\ TO EAST \

Four months into its existence, the Thursday open mic at Legends Lounge in east TO is coming along pretty well and now includes weekly feature performances.

With singer Amber Durette having joined founder Gary Edward Allen as co-host a couple of months ago, the musical variety has increased impressively, with a wide range of Roots, Rock, Pop, Country, Blues and even Jazz talents coming out share their performance skills between 8 and midnight or so.

It’s been a welcome change of vibe for the wings and sports room at 774 Danforth Ave. a block east of Pape, which ran karaoke nights on several occasions but never really found the right host who could mesh with the regulars and also bring out new people.  Getting new faces there hasn’t been a problem since this event began.

Allen and Durette normally do a set as a duo to kick things off and occasionally are asked to join in with other performers, who’ve included Canadian Rock legend Sonny Milne, Blues guitar ace Grant Lyle, veteran Sal Indigo and many impressive originals artists, including some we’ve written about recently such as songwriting troubadour Jody Ferrer (who is scheduled to do the feature set on September 21).

Even better, Allen recently announced that the room has agreed to let him try some shows on other evenings, which will be paid gigs for which he and Durette will select the roster from among the artists who come out to the Thursday event.

There is room for improvement however, specifically in the sound and lighting departments.  At least one artist I know agrees with me that Allen’s mixing skills needs some brush-up, particularly in fitting the instrument volume levels to the vocals.  Another problem, that sadly seems to be the norm for these sorts of events held in rooms not designed for live shows, is the lighting, which is abominable.  There’s also the annoying distraction of a large, bright television set showing sports positioned too close to the performance area.

The lack of mood bulbs or little portable spotlights is particularly regrettable in the case of this evening’s feature, fetching and dynamic Pop/Country/Rock songwriter Carmen Toth, who’s well worth shining a light on.  Toth, whom I’ve written about many times, including before her show at Horseshoe Tavern in January, is a polished, energetic and passionate songwriter who also has a knack for catchy melodies.

The feisty but personable singer’s music is strong enough that it will overcome the handicap of performing essentially in the dark, but it’s a shame not to give acts like this and the others whose talents certainly merit it a proper setting in which to captivate audiences.

Carmen has promised to do a few of her newest tunes as part of her set tonight, at which she’ll also be happy to take pre-orders for a new album she has coming out soon.  You can also check out samples of the latest tracks online and for folks who pre-order the recording before the cut-off there are also a variety of bonus goodies like signed photos, lyric sheets and physical cds you can get.

Nothing beats hearing a high-energy, versatile artist like Toth live however, and given that there’s no cover to do so and you’ll also be able to check out a variety of other talents, tonight seems like a good time to do just that.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Thursday, August 24, 2021

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

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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

8> Ken Wallis show with tracks and interviews @ www.bluesandrootsradio.com

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

12-1> Tia Brazda for “Play The Parks Concerts” @ College Park (outside), 444 Yonge St. ~Jazz; $0

*5-8> Danny Blue @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave. ~acoustic Pop

*5-9> open jam @ Steve’s Music, 415 Queen St. W.

6> Corin Raymond @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W. ~Country songwriter

6-8> Lauren Falls @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~Jazz; $10-20/pwyc

6:30> Fabio Ragnelli Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

6:30> Jacqui Brown @ H Bar, 859 Queen St. W. ~indie; $?

7> Edwin Huizinga and William Coulter @ Harbourfront Centre, 231 Queen’s Quay W. ~Classical; $0

7> The Astrosurfers @ Tranzac Lounge (Main Hall), 292 Brunswick Ave. ~50s Rock ‘n’ Roll/Swing

7-10> “Cureapalooza” with Birds of Bellwoods; Arkells @ Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St. ~fundraiser for Canadian Cancer Society

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

*7:30> Sarah Jordan & Matt G @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St. ~acoustic Top 40

8-1> Fourth Thursday jam featuring Kevin Jeffrey, Wayne Neon Smith & Nicola Vaughan @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave.

*8-12> Memphis Mudcat featuring Brian Potts on bass @ Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas St. E. ~ R&B/Soul/Funk; $0

*8-12> Joe Bowden’s Nothin’ But The Blues @ N’awlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues

8> Brian & The Fellas @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St.

8> The Mohrs; Goodnight Sunrise; The Stereo Division; Serious Festival @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St. ~indie; $

8> “Honey Scam” concert with “up and coming young female artists” no one can be bothered to name @ Mod Club, 722 College St. ~~indie; $20

8> Dinosaur Island; The Knees Up; Blankscreen; Warm Frames @ Handlebar, 159 Augusta Ave. ~indie; $

8> Jorja Smith @ Velvet Underground, 508 Queen St. W.  ~contemporary original; $

8> Martin Kerr; Mike Ruby; Jordan Hart; Eva Foote @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W. ~indie; $

8:30> Geoffrey & Mark Clarfield @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. TO  ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

8:30-12> Denim Skeletons; Twen @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St. ~indie experimental quartet; $

9> Chris Lord Ideal @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave. ~original Blues

9> Amanda Rheaume @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W. ~indie; $

9> Chris Rouse; Cleopatra Williams @ Sopra Upper Lounge, 265 Davenport Rd. ~Funk/R&B/Soul

9> Parvaaz @ Poetry Jazz Café, 224 Augusta Ave.

9-11:30> Judith Lander @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. ~Jazz; $

9> SCF; Jailbirds; Micronite Filters; The Tradition @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W. ~indie; $10

9> Twin Rivals Nailbox; Torque Down; Alternative Facts @ Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W. ~indie; $

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

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

9:30> Jamie Reynolds Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

*9:45> Alison Yong @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E. ~Jazz/Blues; $

10> King Cuddy; Thieves @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W.

10-2> Phill Hood & The Exlamation @ The Hideout, 423 College St. ~original Rock/Pop; $

10> Icy Heights @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.

10> Sheldon Hunt @ Amsterdam Bicycle Club, 54 The Esplanade

10> Alonso @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E.

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

416 – TORONTO EAST

7-9> 1gram @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. ~Rock/Pop dance duo; 0$

7> Robert Cray Band @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave.

8-12> open mic with Amber Durette & Gary Edward Allen with feature by Carmen Toth @ Legends, 774 Danforth Ave.

8-12> Monkey Fightin’ Snakes recording release for Broken Off-Switch @ The Duke Live, 1225 Queen St. E. ~original Blues-Rock; $0

8> The Dead Projectionists @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave. ~indie

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

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

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

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

416 - TORONTO ETOBICOKE

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

9:30> Bryan Tyrell @ The Old Sod, 2936 Bloor St. W. ~Pop

*10-2> Skip Tracer @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. ~Rock/Pop

10> Destroyer @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W. ~tribute to KISS; $

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

7> Michael Lalonde Quartet @ Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E. ~Jazz; $0

*8-12> Frank Wilks & Dan Walek host open jam @ Tara Inn, 2365 Kingston Rd. ~acoustic Pop covers; 0$

8-12> jam night @ The Birchmount, 462 Birchmount Rd.

9:30> Scott Free @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd. ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO WEST

1-5> Angie Hilts @ The Wine Garden - Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West ~Swing/Blues/Rockabilly

1:30-5:30> Danny Scott @ Casino patio/stage - Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West ~Pop Rock

3-6> LMT Connection @ CNE Midway Stage - Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West ~Funk/R&B/Soul

3-6> Cory Marquardt @ CNE Northern Comfort Saloon - Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West ~Country

5-8> Lake Affect @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz

5-9> Club Django @ The Wine Garden - Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West

6-9> Aaron Viel; Jason Ogden; Nick Zubeck @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave.

6> Dean Brody; Tim Hicks; Carly Pearce @ Budweiser Stage, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

6> Hairbrain @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W.

6:30-10:30> Robin Benedict @ Casino patio/stage - Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West ~Pop Rock

*7:30-11:30> Marcus Walker @ The Station, 2457 Bloor St. W. ~songwriter

7:30> Aaron Pritchett; Madeline Merlo opens @ CNE Bandshell - Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd., TO West ~~Country

7:30-11> Tomahawk Love @ CNE Midway Stage - Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West ~Rock/Top 40 covers

7:30-11> Jerry Sereda @ CNE Northern Comfort Saloon - Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West ~Country

8> Mannerisms; Ben Gunning Groupl Strange Robotix @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W.  ~indie; $10

8> Refugee Benefit Concert with The Family; Ready The Prince; Damnit Golden; Adam HG @ The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W. ~indie; $

8> Nailbiter; Minisota; Mike Rocha; C.R. Gillespie; Castle If @ The Baby G, 1608 Dundas St. W. ~indie; $

8> The Night Game @ Drake Hotel Lounge, 1150 Queen St. W.

8> Alessia Cohl; Shae Dupuy; Kansas Stone @ 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas St. W. ~Country; $20

*8> open mic @ Axis Gallery & Grill, 3048 Dundas St. W.

8> Carolyn Fe @ Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W. ~Funk/R&B/Soul; $

**8> The Soul Maître D’s with guest @ The Archtop Café, 2312 Bloor St. W. ~acoustic Pop

8:30> “Concert For A Cure” with Girl Friday; Six at Best; Talk Show Host; Tomacco; Half Past Four @ Smiling Buddha Stage 1, 961 College St. ~fundraiser for SickKids Hospital cancer research; $10

8:30> Chelsea McBride’s Socialist Night School @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W. ~Jazz; $

9> James Bayford @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St.  ~Jazz; pwyc

*9> open jam Wailers Restaurant, 725 St. Clair Ave. W.

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

*9> open mic with Phil Hood @ The Roncy, 390 Roncesvalles Ave.

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

9-12> Sharon Smith & Friends @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave.

9> Government Rock Picnic; Zeca & The Hyrdroponic Lizards @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W. ~indie; $

9> The Layrite Boys @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Bluegrass

9:30> The Reposadists Quartet @ Reposado, 136 Ossington Ave. ~Jazz

10> Fraser Melvin Band @ Southern Accent, 630 College St. ~original Blues; $

11> The Digs @ Drake Hotel Lounge, 1150 Queen St. W. ~groove Rock; 0$

519

6> Guelph Ribest with Ginger Ale & The Monowhales @ Riverside Park, 709 Woolwich St., Guelph ~contemporary original; $0

*7-11> Lucas Stagg @ Argyle Arms, 210 King St. E., Cambridge ~Roots-Rock

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

7:30-10> jam night @ RCL #126 Preston Legion, 334 Westminster Dr. N., Cambridge

8> Wired to the Sky; Sam Boer; Local Haunts @ The Cornerstone, 1 Wyndham St. N., Guelph ~indie; $10

*8> Jazz/Blues jam @ Hep Cats, 42 Erb St. E., Waterloo

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

8> Candy and The Wrappers @ The Boathouse, 97 Jubilee Drive, Kitchener ~indie; $15

*8:30> acoustic jam hosted by Mike Meacher & Vic Freitas @ Kiwi Gastropub, 47 Dickson St., Cambridge

*8:30-12:30> acoustic jam with Dennis Napper & Joe Lopez @ Fiddle & Firkin, 707 King St. E., Cambridge

9> jam with Miss Jaye Baxter Band @ Black Wolf Smokehouse, 139 Broadway Ave., Orangeville

9:30> The Dukes @ The Stampede Ranch, 226 Woodlawn Rd. W., Guelph ~Country

9:30> 8 Second Ride @ Stampede Corral, 248 Stirling Ave. S., Kitchener ~Country

*10-2> Mike Something @ Royal Electric, 52 Macdonell St., Guelph ~acoustic Pop

705

*7-11> Tamica Herod & The Harbour Street Band @ 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> Drew Wright @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood  ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

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

9-1> Darren Cranney and Kyle Charron @ Donaleigh’s Irish Public House, 28 Dunlop St. E., Barrie

10> Common Holly @ 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)

6-8:30> Mellow Dee & guests Lisa & Gina @ Rum Diaries, 368 Bayly St. W., Ajax ~soft groove Pop/R&B

*6-10> Sticks & Tones @ Fionn MacCool’s Oshawa, 214 Ritson Rd., Oshawa ~Rock/Top 40 covers

7> Blues jam @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

*8-11> open mic night @ George & Orange Taproom, 67 Orange St., Cobourg

9> Jack de Keyzer Band @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St. W., Ajax ~original Blues; $

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

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

*9-2> open mic with Rich With Sin @ Gravity Lounge, 45 Prince St., Oshawa

9> Deuce @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~acoustic Pop covers & originals duo

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

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

905 NORTH

*6-8> Ben Hannah @ The Cellar, 78 Main St. S., Georgetown ~Jazz guitar; 0$

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

7> Ed Roman @ Uncorked On Main, 72 Main St. S., Georgetown ~Rock/Top 40 covers

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

*8> 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

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

*9> open mic with The Almost Cool Band @ St. George Pub, 7 Main St. N., Georgetown

9:30?> Willin and Able @ Aw Shucks, 15474 Yonge St., Aurora

*10:30> jam with Gary White & Friends @ Bryden’s, 270 Main St. E., Milton

905 SOUTH

12-1> Nick Macheco @ Gore Park, King St. E. at John St. S., Hamilton

7:30> Great Canadian Duelling Pianos @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster

8> Silvertone Hills; Run Maggie Run; James Wilson @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~indie; $

8:30> Chris Chambers @ Lou Dawg’s Hamilton, 116 George St., Hamilton

9> open jam with Tim Ninehouse and Mr. Jay @ George Hamilton Restaurant, Hamilton, 152 King St. W.

*9> jam with Hank & The Boys @ Tartan Toorie, 969 Fennell Ave. E., Hamilton

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

*9:30> Rock jam @ Gladstone Tavern, 1385 Main St. E., Hamilton

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

10> Matty Simpson Band @ Cat N Fiddle Hamilton, 174 John St., S., Hamilton

905 WEST

4:30> Adam Cooke @ SB Prime, 380 Brant St., Burlington

6> Adam Ostrosser & Annette Haas @ Ye Old Squire Burlington, 3537 Fairview St., Burlington ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

6:30> Rob Reed @ Cucci Ristorante, 119 Jones St., Bronte

*7> Fraser/Daley @ Anchor Bar Burlington, 2000 Appleby Line, Burlington ~original Rootsy Blues

7> Scott Whittington @ Max Resto Lounge, 2180 Itabashi Way, Burlington

*7-10> Clarke County @ Montana’s BBQ Mississauga, 5031 Hurontario St., Mississauga ~Country

*7-11> James Anthony Band hosts open mic @ 5 West Brewpub, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington

*7:30> Bluegrass jam @ RCL #551 Waterdown, 79 Hamilton St. N., Waterdown

8> Mike Stevenson & Friends @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington

8> The Grady Brothers @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Top 40 covers

8> Kent MacMillan @ Bronte Sports Kitchen, 2544 Speers Rd., Oakville

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

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

9> Shjaane Glover & Friends @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St. Oakville ~$5

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

*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

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

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.

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