\ ETOBICOKE \

No doubt many music fans are more aware than ever today after last night’s final Tragically Hip concert —which became a national event attracting no less than our Prime Minister among the fans and no doubt broke Canadian broadcast industry records for the number of viewers watching a live telecast— of how much we take music performers for granted.

Who would have thought scant months ago that a band which has been part of Canada’s music landscape for nearly 30 years would be calling it quits so abruptly and for such a heartbreaking reason as the diagnosis of terminal brain cancer lead singer Gord Downie received in late May?

However others far less known and at least as talented as Downie have already passed in that time, most with a lot less or even no warning, and it’s been my sad duty to write about many of those passings in this publication.  Doing so, I often lament that more people didn’t pay more attention to them while they were still able to enjoy the recognition untainted.

Thus, while Downie has been using the final tour as a way of bringing attention to the need for more research into brain cancer —as well as the plight of First Nations, which he went out of his way to mention twice at length last night— I think it also serves as a reminder that we need to treasure the performers we admire while we still have them with us and functioning at the top of their game.

A now-veteran singer, keyboardist and jam host such as Rebecca Matiesen, for example, should perhaps be given more appreciation —even though she’s the picture of health as far as I’m aware— just simply because she delivers such pleasure through her shows week in and week out all year long and going on for some twenty-few years now.

I remember, in fact, when she first started really developing the singing aspect of her performance in the early mid-‘90s, back when she was primarily known as a keyboards player who also sang.  But after injuring a wrist and needing to wear a cast for some time one winter, she felt she had no choice, she told me back then, other than to develop her vocal prowess in order to be able to continue gigging, with an accompanist providing the instrumental part of things.

She’s never looked back from that and nowadays, of course, she’s best known for her versatile and passionate vocals along with a rip-roaring stage persona that she also developed back in the day.  And it’s those qualities that have led to her becoming one of the most successful jam hosts in the city running the Sunday event at Southside Johnny’s in Etobicoke. Not to mention that she’s still a very sexy lady!

Now entering her tenth year of anchoring the night (the ninth anniversary would have gone by with no fuss last month) Rebecca continues to enjoy success attracting top quality players to her event and is also increasingly getting gigs at other clubs outside the immediate area, either with her own Phoenix band or as a guest artist with various other combos.

That success comes to her because she brings audiences and fellow musicians a lot of enjoyment when she takes to the stage, as you can experience first-hand tonight if you venture out to the club at 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. West near Brown’s Line in Etobicoke’s Long Branch area after 9:30 or so.

Her backing band is also superbly talented and there’s a pro performance set up with lights on a dedicated stage and a dance floor for when things really get going —which is pretty much every Thursday through Sunday, i.e. the nights on which the club offers live bands!

And her keyboard playing?  Yup that’s become pretty damn superb over the years as well as still figures in her shows and on Sunday nights, when it’s also available for guest jammers to use.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, August 21, 2021

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.). 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 highlighted type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

ONLINE / ON AIR

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

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

10 am-2pm> Fingerstyle Guitar Association showcase with Mai Ling Loo; Ken Macaw; Randy Finney; Ron and Andre; Erwin Shack; Ian Weir; William Beauvais for Open Streets Festival

11am-2pm> Thaller Family Klezmer Band for Jewish brunch buffet @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO

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

12:30> ToqueTrad French Canadian Music Session @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

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

3:30-6:30> Dr. Nick & The Rollercoasters @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

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

5-9> Robbie Lane & The Disciples @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~vintage Rock/R&B; $10

5> Hamish Patterson & Grass Grows Back @ The Central, 503 Markham St., TO

5> Monk’s Music @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

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

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

7-9:30> Kim Ratcliffe’s On Topic @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

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

7> Thelonious Hank @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Country

7:30> Liz Acker and Doug Wilde @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Jazz

8> Gordon’s Acoustic Living Room featuring Wayne Neon @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~eclectic acoustic Pop

8-12> The Natchez Firecrackers featuring Ed Roth on accordion @ Wolf Like Me, 834 Bloor St. W., TO ~acoustic Pop

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

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

*8-12> The Honour Roll with REMY trio @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W. ~freestyle Hip Hop; no cover

9:30> Tania Gill Quartet @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

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

10> Makeshift Island @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

10> Angie Hilts Band @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Country/Roots

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

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

416 – TORONTO EAST

11 a.m. - 2> Evan Desaultnier for Jazz brunch @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. TO East

*2-5> Two of Us @ The Dylan Bar, 1276 Danforth Ave., TO East ~acoustic Pop

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

4> Fraser-Daley @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Rootsy Blues

*4:30-8:30> jam @ Black Bear, 1125 O’Connor Drive, TO East

5-7> Cadre @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~original & cover Roots Rock

7-10> John Findlay Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave, TO East ~R&B/Blues

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

**9> open mic night @ The Groove Bar, 1952 Danforth Ave., TO East

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

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

5-9> Michael Theodore Band @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke ~Pop Rock

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

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

*6> The Tall Boyz featuring Tommy Rocker host acoustic jam @ Coco’s, 2480 Eglinton Ave. E., Scarborough

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

416 – TORONTO WEST

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

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

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

1-5> Pat Temple & Hi-Lo Players @ The Wine Garden, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO, TO West

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

3-6> Gyles featuring James King @ CNE Midway Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO West ~Urban/R&B

3-6> Buck Twenty @ CNE Northern Comfort Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO West ~Country Rock

*4-8> Blues/Rock jam with Cody @ The Cat, 3513 Dundas St. W., TO West

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

5-9> Toronto Tango Trio @ The Wine Garden, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO West ~Tango Jazz fusion

5-8> Kirsten Jones Band @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~original & cover Country Roots

5-8> Jeff Taylor and the SLT @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~

6> Michael Herring/Rebecca Hennessey/Myk Freedman @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz; pwyc

6:30-10:30> Groove Marmalade @ Casino patio/stage Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO West ~Rock/top 40

7:30-11> Community Soul Project @ CNE Midway Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd., TO West ~Soul/R&B/Funk

7:30-11> Eric Ethridge @ CNE Northern Comfort Stage, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd. West, TO West ~Country

7:30> Headstones; openers Poor Young Things @ CNE Bandshell, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds, Lake Shore Blvd., TO West

8> Phatback; Illharmonic @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West  ~6-piece Hip Hop; Groove Pop; $15

8:30> Tom Richards Quartet @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz; pwyc

9> California X; Laika’s Orbit; Peace Be Still @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West ~indie

9-1> Root Down Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Roots

9> Cody McMillan Trio @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~original Folk

9> Theorie 1 with Rath; Thought Project; Fourier @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~experimental dance groove; no cover

9:30-1> Steve Amirault @ Amico’s Pizza, 1648 Queen St. W., TO West ~Jazz; no cover

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

519

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

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

705

2-5> Pat Maloney @ The Huron Club (patio), 94 Pine St., Collingwood

4-8> Celebration of club’s 11^th anniversary with Rick and Gailie Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

6:30-9:30> Joe Huron Trio with guest tba @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood ~Jazz

10> Moonriser; Slow Man Tofu; Garbageface @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St., W., Peterborough ~indie

905 EAST

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

*8:30-12:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ Pearson Pub, 101 Mary St. W. Whitby

9> Peter and Sue @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~Jazz

905 NORTH

*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 South, Keswick

*4-8> open mic with backline & keys @ Yogi’s Bar, 1285 Elgin Mills Rd. E., Richmond Hill

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

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

905 SOUTH

2-6> Bay City Blues Band & guest Jay Douglas @ Bay City Music Hall, 50 Leander Drive, Hamilton ~Blues; $5

2-6> Angela Seeger @ Donnelley’s Pub, 54 Front St., Thorold

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

9> Benefit for Food4Kids with L-Spex; Kenneth B; Nhuana Yobiz; Walt Wite & Dialog Pro; Viktor Shade; Ka$hkaval@ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

905 WEST

**2-6> Country matinee with host Colin Connors and guest Shawn Brush @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Country

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

3-8> Salsa band @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Latin

*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

**5:30-8:30> The Stew @ Mulligan’s, 2458 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~R&B/Rock

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

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

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

*9-1> Kevin Reid & Derek Lathrop @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~$

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

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