Bloor News Announces a New Feature: live music guide

Bloor News Announces a New Feature: livemusicguide.ca 

Check it out for all things music in Toronto, including Open Mic listings, maps to live music venues, featured local singers/musicians and music news and reviews. 

The entertainment and writing communities were saddened to learn of the passing of Gary Webb-Procter aka ‘Gary17’, widely respected musician, critic and Editor of East York Chronicle late last year. Gary’s death didn’t just leave a hole in the hearts of his friends, family, readers and fans, it left a hole in the music scene. Gary took the spotlight off the bands we had already heard of and gave the lesser-known acts a chance to shine. Without his reviews, the Linsmore Tavern wouldn’t be a mecca for up-and-coming musicians, and we would never have heard of or from some incredible talent. The talent of the future deserves the same recognition that their predecessors gained from Gary’s pieces. Reviewing live music isn’t easy nowadays, but as vaccination rollouts continue, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We are proud to offer our services. These are big shoes to fill, but we hope we can honour Gary’s memory by doing it justice. 

Click on the links below for some samples, and be sure to follow us on twitter at #Musicevents for future announcements, or you can find us on Facebook at Bloor News and our Instagram is VinylRecordsPressing.  We look forward to discovering hidden gems and introducing our readers to the creative talent of the future.

Twitter is MusiceventsGTA

Instagram = vinylrecordspressing

Facebook = bloornewstoronto

Go to livemusicguide.ca to post your music event

Are you a local singer or musician? 

Would you like a chance to be featured in Live Music Guide? We welcome everyone to send us a link. 

Sponsored by vinylrecordspressing.com

 

Precious Love by Chris Birkett

Chris Birkett is a multi-talented, award winning producer, singer/songwriter, composer and sound engineer. His music collaborations with A-list international artists like Sinead O’Connor, Alison Moyet, Dexys Midnight Runners, Talking Heads, The Pogues, Bob Geldof, Quincy Jones, Mel Brooks and Steve Earle have sold over 100 million records and earned four Canadian Junos, a Grammy, a Polaris Music Prize and three international AMPEX Golden Reel Awards for excellence in the music business.

Precious Love is about how positive feelings can grow, and how love can transform people, for people are precious, and relationships are the foundation of humanity. Written and performed by Chris Birkett the song features some of Toronto’s finest musicians, Bill King on keyboards, Gene Hardy playing sax, Paul DeLong on drums, and background vocals by Taylor Abrahamse. The video is created by Joan Prowse.

Chris is no stranger to Canadian music, having co-produced five award winning albums for the legendary Buffy Sainte-Marie, including her comeback album “Coincidence and Likely Stories” (1992) and the Juno winning “Running for the Drum” (2009).

His career began as a guitarist, playing in London clubs before touring with Memphis artists Rufus Thomas, Ann Peebles and King Floyd. At 23, Chris was performing with the pop group Love Affair, whose song “Everlasting Love” ruled the UK charts. The following year, he joined the band Omaha Sheriff who had just signed a major recording deal with Tony Visconti, manager of Good Earth Records and producer for David Bowie and the Moody Blues.

Listen –  Hear Now   — Spotify

With Visconti as a mentor, Chris expanded his career to include producing, engineering and mixing many UK and international hits including Sinead O’Connor’s #1 song “Nothing Compares 2 U”. His London studio was a beehive of activity that was rated #2 in the world on Billboard’s top studio charts.

At the same time, Chris’ own single “Where Do We Go From Here?” was picked by Ed Bicknell (Dire Straits’ manager) to play alongside U2, Peter Gabriel, Bob Marley, Tears for Fears and Queen on Polygram’s “One Voice One Love” album.

In 1993, Chris left the UK for France and built a recording studio inside his chateau near Bordeaux. There he produced albums with the Buena Vista Social Club and other world-class musicians, including Etran Finatawa, whose debut album was nominated for a 2006 BBC Radio best world music award. He then moved his studio to Paris, where he released his second album, “Freedom” and received growing acclaim for his work with world musicians like Algerian sensation Ali Amran.

Website

In 2012, Chris moved to Canada, opened a recording studio in Toronto and finished work on his third album “Be Creative” featuring performances from many talented Canadian artists including Glen Milchem (Blue Rodeo) and Rick Emmett (Triumph). Now a Canadian citizen, Chris’ credits include co-producer of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s Polaris and Juno award winning album “Power in the Blood” (2016) and the recent Juno winner, Medicine Songs (2017), both for True North Records. In 2019 he released 11:11, his fourth album under the band name The Free Spirits.

Chris is currently creating new recordings for a range of talented Canadian and European musicians and is immersed in his own upcoming albums: Songs from the Kauai Hotel Room and a collection of fun-loving songs with his new collective, The Happy Campers. In February 2021, he released the single Precious Love for his documentary filmmaker wife Joan Prowse.

Among his many Precious Loves Chris enjoys performing his original music live at musical venues, clubs and online events.

Winterfolk XIII Blues and Roots Festival 2015

Winterfolk XIII Blues and Roots Festival 2015

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Winterfolk XIII Blues and Roots Festival
Returns Family Day Long Weekend
February 13 – 15, 2015
www.winterfolk.com

WHAT: Winterfolk XIII Blues and Roots Festival

WHERE: The Danforth:
Black Swan Tavern (two stages), 154 Danforth Avenue, 416-469-0537 http://www.torontopubs.com/pub/blackswan
Dora Keogh Irish Pub, 141 Danforth Avenue, 416-778-1804 www.allens.to/dora/
Terri O’s, 185 Danforth Avenue, 416-462-0038, http://www.torontopubs.com/pub/terrios
Globe Bistro (upstairs lounge), 124 Danforth Avenue, 416-466-2000 http://www.globebistro.com/

WHEN: February 13 – 15, 2015

$$: Combination of paid and free concert stages

HOURS:
Friday February 13, 7:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Saturday February 14, 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Sunday February 15, 1:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

CONTACT INFO: 416-469-0537, info@winterfolk.com

Toronto’s 13th annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Music Festival is a combination of paid and free concert stages on the Danforth, February 13 – 15, 2015. It’s an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event, where you’ll find the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, emulating a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than 150 artists will be performing at four venues and five stages over three days of the long Family Day weekend. The festival will also include special tribute events, an awards ceremony, community stages and various themed musical workshops with something for everyone to enjoy. Winterfolk is the ideal event for music-lovers seeking new and exciting things to do in the Toronto.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ABetterWorldOrg
Hashtag: #Winterfolk2015
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winterfolk-A-Better-World/115302915190784

15th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest Toronto

15th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest Toronto

MORE THAN BUSKERS at Scotiabank BuskerFest!

in support of Epilepsy Toronto

August 21-24, 2014 throughout the Downtown Yonge Neighbourhood

(Queen St. to College St. and surrounding areas)

 

Toronto, August 7, 2014 – Scotiabank BuskerFest in support of Epilepsy Toronto returns to the Downtown Yonge neighbourhood with more than 160 of the world’s top street performers in over 70 acts. North America’s largest street performers festival, and the world’s largest epilepsy event, takes place along Yonge Street from Queen Street to College Street and surrounding areas from August 21-24.

With six Guinness world records, three World Champions and a sky high list of awards, this year’s lineup of performers at Scotiabank BuskerFest are a real bunch of over-achievers. Last year an estimated 1.5 million people attended the festival, and organizers are expecting at least as many this year who will be entertained by world-class street artists from around the globe – from Canada and the U.S., and as far away as Australia, Austria, Argentina, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom – performing on 16 pitches, noon to night.

Audiences will be dazzled and charmed by acrobatics, balloon twisting, beatboxing, chainsaw juggling, fire-hula hooping, body contortion, belly dancing, tango dancing, sleight of hand, Chinese pole, Russian bar, Hungarian whip-cracking, teeterboard, cyr wheel, straight jacket escapes, skateboard stunts and much more as performers descend on the country’s most populous city for four days and nights of silliness and spectacle in support of a great cause. There is something for all ages from specialty children’s events to late-night fire performances and live music.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS AND INFORMATION

The festival features MORE THAN BUSKERS, with special services and events, including the Scotiabank BuskerBall and Scotiabank BuskerPlay Kids Zone, offering a variety of fun activities for children.

o       SCOTIABANK BUSKERFEST/EPILEPSY TORONTO OPEN THE TSX
Monday, August 18 – Scotiabank BuskerFest and Epilepsy Toronto representatives open the Toronto Stock Exchange at the TMX Broadcast Centre at 9:30am. It’s far from business-as-usual when buskers are on the scene!

o        SIXTH ANNUAL SCOTIABANK BUSKERBALL
Tuesday, August 19 – The sixth annual Scotiabank BuskerBall (6pm-10pm) kicks off Scotiabank BuskerFest with an evening of glamour, giggles and gastronomic delights, along with live and silent auctions and an intimate preview of the world’s most spectacular and unique performers headlining this year’s festival! CTV News anchor Andria Case hosts the event and co-chairs along with John Doig, Scotiabank Chief Marketing Officer. The event aesthetic will be created by interior designers Glen Peloso and Jamie Alexander of “Make Room for Living.” Scotiabank BuskerBall takes places at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens). Tickets for this fundraiser are $150 with all proceeds going to Epilepsy Toronto.

o      SCOTIABANK BUSKERFEST LAUNCH
Thursday, August 21 – The Festival Media Launch features special performances to delight and astound the crowd, beginning at noon at Yonge-Dundas Square. Look for the high-spirited stilt drummers of Toronto’s afro-Brazilian MaracaTALL, the thrilling acrobats of California’s Flying Tortillas, Quebec’s dazzling acrobatic duo Les Vitamins, zany Australian comic vaudevillian Mr Spin and more!

o    A New Heart of the Festival – EPILEPSY TORONTO BENEFITS
For the first time ever, the Scotiabank Stage in Yonge-Dundas Square will become the charitable epicenter of the festival. All proceeds raised by performers in the square throughout the festival are being generously donated to Epilepsy Toronto. On the opening day, Thursday August 21, Scotiabank will match every dollar collected in the square.
o       METRO PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
The announcement of this year’s audience-selected Metro People’s Choice Award winner will take place on the Scotiabank Stage in Yonge-Dundas Square during the final performance by festival favourite, violinist extraordinaire Dr Draw, who will be premiering the world’s only fully digital violin. The Metro Award gives the winning busker an automatic invite back to next year’s festival. Complete a ballot or vote online to be entered in a draw to win a Beats Pill (wireless speakers) by Dr. Dre. Drop by the Epilepsy Toronto Info Booth in Yonge-Dundas Square
o      ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS
Scotiabank BuskerPlay Kids Zone, located in Trinity Square Park (behind the Eaton Centre – accessible from Bay, Dundas and Albert Streets or through the mall), has wonderful activities for kids: face painting, balloon twisting, music, free workshops for kids in the Scotiabank Tent, free Hoola Hooping and Devil Sticking at the Dispatch Talent Tent and busker acts from an incredible line up of international performers, geared especially to the family audience. Among the fantastic acts are absurdist clown Ale Risorio from Spain and his bag full of strange and wonderful props; Italy’s very charming ‘One-Man Band’ Lorenzo Gianmario Galli; teenage yoyo whiz Kohel Mintz and Californian break-dancers and acrobats the Flying Tortillas.

o    SCOTIABANK BUSKERFEST ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
Epilepsy Toronto is working to ensure all visitors enjoy the festival with ease. At the BuskerAccess Tent, located in Yonge-Dundas Square (near the festival Info Tent), visitors with disabilities are provided with assistance such as an escort to one of the accessible stages by accessibility volunteers, wearing an identifiable accessibility symbol on their shirts. Non-verbal performances happen each day throughout the festival. Ale Risorio, Ikeda Yosuke and CiRcO LoCo perform on the main stage pitches, Bence Sarkadi: The Budapest Marionettes and Woody perform at fly pitches throughout the festival grounds and BLANKO andChasseur de Rêves perform daily in Yonge-Dundas Square. Additionally, on Thursday, Aug 21, from 5pm – 8pm, benefit performances on the Scotiabank Stage in Yonge-Dundas Square will be accompanied by ASL interpretation.

o    BIKE VALET
The Downtown Yonge BIA has introduced a free bike valet program for key events – including Scotiabank BuskerFest. Guests can drop off their bike, receive a ticket stub and pick it up when they leave. The valet is located on the south side of Dundas Street West, between Yonge Street and Bay Street. Just look for the Downtown Yonge BIA flag and the Cycle Toronto tent.

15th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest

in support of Epilepsy Toronto

Thursday, August 21 – Sunday, August 24, 2014

throughout the Downtown Yonge Neighbourhood:

Yonge Street all the way from Queen to College and surrounding areas

(including Trinity Square Park, Yonge-Dundas Square and Gould St.)

 

Thursday noon – 11pm; Friday noon – 11pm; Saturday 11am – 11pm; Sunday 11am – 8pm

Admission is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto.

busk

 

About Scotiabank BuskerFest
Since its inception in 2000, Scotiabank BuskerFest has featured hundreds of the best street performers from around the world, hosted millions of amazed spectators and helped raise much-needed funds for Epilepsy Toronto, a charitable organization that provides services to those living with epilepsy and their families. Scotiabank BuskerFest is the largest street performers’ festival in North America and is the largest Epilepsy awareness-raising event in the world.

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Beaches International Jazz Festival Media Launch

Beaches International Jazz Festival Media Launch

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MEDIA ALERT

BEACHES INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES
26th ANNUAL PROGRAM

WHAT: The 26th Annual Beaches International Jazz Festival kicks off with a media conference luncheon where organizers will announce this year’s musical program: July 18-20/TD Main Stage Concerts at Woodbine Park; July 21-23/TD Workshops at Mennonite New Life Centre; July 22-23/Taste of Jazz at Woodbine Park; July 24-26/StreetFest on Queen Street East;July 25-27/OLG Main Stage Concerts, Latin Square and Big Band Stages at Woodbine Park and July 26-27/TD Workshops at Latin Square and Big Band Stages.

WHO:Lido Chilelli, founder of the Beaches International Jazz Festival and Bill King, artistic director, will acknowledge this year’s sponsors and discuss how BEACHES JAZZ has become one of Toronto’s most anticipated summer events.

Members of the Toronto East General Hospital Foundation Board of Directors will discuss the Festival’s contribution to its fundraising campaign.

Festival sponsors include the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, TD Bank Financial Group, Mill St. Brewery, Dan Aykroyd Wines, Toronto Port Authority, Ontario Media Development Corporation, Canadian Heritage, CTV and Subaru Canada.

Masterful jazz pianist, Quincy Bullen will be performing.

WHERE:BALMY BEACH CLUB

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WALK OFF THE EARTH at CANADIAN RADIO MUSIC AWARDS CMW 2014

WALK OFF THE EARTH at CANADIAN RADIO MUSIC AWARDS CMW 2014

Walk off the Earth is a Canadian rock band that was formed in 2006 in Burlington, Ontario, and has gained success around the world by making low-budget music videos of covers and originals. The band built its fan base independently with no help from record labels, booking agents, or management. In February 2012, the music industry publication Crazed Hits reported that the band had signed a recording contract with Columbia Records.[1] The band is best known for its covers of popular music on YouTube, making use of uncommon instruments such as the ukulele and the theremin, as well as looping samples. The band’s recorded music and videos are produced by member and multi-instrumentalist, Gianni Luminati (Giancarlo Nicassio).

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Leroy’s St Germaine Fake Charities: Danforth Music Fest Beaches Blues Festival


There are some wonderful charities out there, without whom many people would have little, if anything to celebrate this holiday season. So far, it seems you can’t go wrong with toys/food/clothing drives, donating goods or your valuable time to causes like the CHUM Christmas Wish, or the Daily Bread Food Bank. Sadly, there are Grinches out there trying to take advantage of your charitable nature, and it’s important to ensure you donations are going to the right place. Many fraud artists know how to avoid getting caught, asking for smaller donations, or asking that people purchase a ticket to something, claiming a portion of the proceeds will go towards a particular cause are common tactics. If someone asks you for money, ask for details about their organization, for their charitable organization number, the name of the founder/CEO, business address, and where you can find more information online. Hopefully this will weed out some of the fakes. Do your research- Google is a good thing, so use it and ask around. The Danforth Music Fest/Beaches Blues Festival (not to be confused with the Waterfront Music Festival!!) is an example of a “charitable organization” to watch out for. The proof that the organization no longer qualifies to distribute tax receipts is a matter of public record, yet it is business as usual for Mr. Leroy St Germaine and his minions selling tickets with the promise of “a portion of the proceeds going to charity.” That portion is LESS than 1%. There is nothing illegal about selling tickets for a music event and collecting donations with nothing more than a PRETENSE of charitable fundraising, although it is most defininitely reprehensible and behavior void of morals. Banks get to know customers, and aren’t as cautious about checking the annual validity of supposed charities before cashing their cheques… maybe the banks should be required to review which charities are still eligible to accept donations annually in order to prevent fraud. If the cheques aren’t being watched by the banks, where is the money going? If the charity is no longer registered, maybe nobody is asking for a statement- that’s scary. This is not to say that all charities are bad, or that anyone should be jaded by the bad guys, but please make sure your hard earned money goes to those who really need it!

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