I wrote the other day about what I consider to be the bogus nature of Easter Monday, which I described as a “fake holiday” in explaining why I think it should not be a holiday for government and some other unionized employees while not for everyone else.  This bogus break-day is not celebrated in any way by people who work and who have to make very inconvenient child care arrangements because teachers have the day off.

A day that SHOULD be a holiday however, is today, “4/20”, celebrated spontaneously and with no coercion of any kind by millions of people (could it be a billion or more by now?) across the globe.

It’s the day universally, even if unofficially, recognized as a sort of “Cannabis Day” in many cultures and societies of otherwise quite disparate natures.

Nowhere (that I know of at least) is it an “official” holiday for which people are sanctioned by their governments to take the day off work, usually with full pay, such as is the case with Christmas or Good Friday.  Legally 4/20 is more akin to Mother’s Day, Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day or Hallowe’en —occasions that many people believe are worth celebrating even if they miss work at their own expense.

Because of that, you may notice a higher-than-normal absentee rate among the workforce today, and people are being encouraged to play hookie by some special events such as the “420 Toronto 2017” affair taking place from 10 am till 7 p.m. at Yonge-Dundas Square.  There’s mostly speeches in the afternoon —until 4:20 p.m. when a series of impressive bands hits the stage. [See show listings and link to Facebook event].

This could be an event with a lot more political content than in past years (the presence of Marc Emery on the bill among the speakers helps to guarantee that) what with the newly proposed federal legislation to legalize the stuff running into a lot of criticism not just from prudes but also many in the “cannabis community.”  Many have serious questions about who will control the supply and sales, exactly how it will be regulated and what happens to those already convicted or charged and still at trial under a voided law.

Regardless of all that, in my view any day that people truly feel should be celebrated should be regarded as a holiday, period.  Such a day could never be a fake holiday but fits the true meaning of the concept  It’s part of what I call the “Politics of Celebration” and which forms part of my “Upwing” political philosophy that seeks to combine the best of left and right into a political dictum we can all agree upon: the highest value of governments should be to actually improve life for real, actual people, to give people things to celebrate rather than to fight over.

There are also a couple of other special shows happening tonight that will make it feel like a holiday.  In addition to the various Canadian Music Week showcases all over the downtown and west TO (most participating bars also have license extensions till 4 a.m.) and some other “4/20” club shows elsewhere, a performance tonight at Linsmore Tavern in east TO should be a merry affair indeed.

The no-cover show in the room at 1298 Danforth Ave. features superbly tight show band BackTrack doing Motown/vintage Rock and R&B/Soul tunes from 8 p.m.  The group will include, as well as guitarist Marty Zatzman and several singers, a multi-piece horn section that features vivacious sax player Carrie Chesnutt —who won’t need a holiday declaration to be in the mood to celebrate tonight.

The saucy, sexy cabaret singer also known for her experimental Jazz self-accompaniment one-woman shows, is celebrating her birthday tonight and any party that gathers her friends around is bound to be a memorably lively, fun affair.

Enjoy!

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Thursday, April 20, 2022

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

SPECIAL NOTE: CMW = Canadian Music Week showcase; admission by $ or wrist bands

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ONLINE / ON AIR

9-10am> “The Bill King Show” with host Bill King & guests @ CIUT 89.5 FM ~Blues/Jazz

Noon-2> Blues on Rock Radio UK with Carolyn Fe

8> Ken Wallis show with tracks and interviews @ www.bluesandrootsradio.com

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

10am-7pm> “420 Toronto 2017” with many speakers during the afternoon and musical acts from 4:20 pm including The Killin’ Time Bandl Must Stash Hat; Dylan Hennessy outside in the square @ Yonge-Dundas Square, Yonge St. @ Dundas St. ~0$

*5-8> Danny Blue @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave. ~acoustic Pop

5:30> “Miapalooza” performances by Centennial College ensemble students @ Music Gallery, 197 John St. ~~Classical; $10

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

6-8> Ryley Murray @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~Jazz/Pop; $10-20/pwyc

6:30> The A/C Unit @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

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

7> CMW: Taiwan Beats; 88 Balaz; Outlet Drift; P.C.B. @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W. ~indie; $

7> showcase of songwriters no one can be bothered to name @ Tranzac Lounge (Tiki Room), 292 Brunswick Ave. ~songwriters

*?7-9:30> music and poetry open stage @ Queen Gallery, TO Central, 382 Queen St. E. ~$5/donation

7> CMW: Ambre McLean; AHI; Fraser Andersen @ The Vault CMW, I King St. W. ~indie; $

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

7:30> Toronto Symphony Orchestra @ Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St. ~Classical; $

7:30> CMW: Japanese Breakfast X3; The Seams; Bueller; Liam Betson (aka Titus Andronicus) @ Silver Dollar 486 Spadina Ave. ~indie; $

7:30> CMW: Whitehorse; Taya Tagaq; Amelia Curran; NQ Arbuckle @ Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St. ~indie; $

*7:30> Sarah Jordan & Matt G @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St. ~acoustic Top 40

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

8> Erik Bleich & Carl Lorusso Jr. @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St.

8> CMW: various indie acts @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W. ~indie; $

8> CMW: Featurette; Bad Child; Inventor; Michelle Treacy @ Adelaide Hall, 250 Adelaide St. W. ~indie; $

8> Charlotte Day Wilson; Bernice @ Mod Club, 722 College St. ~contemporary original; $

8> CMW: Bad Animal; more @ Cherry Cola’s, 200 Bathurst St. ~indie; $

8> CMW: Fade Aways; SEAZOO; Room Control; Punchline 14 @ Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W. ~indie; $

8> Courage My Love; The New Electric @ Velvet Underground, 508 Queen St. W. ~contemporary original; $12.50

*8> Road Waves for “420 Party” @ Libertarian House, 236 Queen St. E.

8> Matt Mays; Wildlife; Kasador @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W. ~indie; $

8> CMW: Sebadoh; Walrus; Crazy Bones @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W. ~indie; $

8> CMW: “Mississauga Showcase” with Bards; Tomahawk Love; Uforia; The Ballroom Babies; Overman; HD Stardom @ Coalition, 282 Augusta Ave. ~indie; $

8> Stage Elevation workshop @ Free Times Café, 320 College St. TO ~0$

8:30-11:30> Colin Hunter and the Anthony Terpstra Big Band @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St. ~mostly Frank Sinatra Jazz; $

8:30-1> open mic with Alicia Porter @ The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St.

8:30-12> Stewart O’Brian; Where Fires Are @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St. ~indie; $

9> Chris Lord Ideal @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave. ~original Blues

9> “420 at The Boat” with Mauve Grove; Over EZ; Tomacco; Ghost Town Architects @ The Boat, 158 Augusta Ave. ~indie; $10

9> “Mandy’s Music & Madness” with guests Natasha Buckeridge; Natalie Wong; Sebastian Ellis; John Amato; Joe Leslie + comedy @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St. ~Pop; $10-20/pwyc

9> Evil Ebenezer; Robbie G @ Nocturne, 550 Queen St. W.

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

*9:30> jam with host band The Regulators @ College St. Bar, 574 College St.

9:30> Carlos Averhoff Jr. Quintet @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W. ~Jazz; $

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

10> Janes Party @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W.

10> Don River Blues Band @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave.

10> Colin Fisher & Victor Sirone @ Tranzac Lounge (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave.

10> Leanna Yamada @ Amsterdam Bicycle Club, 54 The Esplanade Central

*10:30> Mike Barnes @ Pauper’s Pub, 539 Bloor St. W. ~acoustic Pop

416 – TORONTO EAST

7-9> Tom Eastland @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. ~songwriter; 0$

**7:30-11:30> M-Factor Redux with host Elana Harte & special guests D’Arcy Good; Kai Love @ Eton House, 710 Danforth Ave. ~songwriters; 0$

8> BackTrack featuring Marty Zatzman & Carrie Chesnutt @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave. ~R&B/Motown/Rock ‘n’ Roll; 0$

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

*9:30> open jam with host Kar Wong @ Sportsters, 1430 Danforth Ave.

9:30> Blues jam with Mike Sedgewick Band @ The Peppery Cat, 1953 Queen St. E.

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

*10-1> open jam with host Michael Villamor @ Breakwall, 1910 Queen St. E.

416 - TORONTO ETOBICOKE

7:30> Ron Westray Trio @ Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Rd. ~Jazz; min table charge

8> “420 Blowout” with Dominant Species; Cause for Alarm; Vile Oath; Mersinary Reel Wolf; Allan Stuart; Seen B; Ryan Resinski @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W. ~Metal/Grunge/Hard-core; $10

9> Sil Simone @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line ~Pop Rock

9:30> Bryan Tyrell @ The Old Sod, 2936 Bloor St. W. ~Pop

*10-2> Skip Tracer @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lakeshore Blvd. ~Rock/Pop

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

8-12> jam night @ The Birchmount, 462 Birchmount Rd.

9:30> The High Rollers @ Black Dog Pub, 87 Island Rd. ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO WEST

5-8> Michelle Rumball & Friends @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Jazz

*6:30-9> Carl Bray & guest @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St. ~solo piano

6:30> Adam Solomon @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. ~Jazz.Blues; $10

6:30> Steph Copeland; Lora Bidner @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W. ~songwriters; $10

6:30-9> Christopher James Watson @ 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas St. W. ~Blues-Rock

7> “A Night For Willie Nelson” with Colonel Tom & Alex Pangman; Jay Swinnerton; Dani Nash; Sarah Jane Scouten; many more @ Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W.

7> CMW: Chaz Bundick Meets the Mattson 2; Madeline Kenney; Birds of Olympus; Caracol @ The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W. ~indie; $

7> CMW: Matthew Boutros; Aeora; Meet The Blue; Milkywhale; Nuela Charles; Loa @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave. ~indie; $

7> CMW: Lanikai; Declan O’Donovan; Matt Holubowski; Port Cities; Laurent Bourque @ Drake Hotel Lounge, 1150 Queen St. W. ~indie; $

8> CMW: Native Other; Viking Fell; Born Cafes; LABS; Oh Geronimo @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W. ~indie; $

8> Alexandria Maillot; Kirsten Ludwing @ Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W. ~songwriters

8> Sondre Lerche; Alexander Von Mehren @ The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W. ~Norwegian songwriter/composer; $20

8> Only Wolf; The High Definitions; ONFILM; Spells of Vertigo; Pretty City; Mope Groves @ Smiling Buddha Stage 2, 961 College St. ~indie; $

8> Zebulun Alison @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St. ~Tom Waits piano tunes

8> Tim Darcy; The Luyas; Charlotte Cornfield; Omhouse @ The Baby G, 1608 Dundas St. W. ~indie; $

8> Christopher James Watson @ 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas St. W.

*8> open mic @ Axis Gallery & Grill, 3048 Dundas St. W.

8> Peter Graham; Blake Preston @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W.

**8> The Soul Maître D’s with guests Evolution @ The Archtop Café, 2312 Bloor St. W. ~acoustic Pop

9> Ed Vokurka Combo @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St. ~violin virutoso; pwyc

*9-12> open mic night with Anthony Abbatangeli @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W.

*9> open mic with Phil Hood @ The Roncy, 390 Roncesvalles Ave.

9> Thrive Arts Collective with performances by Dapatable; Lady Parul; Se’lah Genesis @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W. ~Hip-Hop/Pop; $10

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

9-12> Chris Staig & The Marquee Players @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave. ~Roots-Rock

9> Casually Dating; Yeomans; Native Other @ Smiling Buddha Stage 1, 961 College St. ~indie; $

9> Ali McCormack @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave. ~acoustic Pop covers & originals

9:30> The Reposadists Quartet with singer Sandy Alexander @ Reposado, 136 Ossington Ave. ~Jazz

10> CMW: “I Love Afrobeat” with BlackStars TO; Kobena Aquaa Harrison Live Band with Djungle Bouti Orchestra; Slimflex; EarthPhonics @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W. ~Afrobeat/alt-Pop; $20

10> Jay Pollock @ The Hole In The Wall, 2867 Dundas St. W. ~songwriter

11> The Digs @ Drake Hotel Lounge, 1150 Queen St. W. ~groove Rock; 0$

519

*7-11> Lucas Stagg @ Argyle Arms, 210 King St. E., Cambridge ~Roots-Rock

*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

8> Transcanada Highwaymen featuring Moe Berg, Chris Murphy, Craig Nothey & Steven Page @ River Run Centre, 35 Woolwich St., Guelph ~contemporary original; $52

8> open mic night @ M&M Bar, 475 Main St., Cambridge

8> Chadley Chase & Andre Besel @ Grand River Hotel, 1102 King St. E., Cambridge ~Country

8> One Bad Son; Say Yes; Counterwait @ Maxwell’s, 35 University Ave. E., Waterloo ~indie; $10

8-11> Spencer MacKenzie Band @ Churchill Arms, 355 Erb St. W., Waterloo ~Blues

*8> Jazz/Blues jam @ Hep Cats, 42 Erb St. E., Waterloo

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

8> The Exceptional Gentlemen @ The Boathouse, 97 Jubilee Drive, Kitchener ~Rock/Top 40 covers; $5

*8:30> acoustic jam hosted by Mike Meacher and Vic Freitas @ Kiwi Gastropub, 47 Dickson St., Cambridge

*8:30-12:30> acoustic jam with Dennis Napper & Joe Lopez @ Fiddle & Firkin, 707 King St. E., Cambridge

9:30> The Dukes @ The Stampede Ranch, 226 Woodlawn Rd. W., Guelph ~Country

*9:30> acoustic act @ The Black Badger, 55 Water St., Cambridge ~acoustic

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

*10-2> Mike Something @ Royal Electric, 52 Macdonell St., Guelph ~acoustic Pop

*10> Happy Pappy @ The Duke, 33 Erb St., Waterloo

705

**7-11> Tamica Herod & The Harbour Street Band with guest @ 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> The Joe Huron Trio @ Sticky Fingers, 199 Essa Rd., Barrie ~Jazz/Blues

8> Heavy Hits; Twin Rivals; Marion Cinderl Cruel Bloom @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough ~indie; $

8> Karla Crawford Duo @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood

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

9-1> Soft Shoe Shufflers @ Donaleigh’s Irish Public House, 28 Dunlop St. E., Barrie

10> Pat Maloney @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

905 EAST

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

*6-10> Sticks & Tones @ Fionn MacCool’s Oshawa, 214 Ritson Rd., Oshawa ~Rock/Top 40 covers

7> Joanne Shaw @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

8-11> Aria Royal + host Mellowdee @ Rum Diaries, 368 Bayly St. W., Ajax

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

9> Life on Mars @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St. W., Ajax ~tribute to David Bowie; $20

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

9> The Jim DanDee Band @ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa

*9-2> open mic with Rich With Sin @ Gravity Lounge, 45 Prince St., Oshawa

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

9> Heart Attack Kids; Vs The Borg; The Corporate Life @ Moustache Club, 15 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~Metal/Grunge/Hard-core; $5

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

10> Deuce @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~acoustic Pop covers & originals duo

905 NORTH

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

7> Kev Morse @ Uncorked On Main, 72 Main St. S., Georgetown

7-11> Good Company @ Spot One, 289 Rutherford Rd. S., Brampton

*7:30-11:30> jam with house band @ 52nd St. Tap & Grill, 30 Kennedy Rd., S., Brampton

7:30> Jordana Talsky @ Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St., Richmond Hill ~Jazz songwriter; $

*8> open mic with host Kevin Kerr @ The Duchess of Markham, 53 Main St. N., Markham

*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> open mic with The Almost Cool Band @ St. George Pub, 7 Main St. N., Georgetown

*10:30> jam with Gary White & Friends @ Bryden’s, 270 Main St. E., Milton

905 SOUTH

8> Keith Kitchen; Jacob Moon @ Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton ~songwriters; $15

8> Big Knife, Little Knife @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton ~contemporary original; $?

8:30> Chris Chambers @ Lou Dawg’s Hamilton, 116 George St., Hamilton

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

?*9> jam with Hank & The Boys @ Tartan Toorie, 969 Fennell Ave. E., Hamilton

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

9> Partner; Burn The Louvre; The World That Summer @ Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton ~indie; $10

*9:30> Rock jam @ Gladstone Tavern, 1385 Main St. E., Hamilton

9:30> acoustic open stage with Daryl Gray @ The George Hamilton, 1115 Fennell Ave., Hamilton

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

10> Shari Jonny & Justin @ Cat N Fiddle Hamilton, 174 John St., S., Hamilton ~Rock/Top 40 covers

905 WEST

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

*7> Fraser/Daley @ Anchor Bar Burlington, 2000 Appleby Line, Burlington ~original Rootsy Blues

7> Scott Whittington @ Max Resto Lounge, 2180 Itabashi Way, Burlington

*7-10> Clarke County @ Montana’s BBQ Mississauga, 5031 Hurontario St., Mississauga ~Country

*7-11> James Anthony Band @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington

*7:30> Bluegrass jam @ RCL #551 Waterdown, 79 Hamilton St. N., Waterdown

8> ELO Tramp @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~tribute to Electric Light Orchestra & Supertramp

8> Kent MacMillan @ Bronte Sports Kitchen, 2544 Speers Rd., Oakville

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

8-12> open mic @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington

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

9> Danny Brooks; Li’l Miss Debbie @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St. Oakville ~Texassippi Blues; $

9-1> Freedom Train @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Rock/Pop

*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 ~Pop Rock

*10:30> The Killin’ Time Duo @ 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.

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