Bouza factor makes Old Nick visit appealing tonite

 

/// I’m not really a big fan of the Old Nick pub on Danforth Avenue just east of Broadview across from the Black Swan and near the Dora Keogh. You’re far more likely to find me in one of the latter two places on a Monday night normally, since they feature regular open stages, with Sebastian Agnello at the Swan and Julian Taylor at the Dora. While Seb is in action as usual (you’d have to knock him out to get him to take a night off after all he’s been through to get back into playing shape I think) the Dora has no open stage tonight due to it being a holiday weekend.

The Old Nick also has weekly Monday entertainment and as regular readers know I’ve often profiled the artists who are featured for those shows, simply because M Factor Mondays host Elana Harte knows her stuff when it comes to gifted performers so it’s impossible to ignore the fact that these impressive talents are appearing at a free show. Why the ON chooses to basically ignore this resource (they don’t bother to send out listings even to NOW Magazine for this night, the Tuesday open stage or Saturday night showcases, nor do they maintain a website) is something that’s totally beyond me. Fortunately Elana is a pretty efficient promoter who religiously ensures that her show information can be found on the event’s M Factor Mondays page on Facebook.

Tonight one of the features is another impressive artist: singer Sandra Bouza of the band Redbrick, which I very much enjoyed hearing on one of my few nights out during the first couple of months of the year when they appeared at Relish. The versatile 4-piece delivered some well done Bluesey covers but I was most impressed by some interesting original tunes that offered some serious substance.  One song, called maybe “We Don’t Need A Revolution”, posited the position that mass revolt isn’t needed because “the system” is already coming apart at the seams. Whether she’ll have her bandmates with her or perform solo or what I don’t know, but it’ll be well worth checking out. The evening starts at 7:30, with Elana opening things up and I believe there’s no cover.  ~Gary 17, www.torontomoon.ca

LISTINGS:

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. 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 include a live link to their websites where applicable. Advertisers’ listings are in larger type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

5-8> Abbey Sholzberg Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

6> The Heartbroken @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

*6-9> Calliope’s Nest open stage/jam for women @ Lola Pub, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

6:30> Peter Hill Group @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

7-9> The Good Family @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Country; $

7> Sarah Jerrom Group @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Jazz

7> Hard Time Mondays with Rick & Gailie @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

*7:30> M Factor Mondays with host Elana Harte & features Sandra Bouza; Jason Craig @ Old Nick, 123 Danforth Ave., TO East

7:30> George Lake Big Band @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Blvd., TO North ~R&B/Swing

*7:30> Saxy Sady T Trio @ Melange, 172 Main St., TO East ~Jazz

*8-11> Bentroots feat. Michael Fonfara, Nick Balkou, Ed Roth & Robert Newman @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., Toronto East ~Swampy Southern Blues-Rock

8> John K & The Outfit @ The Only Café, 972 Danforth Ave., TO East ~east end Rock

**8-1> open stage with host Alex Zdravkovic @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO

*8-11> open stage @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough

8-12> BBQ & jam night with host James Murdoch @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; ($8.95 with BBQ dinner special starts at 6)

*8-12> open stage @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

**9-1:30> jam with No Band Required @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

*9-1> Hamstrung Stringband @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Bluegrass

*9-1> Ben Young Duo @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

*9-1> eclectic open stage/jam @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West

*9> open mic (2 songs; signup starts 8p.m.) @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

*9-1> jam with Tom Barlow @ The Harp, 55 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit

*9:30-2> Sebastian Agnello & friends @ Black Swan (ground floor), 154 Danforth Ave., TO East

9:30> John Cheesman Jazz Orchestra @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

*10-2> jam with Kimberley Wetmore & Company feat. Dave Girdlestone of Soul Funkshun @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore E., Port Credit

10> Jordan John @ The Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~R&B/Blues

10> Rucksack Willies @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10> Dani Nash Band @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West

10:30> Big Otter Creek @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

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