| TO DOWNTOWN \

As many downtown clubs struggle to gain whatever edge they can to attract hordes of patrons, the indie music festival seems to have become a full blown “thing” rather than a rarity or curiosity.  Indeed there are now so many Toronto music festivals happening between the start of spring and advent of summer that blogto.com felt it necessary this week to make a “top ten” list of them!  Who is even aware that there were more than three or four?

Number one on their list (which appears to be chronological rather than a rated hierarchy) is the four-night Soundtrack Of The City event that runs tonight through Sunday in four clubs centred around Queen and Bathurst Streets.  Produced by Music City North, the weekend includes 64 acts performing a 45-minute set, many of whom I’ve never heard of —and presumably that’s exactly the point: to create a motivation for people to get out and discover new talent.

(Another incentive, of course, is that it appears the clubs have been granted the “festival exemption” from normal alcohol serving cutoff times, so some of the shows take place late.)

Unlike some of the more established corporatist-style events —Hello CMW! Come on down NXNE!— and in keeping with MCN’s indie origins, the price tag for getting out and rambling through the rosters is very affordable: while admission to individual 4-or5 set shows cost $10, $15 gets you a wristband valid at ALL the venues for the night or for just $25 you can get full access anywhere over all four days.  And with all four rooms located within a block of Q&B, that’s easy to do.

The participating rooms include: The Hideout, (484 Queen Street W. a block east of Bathurst) which has developed a justified reputation as a home for indie acts, with live music seven nights a week and a website that’s usually up to date;  Cherry Cola’s (200 Bathurst St.) which has a lot of interesting young bands (though does a shitty job of promoting their lineup); The Paddock (178 Bathurst Street on the southwest corner at Queen) which is once again being reinvented and these days has a fair amount of original music; and Bovine Sex Club (542 Queen W., quite close to Bathurst) which is still the wild and crazy place it’s always been, with an eclectic entertainment policy that seems to value cheekiness above all else.

One of the few acts I am familiar with that is taking part in this weekend’s shows, Carmen “Social Potion” Toth (or “SoPo” as fans sometimes call her) is appearing tonight at The Paddock (11:30) and alone would be worth the price of admission for the evening.  While her music career momentum seemed to have slowed a little for a while last year —after dissolving a partnership and moving residence— she seems now to be getting back on track.

While this is only Toth’s first 2016 show, she released a new song at Christmas and has two April shows lined up.  She’s also, she tells me, working on a new 5-song ep with producer Derek Downham (and may debut a new song tonight, she says).  That’s a good thing —her catchy, radio-friendly tunes, as I’ve written previously, have deservedly attracted positive industry response.

After having booked her into a few shows a couple of years ago I’m still regularly asked by those who saw her:  “when is playing again?”  Now you know!

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Thursday, March 31, 2022

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.

Names of subscribers appear in bold and underlined and, where applicable, include a live link to their websites or event page. Advertisers’ listings are in larger type and highlighted, include a live link to their website and also have a copy of the ad included in listings.

416 - TORONTO CENTRAL

6-8> Steve Raiken + five more for Urban Folk Art Salon @ Mount Pleasant Library, 599 Mount Pleasant Rd., TO North ~Roots

6:30> Kevin Quain @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~moody Blues

7> Nicole “Songbird” Coward for CKOL benefit @ CKOL 93.7 FM/100.7 FM Radio studios, 15 Raglan St. South, TO ~Folk songwriter

*7> open mic with Derek Mok @ Kensington Lodge, 21 Kensington Ave., TO

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

*8-1> open mic with Alicia Porter @ The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St., TO

8> Stevie Jay Duo @ Dominion Pub, 500 Queen St. E., TO ~cover Pop Rock

*8-12> Joe Bowden @ Nawlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues

8> Bob Sanderson @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO

8:30> Sam Sundar-Singh @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. TO ~eclectic multi-instrumentalist; $5

8:30> Gruvoria @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W., TO ~Jazz-Funk

9> Soundtrack Of The City Festival with Caitlin Burgess; Missy Knott with Brian Mehlenbacher; Social Potion (Carmen Toth); Andreas @ The Paddock, 178 Bathurst St., TO ~indie; $10/$15/$25

9-3> Soundtrack Of The City Festival with Deer God; Church Goer; Rehab For Quitters; The Readys; The Wet Bandits @ Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W., TO  ~indie; $10/$15/$25

9> Soundtrack Of The City Festival with Sousa’s Lost Sound; Chris Doucett & The Way Out; The Jesse James Medicine Show; Hallers; Mother Leads @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $10/$15/$25

9> Soundtrack Of The City Festival with Plaid On Flannel; Ravyn Red; Sevens; The Incidental Extras; Parasona @ Cherry Cola’s, 200 Bathurst St., TO ~indie; $10/$15/$25

9-2> Lower Dens; Dirty Frigs; Blunt Chunks @ Silver Dollar 486 Spadina Ave., TO ~Hard Rock; $

9> Fun Fact @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W., TO

9-12> Alex Leggert @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO ~indie

9> The Lisa Michelle Septet @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $

9> Skinny Lister; Beans On Toast; Will Varley @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $10.50

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

9:30> Oxford Blue @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO

9:30> Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

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

10> Laura Hubert Band featuring Peter Hill on keys @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Pop Jazz with punch; no cover

10> Jack Marks & His Lost Wages @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~Rockabilly

10> Nancy Dutra @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~original Rootsy Blues

10> Island Riot @ Bier Markt Esplanade, 58 The Esplanade, TO ~Pop Rock

10> Pretzel Logic @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Steely Dan tribute; $

416 - TORONTO EAST

7-9> Asha & The Bearded Boys @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~songwriter

8> Black Bear All Star Band featuring William Miller @ Black Bear Pub, 1125 O’Connor Drive, TO East ~Rock/Blues/R&B; no cover

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

9> No Problem Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East

?9> Strome Danckert Duo @ Murphy’s Law, 1702 Queen St. E., TO East ~Pop Rock

*9:30> open jam @ Sportsters, 1430 Danforth Ave., TO East

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

10:30> Grump @ Bier Markt Don Mills, 7 O’Neill Rd., TO East ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

7:30> Sharon Smith Trio @ Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Jazz; min table charge

8> Kirsten Anzelc @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~indie Pop Rock; $

*9:30-2> Skip Tracer @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd., Etobicoke South ~Rock/Pop

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

7-11> jam night @ The Birchmount, 462 Birchmount Rd., Scarborough

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

416 - TORONTO WEST

5-8> Mr. Rick Duo @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~vintage Americana

7:30> Arianna Gillis @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~indie Roots-Pop

8> Rhonda Stakich; The Hatchetmen @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W., TO West ~Rock

8> “Cancer Can’t Beat Us If We All Ride Bikes” benefit with The Inevitable Accident @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W., TO West ~$10 donation/pwyc

8> Made To Break  Ensemble with guest Nicole Rampersaud on trumpet @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~eclectic original Jazz; $

8> Sisters Euclid featuring Kevin Breit @ 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas St. W., TO West ~original Fusion Jazz/Country/Rock; $10

8:30> So Long Seven album release with opening set by Kat Goldman @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~original acoustic Pop; $26/-/+

9> Maria Ryan & Chris Bennett @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~indie acoustic Roots-Pop

*9-12> open mic night @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W., TO West

9> Matt Zaddy; Joseph Kargi; Kalyna Rakel @ Folly Brewpub, 938 College St., TO West ~indie; pwyc

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

9-12> The Ault Sisters @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~vocal Jazz

9> Meaghem Bardwell @ The Tennessee, 1554 Queen St. W., TO West

9> Live From The Peach Pit @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West

9> Ilsa Craig; LUKA @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~

9:30> The Mercenaries @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St., TO West ~retro Soul Rock; $

10> Sun Parlour Players @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West; $

519

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

7:30> John McKinnon @ Fionn MacCool’s Orangeville, 75 Fourth Ave., Orangeville ~Pop Rock

7:30> Controversial Sharks; Last Minute; Ezra Adolescence @ Maxwell’s, 35 University Ave. E., Waterloo ~indie; $10

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

705

7-11> Gayle Ackroyd @ 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> David Dino White @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood

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

9> Chris Ronald @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

9> Fet.Nat; Watershed Hour; Everett; Puberty Hands @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough ~indie

905 - EAST

*5-8> Nelson Denis @ Frank’s Pasta, 42 King Street E., Cobourg ~eclectic mix (Folk, Jazz, soft Rock, Latin)

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

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

*9-1> Juggernaut Jam Band @ Tap and Tankard, 224 Brock Rd. S., Whitby ~Rock/Blues

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

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

10> Deuce @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock

905 - NORTH

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

*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> Bianco Rollo @ Fionn MacCool’s Newmarket, 17315 Leslie St., Newmarket ~solo acoustic Pop

905 - SOUTH

*8> open mic (signup at 7) with Dave Gould @ Homegrown Hamilton, 27 King William St. Hamilton

8> Avery; Straker; Wells @ Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton ~songwriters

8> Jordan Klassen; Megan Bonnell; Simon Fallon; Tony Evans @ Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton ~indie; $

*9> LMT Connection @ Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls ~R&B/Funk

9> Paul Collins; Dany Laj & The Looks @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~indie touring band; $

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

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

905 WEST

*6-9> Michael Keys & George Baumann @ Black Bull Burlington, 1124 Guelph Line, Burlington ~easy listening Swing/Boogie Woogie

*6-9> Ric Jabobs @ Ivy Bar, 3330 South Service Rd., Burlington

*7-11> James Anthony Band & guest Jody Mac @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Blues

8-12> Freedom Train @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Pop

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

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

8> Songwriters Challenge (theme songwriting open stage contest) @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St. Oakville; $

8:30> Tyler Schwende @ Fionn MacCool’s Britannia, 825 Britannia Rd. W., Streetsville Mississauga ~Pop Rock

*8:45> open mic with Matt Zady @ Failte, 201 City Centre Dr., Mississauga

9> Eddy C @ Fionn MacCool’s Clarkson, 970 Southdown Rd., Mississauga ~Pop Rock

9:30> Glenn Groves @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Honky Tonk

*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 ~Can-Rock icon

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