This Week In Toronto (June 26- July 2) *EDIT*

Cool Weekend coming up!! Harbourfront Centre kicks ass!! I was a little premature on my pride parade shout outs last weekend, the parade is this Sunday, and it's gonna be awesome.... as usual. What else this week? Speaking of premature shout outs, TV on The Radio are playing this week as well, you may remember I recommended their show for June 2nd, when it's actually this Wednesday July 2nd. Oh, last night I saw a really great band called Evening Hymns. They consist of one guy playing guitar/keys/singing through various looping pedals creating these sometimes haunting, and beautiful layers; also part of the band is a girl who does overhead projector art. Really pretty, simple, paper animations. They're back in August, I'll be sure to mention it when it comes up. As usual, click links for more info, add things I missed in the comments section.
Edit, I put some false info up on Dan Griffin's show. He's from Mississauga, not the East coast. I'm sure you can understand where I could make that mistake. They're practically the same place!

THURS JUNE 26

Cotton James Basket Ride at Silver Dollar (489 Spadina Ave)

I'm playing with these guys of Friday in London with the Autumn Lovers. Never seen em' live, but I've been enjoying their music on Myspace. They describe their music as Pop, but they definitely have a Alt-country vibe as well.... probably has something to do with the organ sounds.

Eric Chenaux at Renaissance cafe

I missed him on Monday, but I'm gonna try to catch him tonight. He's signed to one of Canada's best labels, Constellation (home of God Speed! You Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion, DoMakeSayThink, Fly Pan Am etc.) I love the juxtaposition of Eric's beautiful melodies with his fractured, loose music.

Stroszek playing at Innis Town hall (2 Sussex) 7:30 Free!

Werner Herzog's masterpiece Stroszek is still unseen by me. but I've loved everything I've seen of his. And it's Free! Apperantly there will be some poetry reading as well from Emily Schultz.

FRI JUNE 27

Tenori-On Toronto Launch at Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St W)

So a few weeks ago, I found this link. Tenori-On is a new instrument, maybe the future of musical instruments, and it's Hella-cool. It's getting an official launch party this Friday. Featuring LAL, IamRobotandProud, Isabelle Noel, Repair, Tone Cabinet, iNSiDEa-MiND and visuals by Seudath. This is probably the most interesting thing happening all week... and I have to miss it. So check it out, and report back, please! It starts at 8 and it's only $1 cover!

Dan Griffin at the Horseshoe

Dan's a very talented performer from the east coast. He comes off as a folkier Joel Plaskett... maybe not... um... check him out, I've really enjoyed his performances in the past. EDIT- He's from Mississauga.

Alex Dean Quartet at the Rex Hotel 6:30pm

Awesome! Alex is THE man. Killer tenor player, and a super guy. He doesn't play around very often, so check him out when you can.

SAT JUNE 28

Ohbijou at Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W) Free!

Harbourfront Centre is the best place for free live shows in the summer. I've seen Lots of great acts there, Medeski Martin and Wood, Pharaoh Sanders, Manitoba, Jaga Jazzists, etc. On this day, you can catch Parkdale darlings Ohbijou at 3:00, followed by Bomba (8pm) and the McDades (9:30pm).

SUN JUNE 29

Mike Murley Trio at Mezzetta (681 St. Clair W) $10

If you don't get enough great tenor playing on Friday, come check out Mike Murley Sunday. A great tenor weekend.

MON JUNE 30

Lee "Scratch" Perry at Harbourfront Centre Free!

This is what I'm talking about. Harbourfront Centre gets serious talent from around the world, and here's your chance to see Dub legend Lee "Scratch" Perry. Maybe thats not a strong enough description, considering there probably wouldn't be Dub without him. Awesome.

TUES JULY 1

Martha Wainwright at Harbourfront Center free! 9:45

Canada day means a great lineup at Harbourfront. This year is no different. We've got Martha Wainwright (who's new album is great by the way), Basia Bulat (8pm), Plants and Animals (6pm) and soul legend Jackie Richardson (3pm). Great way to celebrate Canada!

Chameleon Project at Lee's Palace (529 Bloor W)

Part of "Canada Dub Day" with Dubmath and more. If you're looking for something more funky this Canada Day.

The Strip at Labyrinth Lounge (298 Brunswick)

The strip were doing a monthly gig at the lab for a while, but it ended earlier this year. I guess the folks at the lab missed them, now they are there every Tuesday. So if you miss em' this week, you have plenty of chances to see em' again. Just get out and see em'.

WED JULY 2

Dave Brubeck Quartet at Four Seasons Center (145 Queen St w) $27.50- 127.50

The TD jazz fest is getting some serious talent in, and although some jazzers find Brubeck a bit kitchy, I think he's great. I spun Time Further Out at a martini party last week, and it couldn't have been more perfect.

TV on the Radio at Phoenix (410 Sherbourne) $25

Ok, so this is the REAL date of the TV on the Radio show... not a month ago.... TV on the Radio are so cool it's probably a serious burden to them... kinda like a super power. Venue has been changed to Phoenix from the Kool haus for some reason.

Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 at Harbourfront Centre free!

Again, Harbourfront Centre out does itself. Afro-beat icon Seun Kuti (son of Afro-beat LEGEND Femi Kuti) is performing with his band Egypt 80. I'll be at TV on the Radio, but if you have nothing to do, please please PLEASE check this out.

8 1/2 playing at Cinemateque Ontario (317 Dundas W)

Part of the Marcello Mastroianni retrospective at Cinemateque, is Fellini's 8 1/2.

Monty Python Double Feature!! at Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor W)

Ok, so you get The Holy Grail at 7, and then Life of Brian at 9. Does this need any explanation?!