\ TO DOWNTOWN \

With tomorrow being St. Patrick’s Day many bars are going to be mad houses all Thursday, so tonight might be a better option for people who are seriously interested in listening to original live music in rooms aimed at that purpose. And there are some dynamic female artists on tap at venues in Toronto’s downtown area providing good reasons to do so.

We told you earlier this month about a series of Friday night early shows being done this month by earthy singer of seminal Pop-Jazz, Laura Hubert, at The Rex at 194 Queen St. W. a block west of University Avenue. But it appears this week’s schedule has changed, as the club is now listing another act appearing there in that slot this week and has bumped Hubert’s combo up to tonight from 6:30-8:30. Expect a small cover and a great show, whether or not her piano accompanist, Peter Hill —–who every Wed. does the Girls’ Night Out Singers Jazz Jam from 8-12 with Lisa Particelli at 120 Diner— is able to spread himself between the two gigs.

Folk artist and often wryly witty songwriter Lynn Harrison does this week’s guest set at the venerable Wednesday open stage at Fat Albert’s, taking place in the Steelworkers Hall at 25 Cecil St. just off Spadina Ave. a little south of College Street. Cover for the weekly event is something like $2, which goes to help keep the non-profit, volunteer-run event happening. Sign-up to play a maximum of two songs starts at 7, the open stagers begin at 8 and Harrison’s feature goes at 9.

Up on Bloor Street a tad west of Ossington Ave., meanwhile, earnest Pop songwriter Melanie Peterson holds an album release party for her new Anywhere From Here disc, and there’s a terrific opening act at 8:30 by soulful, elegant songbird Bri-anne Swan, who released her own latest record, Letters Home, just last September, as we told you previously.

Doors open at The Piston at 937 Bloor St. West at 8 p.m., and cover is $20, which includes a copy of Peterson’s disc. But I’d bring extra in hopes that Swan will also have copies of her lovely album available.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Wednesday, March 16, 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. Advertisers’ listings are in larger, highlighted type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

416 – Toronto Central

5-7> Gordon Shawcross @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~songwriter

*5:30> Kama House Band @ Kama, 214 King St. W., TO ~Jazz

6-8> Gigi Marentette @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

*6-8>James Dunbar @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~solo Blues piano

6> Golden Country Classics @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

6:30> Laura Hubert @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Pop Jazz with punch; $

*7> Jim Heineman Trio @ Nawlins, 299 King St. W., TO ~Jazz

7:30> Mike Anklewicz and special guests @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. TO

*8-12> Girls Night Out Jazz singers’ jam with Lisa Particelli, Peter Hill et al @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO

8-1> open jam with Wednesday’s Child feat. Johnny Bootz Hutt @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

8-10:30> CD release, Fresh Baked Blues, Irene Torres and the Sugar Devils @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Blues; $10

8> Massey Hall presents The Massey Hall Band @ Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., TO ~$10

**8 (7 p.m. sign-up)> open stage with 9 p.m. feature by Lynn Harrison @ Fat Albert’s, 25 Cecil St. (Steelworkers Hall), TO ~Roots

8> Melanie Peterson album release for Anywhere From Here with opening set by Bri-anne Swan @ The Piston, 937 Bloor St. W., TO ~songwriter; $10/$20 with album

8:30> The Mercenaries @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St., TO ~Rock/Soul revival

8:30> “Where Have All The Folk Songs Gone” with Sue & Dwight, Michelle Rumball & Tony Laviola @ Free Times Cafe, 320 College St., TO ~60’s Folk Revival; $10

9> The Digs @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~Funk/Jazz/neo-Soul; $

*9-2> What’s Poppin’ indie jam @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St., TO

9> Whiskey; Epiphany; Johnson Crook; Kevin Myles; Wilson; The Middle Coast @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO, $7

9> Feathers & Fangs; Silver Lining @ The Paddock, 178 Bathurst St., TO ~indie showcase; $6

9> Music City North presents Dylan Reisch; Scott Carruthers; Emily Coulston @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO ~indie; $6

9> Jaguar Shake @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West

9:30> Mike Janzen Trio @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

10> Lily Frost and the Kelvinators @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

10>Jeff Marshall and the Mail Order Cowboys with GT Harris and the Gunslingers @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO ~Honky Tonk; $10

10> Josh Cole and Friends @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave. TO

*10-2> Blues-Rock jam with Bruce Domoney @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave. TO

*10> Hot Fiyah @ Orbit Room, 580 College St. TO ~Funk/R&B; $10

10:30> The Undercovers @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~Indie rock

 

416 – Toronto East

*7:30-10:30> The BTBs @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz

*8> acoustic open mic with Phill Hood @ An Sibin Pub, 709 Queen St. E., TO East

8:30-10:30> Mediterranean Stars featuring Ed Roth on accordion @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East  ~ Jazz-Klezmer, Middle Eastern

*9:30> open stage with Nicola Vaughan @ Black Swan (downstairs), 154 Danforth Ave., TO East

416 – Toronto Etobicoke

8-1> The 3 Dads @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~vocal harmony Pop

9> Jazz jam open stage @ Placebo Space, 2877 Lakeshore W., Toronto ~ Jazz

416 – Toronto West

5-8> Rick’s Maltezer: Rick’s 3 In One @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

7> Jason Molina’s Tribute @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~$10

*8> MFA open mic @ Remix Lounge, 1305 Dundas St. W., TO West ~ Variety

9-12> Blues Night with Julian Fauth & guests @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~original Juno-winning Blues

9> The Conductors @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~ Folk Swing

9> Meow Mix with host Thom Gill @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~ Queer Social

*10> Kristine Schmitt & The Lonesome Ace Stringband @ The Hole In The Wall, 2867 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Pop

519

9> The Phil & John Show feat. Phil Naro @ Molly Bloom’s Waterloo, 170 University Ave., Waterloo ~acoustic Pop Rock

705

*7-11> open jam with The Freacon Band @ The Beacon, 146 45th St., Wasaga Beach ~ Blues, Jazz; $5

7:30> Christine Atrill Blues Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

8> Sean Pinchin @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine Street, Collingwood  ~ Original Folk and Blues

9> PPM Trio @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough ~ Jazz

905 East

8-12> open mic night March, 16, 30> @ Fionn MacCool’s Ajax, 32 Kingston Rd. E. Ajax

8> Bruce Gorrie @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

*8-11> open mic hosted by Nelson Denis @ Frank’s Pasta & Grill, 426 King St. E., Cobourg

*10> Two For The Show @ Tartan Tavern, 555 Rossland Rd. E., Oshawa ~Pop Rock

905 North

*7> open mic night with Tanya Joy Senior @ Col. McGrady’s Pub, 44 Brock St. W., Uxbridge

*7-close> open mic with Kevin Ker @ The Mill, 139 Mill St., Unionville

*8:45> open mic jam with Matt Zady @ Magnums, 21 McMurchy Ave. N., Brampton

*10-2> jam night with Switchbeat Trio @ Maguires, 284 Queen St. E., Brampton

905 South

*7> open mic night @ Donnelley’s Pub, 54 Front St., Thorold ~Blues

**8-1> Boogie N Blues jam with Ian Andrews & Friends @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

9> 2 Birds with special guests @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

9> Live Country Band @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Road West, Ancaster ~ Country

905 West

8-1> Irish Mythen @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville; $10

*8:30> The Carson Freeman Diversion with special guest Stevie G. @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock

8-12> Maxine Young @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~ Rock/Pop; $

Copyright © 2016 Toronto Moon Magazine. All Rights Reserved