Volume 23 Issue 1 - September 2017

11 Albert St. W., St.

11 Albert St. W., St. Jacob’s. 1-855-372- 9866. -. Opens Sep 19, 2:00pm. Runs to Dec 24. Tues-Thurs/Sat/Sun(2:00pm), Thurs-Sat(7:30pm). ●●Grand Theatre. Evita. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice. Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond St, London. 519-672- 8800. -. Opens Sep 19, 7:30pm. Runs to Sep 30. Tues-Thurs(7:30), Fri/Sat(8:00pm), Sat/Sun(2:00pm). Note: Sep 27 show at 1:00pm. ●●Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Musical in concert. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge St. 1-800-985-2787. and up. Sep 17, 7:30pm. ●●Hart House Theatre. Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, book by John Cameron Mitchell. Hart House Theatre, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978- 8849. ; (sr); (st). Opens Sep 22, 8:00pm. Runs to Oct 7. Wed-Sat(8pm), Sat Oct 7(2pm/8pm). ●●Lower Ossington Theatre. Dreamgirls. Music by Henry Krieger, lyrics and book by Tom Eyen. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Ave. 416-907-0468. .99. Opens Sep 8, 7:30pm. Runs to Nov 19. Fri- Sat(7:30pm), Sat(3:30pm). Sun(4:00pm). ●●Lower Ossington Theatre. Avenue Q. Music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Ave. 416-907-0468. .99-.99. Opens Sep 22, 7:30pm. Runs to Nov 26. Fri-Sat(7:30pm), Sat(3:30pm). Sun(4:00pm). ●●Opera by Request/Vaughan City Voices. The Sound of Music. Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. College St. United Church, 452 College St. 416-455- 2365. . Sep 16, 7:30pm. Also Sep 17 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 100 Bainbridge Ave, Vaughan. ●●Opera by Request/Vaughan City Voices. The Sound of Music. Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 100 Bainbridge Ave, Vaughan. 416-455-2365. . Sep 17, 7:30pm. Also Sep 16 at College St. United Church, 452 College St. ●●Red Sky Performance. Miigis. Live music and contemporary Indigenous dance. Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Blvd. 416-585-9969. Free. Sep 15-16, 6:30pm. ●●Shaw Festival. Me and My Girl. Music by Noel Gay, book and lyrics by L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber, with revisions by Stephen Fry and Mike Ockrent. Festival Theatre, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-lake. 1-800-511-7429. and up. Previews begin Apr 5, 2:00pm. Runs to October 15. Days and times vary. Visit shawfest.com for details. ●●Soulpepper Concert Series. Riverboat Coffee House: The Yorkville Scene. Mike Ross, music director. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane. 416-866- 8666. -. Opens Oct 6, 7:30pm. Also Oct 7, 9. ●●Southern Ontario Lyric Opera: La Bohème. Music by Giacomo Puccini. Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Burlington C. Music Theatre Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St., Burlington. 905-681-6000. -. Sep 16, 7:30pm. ●●Stratford Festival. Guys and Dolls. Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. Donna Feore, director and choreographer. Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St, Stratford. 1-800-567-1600. and up. Previews begin Apr 15, 2:00pm. Runs to Oct 29. Days and times vary. Visit stratfordfestival.ca for details. ●●Stratford Festival. HMS Pinafore. Music by Arthur Sullivan, lyrics and book by W. S. Gilbert. Avon Theatre, 99 Downie St, Stratford. 1-800-567-1600. and up. Previews begin May 4, 2:00pm. Runs to Oct 21. Days and times vary. Visit stratfordfestival.ca for details. ●●Tapestry Opera. Bandits in the Valley. Music by Benton Roark, composer, libretto by Julie Tepperman. Keith Klassen, Sarah Schabas, Jacques Arsenault and others. Todmorden Mills, 67 Pottery Rd. 416-537-6066. Free; tickets required. Opens Sep 2, 12:00pm. Runs to Sep 30. Sat/Sun(12:00pm, 1:30pm, 3:30pm). Note: no shows Sep 17. ●●Theatre Ancaster. The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee. Music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, additional material by Jay Reiss. Old Firehall Arts Centre, 334 Wilson St. E, Ancaster. 905- 304-7469. ; (sr); (st). Opens Sep 8, 8:00pm. Runs to Sep 17. Fri/Sat(8:00pm), Sun(2:00pm). ●●Theatre HN. The Last Five Years. Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown. Alumnae Theatre Studio, 70 Berkeley St. theatreHN@gmail.com. -0. Opens Sep 19, 8:00pm. Runs to Sep 24. Tues/Wed/ Fri/Sat(8:00pm), Thurs(9:00pm), Sat/ Sun(2:00pm). ●●Toronto Masque Theatre Salon Series. Canada in Words and Music: A Commemoration. Atrium, 21 Shaftesbury Ave. 416-410- 4561. . Sep 25, 7:30pm. ●●Toronto Operetta Theatre. Operettts. Viennese Operetta and other works. Michael Barrett, Adam Fisher and Thomas Sigwald, tenors; Christian Koch, piano, conductor. St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St. E. 416-366-7723. -. Opens Sep 22, 8:00pm. Runs to Sep 24. Fri/Sat(8:00pm), Sun(3:00pm). THE ELIXIR OF LOVE DONIZETTI OCT 11 – NOV 4 coc.ca Beat by Beat | Mainly Clubs, Mostly Jazz! In the Case of Lula Lounge “CLOSED FOR RENOVATION”Is a Hopeful Sign! DAVID PERLMAN Lula Lounge at 1587 Dundas W. in Toronto describes itself as a “music club, venue, bar, restaurant, community centre, ground zero to the exploding world music scene in Toronto ... home to Latin, salsa, jazz, reggae, indie, and more.” So when a place like that shuts up shop in the middle of summer, people notice. We certainly did. So we decided to ask José Ortega, Lula co-founder and artistic director, what was up. WholeNote: Can you say something about the reno — is it mainly cosmetic or also functional? Ortega: It’s a facelift, for sure: it vastly improves the washrooms and installs a wheelchair accessible washroom on the main floor. The reno will also give us more room in the lobby area, which Lula patrons know can become really crowded on a busy night. But it’s more than just a facelift. Making Lula more accessible will let us serve clients and communities better and more safely. And in terms of your overall Lula mandate and your relationship with the surrounding community? We do a lot of educational programming for youth and host many public meetings. The barrier free, universal washroom will make it easier for clients of all ages with mobility challenges to enjoy the music and activities presented here. Lula programming is done by the not-for-profit organization Lula Music and Arts Centre, which allowed us to get help from the City of Toronto Culture Build fund as well 120 Diner 120 Church St. 416-792-7725 120diner.com (full schedule) All shows: PWYC (- suggested) Every Wed 6pm Lauren Falls; 8pm Lisa Particelli’s GNO Jazz Jam. September 1 6pm Adam Weinmann. September 2 6pm Bob Ben & Bobby Hsu; 9pm Chris Birkett. September 3 6pm Tina Nodwell: Tribute to 1920s Tunes; 8:30pm Kathy Thompson sings Bette Midler. September 5 6pm Leslie Huyler Group; 8:30pm Joyce Aldrich. September 7 6pm Julie Michels. September 8 6pm Sam Broverman. September 9 6pm Reg Schwager & Jeanette Lambert. September 10 6pm Simone Morris; 8:30pm Steve Hagen. September 12 6pm Leslie Huyler; 8:30pm Andrew Merrigan & Friends. September 14 6pm Laura Fernandez. September 15 6pm Onalea Gilbertson & Alan Cohen. September 16 6pm Sue & Dwight. September 17 6pm Jennifer Stewart feat. Jake Deeth ; 8:30pm Vanessa Smythe, Kevin Matviw & Jordan Armstrong . September 19 7:30pm Lorraine Lawson’s Singing Studio Concert. September 21 6pm Michel D. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz) Dequevedo. September 22 6pm Debbie Fleming. September 23 6pm Georgia Ambros. September 24 Angelica Ganea & Mike Allen; 8:30pm David Warrack Presents. September 26 6pm Leslie Huyler; 8:30pm Indie Tuesdays. September 28 6pm Lillian Tillbrook; 6pm Denielle Bassels sings Louis Prima. September 30 6pm Howard Willett; 9pm Darryl Palmer’s Birthday Bash. Alleycatz 2409 Yonge St. 416-481-6865 alleycatz.ca All shows: 9pm unless otherwise indicated. Call for cover charge info. Every Wed Blues Jam. Every Thurs Jazz Night. September 1 Sound Parade. September 2, 8, 9, 16, 22 Lady Kane. September 15, 23, 29 Gyles Band. September 30 Urban Jive. Artword Artbar 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton. 905-543-8512 artword.net (full schedule) September 9 4pm Jazz Jam with Stephanie Sloss & the house band. September 12 8pm Jazz Reunion show with Chris Banks (bass), Adrean Farrugia (piano), Chris Gale 56 | September 2017 thewholenote.com

areas, not just in pop and indie forms. The folks down at the city’s music office have been very open to hearing about this but we need to keep delivering this message. I sometimes get the feeling that various topdown initiatives intent on “making us into a music city” take priority over initiatives to nurture the music city we already are. We’ve been very involved with the efforts to look at the challenges facing Toronto music venues and have been working with the Toronto Music Office, TMAC and other venues to see explore how bylaws and enforcement of those bylaws can create almost impossible situations for responsible live music venue operators. We’ve also been working with Music Canada Live on their Regional Advisory Committee on Toronto Venue Health. We do see a need to recognize what grassroots venues contribute to the culture and economy of our city. It’s easy to take this stuff for granted but it takes a huge amount of energy, money and dedication to keep a music venue going. as from Enabling Accessibility, a national program. It’s encouraging because we see both the municipal and federal government stepping up to invest in cultural projects that serve diverse communities. So what can we look forward to when you re-open September 9? This is the second stage (the first was removing the drop ceiling in 2015 to reveal the true height of the main room) of what we hope will be a multiphase project. Within the next couple of years, we’re hoping to open up a enlarged mezzanine area so that we can increase our capacity and can accommodate more music lovers in an even better, more beautiful venue! I recognize what you say about encouraging support from the city’s Culture Build fund and the federal Enabling Accessibility program. But what kind of risk is undertaking something like this at a moment in time when local street level venues in the city seem to be under siege on many fronts? That’s an interesting question. We want to make sure that as leaders at city hall put forth the idea of a music city, that they understand that our city of music includes salsa, reggae, samba, jazz, classical Indian, soca and many other genres. Toronto can be a leader in all of these So you’re hopeful? We’ve been at this for 15 years and have learned by trial and error how to survive in this market with its challenges and benefits. We’re feeling like the model we’re working with is supporting our mandate and should allow us to present live music for many years to come. I noticed, from another story we’re following, Lula’s name among the organizations signing up for the new Polyphonic Ground collective. What’s your take on that? We’re part of the Polyphonic Ground collective, which is currently a pilot project led by Small World Music to see what potential exists for small presenters who are serving diverse audiences and artists, to work together to lobby for resources, share best practices and develop audiences together. We’ll see where it goes but it’s bringing to light some interesting issues about access within the music industry. On October 13, we’ll be hosting the first of a Polyphonic Ground panel series, which Lula has helped to put together, alongside the City of Toronto, Music Canada Live, Music Canada and Music Ontario. The series builds on a panel talk that we organized back in May and will look and diversity and inequities in the music industry. Ideally the series of conversations will lead to some clear recommendations about how to ensure that the festivals, conferences, funding, etc., better reflect the makeup of Toronto. As I say, we’ll see where it goes. D. In the Clubs (Mostly Jazz) (sax), Chris Lamont (drums) . September 22 8pm Brad Cheeseman (bass) CD Release with Robert Chapman (guitar), Kelly Jefferson (sax), Sam Kogen (piano), Marito Marques (drums), with guest Adrean Farrugia (piano) . Bloom 2315 Bloor St. W. 416-767-1315 bloomrestaurant.com All shows: 19+. Call for reservations. July 27 7pm Patricia Cano Trio (including dinner). Blue Goose Tavern, The 1 Blue Goose St. 416-255-2442 thebluegoosetavern.com September 24 4pm Blues jam with the BG Rhythm Section (returning from tour; on every Sunday henceforth). Burdock 1184 Bloor St. W. 416-546-4033 burdockto.com (full schedule) All shows: 9pm September 7 9pm John Millard, Tim Posgate & Andrew Downing (advance)/(door). Cameron House, The 408 Queen St. W 416-703-0811 thecameron.com (full schedule) Castro’s Lounge 2116e Queen St. E. 416-699-8272 castroslounge.com (full schedule) All shows: No cover/PWYC Cavern Bar, The 76 Church St. 416-971-4440 thecavernbar.ca (full schedule) C’est What 67 Front St. E. (416) 867-9499 cestwhat.com (full schedule) September 16, 30 3pm The Hot Five Jazzmakers. De Sotos 1079 St. Clair Ave. W. 416-651-2109 desotos.ca (full schedule) Every Sun 11am Sunday Live Jazz Brunch No cover. Emmet Ray, The 924 College St. 416-792-4497 theemmetray.com (full schedule) All shows: No cover/PWYC September 7 9pm John-Wayne Swingtet: John Farrell (guitar), Abbey Sholzberg (bass), Wayne Nakamura (guitar), Alexander Tikhonov (clarinet). September 17th at 4:30pm Brian Barlow Trio Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St. (north of St. Clair at Heath St.) Admission is free; donations are welcome. Gate 403 403 Roncesvalles Ave. 416-588-2930 gate403.com All shows: PWYC. September 1 5pm Roberta Hunt Trio; 9pm The Pearl Motel. September 2 5pm Glen Hornblast with friends. September 3 5pm Grateful Sunday. September 4 7pm Mike and Jill Daley Jazz Duo. September 8 5pm Aniko Miles; 9pm Sean Bellaviti Latin Jazz Trio. September 9 5pm Bill Heffernan’s Saturday Featuring some of Toronto’s best jazz musicians with a brief reflection by Jazz Vespers Clergy October 1st at 4:30pm Allison Au Quartet 416-920-5211 www.thereslifehere.org thewholenote.com September 2017 | 57