This day in Toronto: Thurs Jan 21

Hey kids. Just a quick one today. I'll try to get the rest of the week up later today. On this day you have some seriously awesome choices for shows, they are as follows:

Dinosaur Jr at Sonic Boom 6:30
This is awesome for so many reasons. The big one is that it's free! Dinosaur Jr! for Free!! In a small intimate room!! Get there early.


Wilderness of Manitoba, Ghost Bees, and Casey Mecija at the Garrison
The good folks at No Shame have put together another stellar lineup. Wilderness sound better every time I see them play, Ghost Bees are one of the most mesmerizing acts playing today, and Casey Mecija... well, I'm really curious to see what her solo work is going to be like. I do enjoy Ohbijou, so I imagine it'll be great.

This Day in Toronto Nov 19

Sorry, another week of sucking at this. OK, here's what you can do tonight... tomorrow we'll talk.

THURS NOV 19

Apostle of Hustle at Lee's Palace
Slowly becoming my favorite Arts and Crafts artists. There album from earlier this year, "Eats Darkness" is a testament to groove and rhythm... and that maybe the most pretentious thing I've ever written on this site. It's true though.


More tomorrow!!

This Day in Toronto: Brooke Manning at the Cameron House

I didn't know about this one until yesterday. If you've no plans tonight (or plans you would like to get out of), I suggest you head over to the Cameron House. One of my favorite local artists, Brooke Manning will be performing in the back room, opening for Allie Hughes.


I've mentioned her many times, but I don't believe any of you have taken my advice and checked her out. For shame! A few months ago I saw her at Heartbeat 960 and had this to say about the performance:

The first time I saw her it was a solo show, but the addition of a band has taken it to another level. The performers (consisting of lap steel, flute and synth) create a beautiful sound scape, cushioning Brooke's unique voice and guitar playing. The city became a secondary instrument, a passing street car, buzzing air conditioner, wind rustled leaves, added new layers to Manning's performance.

And I don't think that really does it justice. Please, just go, show starts at 9, and I think she's on first, so don't be late!


Talk later.

This day in Toronto: Thurs Nov 12

OK, sorry for the boring week of November here at BtTtF. I promise I got some good things coming up though. I'm working on a couple new interviews, and will have lots of fun best of lists to end the year. Anyways, here is whats happening today, and tomorrow I'll put up the rest of the week.

THURS NOV 12

Zeus at the Rivoli
OK, Zeus is a really fun rock band. It's really just that simple. OH, and one of them has a great mustache... or at least he used to. Fun rock and roll, people! Remember that?

Tonight in Toronto

Hey there. I normally don't post shows on here unless it's Thursday, or if I'm late Friday-ish... anyways, never on a Wednesday. But, I totally dropped a ball on a great show tonight.... actually I REALLY dropped the ball, here it is Wednesday, and I didn't even realize I missed posting TWiT last week! What the hell? To be fair it's been a pretty stressful week, but to not even realize it? Looking back, I wrote it, just forgot to post. Ridiculous.


Anyways, I got a great show to tell you about for tonight. What you gotta do is head over to the Polish Combatants Hall at 206 Beverly St. and catch one of Canada's best bands, Do Make Say Think. And it's in your best interest to arrive early, cause the opening acts are The Wooden Sky, and one of BtTtF's favorites Evening Hymns.


Get on it! Check out the Facebook page for more details (where to get tickets etc.)

Check in tomorrow, when I'll try to find the Publish Post button on another This Week in Toronto!

This Day in Toronto! Thurs June 4

So I had to work today. That's good, I haven't had any work in 2 months, so working is GOOD. But that means I didn't work on my blog... so you get this day in Toronto, and hopefully I'll have the rest of the week up tomorrow, k?

THURS JUNE 4

Revival Dear at the Rivoli
Feel like rocking out tonight? If you like your rock with a dash of country than this is the night for you. I'll be there, say hello!

This Day in Toronto

Lazy, lazy, lazy. That's my only excuse. So here's what you should do today, and the rest of the week will soon follow.

THURS APRIL 9

Olenka and the Autumn Lovers at Rivoli (334 Queen St W)
Yup, this is your chance to see the band that performed at the Jack Richardson Music Awards!! They've also been featured on a UK radio show!! And a little known Canadian channel called the CBC. Seriously though, come have a drink with me before I go away to Nicaragua.

This Day in Toronto

Oh man, what day is it again? Thursday? Um... well... here's what you can do tonight

THURS MARCH 12 The Happiness Project with Muskox at Music Gallery
If you didn't get out to see them last night with Laura Barrett, that's fine cause they're playing again tonight. Except no Laura Barrett. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Opening now is Muskox, a great experimental jazz band from Toronto! I saw them at LOLA last year and they were phenomenal, I love me some jazz banjo. So Get yourself to the Music Gallery!

This Day In Toronto (Dec 11)

Well, I just got back from seeing the very funny David Sedaris at Massey Hall. What a great show! Was anybody there? The guy is hilarious, and knows how to keep an audience in the palm of his hands. If you don't know his stuff, I suggest picking up any of his books... but "Me Speak Pretty One Day" was the one I started with, and it's as good a place to start as any, or just watch this clip from You Tube. Sooooo.... because of Mr. Sedaris, I didn't get a chance to work on This Week in Toronto. But I'll give you Thurs now, and then the rest of the week tomorrow, K?



THURS DEC 11

Good Lovelies, Antler, and Creaking Tree String Quartet playing at Cameron House (408 Queen W)
Well if this was a line up for just one room, I'd say it's perfect. But unfortunately, you'll have to decide at 9pm whether to see the experimental yet hauntingly folky Antler, or the extremely talented instrumental musings of Creaking Tree String Quartet. Not a fair choice if you ask me. Either way, show up early to see the Good Lovelies. Beautiful harmonies, and a fitting start to an old timey/experimental mash up.

See ya folks tomorrow!

This Day in Toronto: Nov 27 - 30

Ok, lazy day, too lazy to do a full blog. I got a shiatzu massage today, and I really just don't feel like doing anything. So, I'll give you till the end of the month, and then get the rest of the week up shortly, deal? Any suggestions on what people should do this week? put it in the comments section. Click on the links to hear songs or learn more about each event.

THURS NOV 27

Ohbijou at Lee's Palace 9pm
I've mentioned them before, but maybe you didn't get out to see them that time. But seriously, you gotta give this band a chance. Beautiful, sweet melodies. Great show. Also playing is The Acorn, a band who's getting a lot of buzz these days (although unseen by me).

FRI NOV 28

Broken Social Scene at Sound Academy 9pm
The band the rejuvenated the Toronto music scene (in the eyes of the rest of the world anyways), playing at Sound Academy... formerly known as The Docks. I don't even know what Broken Social Scene is up to these days, maybe a new album coming out soon? Either way, they put on, consistently, one of the best shows you'll ever see.

SAT NOV 29

Lawrence of Arabia playing at Cinematheque Ontario
Well here's a film you HAVE to see at Cinematheque. I can only imagine how beautiful the desert landscapes look on a pristine print. If you love epics you have to see Lawrence of Arabia. The brits really knew how to make em' (see The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp for further proof).

SUN NOV 30

Loudon Wainwright III at Hugh's Room
Some know him as the father of Martha and Rufus Wainwright. Others know him as the scene stealing father on Undeclared. But more than those things, Loudon is a very talented folk singer songwriter, who's been making great music since the late 60's. He's playing two nights at Hugh's Room (pretty much THE place to go in Toronto for great folk/ blues).


I'll get Mon - Wed up soon. I promise.

This Day in Toronto (Oct 30)

Ok, I'm lazy again this week... and totally forgot about getting my blog together. So, I'm giving you Thursday, and tomorrow I'll have the rest of the week up. K? Eeeeee! It's almost Halloween!!





THURS OCT 30 Night of the Living Dead and Shaun of the Dead playing at Fox Theatre 7pm and 9pm
Cool Halloween double feature!! Arguably the two most important films in the zombie Genre... who am i kidding, these ARE two of the most important films in the Zombie Genre. Basically without Night of the Living Dead, there is no Zombie Genre. This film is a horror masterpiece, and what better way to see it than on the big screen? Shaun of the Dead revived the genre, and took it in a far more hilarious direction. And it's a double feature, need I say more? Go see it.

This Day in Toronto: Thurs Oct 23

Oh man, I'm lazy today. I spent the day at the science center. Which is cool, but learnin' makes me sleepy. Anyways, I'm too lazy to write the whole week right now, I'll try to get it up later. In the mean time, here's what you can do tonight if you're looking for something fun. I played a great show last the other night with one of Toronto's greatest songwriters, Barzin. Great songs, and what a band! Nick Zubeck was playing guitar, which was really cool. Also, if you get a chance, I guest blogged for Lesley Denford on Wednesday, writing her "Music to Rock Your World" segment. Check it out!

THURS OCT 23

Detour playing at Bloor Cinema 4pm
On Tuesday, the Bloor was playing one of the greatest Film Noir's D.O.A. And, today they're playing another one of the best Edgar G. Ulmar's Detour. Basically, you've got a bitter piano player, relating in flashback, how he took the identity of a man who picked him up while hitchiking. The man dies, police are involved, and a femme fatale who knows more than she should. Damn, classic Film Noirs are always worth the price of admission.

This day in Toronto (Fri Aug 29)

hey guys, last night I saw the weirdest performance. It was a band called Idle Tigers. Ever heard of em'? It's actually just one guy, Ross Hawkins. His performance is... well... God, I don't know... Olenka said "Ross is Toronto's Oscar Wilde", and I can see why she says that, because Ross is a very clever fellow, but, it just doesn't explain the experience of Idle Tigers. It's a live performance that has to be experienced, but you can check out the music at his myspace. It's Friday, so that means it's time for a late edition This Week In Toronto...er, actually it's just Friday! Click the links, add the comments.... etc...

FRI AUG 29

Two Spaghetti Westerns for the price of one! at Trash Palace. 9:30
Trash Palace is awesome, and tonight they are playing two Spaghetti westerns for the price of one!! The ficks are: The Hellbenders (starring Joseph Cotton!!) and Adios Sabbata (with Yul Brener!). I'm so mad I'm missing this. I LOVE Saghetti westerns, and I haven't seen either of these. Oh well. Check out the Facebook page for more info. Thats all for tonight, I will try to have the rest of the week up tomorrow!!

Trailer for the Hellbenders!!



Traler for Adios Sabbata!!

This Day in Toronto!! Thursday Aug 28

Ok, so I don't think I'm gonna get the whole week up today, and I don't have time tonight..... that leaves Friday. But you NEED to know about Tonight (Thursday). Soooo here's this weeks very abridged This Week in Toronto. Click the links for fun, add events in comments section.

THURS AUG 28

Olenka and the Autumn Lovers at the Drake Underground (1150 Queen St W)

Yes, I know, I'm in this band. But I love her work, she's gonna be huge, and you can all tell your friends about how you saw her when she was some chick with a huge band playing at the Drake. And after my eventual drug related down-ward spiral, you can say you saw me play with her, when I still knew how to smile.

Valery Gore with special guest Peter Elkas at Rivoli (334 Queen W)

If you're interested in seeing another great up and coming female artist, head over to the Rivoli and check out Valery Gore. She's got the fantastic Peter Elkas playing with her (not sure if he's playing WITH her or on the same bill, but either way...)

Yay, thursday! Ok, the rest of the week will be up very soon. Keep it real.