\ PETERBOROUGH / OSHAWA / HAMILTON \

While national and local news media have given a lot of coverage to the plight of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford as he languishes in a hospital fighting cancer (and prompting offers of donations and well-wishes from thousands of people) it falls to TorontoMoon.ca to spread the news about two much-loved GTA musicians also facing the dreaded Big-C and for whom there are benefit shows going on today.

In the city of Peterborough, a 4-8 matinee benefit show takes place for acclaimed local icon, Grier Coppins of Taxi Chain/Urban Highlanders fame, who has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

The bagpipe/guitar-playing singer, songwriter and infectiously dynamic Celtic-Roots-Rock Fusion band leader employs an innovative sound that both touches deeply entrenched heart strings and pokes at knees and shin bones to get people dancing and even parading around rooms.

A diverse cavalcade of fine talents will be on hand to raise dough for the Bancroft/Toronto resident, as Sean Conway & Gratia Leitch; Evangeline Gentle; Problem A; Washboard Hank and The O’Deadly’s perform, followed by a jam with members of Taxi Chain/The Highlanders (they’re almost the same band) and others at The Spill, 414 George Street North. Cover is $20 and there are also great prizes being offered in a $10 raffle.

In Oshawa, meanwhile, from 2 p.m. till 11 tonight a panoply of Durham Region talents will gather at Whisky John’s at 843 King Street West to again raise some funds for Rock/R&B/Dance tunes singer Ilse Themen of Tamin’ Thunder.

A dynamic stage presence when she’s healthy, the much-admired local resident has enlivened pretty much every Rock/Dance-oriented bar in the area and many beyond with her ability to channel Rock divas like Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin, but she has been struggling since being diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer just over a year ago.

As we told you then, when a previous benefit was held, she needed the help in order to take time off from performing for treatment.  By last fall that seemed to be working, as the disease seemed stymied and she returned to the stage, albeit with a radically different new “hair” style.  But recently, we’re told, the invader returned with a vengeance and her straits have become much more dire, to the point where she is again out of action, perhaps permanently.

Cover is $20 and the lineup includes (in order of appearance) Bon Jovi Forever; Aerosol X; Acoustica; Something Extra; Five Wheel Drive; Recovery Mode; The Dio Years and a finale jam with members of her band.

On a related note, this evening from 6-11, on the other side of the GTA in Hamilton, another cancer-related benefit is being staged, though not for one specific victim of the cellular scourge.

The third annual “Bands For Boobs” benefit for breast cancer research —which last year apparently raised around $1,000, will be staged at Casbah Lounge at 306 King St. West.

According to the club’s promo, the event was founded by Steel City expatriate Blues/Jazz/cabaret singer and Roots-Pop songwriter Ginger St. James and the first two years included a lot of stellar local names such as Nicole Christian, Alfie Smith, Samantha Martin, Harrison Kennedy, Tommy Gunn, Bradley Harder, Duane Rutter and Lori Yates, though the pr doesn’t indicate who, specifically, will be on hand for this year’s edition.

Cover is $20 and there’s also a raffle.

Hopefully today’s events raise more than funds and awareness but also lift the spirits of those suffering from The Big-C and act as a fillip for them so that we don’t have to think any time soon about including them on the forthcoming Musical Legacies Online Museum website that will preserve the memory of departed musical talents.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, March 20, 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> Gypsy Jive Band for Jewish brunch buffet @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~Klesmer

12-3> Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*12-2:30> Eli Pasic @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~solo Blues piano

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

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

3> The Wintergarten Orchestra @ C’est What, 69 Front St. E., TO ~$pwyc

*3-6> Colin Bradley and Friends @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St. TO ~East Coast Rock/Blues Roots

3:30-6:30> Jake Chisholm @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Blues; $

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

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

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

6-7:30> Gary Krawford @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

*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> The Double Cuts @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

7> BB Rock Band @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., TO ~$50

7-9:30> Kim Aldcroft’s Hat and Beard @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

7-9:30> Daniela Nardi’s Espresso Manifesto with special guest trumpeter Lina Allemano @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; music from Italy $20

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

7:30> Diane Roblin with special guests Heather Saumer and Rob Clutton @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Jazz

8> The Uncrwnd @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., TO; $10/$15/$20 at door

8> Gordon’s Acoustic Living Room @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~Canada-inspired discordant bagpipes squawking

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

8-9:30> Heidi Lange @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

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

9:30> Eric Divito (New York) @ 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> New Grease Revival @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

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

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

416 – Toronto East

12-2> Carrie Chestnutt Jazz Brunch @ The Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO

*2-5> Mandy Logan & 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> Friends jam @ Black Bear, 1125 O’Connor Drive, TO East

6-9> The John Findlay Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave, TO East ~Juno-nominated R&B/Blues

7-9> Tim Bradford @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~Roots-Rock

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

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

9:30> Michael Darcy @ An Sibin Pub, 709 Queen St. E., TO East ~Pop Rock

416- Toronto Etobicoke

5-9> David Love Band also featuring Darrell McNeill @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke ~60s Dance Rock

5-11> The Pie Guys @ Refinery Public House, 3039 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~R&B/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

* 11am> Jorge Maza Latin Brunch @ Lula Lounge, 505 Dundas Street, TO ~Latin Cheranga; $15 (includes brunch)

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

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

2> AHI and March for Music Therapy @ Lula Lounge, 505 Dundas St., TO ~$25

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

*5-7> Evans and Dennett @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~old-time Country Roots

5-8 Rob Thaller and Joanna Reynolds Jazz Duo @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

6> Ghost Mullet @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz

7> The Heavyweights Brass Band @ Lula’s Lounge, 505 Dundas St., TO  ~New Orleans Jazz; $10 advance (includes download of 1st CD), $15 at door

7:30-9:30> Lenka Lichtenberg & Fray  ep release concert for Live In America @ Small World Music Centre, 180 Shaw St., TO West ~original World/Yiddish Fusion; $20

8:30> Fulvio Albano and Massimo Farao, “the blackest of Italian pianists” @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~international bestselling Jazz; $

8:30> Nico Dann @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz

9-12> Julia Pal Jazz Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

9> Jazz-Rock jam @ The Painted Lady, 216 Ossington, TO West

9> Nicholl Robertson and his Honkeytonk Boogaloo Boys @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Country instrumental

9> Georgian Bay album release with guest Rayannah @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~electic Rootsy Indie; $10

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

9-1> Fraser Melvin Band @ Fat City Blues, 890 College Street, TO West ~Blues; $

10> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West

519

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

3-6 The Hot Machine @ Brando’s Beach House, 135 Market Street, Brantford ~Rock/Top 40

7:30> Rope For Hope Fundraiser for Make A Wish Foundation, featuring many performers @ Maxwell’s Music House, 220 King St. N., Waterloo ~indie; $10

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

705

12-3> R.G. Peever Duo @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood

*3-7> jam at C.J. Barleys, 213 The Queensway, Keswick

3> Brian Haddlesey Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

4-8> Benefit for Grier Coppins cancer battle with Sean Conway & Gratia Leitch; Evangeline Gentle; Problem A; Washboard Hank; The O’Deadly’s; jam with members of Taxi Chain and others @ The Spill, 414 George Street North, Peterborough ~$20

905 East

2-11> Musicians for a Miracle benefit for Ilse Themen of Tamin’ Thunder with Bon Jovi Forever; Aerosol X; Acoustica; Something Extra; Five Wheel Drive; Recovery Mode; The Dio Years; members of Tamin’ Thunder @ Whisky John’s, 843 King Street West, Oshawa ~eclectic ~$20

*3-7> Jam with jam with hosts Still Sunday featuring Jim Cornell @ West Shore Bar & Grill, 877 Bayly St., Pickering

4> Pete and Sue @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

4-7> Do Good Badlies @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., 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> Deuce @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock

905 North

**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

*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

9:30>Brewed Attitude @ Spot 1 Live, 289 Rutherford Road S., Brampton

905 South

2-6> Bay City Blues Band featuring guest Jerome Godboo @ Bay City Music Hall, 50 Leander Drive, Hamilton ~Blues; $5

5> Bill Craig @ Doc Magilligans, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls

6-11> Third annual Bands For Boobs benefit for breast cancer research with event founder Ginger St. James & many performers @ Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton ~$20

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

905 West

**2-6> Country matinee with host Colin Connors and guests Wendy Lynn Snider & Haley Van Maele @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., 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

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

*9-1> Michael Schatte @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Top 40; $

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

Copyright © 2016 Toronto Moon Magazine. All Rights Reserved