Ron McLeod & Supernatural @ Tara Inn, 2365 Kingston Rd.

*7-11> open jam with host Gtar Live @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave.

416 – TORONTO WEST

**11-2> live Jazz brunch @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W.

11-1:30> Jorge Maza & Pancho Galván @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. ~Latin Jazz brunch

*noon-3> Julian Fauth & Ken Yoshioka @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W. ~Blues

Noon> 7-ci Mahni @ Chalkers Pub, Toronto North, 247 Marlee Ave. ~Tabriz Ensemble

*noon-3> The Cosmotones @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. ~Bluegrass

1-4> Robbie Grunwald @ Opticianado, 2919 Dundas St. W.

3> eclectic jam with Roy Buchan @ Roy’s Room, 2111 Dundas St. W.

**5-8> John Borra & Sam Ferrara w. guest @ The Communist’s Daughter, 1149 Dundas St. W. ~Country

5-8> Adam Shier & Ivan Rosenberg @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~guitrar-dobro duo

5-8> Fifth Element @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz

6> Monk’s Music @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. ~vibraphone Jazz; pwyc

7-9> Bob Carlin and The Lonesome Stringband @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. ~Rockabilly/Country/Roots-Rock; $20

7:45> Chris Banks Trio guesting for “Eating Music Salon” with Michael Holt @ Dundas West Arts Building Loft #501, 2466 Dundas St. W. ~Classical; $

9> Anamal recording release; support: Chrysanthemum White Alder; Pissbowelking @ Smiling Buddha Stage 1, 961 College St. ~Metal/Grunge/Hard-core; $

8:30> Autobahn; Seren Nissen’s Departures @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W. ~Jazz; $

8:30> Dennis Kwok @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. ~Jazz; pwyc

9-1> Polite Science @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz

9> Noosa al Sarraj @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~songwriter

*10> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. ~retro Rock/Soul; $10

519

2-4> Traditional English Music Folk Sessions @ The Brownestone Gastropub, 39 Queen St. E., Cambridge

2-4> Michelle Saunders features for Classical guitar open mic with Open Mic Guild for Classical Guitar @ Idea Exchange, 1 North Square, Cambridge.

2> Charley Pride @ Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener ~$69.50

*3-7> acoustic open mic with Scott Rhodes @ The Pick and Shovel, 30 Water St., Cambridge

4> Mike McDonald’s Monster Jam @ The Boathouse, 97 Jubilee Drive, Kitchener

7> West African drum class for beginners with Tommy Wolf @ Silence, 46 Essex St., Guelph ~$20

*9-1> jam @ Ivy Arms Pub, 201 Main Street E., Milton

9:30> Romeo Sex Fighter @ Duke of Wellington, 33 Erb St. W. Waterloo

*10-2> open mic with Nathan Coles @ Jimmy Jazz, 52 Macdonnell St., Guelph

705

1-4> Graham & Matt @ Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood ~acoustic Pop covers & originals duo

2-5> “Stars of Tomorrow” showcase feat. Nicholas Campbell; Purple Smoke; Bree Taylor; Taylor Merrick; Allena Iris; Emma Leeson; Jason O’brien; Joan Lamone; Lizeh Basciano; Big Dave @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

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

5-7> Mary-Kate Edwards @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St., W., Peterborough ~songwriter

905 EAST

*3-6> Chris Stapley & Earl Johnson @ Ridges Pub, 776 Liverpool Rd., Pickering ~acoustic Blues/Rock

*3:30-7:30> Jon McCann & JD Bass host jam @ West Shore, 893 Bayly Ave., Pickering

4> Doug Dale @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

6-10> open jam with Juggernaut @ The Edge Lounge, 250 Bayly St. W., Ajax

*8> Gibran & Matt “Smokey” Wildfong @ Harwood Blues, 7 Harwood Ave., Ajax ~Blues

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

905 NORTH

**Noon> Nate Douglas & guest @ Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood

**1-3> Joe & Frank with guest performer @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jackson’s Point ~Jazz

*1:30-4:30> Blaine Burnie, Mark Thackway & friends @ Coach House Pub, 3 Felcher Boulevard, Stouffville ~acoustic Roots

*3-7> open stage with Kevin Ker @ The Earl Of Whitchurch, 6204 Main St., Stouffville

*3-7> Daniel Davies Band hosts jam @ C.J. Barley’s, 213 The Queensway S., Keswick

*5> open mic with Crosstown Band @ Time Out, 68 Main St., Georgetown

5> Peter Perko and Sheri Tenaglia @ Copper Kettle, 517 Main St., Georgetown

*5:30-9:30> open jam with host band Faces For Radio & guest @ Crown and Anchor Pub, 389 Main St. N., Brampton

*6-9:30> The Andy Earle Trio @ Big Daddy’s Newmarket, 446 Davis Drive, Newmarket ~Blues

*7-10> Lynn McDonald @ Jester’s Court, 279 Queen St., Port Perry ~Pop/Jazz

*8> acoustic open mic with Kat Vhonda @ Wild Wing Newmarket, 340 Eagle Street, Newmarket

905 SOUTH

12 noon-2> Mother’s Day Southern Supper with Robin Banks @ Mississippi Queen Foods, 636 King St. E., Hamilton ~Blue/Jazz; $

2-6> Bay City Blues Band & guest Brant Parker @ Bay City Music Hall, 50 Leander Drive, Hamilton ~Blues; $7

2:30-4:30> Raine; Piper Hayes @ Artword Artbar, 15 Coulborne St., Hamilton ~songwriters; $10

*3> Brother Tom Finochio hosts kitchen party jam @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton

3-9> “Hammered In The Hammer” with Out of Order; Bats Out; Bourbon DK; Bacon; Boot Boys @ Doors: Taco Joint & Metal Bar, 56 Hess St., Hamilton ~Metal/Grunge/Hard-core; $

*4> open mic with Neon Moon @ Moose Lodge, 1860 Barton St., Hamilton

4:30-7:30> Mary Simon @ Cat ‘N’ Fiddle, 174 John St. S., Hamilton

*7> open mic @ The Wee Dram, 1831 Main St. W., Hamilton

*7-11> open Country jam with Robert Tyler @ Gladstone Tavern, 1385 Main St. E., Hamilton

7-10> Piper Hayes; Raine; C.D. Onofrio @ Mahtay Café, 214 Saint Paul St., St. Catharines ~songwriters; $15

*7:30-11:30> open jam hosted by Troy Harmer & The Persuaders @ The Brown Barrel, 1515 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton

8> Isotopes Punk Rock Baseball Club; BOIDS; Flying Buttress @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~Punk

8> The Beach Bats; Emperor X; Animal Flag; Matt McKinnon @ Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton ~indie; $10

?*10> open mic with Kim Koren @ West End Pub, 151 Emerson St., Hamilton

10> Chris Chambers @ Augusta House, Hamilton, 17 Augusta St.

905 WEST

2-5> Harte & Mazur featuring Elana Harte @ American House, 324 Dundas St. E., Waterdown ~songwriter duo; 0$

2-6> Rob Kirkham & Neon Rain @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Country

2> Solar Eclipse with Sjaane Glover @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~indie; $5

*3-6> Chris Partland @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock

3:30> James Anthony @ Abbey Arms, 481 North Service Rd., Oakville ~Blues

4-7> Glenn Groves @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington ~Country

*4:30-8> Chuck Jackson’s All Stars @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Blues

4-7> The Stew @ Mulligan’s, 2458 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~R&B/Rock

**7-11> The Nomads with guest @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock

7-10> Folk music night open stage @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~food bank donation

*8> open mic night with house band featuring Mike Shotton, Tim & Dave Johns @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington

9-1> Derek Lathrop Duo @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

*10:30> Adam Cooke & The Adams Family @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington

LISTINGS KEY

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.

-Copyright © 2017 by Gary “17” Webb-Proctor & TorontoMoon.ca. All Rights Reserved