\ TORONTO DOWNTOWN \

No doubt many readers attended the Yorkville revival festival yesterday afternoon that featured many veteran Folk artists, including Brian Gladstone and Tony Quarrington, at The Pilot Tavern attempting to relive the good ol’ days of the genre.

We included Brian and Tony’s shows in our listings because the pair, both being subscribers to the publication, made a point of sending information about their show. And, even though none of the organizers apparently deem my efforts promoting the local music scene (and being the only person writing about local Roots artists at the moment) worthy of support, we would have listed all the sets if they’d bothered to send a press release or even thought to include set times on their website’s “program” page.

But if you, like me, missed yesterday’s rather pricey event (in defence of which we should point out that it was a fundraiser for a big 50^th anniversary event planned for 2017) but enjoy your Folk music as much as anyone else, you’re in luck this afternoon and evening because you’ve got a much more affordable and very impressive alternative.

As I’ve written before, the last Sunday of each month this time of year often resembles a one-venue Folk festival at Tranzac Club in the Annex area, as a sweet lineup including some stellar, award-winning Roots artists appear one after the other from 3 p.m. till 10.

It kicks off today with the return of balladeer Michael Laderoute from his yearly winter sojourn in Mexico. As I’ve detailed previously, Laderoute’s smooth, earnest and often poignant songs, as heard in particular on his “Songs Of The Heart” award winning album A River I Know, will captivate your ears and engage your feelings. He appears from 3-5 in the Southern Cross Room of the club at 292 Brunswick Ave. just south of Bloor.

A pair of musical titans, including another SOTH winner, Lynn Harrison, takes over the room from 5-7 p.m. The pairing of Harrison and Steve-Paul Simms, as I wrote recently, makes for compelling listening, with disparate styles yet a synchronicity between them that makes it work. They’re calling today’s show “Two Songwriters and a Tree” and Harrison promises at least two songs about trees from her vast catalogue of compositions that include many with nature themes.

Following that show, Eve Goldberg and Sam Turton return to infuse the same room with their Gathering Sparks monthly conglomeration of Folk artists from 7-10 p.m.

Just think –in another 45 years or so maybe people will be assembling and paying big ticket prices to celebrate the glory days of The Annex Folk Scene by staging concerts to recapture days just like this one!

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, May 24, 2022:

Listings are organized by area in which shows take place and listed chronologically within each area field.

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). 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 highlighted type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

416 – Toronto Central

11am-2pm> The Horables for Jazz brunch @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO

12-3> Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

3-5> Michael Laderoute @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

3> Robert Priest @ C’est What, 69 Front St. E., TO ~Roots; $10

*3-6> Michael Brennan @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St. TO ~East Coast Rock/Blues Roots

3:30-6:30> Allison Toffan’s Toronto Rhythm Initiative @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

4> Hervé Basset with house band for Vinyl Sessions “Sticky Fingers” @ Hard Rock Café, 283 Yonge St., TO ~Stones covers

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

5> “Two Songwriters & A Tree” featuring Steve-Paul Simms & Lynn Harrison @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

5> The Conductors @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

6> Suzie Vinnick @ The Distillery District, 1 Trinity St., TO ~Blues

*7-1> Freefall Sundays open stage with hosts Steve York & Tony Rabalao (2 songs each -signup @ 7 or pre-sign online) @ The Supermarket, 268 Augusta St., TO

7> various artists for Bob Dylan birthday celebration @ C’est What, 69 Front St. E., TO ~tribute; pwyc

7> The Double Cuts @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Western Swing

7-9:30> Joe Visentin’s Bugaloo Squad @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

7:30> Eve Goldberg & Sam Turton “Gathering Sparks” @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Folk

9> jam with Jay Pennell @ Scruffy Murphy’s, 150 Eglinton Ave. E., TO North

*9> Rob Hiemstra solo @ The Unicorn, 175 Eglinton Ave. E., TO North ~Rock/Pop

9:30> Ethio-Jazz Project @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Ethiopian Jazz

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

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

10> Frank Evans @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

10> Special Guest @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

**10> Blues jam with Brian Cober, Bill Hedefine & guest bassist Terry Wilkins @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

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

416 – Toronto East

11-2> Pat Malony for Jazz brunch @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. TO East

*2-5> Laura Hubert with Brendan Davis & Reg Schwager @ Morgan’s, 1282 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz

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

*3:30-7:30> jam @ Black Bear, 1125 O’Connor Drive, TO East

4> Tim Bradford @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Country Roots

*5-9> John Dickie/Pat Perez Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave, TO East ~R&B/Blues

*8-9> Sam Taylor & The East End Love @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~original Blues

9> Watch This Sound @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~vintage Jamaican music

*9:30-1> jam with the Stir It Up Band featuring Bryan Van Dusen & David Macmichael @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East

416 – Toronto West

*12-3> Julian Fauth’s Blues brunch @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues

* 12-3> The Cosmotones @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Rockabilly

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

5-8> Pigeonhawk @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~old time Country

5-8> Ken McDonald Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

8:30> “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” Joe Cocker & Leon Russell revue featuring Lance Anderson’s Canadian Blues All-Stars @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~tribute; $45/-

9-1> Ed Sweetman’s Perspectives @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

9> Mr. Rick’s Rukusjuice @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~lo-fi Rockabilly

10> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West; $7

416- Etobicoke

4-8> Donnie Meeker @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South

*10-2> jam with Rebecca Matiesen & Phoenix @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South

416 – Scarborough

*6-10> jam with Tommy Rocker @ Scarborough Junction, 646 Danforth Rd., Scarborough

*7-11> open jam @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough

519

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

705

*3-7> jam at CJ Barleys, 213 The Queensway, Keswick

3> Cat Fish Willey & The Buckle Busters @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

*7> open mic with Randy Hill @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

10> Pat Lepoidevin @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St., W., Peterborough ~Country

905 East

*5-9> All ages open jam with Juggernaut Jam Band featuring Andy Narsingh @ West Shore Bar & Grill, 877 Bayly St., Pickering

*7-11> Karaoke with Rob MacArthur @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St. W., Ajax

*8:30-12:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ Gryphon Pub, 114 Dundas St. E., Whitby

905 West

2-6> Brad James @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Country

3-6> jam with host Buddy Love Band @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville

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

**5-8> The Stew @ Mulligan’s, 2458 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~R&B/Rock

**7-11> The Nomads @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit

*7> open jam with Mike Shotton & The Flying Squirrels @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington

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

*9-1> The Tonkas @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Top 40

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

905 North

2:30> Katherine Wheately @ House Concert, 41 Maidstone Cresc., Brampton ~Roots; $15

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

3:45> The David Love Band also featuring Darrell McNeill for Rotary Club Rib N’ Roll @ Gage Park, Brampton