It should hardly come as news —though I haven’t really seen it written about anywhere else yet— that “ugly Christmas sweaters” are all the new fashion rage.

Good luck trying to find one in a second-hand store this year.  For there’s been a sudden mushrooming plethora of Ugly Christmas Sweater parties appear out of nowhere this festive season —including at least 40 such events happening in the GTA tonight alone, as encountered on Facebook’s events pages!

(We’ve only listed them when they’re accompanied by live music performances —the vast majority employ djs or piped in house music in bars that normally don’t have real live entertainment anyways and those, mercifully, are not included in today’s listings.)

Fashion has always loved irony, so you can expect that anyone receiving a hand-knitted pullover under the tree this year will certainly not be scoffing —they’ll more likely be wearing it to their next hip social engagement, unless they decide to sell it on e-bay first!

At one such event, they’ve actually taken the ugly sweater trend to its quintessential level by discarding the “Christmas” element altogether!  Failte Irish Pub at 201 City Center Drive in downtown Mississauga is simply holding an “Ugly Sweater Party” and the models for the poster pretty much sum up where such garb now stands in the realm of apparel —at the cutting edge!

Whatever events you’re going to tonight enjoy them thoroughly.  But please do take extra care on slippery roads and keep your mind able to be alert and focused while in transit.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca
[email protected]
[email protected]

 

SHOW LISTINGS for Friday, December 22, 2021

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

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ON AIR/ONLINE

*11am-1pm> The Rock-A-Round with Slim Tim @ www.rockabilly-radio.net ~ Rockabilly tracks (from UK, repeats Sundays 3-5am & Wednesdays 6-8am)

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

*3-7> acoustic jam with John Hutt @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave.

*4-6> Hogtown Syncopators @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

5-7> Annette’s Tea Time Jam @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.

5-6> Steven Taetz @ Union Station, 65 Front St. W. ~Christmas standards

6> David Celia @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W. ~songwriter

6-8> Annie Bonsignore @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~Christmas Jazz; $10

6:30> Bugaloo Squad @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

7> The Way Out; Honeymoon Bay; more @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St. ~indie; $

7> July Talk @ Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St. ~contemporary original; $

7:30> George Croutty; Clara Engel @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. ~songwriters; $10

7:30> Holiday party with New Design; Iris; Millhouse; si cayda @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St. ~eclectic indie; $10/$5 with Christmas sweater

7:30> Parkside Drive for Christmas Palooza 2.0 @ Revival, 783 College St. ~Rock/Top 40 covers

7:30> Tobias Russ; Lennox Q Campbell-Berzins; Marshall Jacklin; Karla Garcia Silva @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. ~original Roots; $

7:30> The Pick Brothers Band; Lost Cousins @ Mod Club, 722 College St. ~contemporary original; $

*8-10> Radio Fraud @ e11even, 15 York St. ~Jazz

8> Lydia Persaud @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street W. ~songwriter

8:30> MOJO @ Keating Channel Pub, 2 Villiers St. ~classic Rock

9:30> Holiday party with By Request @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W. ~live band karaoke/Christmas

*8:30-12:30> All Star Band feat. Joe Bowden & Brooke Blackburn @ N’awlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues

9> Fauth, Yoshioka & McManus @ Basso Blues Room, 320 Queen St. E. ~original & cover Blues/R&B; $0

9> Common Deer; Blue Sky Minders; A Fellow Ship @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W. ~indie; $

9> Kevin Quain’s Christmas Unspectacular @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St. ~moody original Blues

9> Holiday Extravaganza with  Cameron Algie; Rob Baker; Luīze Beča; Alexandra Best; Marko Bezić; Ashley Botting; Adam Cawley; Michael D’Angelo; Ce De; Scott Farley; James Gangl; Melissa Gerskup; Jess Grant; Antony Hall; Isaac Kessler; Ian McIntyre; Moniquea Marion; Daniel Moniz\; Dana Puddicombe; Jason Reilly; Peter Stelmach; Carly Watt; Samantha Wyss AND MORE!@ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W. ~songwriters; $

9> Suburban Outlaws @ Drums N Flats, 1980 Avenue Rd. ~Rock/Top 40; $?

9> Skydiggers: Harrow Fair @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W. ~contemporary original; $

9> Sandman @ Velvet Underground, 508 Queen St. W. ~tribute to Metallica ~Metal/Grunge/Hard-core; $

9> Secret Society recording release for Year Two + guests Dustin Nantain; The DC; Strace City & Tele; Aleksandrar Kojic @ One Loft, 292 College St. ~eclectic indie; $

9-11:30> Stevie Ross @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. ~Blue Mambo Swing; $

9:30> Robert Priest; Neil Chapman @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave. ~songwriters; $0

9:30> Crazy Bones recording release for Hell’s Garden ep; Séance Sisters; BBQ Pope; Our Father Star @ Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W. ~indie; $

9:30> Gyles Band @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St. ~Funk/Soul/R&B; $10

9:45> Freeman Dre & The Kitchen Party or Bob Brough Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Country/Roots-Rock/Rockabilly; $

9:45> Shane Phillips @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E. ~Jazz; $

10> Dave Murphy Band @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Rock/Funk/R&B; $

10> Cameron House Christmas Party with host Devin Cuddy & many acts @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street W.  ~Christmas Roots-Rock/Country

10> 13^th annual Robbie & Matthew Quartet’s Christmas Show @ Ballroom Bowl, 145 John St. ~$0

10> Riverrun @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.

10-2> Cover Boys @ The Hideout, 423 College St.

10> The Better Half @ Bier Markt King, 600 King St. W. ~Pop Rock

416 - TORONTO EAST

*5-7> The Straight 8s @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E. ~rootsy Rockabilly

7-9> James Caroll & Bob Strome @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. ~acoustic Pop covers & originals; $0

7> Serena Ryder @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave. ~Blues/R&B/Soul

7> All That Remains; Throw The Fight; Falset; Throne to the Wolves  @ Opera House, 735 Queen St. E. ~Metal/Grunge/Hard-core; $

7:30-10:30> improvisational drum jam @ LucSculpture Studios, 663 Greenwood Ave. ~$5 donation

8> Root Down Trio @ York Mills Fox & Fiddle, 865 York Mills Rd. ~Roots-Rock

9:30> Gail Gunnis & The Dirty Roosters @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. ~original & cover Blues; 0$

*9:30-1:30> Blues jam with Mike Sedgewick Band @ Salty Dog, 1890 Queen St. E.

9:30> Mark T Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave.  ~tribute to Jerry Garcia; $

10:30> Bernadette Connors Trio @ Bier Markt Don Mills, 7 O’Neill Rd. ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

7> Nichelbach; Maximum Overdrive @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W. ~tribute to Nickelback/Malcolm Young; $

7:30> Alison Young Quartet @ Old Mill Inn (Home Smith Bar), 21 Old Mill Rd. ~Jazz; min table charge

9> Back Road Bound @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd. ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9> Xprime @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line ~Pop Rock/Top 40; $

10-2> Plan B @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W. ~classic & contemporary Rock/Top 40; 0$

10> Dan Kosub @ Bier Markt Etobicoke, 199 North Queen St. ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

9:30> Rockever @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave. ~classic Rock/Top 40

9:30> Denis Martel @ Stone Cottage Pub, 3750 Kingston Rd. ~Pop Rock

416 - TORONTO WEST

5-7> Angie Hilts @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave.  ~original Roots

5-8> Chelsea McBride Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz

7-9> Jerry Leger & The Situation with The Layrite Boys @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. ~Country/Roots-Rock/Rockabilly/Bluegrass; $

*7-10> Les Petits Nouveaux @ La Rev, 2848 Dundas St. W. ~nu-Jazz trio

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

7:30-8:30> Russ Nolan @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. ~Jazz; 0$

8> Transient Girl; Possesion Upon Compulsion; Shelf; Goth Girl; Post3rboy @ The Baby G, 1608 Dundas St. W. ~indie; $7

8-11> Michael Arthurs Quartet with Bernie Senensky @ Remix Lounge, 1305 Dundas St. W. ~Jazz/tribute to Horace Silver; $

8> Ruthless Ones; Bo Welland; Maybe Baby; Greenhouse @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St. ~indie; $

8:30> Pearls Tribute Band @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W. ~tribute to Carole King; $35

9-1> Jazzforia feat. Claire Riley @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz

9> Elvis Cooper @ Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W.

9> Moskitto Bar @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Irish Balkan dance Folk

9> The Sentimentalists for toy drive party @ Rod, Gun & Barbers, 1612 Dundas St. W.

9:30> The Reposadists & guest singer @ Reposado, 135 Ossington Ave. ~Jazz

10-2> Tequila Jay Swinnerton @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave. ~songwriter; $

10> Tanya Philpovich solo @ The Hole In The Wall, 2867 Dundas St. W. ~acoustic Pop covers & originals; pwyc

10> The Free Label; more @ 3030 Dundas, 3030 Dundas St. W. ~Funk/R&B/Soul

10:30> Changui Havana @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. ~Salsa; $15

519

7-9> Peter Shaw @ Easy Pour Wine Bar, 1660 Blair Rd., Cambridge

8> Paul Mallard hosts Christmas Party @ Tanners Pub, 40 Eastern Ave., Acton ~acoustic Pop covers & originals/Christmas

8> RevMedia’s Xmas Bash with various acts @ Van Gogh’s Ear Guelph, 10 Wyndham St. N., Guelph ~eclectic indie; $

8> “The Winter Beat – A Solstice Celebration” hosted by Gary Diggins @ Silence, 46 Essex St., Guelph ~variety; $20

8:30> Tom Nagu’s Christmas @ The Jazz Room, 59 King St. N., Waterloo ~Jazz; $20

8:30> Dan Walek @ Fionn MacCool’s Orangeville, 75 Fourth Ave., Orangeville ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

9-1> Anti-Christmas Variety Show with Evan Vander Woude; Andy Fergusin; Mac N’Sleaze; The Fuzzbuckets; more @ Dstrct, 10 Wydham St. N., Guelph ~eclectic indie; $

9> “A Not So Silent Night” with Kent MacMillan; more @ Sip Club, 91 Wyndham St. N., Guelph,

9> The British Invasion @ Fionn MacCool’s Guelph, 494 Edinburgh Rd. S., Guelph ~tribute to 60s Brit-Pop

*9-2> jam night @ The Cave, 105 Shade St., Cambridge

9> Raoul and the Big Time @ The Boathouse, 97 Jubilee Drive, Kitchener ~original & cover Blues; $

9:30> Brad James @ Stampede Corral, 248 Stirling Ave. S., Kitchener ~Country

705

4-8> Tonemasters @ White House Hotel, 173 Charlotte St., Peterborough ~Rock/Top 40 covers

5> Mike Longerman @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

5> Lotus Wight @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough ~Country Blues

5-9> HighWaters Trio @ Sticks, 500 George St., Peterborough

5-7> Jeff Moulton for customer appreciation night @ Dominion Hotel, 113 Main St., Minden

5:30-10:30> Sandra Good Band @ The Queens Hotel, 94 Dunlop St. E., Barrie ~Rock/Top 40 covers

8> Rob Watts @ Barnstormer Brewing, 384 Yonge St., Barrie

8> Jesse Slack @ The Social, 295 George St. N., Peterborough

8-11:45> Straight Shooter @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood

8:30> Rob Phillips Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

8:30> Graham Playford Duo @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood

9> Blackdog Ballroom; Indian Handcrafts; three more @ Foxx Lounge, 16 Dunlop St. W., Barrie ~tributes to various bands; $5

9> The Cara Lea Band @ British Arms Pub, 29 Dunlop St. E., Barrie ~Rock/Top 40 covers/Christmas

*9-12> open mic @ Southside Pizza, 29 Lansdowne St. W., Peterborough ~$2

9> Andy McDonald and friends @ Puck’ N Pint, 871 Chemong Rd., Peterborough

9> Tribute Audio’s Xmas party with various acts @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

9> Mike Tabares and Susan Latimer @ The Church-key Pub, 26 Bridge St., Campbellford ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

9:30> Those Unmistakable 80’s @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie ~tribute to 80s Pop Rock

9:30> Those Handsome Hooligans @ Donaleigh’s Irish Public House, 28 Dunlop St. E., Barrie

10> Mike Roland @ McReilly’s Pub, 82 Dunlop St. E., Barrie

10> Brian Haddlesey @ McThirsty’s Pint, 166 Charlotte St., Peterborough

905 EAST

7> Courtney Cowles @ Cork & Bean, 8 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~acoustic Pop covers & originals; pwyc

*8-12> Karaoke with Rob MacArthur & Lorraine @ Royal Canadian Legion #322, 112 Hunt St., Ajax

8-1> All Canadian Surf Club @ The Moustache Club, 15 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~tribute to Gordon Downie & fundraiser for Downie-Wenjack Fund$10

8> Acoustic J’s @ Fionn MacCool’s Oshawa, 214 Ritson Rd., Oshawa

8-11> Shaun Savoy @ The Cat & Fiddle Cobourg, 38 Covert St., Cobourg

8> Shawn Nelson @ Arthur’s Pub, Cobourg

9-1> PRJ @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

9> The Dukes @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country

9:30> Philcos @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St., Ajax ~Rock/Top 40 covers

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

10-2> Quickshifters @ Ganaraska Hotel, 30 Ontario St., Port Hope ~Rock/Top 40 covers

905 NORTH-EAST

7> Christmas Party with Glenn Marais Band & Craig Riley @ Baldwin’s Sports Grill, 124 Wellington St. E., Aurora ~Rock/Top 40 covers/Christmas; $

7> Christmas Band karaoke @ The Second Wedge Brewing, 14 Victoria St. N., Uxbridge ~karaoke with live band

9> High Court County featuring Arie Papernick @ Father’s Moustache Grill, 15570 Yonge St., Aurora ~Country/Roots-Rock/Rockabilly

9> open mic with feature by Laurelle Augustyn & Derek Christie @ Main Street Bakehouse, 6236 Main St., Stouffville

9> Mr. & Mrs. Sound/That Party Band feat. Kat Vhonda @ Olde Village Free House, 196 Main St. S., Newmarket ~Rock/Top 40 covers

9> Tobacco Sunrise; Empty Threat; Church on Sunday; Flight 97 @ New Grey Goat, 74 Main St., Newmarket ~eclectic indie; $10

9> Orangabang for Kayko Uxbridge X-mas Party @ Wixan’s Bridge, 65 Brock St. W., Uxbridge ~Rock/Top 40 covers; $7/$5 with n-p goods for foodbank

*9:30> open mic @ Big Daddy’s, 460 Elgin Mills Rd., E, Richmond Hill

905 NORTH-WEST

8> John & Erin for Christmas Party @ The Tickled Toad, 330 Steeles Ave., W., Thornhill ~acoustic Pop covers & originals/Christmas

8> Larry Melton & Thom Hastings @ Wild Wing Georgetown, 371 Mountainview Rd. S., Georgetown ~Roots-Rock

8> Honeymoon Suite @ Nashville North, 530 Guelph St., Georgetown ~iconic classic Rock originals; $

9-12:30> The Tone Dogs @ Uncorked On Main, 72 Main St. S., Georgetown ~Blues-Rock

9:30> Groove Marmalade @ Jake’s Boathouse Brampton, 59 First Gulf Rd., Brampton ~Pop Rock

905 SOUTH

4:30> Brad James @ The Honest Lawyer, 110 King St., Hamilton ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

*6:30-10> Henry Strong Duo @ Cavallo Nero, 370 Wilson St. E., Ancaster ~Jazz

6:30> East Coast Kitchen Party @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

9> Gin Bombs @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster ~Rock/Top 40

9> Catl; Fankie & Jimmy; Cool Hands; @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~eclectic indie; $

9> Stevie O @ Bobbie’s Bar & Grill, 2965 Homestead Dr., Hamilton ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

9> Strummers Union feat. Tomi Swick & Joel Guenther @ Vicar’s Vice, 2251 Rymal Rd. E., Hamilton/Stoney Creek

9> Kensington Hillbillies recording release @ The Doors Pub, 56 Hess St. South, Hamilton ~original Roots-Rock; $

9> Mike Williams & Friends @ Zyla’s, 299 James St. N., Hamilton

9> Mike D @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Ancaster ~Rock/Top 40

9> Hot Licks @ Old Powerhouse, 21 Jones St., Hamilton/Stoney Creek ~Rock/Top 40 covers

9:30> Rose Garland; Ocean Men @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton ~indie; $

9:30> Say Uncle @ Augusta House, 17 Augusta St., Hamilton ~Rock/Top 40 covers

9:30> Freedom Train Christmas Party @ Stonewalls Hamilton, 339 York Blvd., Hamilton ~Rock/Top 40 covers

9:30> Felicia McMinn @ Cat N Fiddle Hamilton, 174 John St., S., Hamilton ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

10> Voltang’s first annual Nutcracker Ball @ Club Absinthe, 116 George St., Hamilton

10:45> Brothers du Monde @ Gallagher’s Bar, 117 John St., Hamilton

905 WEST

*5> Adam Ostrosser & Annette Haas @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Pop

*6-9> Mike Cohen @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock

6:30-10> Cory Mercer @ Infusion Bar, 1325 Fairview St., Burlington ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

7> The Bronte Brothers @ Bronte Sports Kitchen, 2544 Speers Rd., Oakville

7> Chris Ayries @ Max Resto Lounge, 2180 Itabashi Way, Burlington

7:30> Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” @ Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 40 Locust St., Burlington ~theatrical; $

9> Prohibition 4 Punk Rock hosted by El Kabong @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~Punk/Thrash; $10

9> Miles Duo @ American House, 324 Dundas St., Waterdown

9> Chris Partland’s Xmas jam @ 5 West Brewpub, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington

9> Cameltones @ Gator Ted’s, 1505 Guelph Line, Burlington ~Pop Rock

9> Bliss @ Slye Fox, 4057 New Street, Burlington ~Rock/Top 40 covers; $0

9> Jamie Reaume @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line, Burlington ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

9:30> Glenn Groves @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9:30> Fire When Ready @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Pop Rock

9:30> Pretzel Logic @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Ave., Burlington ~tribute to Steely Dan; $

9:30> WhiteSpace @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Rock/Top 40 covers

10-2> Sonny Boy Mick @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Blues-Rock

10:15> All Natural Flavours for Ugly Sweater Party @ Failte, 201 City Centre Dr., Mississauga ~Pop Rock

10:30> Kristen Nicols Trio @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington ~Pop Rock

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