Volume 30 Issue 5 | April & May 2025

ORI DAGANSean McCarthy's

ORI DAGANSean McCarthy's Tap Room Gang: Peter Turner on trombone, Matt Smithon trumpet, Tak Arikushi on guitar, Conny Nowe on washboard, SeanMcCarthy on bass sax, Jared Higgins on banjo and Stuart Mein on spoons.(laughs). We are not getting rich but I haven’t had anyone turn downthe gig or turn down coming back after doing the gig, so I think it’sworking. At the end of the day we are trying to build a communityand the community has been supporting us in turn. In just a fewmonths Mondays at Steadfast have attracted a slew of swing-lovingregulars including Ottawa-based trombonist Peter Turner who comesdown frequently to sit in when he has gigs in town.”Turner chimes in. “I drive to Toronto and/or Kitchener fromOttawa 2-3 times per month,” That amount of driving can be tiring,but I think it’s worth it because the Toronto traditional jazz scene is sovast – and there is such a depth of talent. I take inspiration from thefact that there are so many young players taking the music seriouslyand performing it at such a high level. Sean McCarthy’s weeklyMonday sessions at Steadfast Brewing Company are a particularhighlight for me, as he and the other musicians in his group areoutstanding. Whenever possible, I like to extend my weekend inToronto so I can catch Sean’s Monday session!”Steadfast Brewery’s co-owner Graham Pinchin, who took thechance on live music, is thrilled he did:“Having the Sean and the Tap Room gang in has been wonderful,and it’s incredible to see how the show has grown. What started assomething to try for a month has now been going on for almost halfa year, and it feels like every time it happens there’s somebody newasking me if the music is this good every Monday, or thanking mefor providing an accessible space to hear such great music, and everymonth it gets a little busier. I hear from the musicians that play [here]that it can be very hard to find a consistent place to play in the city,and after having the band in for this long I can’t understand why –the energy is incredible, the social media content makes itself, andeveryone who comes in seems to have such an excellent time.”Sean McCarthy’s Tap Room Gang features Matt Smith on cornet,Jared Higgins on banjo and a rotating guest at Steadfast Brewery,Mondays from 7-10pm. Sit-ins and swing dancers welcome, and pints on special. Cheers to that!Singer/songwriter Ori Dagan has toured across Canadaand internationally, and has been a staple on the Torontoscene for over 20 years. Locally he also works as a curator,producer, host and artistic director of JazzInToronto.MAINLY CLUBSmanhattans.ca @manhattans_guelphAn independently owned neighbourhood restaurantboasting a unique dining experiencethat features live music almost every nightof the week.Monarch Tavern12 Clinton St. 416-531-5833themonarchtavern.com @monarchtavernWith a café/cocktail bar on the main floor anda pub with microbrews upstairs, MonarchTavern regularly hosts indie, rock, and othermusical genres on its stage.Motel Bar1235 Queen Street W. 416-399-4108@motelparkdaleCasual spot for drinks, laid back atmosphereand up-close live musicMy House in the Junction2882 Dundas Street W. 416-604-4555myhouseinthejunction.com @myhouseinthejunctionUnique bar, lounge, restaurant, event spaceand live music venue, including jazz everyFriday.Noonan’s Pub141 Danforth Ave. 416-778-1804noonanspub.ca @noonansirishpubTraditional Irish pub with casual atmosphereand live music including swing, blues, rockand country.Old Mill, The21 Old Mill Rd. 416-236-2641oldmilltoronto.com @oldmilltorontoJazz Lounge:An updated space in the Old Mill’s main diningroom, the Jazz Lounge features an updatedsound system, a new shareable menu, and listenablestraight ahead jazz.Only Cafe, The962 Danforth Ave. 416-463-3249theonlycafe.com @theonlycafeA casual backroom of a friendly bar with awide variety of music programmed includingweekly jam sessions and young artistshowcases..Painted Lady, The218 Ossington Avenuethepaintedlady.ca @paintedladyossingtonCheeky saloon serving burlesque, live music,craft beer & clever nibblesPamenar307 Augusta Ave.cafepamenar.com @pamenar_kmOne of the city’s best third-wave coffee shopsby day and bar by night, Pamenar hosts livemusic, DJs, comedy, and more.Pilot Tavern, The22 Cumberland Ave. 416-923-5716thepilot.ca @thepilot_toWith over 75 years around Yonge and Bloor,the Pilot is a multi-level bar that hosts live jazzon Saturday afternoons.Poetry Jazz Café1078 Queen St W. 416-599-5299poetryjazzcafe.com @poetryjazzcafeA sexy, clubby space, Poetry hosts live jazz,hip-hop, and DJs nightly on Queen St. West.Redwood Theatre, The1300 Gerrard Street East. 647-547-4410theredwoodtheatre.com @theredwoodtheatreA multi-disciplinary space for music, dance,circus, comedy, theatre and more.Reposado Bar & Lounge136 Ossington Ave. 416-532-6474reposadobar.com @reposadobarA chic, low-light bar with top-shelf tequila,Mexican tapas, and live music.Reservoir Lounge, The52 Wellington St. E. 416-955-0887reservoirlounge.com @reservoirloungeToronto’s self-professed original swingjazzbar and restaurant, located in a historicspeakeasy near St. Lawrence Market, withlive music four nights a week.Rev, La2848 Dundas St. W. 416-766-0746larev.ca @la.rev.torontoLa Rev offers their guests and authentic tasteof comida casera (Mexican homestyle cooking),and a welcoming performance spacefeaturing some of Toronto’s most talentedmusicians.Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, The194 Queen St. W. 416-598-2475therex.ca @therextorontoWith over 60 shows per month of Canadianand international groups, The Rex is Toronto’slongest-running jazz club, with full bar andkitchen menu.Sauce on Danforth1376 Danforth Ave. 647-748-1376sauceondanforth.com @sauceondanforthWith Victorian lighting, cocktails, and anextensive tap and bottle list, Sauce on Danforthhas live music Tuesday through Saturday(and sometimes Sunday).Sellers & Newel672 College Street. 647-778-6345sellersandnewel.com @sellersandnewelIntimate bookstore that doubles as a livemusic venue in the evenings.Smokeshow BBQ and Brew744 Mt. Pleasant Rd 416-901-7469smokeshowbbqandbrew.com @smokeshowjohnA laid-back venue with an emphasis on barbecueand beer, Smokeshow hosts cover artistsand original music Thursday through Sunday,with Bachata lessons on Tuesdays and Karaokeon Wednesdays.Tapestry224 Augusta Ave.@tapestry_toIn the space formerly occupied by Poetry,Tapestry features jazz, electronic music, soul,and more.Tranzac292 Brunswick Ave. 416-923-8137tranzac.org @tranzac292A community arts venue dedicated to supporting,presenting, and promoting creativeand cultural activity in Toronto, withlive shows in multiple rooms every day ofthe week.48 | April & May 2025 thewholenote.com

At a Glance: OPERA, MUSIC THEATRE, DANCEUNDATED EVENTS & ETCETERASDAHLIA KATZUnless otherwise indicated see DAILY LISTINGS for detailsWaitress, at the Grand Theatre. (L-R) Stacey Kay, Julia McLellan and Elysia Cruz.● A Gilbert and Sullivan Sing-along.(Apr 26) Choruses from The Mikado, Iolantheand The Gondoliers. Toronto Gilbertand Sullivan Society at Churchof the Redeemer. facebook.com/GilbertAndSullivanSocietyofToronto● A Strange Loop Book (Apr 21-Jun 1)Music & lyrics by Michael R. Jackson. Soulpepper/Musical Stage Company/ Crow’sTheatre/ TO Live at Young Centre for the PerformingArts. crowstheatre.com.● A Year With Frog and Toad (May 31-Jul 13,Sat & Sun only) Music by Robert and WillieReale. Ages 4 and up. TYT Theatre at WychwoodTheatre. tyttheatre.com/ticketterms● After the Rain (May 27-Jun 22) Book byRose Napoli, music & lyrics by Suzy Wilde.At Tarragon Theatre. tarragontheatre.com/plays/current-season/after-the-rain.● Beautiful - The Carole King Musical(Apr 3, 4, 5 & 6) Brampton Music Theatreat The Rose Theatre. 905-874-2800. tickets.brampton.ca.● Canadian Opera Company Lobby concerts(Apr 16, noon) Vocal Series: Come Closer –Sneak Peek of a New Canadian Opera.(Apr 24, noon) Dance Series: DaCo – DanceCollaboration Lab 2025.(Apr 30, 5pm) Opera Lab: The Art of theDance. Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, inThe Four Seasons Centre for the PerformingArts. coc.ca/freeconcerts● David and Jonathan (Apr 9, 10, 12, 13)(Charpentier) Opera Atelier at Koerner Hall.operaatelier.com/tickets● Don Pasquale (Apr 5) (Donizetti) Operaby Request at College Street United Church.416-455-2365. operabyrequest.ca● Eugene Onegin (May 2, 4, 7, 9, 15, 17, 24)(Tchaikovsky) Canadian Opera Company atThe Four Seasons Centre for the PerformingArts. coc.ca.● F for Flamenco Festival (Apr 4-6) “Ffor Feria”(Parkdale Hall); “F for Flamenca”(Parkdale Hall) “F for Familia” (residence,422 Brunswick Ave). fabcollab.ca/flamencofestor 647-768-5288.● Garden of Vanished Pleasures(Apr 25-27) Texts by Derek Jarman, musicby Cecilia Livingston and Donna McKevitt.Soundstreams at Marilyn and Charles BaillieTheatre, Canadian Stage. soundstreams.ca.● KWCO Opernball Dinner, Concert, andSilent Auction: Apr 12. Works by Bellini, Wagner,and others. Kitchener Waterloo CommunityOrchestra at St. George BanquetHall, Waterloo. kwcommunityorchestra@gmail.com.● Life After (Apr 16-May 10) Music & lyricsby Britta Johnson. Mirvish Productions atCAA Ed Mirvish Theatre. mirvish.com.● Louise Pitre (Apr 30) In concert – themusic of Edith Piaf, Judy Garland and Broadway.Brantford Music Club, at Sanderson Centrefor the Performing Arts, 519-758-8090.● Monkiest King (May 30 - Jun) Music byAlice Ping Yee Ho, book by Marjorie Chan.Canadian Children’s Opera Company atHarbourfront Centre Theatre harbourfrontcentre.com/event/the-monkiest-king.● Mulligan’s Toy Shoppe (Apr 6) Musicby Elizabeth Raum. Canadian Children’sOpera Company at St. Clement’s AnglicanChurch. canadianchildrensopera.com/mulligans-toy-shoppe.● Opera - A Pavarotti & Friends Tribute(Apr 26) Mississauga Symphony Orchestraand the Mississauga Festival Choir, at TheLiving Arts Centre, Mississauga. livingartscentre.ca● Opera Revue at Castro’s Lounge (Apr 13).Mozart, Verdi, Delibes, Weill, and Sondheim.647-637-7491 or operarevue.com.● Piazzolla & Tango (May 18) An homage.One-of-a-Kind Concerts at Lawrence ParkCommunity Church. 416-357-8345 or eventbrite.ca/e/piazzolla-tango-tickets.● Robert Le DIable (Apr 25) (Meyerbeer)VOICEBOX Opera in Concert at Trinity-St.Paul;’s Centre 416-408-0208. operainconcert.com/tickets● The Threepenny Opera (May 8-17)By Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill, and ElisabethHauptman. Unbridled Theatre Collectiveat VideoCabaret. ticketscene.ca/list.php?q=threepenny+opera.● Theatrical Operatic Fusion (Apr 6) Puccini;Wagner; Delibes; Bizet; Verdi; and otherworks. Orchestra Toronto at George WestonRecital Hall. 416-366-7723 or boxoffice@tolive.com.● Third Friday Noon Spring Recital (Apr 11,noon). Opera selections, arias, duets, andtrios. First-St. Andrew’s United Church,London. 519-679-8182 or.fsaunited.com/music-concerts.● U of T Opera: L’amour und Liebe (Apr 4)Staged scenes featuring operatic treasuresfrom the French and German repertoire. Universityof Toronto Faculty of Music at WalterHall rcmusic.com/tickets/seats/357601● VOICEBOX Opera Salon: Grand Opera inParis (Apr 12) At Edward Jackman Centre.416-366-7723 or operainconcert.com/tickets● Waitress (Mar 25-Apr 12) Music & lyricsby Sara Bareilles; book by Jessie Nelson,based on the motion picture. Grand Theatre,London. 519-672-8800. grandtheatre.com● Wozzeck (Apr 25, 27, May 3, 8, 10, 14, 16)(Berg) Canadian Opera Company at The FourSeasons Centre for the Performing Arts.coc.ca.MUSICAL THEATRE● Mirvish Productions. Disney’s TheLion King. Directed by Julie Taymor. Princessof Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W.1.800.461.3333. -9. Runs to Apr 27,2025. Visit www.mirvish.com for tickets.● Mirvish Productions. Come From Away.Book, Music & Lyrics by Irene Sankoff &David Hein. Directed by Christopher Ashley.Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W.1.800.461.3333. Runs to May 4. Visit www.mirvish.com for tickets.● TYT Theatre. Disney’s The Little Mermaid.Music by Alan Menken. Recommended forages 4 and up. Evan Harkai, director & producer;Quinton Naughton, music director; SydneyLaForme, choreographer. WychwoodTheatre, 76 Wychwood Ave. www.tyttheatre.com/ticketterms. Visit website for ticketinformation. From Feb 15 to Apr 13 with Frishows beginning Mar 14.ONGOING EVENTS● Encore Symphonic Concert Band. MonthlyConcert Band Concert. The first Thursday ofevery month at 11am. 35-piece concert bandperforming band concert music, pop tunes,jazz standards (2 singers) and the occasionalmarch. Trinity Presbyterian Church York Mills,2737 Bayview Ave. www.encoreband.ca. .● Trinity College, University of Toronto. Evensong.Traditional Anglican choral music. TrinityCollege Chapel Choir; Thomas Bell, directorof music; Peter Bayer, organ scholar. Trinity CollegeChapel, University of Toronto, 6 Hoskin Ave.416-978-2522 or Trinity College. Free. Evensong issung every Wednesday at 5:15pm in the beautifulTrinity College chapel during term time.ONLINE EVENTS● Arts@Home. A vibrant hub connectingTorontonians to arts and culture. Designed tostrengthen personal and societal resiliencethrough the arts. www.artsathome.ca.● North Toronto Community Band. Openingsfor clarinet, trumpet, trombone, tuba and auxiliarypercussion. Rehearsals held at WillowdalePresbyterian Church 38 Ellerslie Ave. (just northof Mel Lastman Square). Monday evenings 7:30to 9:30 p.m. Contact ntcband@gmail.com.● Recollectiv. For anyone living with cognitivechallenges from Alzheimer’s, dementia, traumaticbrain injury, stroke or PTSD. The groupmeets weekly to rediscover the joy of makingmusic. Community members and music studentsare welcome to this fun, rewarding andinter-generational experience. Sessions takeplace from 2 to 3pm (with sound checks andsocializing at 1:30pm). Please contact recollectiv@gmail.comfor more information.REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCEOPPORTUNITIES● A new community Baroque orchestra isbeing launched in Toronto! All instruments (particularlyviolin and oboe) and all levels of playingaccommodated. Interested? Please contact me,Jane Ubertino, at lucindabell56@hotmail.com● The Choralairs is a non-audition, adultchoir that welcomes new members in Septemberand January. Rehearsals are on Tuesday6:45-8-45pm at Edithvale C.C. 131 Finch Ave.W, Toronto. Please contact Elaine at choralairs.delighted.720@silomails.com to RSVP. Checkout our new website at www.Choralairs.com.● Columbus Concert Band. Rehearsals: Tuesdays7:30-9:30pm at Villa Colombo, 40 PlayfairAve., Toronto. Openings for flute, clarinet, tenorsax, and trumpet; however, all who are in searchof being a part of a great band are welcome.Our members are warm and welcoming. Formore information, contact ccbtoronto@gmail.com or visit our website at www.columbusconcertband.com.● Etobicoke Community Concert Band. Fullrehearsals every Wednesday night at 7:30pm.309 Horner Ave. Open to all who are lookingfor a great band to join. Text Rob Hunter at416-878-1730.● Harmony Singers of Etobicoke. The womenof The Harmony Singers survived COVID andare regrouping for 2024! If you’d like to sing anexciting repertoire of pop, jazz, folk and lightclassics, the group will give you a warm welcome!Rehearsals start in January on Wednesdaynights from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. at RichviewUnited Church in Etobicoke. Contact ConductorHarvey Patterson at: theharmonysingers@ca.com or call 416-239-5821.● Music for Life Adult Choir meets everyTuesday afternoon from 12:30pm-2pm atAvenue Road Music and Performance Academy,Sing Brahms’Requiem withJean-Sébastien ValléeSat. Apr 2610:30amtmchoir.orgthewholenote.com April & May 2025 | 49