\ TO EAST \
After a storied career as a much hailed Blues guitarist, Mike McKenna (inducted into the Canada South Blues Society Hall of Fame three years ago this month) has reached another milestone, turning 70 years old, and musical pals are helping him celebrate tonight.
The latest in a memorable series of concerts put on by SongTown impresario Pete Otis to showcase the iconic founder of McKenna-Mendelson Mainline, tonight’s 6:30 p.m. show at Black Swan Tavern will feature performances by many fellow legends of the Toronto scene representing various genres. Like McKenna, whose band hit its peak in the 60s and 70s and whose Stink album basically introduced slide guitar to Blues-Rock, the seminal artists who comprise the roster are key figures who helped to create and define the “Toronto Sound” and local music scene.
Veteran R&B/Pop singer George Olliver of Mandala, Rock guitarist/songwriter Luke Gibson of Luke & The Apostles, famed Roots-Rock singer-songwriter Keith McKie of Kensington Market, vocalist John Finley of The Checkmates, Sebastian Agnello of Lords Of London, Mandala/Bush/Lou Reed drummer Whitey Glan and many other genuine all-star calibre performers are on the bill for tonight’s can’t-miss show —as well as McKenna himself, of course, and Otis’ own band, which is not to be underrated.
Other featured talents include Fergus Hambleton, Pat Little, Whitey Glan, Tony Nolasco, Neil Chapman, Peter Jermyn, Cliff Martin, Mike Harrison, Rob Kirkpatrick, Mike McDonald, Uli Bohnet, Peter Verity, Brian Gladstone and Ted Purdy.
Cover is $20 and you may still be able to order an advance ticket through the SongTown site or take your chances at the door (opens at 6) of the room at 154 Danforth Avenue a spit east of Broadview.
-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca
SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, May 22, 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.). 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.
416 – TORONTO CENTRAL
11am-2pm> Karz & Lightstone Klezmer Duo 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
3-5> Michael Laderoute & Rob Fenton @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~original Folk
3> The Wintergarten Orchestra @ C’est What, 69 Front St. E., TO
3:30-6:30> Dr. Nick & The Rollercoasters @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $
*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., TO ~New Orleans Jazz
5> Steve-Paul Simms with Dave Lang & Bob Cohen @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO
6-7:30> Joel Sheridan @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc
*6-9> open mic with Eddy Culjak @ Fox & Fiddle Wellesley, 27 Wellesley St., TO
*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
7-9:30> Michael Herring Quartet @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $
7-9:30> John Alcorn & Alex Samaras Duo @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $
*7-10> Brooke Blackburn @ Nawlins, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues/Jazz/R&B
7:30> Gathering Sparks Folk singalong @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Folk
8> Angie Hilts @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO
8> Jonathan Elmaleh @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~songwriter
*8> jam/open mic with backline & host band Meg and the Scene @ The Antler Room, 146 Front St. W., TO
8-9:30> Caroline Martin-Rowe @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc
*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> Bradley & The Bouncers @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Blues; $
9:30> Colorado’s Brad Goode @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $
*10> Horshack feat. Chris Caddell @ Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~Bluesy contemporary & classic Rock
10> New Grease Revival album release @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~indie
10> James Clark solo @ Amsterdam Bicycle Club, 54 The Esplanade, ~original acoustic Pop
**10> Blues jam with Brian Cober, Bill Hedefine & guest bassist @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO
10:30> Reid Henry Band @ Bier Markt King, 600 King St. W., TO ~Pop Rock
10:30> Frank Ryan @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock
416 – TORONTO EAST
11 am-2> Pat Maloney for Jazz brunch @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. TO East
*2-5> Yvette Tollar & David Restivo @ 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> iSpy @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East
6-12> Mike McKenna 70th Birthday Party with Goerge Olliver; John Finley; Luke Gibson; Fergus Hambleton; Neil Chapman; Pete Otis Band; many more @ Black Swan, 154 Danforth Ave., TO East ~eclectic Blues-Rock; $20
6-9> Django Gypsy Jam @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Gypsy Jazz jam
6-9> Johnny Cox @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave, TO East ~Blues
*9-1> jam with the Stir It Up Band featuring David Macmichael @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East
*9> Michael Darcy @ An Sibin Pub, 709 Queen St. E., TO East ~Pop Rock
**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
4-7> Roger Zuraw Band @ Etobicoke Local Bar, 2961 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~original & cover Roots-Rock
4-8> BG Rhythm Section featuring Gary Kendall + guests John Dickie & Ray Harrison @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Blues/R&B
5-9> Groovestone @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke ~Pop Rock
5-9> Phil Hood and Company @ Refinery Public House, 3039 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~R&B/Rock
7> Tony “Wild T” Springer with Jerome Godboo @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke ~Blues
*10-2> jam with Rebecca Matiesen & Phoenix @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South
416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH
Noon-4> jam with Ayden & Friends @ The Birchmount, 462 Birchmount Rd., 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
*5-8> Nichol Robertson and his Honkytonk Boogaloo Boys @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~instrumental Honkytonk
5-8 Anything Goes Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz
6> Monk’s Music @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz
7-9> Gina Horswood album release for Porcelain @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~songwriter; $
8> Sonic Avenues; Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs; Brat Kings; Flesh Rag @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West ~indie
*8:30-11:30> Fraser Melvin Blues Band @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St., TO West ~Blues
8:30> Fortin/Davidson/French Trio @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~
9-1> Hans Luchs Jazz Quartet @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Chicago Jazz
9> Mr. Rick’s Café Americana @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~acoustic duo
9> The World Providers; Triple Gangers @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West
9:30> Brian Charette & Peter Bernstein @ Mezzrow’s, 1546 Queen St. W., TO West ~piano duo
10> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~retro Soul-Rock; $
519
*3-7> acoustic open mic with Scott Rhodes @ The Pick and Shovel, 30 Water St., Cambridge
8> Josh Cairney Trio @ Fionn MacCool’s Kitchener, 4287 King St. E., Kitchener ~Pop
*9-1> jam @ Ivy Arms Pub, 201 Main Street East, Milton
705
3> Bobby Watson @ 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
*7> open mic with Randy Hill @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough
10> Anna; GOD; Crazy Bomber; Paulabulus @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough ~indie
905 EAST
4> LEE @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa
*5-10> All-ages 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
*10> Another Round @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock
905 NORTH
10am> Nicole “Songbird” Coward @ Codrington Farmer’s Market, 2992 County Rd 30, Brighton ~original Folk
**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 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
Noon> Annie & Rose-Erin @ Artwork Art Bar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton ~songwriters
2-6> Bay City Blues Band & guest Michael Schatte @ Bay City Music Hall, 50 Leander Drive, Hamilton ~Blues; $5
2-6 Jesse Luciani @ Donnelley’s Pub, 54 Front St., Thorold
\*3> Brother Tom hosts kitchen party jam @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton
8> Boy With An Atlas; Kid Royal; Monroe Park @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton
905 WEST
**2-6> Country matinee with host Colin Connors and guest Libby McGrath @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Country
*3-6> Chris Partland @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock
3-8> Salsa band @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Latin
*4:30-8> Chuck Jackson’s All Stars @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Blues
**5:30-8:30> The Stew @ Mulligan’s, 2458 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~R&B/Rock
**7-11> The Nomads @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock
*7:30-11:30> open jam hosted by Troy Harmer & The Persuaders @ The Brown Barrel, 1515 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton
*8> open mic night with house band featuring Mike Shotton, Tim & Dave Johns @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington
*9-1> The Sarah Smith Band @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~$
*10:30> Adam Cooke & The Adams Family @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington
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