\ TO EAST \

Maybe it’s just the cantankerousness of advancing years speaking, but personally I find it unseemly that we’re already, a full month before Christmas Day, being inundated with themed events and relentless airwaves gifting advertising of materialistic crap in the name of that holiday.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas —in its place; which to my mind means beginning in the second week of December.  I mean hell, it’s still Thanksgiving weekend south of the 49^th and surely people could at least wait until the calendar flips over to later this week before beginning their emotional assault on our heartstrings rather than hijacking one-twelfth of the year to saturate us with what is, after all, essentially the propaganda of one religion married to the incessant whine of corporate shills seeking more profits.

The folks who run the Lazy Cat Café taking place the last Sunday afternoon of every month (except during the summer and in December) have the right idea as far as I’m concerned.  Even though today’s event is their last such 3-5:30 gathering of the year, rather than push it as a festive occasion they simply have as the feature performance an act guaranteed to bring out their regular attendees and to help make the occasion merry and bright.

The feature act is Lavender & Twang, a musical team-up of the duo of Linda Lavender and David Shilman, who also happen to have been the pair that over the past several years at least has been the moving force behind spreading the word about this charming monthly gathering that’s actually been running in the Bain Co-op in TO’s Riverdale neighbourhood since the 1990s.  It was in fact David who first brought the event to my attention five or six years ago and he has been consistently effective at promoting it ever since.

We told you a little bit about today’s featured duo in an article about a previous feature they did there for the June, 2015 edition of the event and as usual it highlighted David’s comedic bent, downplaying his guitar skills which he typically describes in self-effacing terms.  The blurb for today’s show maintains the joke, noting that he “has been playing guitar for over 30 years, which many find hard to believe.”  He’s a funny guy (hearing him emcee a show, as I did a few years ago, is a delight) but the real gag is that he’s actually a pretty fair strummer in addition to being a magnetic stage presence.

Lavender, a multi-instrumentalist songwriter who’s also been featured on guitar and banjo (on which she also writes songs!) in several other venues over the past couple of years, is earnest, pleasant and multi-talented.  I caught a set of hers last year at the Sunday evening jam at Relish and was thoroughly entertained and impressed with the variety of styles she presented, giving us a lively cover of “Smoke On The Water”, followed by what I believe was an original Roots-Pop tune, then a Gypsy rag that really rocked and swung and capped by a soulful Tin Pan Alley-style Country-Blues number, “Lovin’ Me”, which I believe was also an original.

Before and after the pair do their feature set, the stage is open for anyone to perform for ten minutes and there’s usually some snacks available and a kids activity table happening, since many in attendance are residents of the co-op in which it takes place.  To find it, take the entrance off of Sparkhall Ave. (steps west of Logan on south side) and look for the small building with a 50-foot smokestack.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca
[email protected]

SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, November 26, 2021

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

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ON AIR / ONLINE

*3-5am> The Rock-A-Round with Slim Tim @ www.rockabilly-radio.net ~ Rockabilly tracks (from UK, repeat of Fri show, also runs Wednesdays 6-8am)

4> “Georgian Bay Roots” official show of Summerfolk Festival @ CFOS AM 560 (simulcast on www.560cfos.ca)

5-8> “Across The Universe” with Ken Stowar on CIUT 89.5 FM

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

9am> “The Hoose Radio Show” Wee Dan Hoose @  http://www.bluesandrootsradio.com/ ~ artist interviews and tracks

9pm-midnight> 60s, 70s Soul, Jazz & Funk Cape Town/UK LIVE on FM Radio & Online Worldwide @ https://m.mixcloud.com/WorldofMusicSFonMuthaFM/

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

*11am-2> The Mercenaries @ Drake One Fifty, 150 York St. ~retro R&B/Soul/Funk; $0

12am-2pm> Robert Scott @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. ~piano Jazz; $5

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

12:30-1:15 & 3-4> Lucia Pageant & Toronto Folkdancers and Singers @ Harbourfront Centre, 234 Queens Quay W. ~Swedish Folk dancing & traditional Swedish Christmas carols by candlelight; $0

1-5> Toronto Sound Festival @ Tranzac Lounge (Main Hall & Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.

3-6> The Octocats @ Pauper’s Pub, 539 Bloor St. W. ~Jazz

3:30-6:30> Freeway Jazz Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

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

4:30-7:30> Black Suit Devil @ The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St. ~Blues

5> Steve-Paul Simms Trio with guests Maya Toman & Loren Hix @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. ~Roots/Pop

5:30> Waterparks; Asi It Is; Chapel Sleep On It @ Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St. ~indie; $

6-7:30> Wendy Lands @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~vintage Jazz/Pop; $10/pwyc

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

7> Saffron recording release for single “Introspection” @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. ~songwriter

7> The Dudes; Heart Attack Kids; The Killer Wails @ Adelaide Hall, 250 Adelaide St. W., TO ~indie; $

7-9:30> Marilyn Lerner Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Pop-Jazz with punch; $

7-9:30> Mary Pitt and David Warracj @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. ~Jazz; $

7-10> The Rhythmaturgically Syncopated Social Hour Jazz jam @ Tranzac Lounge (Tiki Room), 292 Brunswick Ave.

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

7> Frank Nevada @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W. ~songwriter

7:30> Eve Goldberg & Jane Lewis @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. ~Roots

8> Emilyn Stam & John Williams @ Schlangrillah Studio, 684 Bloor St. W. 2^nd floor ~songwriters; $10-20

8> Jean-Michael Blais @ Harbourfront Centre, 234 Queens Quay W. ~Classical minimalists piano; $

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

8> Bicycle Face @ Handlebar, 159 Augusta Ave. ~comedy/Roots

8:30-10> “Katbaret” with Kat Leonard, Civil Wray & Jessica Stuart @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~songwriters; $ $10/pwyc

9:30> Mary Catherine Pazzano @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

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

10> Kyp Harness & Isabel Fryszberg @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. ~songwriters

10> Moskito Bar @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W.

10-2> open mic with City Love @ The Hideout, 423 College St.

**10> Blues jam with Bill Hedefine & guests @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave.

416 – TORONTO EAST

11am-2pm> Chris Joris for Jazz brunch @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. ~Jazz; 0$

2-5> Lisa Particelli’s Girls Night Out East Jazz jam @ Morgan’s, 1282 Danforth Ave. ~Jazz; 0$

2:30-6:30> The Two Fours @ Black Swan Tavern, 154 Danforth Ave. ~Rock/Top 40 covers; $0

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

3-5:30> Lazy Cat Café open stage with hosts Linda Lavender & John Glover with feature by Lavender & Twang featuring David Shilman @ Bain Co-op Community Centre, 100 Bain Ave. (enter off Sparkhall Ave.) ~0$

4> The Del Fis @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E.

*4:30-8:30> Rock/Blues jam with William A. Miller & The Black Bear All Stars @ Black Bear Pub, 1125 O’Connor Drive

7> Diamanda Galas @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave. ~contemporary original; $

7-11> Gary Cain Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave ~R&B/Blues; 0$

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

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

4-7:30> BG Rhythm Section featuring Gary Kendall + guests Dwayne Laforme & Michael Fonfara @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd. ~Blues/R&B

5-9> Fleetwood Mac Mania @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line ~tribute to Fleetwood Mac

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

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

3-7> jam with hosts The Repairmen @ Birchmount Tavern, Scarborough, 462 Birchmount Rd.  ~Blues-Rock

*7-11> open jam with host Gtar Live @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave.

416 – TORONTO WEST

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

*noon-3> Julian Fauth & Ken Yoshioka @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W. ~Blues

2> Ken Whiteley’s Sunday Gospel Matinee with Sadie Buck, Jani Lauzon, Twin Flames @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W. ~“Indigenous Spirit Songs”; $

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

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

5-8> Ivan Rosenberg @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~old-time Country Roots

5-8> Sharon Smith & Friends @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz

6> Monk’s Music @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. ~vibraphone Jazz; pwyc

6> Above Ground Pool @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W.

7> Poetry Slam @ Drake Hotel Underground, 1150 Queen St. W. ~spoken word; $7

*7-10> “Another Bloody Folk Club” @ Yellow Griffin Pub, 2202 Bloor St. W. ~Roots

7:30> Sonatas for violin and piano @ Gallery 345, 345 Sorauren Ave.  ~Classical; $

8> Bats in the Belfry; Idiot Brother; The House of Haunt @ Duffy’s Tavern, 1238 Bloor St. W. ~Montreal indie; $5

8> Loji’ Ghost Love; Plazas; Awwful @ The Baby G, 1608 Dundas St. W. ~indie; $

8:30> “MUSIC: The Voice of The Soul” with various artists @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W.

8:30> John Jacob Magistery @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W.  ~songwriter; $

8:30> Devin Loran @ Alchemy, 890 College St.

8:30> Jeff Larochelle Quartet @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. ~Jazz; pwyc

9-1> Kalya Ramu’s Hot Four @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz

9> Mr. Rick’s Café Americana  @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Roots; $

*9:30> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. ~retro R&B/Soul/Funk; $0

10> Kevin Foster & Friends with guests Corey Zaks & Kalyna Rakel @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W. ~songwriters; $pwyc

519

15 3^rd annual Guitars For Kids fundraiser with various live acts, auctions, displays, workshops and vendors @ Preston Legion, 334 Westminster Drive N., Cambridge

2-4> Traditional English Music Folk Sessions @ The Argyle Arms, 210 King St. E., Cambridge

2-4> Classical guitar open mic with Open Mic Guild for Classical Guitar @ Idea Exchange, 1 North Square, Cambridge

2> Big Rude Jake @ Lou Dawgs Waterloo, 80 King St. S., Waterloo ~Blues/R&B

2> Jazz jam @ The Jazz Room, 59 King St. N., Waterloo

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

4-7> Sandy MacDonald & Danielle Doel @ Fiddle & Firkin, 707 King St. E., Cambridge ~Jazz

4> Jam with Tim Lee @ The Boathouse, 97 Jubilee Drive, Kitchener

8> James Gordon and Jeff Bird of Tamarack 40 year reunion concert @ Silence, 46 Essex St., Guelph ~Roots songwriters; $

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

9> Traditional English Music Folk Sessions @ The Brownestone Gastropub, 39 Queen St. E., Cambridge

9:30> Romeo Sex Fighter @ Duke of Wellington, 33 Erb St. W. Waterloo

*10-2> open mic @ Jimmy Jazz, 52 Macdonnell St., Guelph

705

*2-6> open mic @ RCL (Royal Canadian Legion) #103, 34 Bridge St. W., Campbellford

3> Odd Man Rush @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

10> Justin Million @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St., W., Peterborough

905 EAST

*3-6> Chris Stapley & Earl Johnson @ Ridges Pub, 776 Liverpool Rd., Pickering ~acoustic Blues/Rock

4> Eric Lambier @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~Rock/Top 40 covers

4-7> Alicia Robcheau & Lonesome Sound @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa

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

**7-10> “Underground Sundays” with 3 bands @ Frank’s Pasta, 426 King St. E., Cobourg ~indie; $0

*8> Gibran & Matt “Smokey” Wildfong @ Harwood Blues, 7 Harwood Ave., Ajax ~Blues

*10> Another Round @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock

905 NORTH-EAST

*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 S., Keswick

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

*6-10> open mic with host Brian Wride @ Col. McGrady’s, 44 Brock St. W., Uxbridge

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

*9> King Henry’s open mic (sign-up starts 8:45) with host Ben Crosby @ King Henry’s Arms, 9301 Yonge St., Richmond Hill

905 NORTH-WEST

3> Abigail Lapell Duo @ Copper Kettle, 517 Main St., Georgetown ~Roots

*5> open mic with Crosstown Band @ Time Out, 68 Main St., Georgetown

*5:30-9:30> open jam with host band Faces For Radio & guest @ Crown and Anchor Pub, 389 Main St. N., Brampton

7:30> Roy Parsons for “Candlelit Church” sessions @ St. Alban’s, 537 Main St., Glen Williams-Georgetown ~Roots

905 SOUTH

12-3> Scott Mckintosh Trio @ Rust City Brewery, 27 King William St., Hamilton ~Jazz

2-6> Bay City Blues Band & guest Ian Andrews @ Bay City Music Hall, 50 Leander Drive, Hamilton ~Blues; $7

2-5> Rocket 88 @ Lou Dawgs Hamilton, 116 George St., Hamilton ~Blues

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

3> Slamfest with Snake Charmer; Sick of Shit; The Doomed; Decomposeur; Hostages @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~Punk/Thrash; $

*4> open mic with Neon Moon @ Moose Lodge, 1860 Barton St., Hamilton

4> Blues jam & show by Wayne Janus and the Backline @ Masque Wine Bar Hamilton, 13 Hess St. S. Hamilton

4:30-7:30> Steve Sinnicks @ Cat ‘N’ Fiddle, 174 John St. S., Hamilton

*7> open mic @ The Wee Dram, 1831 Main St. W., Hamilton

7-12> Nervous Rebels; Minority 905; Big Brother; Dawn Vally; Rosewood Annie @ Club Absinthe, 38 King William St., Hamilton ~Punk/Thrash; $

8> Deke Dickerson; The JetScreams @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

9-12> Adam Ostrosser & guest @ Cat ‘N’ Fiddle, 174 John St. S., Hamilton

9> open jam with Walker and Jamie @ The Pour House Hamilton, 1115 Fennell Ave. E., Hamilton

9> Shari Dunn & Jonny Kerr @ Lionshead Pub, 137 John St. S., Hamilton

*10> open mic with Kim Koren @ West End Pub, 151 Emerson St., Hamilton

10> Chris Chambers @ Augusta House, Hamilton, 17 Augusta St.

10> open mic @ The Hub, 1141 King St. E., Hamilton

905 WEST

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

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

3:30> James Anthony with Donnie Meeker @ Abbey Arms, 481 North Service Rd., Oakville ~Blues

4-7> Glenn Groves @ 5 West Brewpub, 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

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

*10:30> Strummers Union @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington

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.

-Copyright © 2017 by Gary “17” Webb-Proctor & TorontoMoon.ca. All Rights Reserved