Long weekends are usually considered dead zones when it comes to live music in clubs and other venues. But not so the Family Day weekend, at least not this one. I suppose some folks are off in southern climes while others could go north for a skiing or snowmobiling getaway (but why would you need to the leave the GTA for that? lol). But a lot of folks will also be celebrating Valentine’s Day tonight and restaurants and pubs are happy to oblige with a wide range of musical presentations designed to either soften things up, get you sensually moving your booty or pumping you up for some late night lovin’.

Jazz/Classical guitar artist and cheeky songwriter Mark Sepic is just the ticket for getting the mood started as he performs 7-9 p.m. at cozy yet hip Relish on Danforth Ave. in east TO. The tapas menu here is also a work of art as owner Joanne Clayton brings a personal touch to operating the kitchen and takes a lot of justifiable personal pride in its offerings. Sepic’s show is followed by upbeat Gypsy Jazz ensemble The Mediterranean Stars from 9:30-11:30 and there’s no cover for either show.

It’s only been a couple of years since Afro-Jazz songwriter and singer Trinity Mpho did his first performance in TO after immigrating here but he’s quickly garnered some attention with his unique approach to melding Worldbeat rhythms and stylings with traditional and modern elements of Jazz and giving it a lively but sultry Pop feel. He’s part of an 8:30 p.m. Valentine’s Day show at Amsterdam Bicycle Club downtown that should get anyone in the mood for groovin’.

 

 

On Queen West starting at 9, a man who’s in love with life and whose charm, wit and passion shine through in every song he writes will be returning with his eponymous band to Horseshoe Tavern, where he never fails to attract a throng of enthusiastic fans who love to dance and boogie.

Julian Taylor is also one of the most versatile songwriters I know, equally comfortable writing acoustic love ballads (of both the joys and woes of the heart), jumpin’ Reggae tunes, playful ditties, Rock-Pop hard-drivers or Soul-Funk/Reggae-Hip Hop tracks that make you wanna shake that booty. His band is up to the task no matter what he throws at them from his diverse catalogue, including tunes from his latest acclaimed Tech Noir album.

Special guests Emma Lee, Sheldon Holder and Biopic all do opening sets at the 9 p.m. show, for which there’s a cover. Being Valentine’s Day he’s bound to do his current hit “Be Good To Your Woman”, which is going viral on the internet and starting to attract major mainstream press attention.

You can be good to your love by taking them out to one of these or many other awesome shows going on this afternoon and evening. (The Winterfolk Festival on five stages in the Danforth-Broadview area is chock full of stellar Roots and Blues talents running from 1 pm. through till midnight –see special listings entry for full lineup.) Maybe you’ll get some good lovin’ in return!

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Saturday, February 14, 2022

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

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WINTERFOLK XIII Listings for Sat. Feb. 14, 2015

Shows are free unless indicated otherwise. For paid shows visit http://www.winterfolk.com/winterfolk-advance-ticket-sales/ to purchase advance tickets.

Black Swan 2nd Floor Lounge, 154 Danforth Ave.

1-4> “Lilith Comes To Winterfolk” (celebration of women in song) with Shawna Caspi; Lynn Harrison; Soozi Schlanger; Lynn Miles; Linda MacRae; Rae Billing ~$15 advance; $20 door

4-6> Spirit Of Song Niagara

6> D’Arcy Wickham

8-12> “Love at Winterfolk” with Laura Fernadez; HOTCHA!; The Trio of Fun (Ken Whiteley, Wendell Ferguson, Tony Quarrington; Swamperella ~$15 advance; $20 door

 

Black Swan Tavern, 154 Danforth Ave.

1-4> The Best of Dr. B’s Acoustic Medicine Show with host Steve Raiken and Roger Zuraw; Brian Jantzi; Sharron Katz; Mark Denington; David McLachlan; Murray Powell; Brian Gladstone; Sean Peever; Mark Yan & Barry Mulcahy; Jo-Anne Park

4-7> Seneca college Independent Music Program showcase with hosts John Switzer & Linda M

7-8> Sue & Dwight

8-10> Canadian Folk Music Revue and Sing Along with The Fabulous Gladstones featuring Brian Gladstone

10> Vivienne Wilder Band

 

Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave.

1pm> Duelling Tubas & Other Nerdy Pursuits with members of The Polka Dogs and The Heavyweights Brass Band

2> Noah Zacharin

3> Julian Taylor

4-7> Traditional Irish Music with Deborah Quigley & Patrick Orseau

7-9> Speak Music Presents hosts Beverly Kreller & Howard Druckman of HOTCHA! + Isabel Fryszberg & Steve Briggs; Kristine Schmitt; Whoa Nellie; Clea Errington; The Wanted

9> The O’Pears

10> HOTCHA!‘s American Pie with guests Mr. Rick; Linda McRae; Onion Honey

 

Terri O’s, 185 Danforth Ave.

1pm> Audience Participation Songwriting with Marianne Girard; Vera Colley; Jessica Stuart; Allan Fraser

3> Al Lerman

4> Jessica Stuart Few

5> The O’Pears

6> The Wanted

7> “The Smokin’ Guitars of Winterfolk” with host D’arcy Wickham; Brian Gladstone; Wendell Ferguson; Noah Zacharin

8> Jory Nash

9> Isabel and the Uncommons

10> The Polka Dogs

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GTA CLUB LISTINGS

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

*12-3> Danny Marks & friends @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

1:30-4:30> Valentine’s Day matinee with Loaded Blues featuring Jim Cornell of Still Sunday & special guest Mike Sloski @ The Loaded Dog, 1921 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough

*2-6> jam w. Tom Finocchio @ Sam’s Place, Barton-Chestnut Sts., Hamilton

**2-6> Saturday Blues Sermon with James Anthony & special guest Terry Chisholm @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Blues

2:30-4:30> Ken Yoshioka @ Humble Beginnings, 3109 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Flamenco/Latin acoustic guitar

*3-6> Danny B’s House Party Band feat. Michael Keys on piano @ Blue Goose, 1 Blue Goose St., Etobicoke South ~R&B/Pop

*3-7> jam with Michelle Deneault & Redder @ Port Credit Legion, 35 Front St., Port Credit

3> The Boxcar Boys @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO ~rural Jazz; $5

3> Jamzac @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

*3:30-6> Johnny Wright @ Outriggers, 2232 Queen St. E., TO East ~R&B

3:30> Neufeld Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

3:30> Alexis Baro Quartet @ The Pilot, 22 Cumberland St., TO ~Jazz

**4-8> Bear’s Band with weekly guest singers @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Rock-R&B

4-7> New York Jazz Ensemble @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~Jazz; $

*4-7:30> Ronnie Hayward Trio @ McQueen’s, 993 Queen St. E., TO E. ~Blues/Roots

*4-8> The Meteors with guest Peter Graham Mifsud @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Blues/Rock/R&B

*4> PRJ @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St., Oshawa ~Blues

**5-8> Bill Heffernan & Friends featuring guest Michelle Rumball @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. TO West –Rootsy Pop

5-8> David Meenan @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Irish Sessions

6-8> Big Tobacco & The Pickers @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

6-8> The Cosmotones @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Blues/Roots

*6-9> Victoria & Bobby Keys @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~soft Pop

7> “50 Shades Of Love” with David Storey; Sharron Katz; Linda Saslove; Philomene Hoffman; more @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave., TO East ~indie Roots-Pop

7-9> Mark Sepic @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Romantic Jazz/Classical guitar & cheeky Pop love songs

7-9> Dave Cassells @ Humble Beginnings, 3109 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Flamenco/Latin acoustic guitar

7> “Drunk Ado About Nothing: @ Tranzac Club (Main Hall), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~theatre

7:30> The Bacchus Collective @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~ Jazz

8:30> Valentine’s Day show with Trinity Mpho & Tresnor R&B Ndombolo @ Amsterdam Bicycle Club, 54 The Esplanade, TO ~Worldbeat African Pop-Jazz; $20

8:30> Jackie Richardson & Micah Barnes @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~romantic Jazz singers; $32/-

8:30> Valentines show with Bluebelle; Mirian Kay; Josh Garbe, @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. TO

8:30-10:30> Jimmy Ohio & The Ultimate Lovers for Valentines Dinner show @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Blues/Roots

9> Julian Taylor Band + openers Emma Lee; Sheldon Holder; Biopic @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~original Pop/Soul/Reggae

9> Al Reilly’s Catalyst @ Maple Leaf House, 2749 Lakeshore Boulevard East, Etobicoke ~classic Rock

*9-1> karaoke with Rob MacArthur @ Tudor Rose, 700 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax

9-1> Kenny V @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd., Scarborough ~acoustic Pop/soft Rock

9-1> Jazz Forge @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~ Jazz

9> Big Night Out @ Eton House, 710 Danforth Ave., TO East

9> Tim Bradford @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Country-Rock originals

9> Mimico Old Boys @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock

9> Paul Nathan @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country

9-1> Kevin Mckender @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

9-1> Blueprint @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Pop Rock/Top 40

**9> Niagara Rhythm Section @ The Old Winery, 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-On-The-Lake ~R&B/Blues

9:30> Kindred Spirits @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~60’s Motown/Soul tribute; $5 advance; $10 door

9:30-11:30> The Mediterranean Stars @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Gypsy Jazz

9:30> aBabe Music presents Kendall Thompson; Celebration Army featuring Nelson Sobral; Hot Peach @ The Paddock, 178 Bathurst St., TO ~indie; $5

9:30> The Scoundrels Valentine’s Day Bash featuring Jonny Rock @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Rock/Top 40

*9:30-2> Valentine’s Day edition karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ Winners, 2181 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough

9:30> Fleetwood Mic @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~Fleetwood Mac tribute

9:30> Lady Kane @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St., TO North ~Funk/Soul/R&B

9:30> Urban Rodeo @ The Duke Live, 1225 Queen St. E., TO East ~urban Country

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

9:30> Neil Chapman Band @ Timothy’s Pub 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~R&B/Roots-Rock; $5

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

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

9:30> Justin Time @ Sixth Line Pub, 1500 Sixth Line, Oakville

9:30> Ric Jacobs @ Gator Ted’s, 1505 Guelph Line, Burlington ~wallpaper Pop

9:45> Tara Kannangara Group @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*9:45> Tyler Yarema & His Rhythm @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Jazz/Blues

10-2> Konvikshun @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. W. Etobicoke South ~Southern Rock fems

10> Ride The Tiger @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Funk/Soul

10> The Dirty Swingers; The Single Cuts; Dani Nash; J Swinnerton Band @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10> Ali Berkok & Pete Johnson @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

9-2> Butch Haller and the Chesterfield Ramblers @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West; $

10-2> Jerome Godboo Band @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Blues; $

10-2> Philcos @ Fionn MacCool’s Ajax, 36 Kingston Rd. E., Ajax ~Pop Rock

10-2> Bon Jovi Forever @ Whisky John’s, 843 King St. W., Oshawa ~tribute

10> The Lonely Parade tape release party @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

10:30> Shawn Brady & The Northern Sons @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

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