One of Toronto’s most popular live music venues might close for good due to reported issues with insurance. As BlogTO initially reported, the owner of The Dakota Tavern, Stephen Reid, went on Facebook to outline problems he’s been facing with the insurance company that is reportedly refusing to renew his policy. “Are you a bar
Toronto’s indie country troubadours, Elliott Brood, are playing the second of two intimate back-to-back sets at The Dakota Tavern tonight. Herewith, five reasons why you should definitely make the trek for a raucous, foot-thumping, soul-plucking good time.
Years ago, a laid-back, musically-inclined dude from Barrie, Ont. named Afie Jurvanen moved to Toronto. Sure, he could have been a star out of the gate, but he was too damn busy backing up other local musicians such as Jason Collett and Leslie Feist.
Maple Leaf Tavern, the historic watering-hole at Gerrard and Pape, has a new executive chef and a renewed promise to open this spring.
When it comes to bringing together those out-of-town artists and local talent, Luminato’s best offering is also its least formal: a special festival edition of Jason Collett and Damien Rogers’ Basement Revue series.
For her new duo, Harrow Fair, Miranda Mulholland teams up with Andrew Penner, of Sunparlour Players, and cranks up the volume for their debut album, which the duo is releasing at the Dakota Tavern on Oct. 21.
Every Monday, we round up the most exciting music news happening in Toronto. In this edition: Born Ruffians drop a new single, Joel Plaskett gets an award and The Strumbellas take up residency at The Dakota Tavern.
Every Monday, we round up the most exciting music news happening in Toronto. In this edition: Jason Collett kicks off his basement revue series at The Dakota Tavern, Julie Doiron announces more tour dates and more.
Torontonian-turned-East-Coaster Old Man Luedecke officially released his latest record, Tender is the Night, on Tuesday night at The Dakota Tavern, and after we got our first listen, it’s clear the banjo-pluckin’, foot-stompin’, wayfaring troubadour has grown up and nestled in his country-tinged, bubbly and soul-soothing niche.
While there may be an inclination to treat Mariachi Fuego like a novelty act, you’d be missing the point. The group’s genuinely entertaining live show is enough to get the most cynical of us out of our chairs, and now the Dakota Tavern is hosting Mariachi Mondays, which has the band kicking off every work-week with a bang. We caught up with band founder and trumpet player Rob Dickson to talk about what’s coming up for the band.
As live music and theatre get back into full swing, there are plenty of holiday options from which Torontonians can choose that perfect show for the season. Here are six of our favourites: Jesus Christ Superstar Mirvish is back this month with the first production of its 2021–2022 season. The 50th-anniversary production of Jesus Christ
Now that capacity limits are gone, and venues are opening up again, show announcements are coming fast and furious including the popular Basement Revue. The brainchild of musician Jason Collett (Broken Social Scene) is set to return to Paradise on Bloor for a series of half-literary, half-music variety shows every Thursday night. The Basement Revue
To listen to all our Toronto Songs That Matter go to our YouTube playlist here: trnto.link/TO-songs Charlotte Cornfield: “Sailing Away,” by Jennifer Castle Every time I listen to this song, it conjures up all of these emotions and memories about coming and going from Toronto — moving away, moving back, passing through. That first line,
Toronto musicians are amongst the hardest hit by COVID-19 as entire concert tours, the major source of revenue for many artists, disappeared overnight. There are many initiatives underway to try to help, and one of the latest and most exciting is URGNT — a live stream concert series where many of the city’s most prominent
The Wheatsheaf Tavern is reopening its doors following a long-awaited upgrade. Opening in 1849, this iconic watering hole is the oldest in the city. After 170 years, Terry Tsianos and Scale Hospitality decided it was time to give this space the glow-up it deserves. On the southwest corner of King and Bathurst, Toronto’s original sports
Getting underway today and running until May 13, Canadian Music Week (CMW) is a massive music festival with hundreds of bands filling up venues around town with a dizzying array of fresh new music from across the country and south of the border as well as ticketed shows from rock veterans such as Sloan, playing a free show at Dundas Square, playing with grunge heavyweights Mudhoney. It’s hard to wrap one’s head around so many options. Herewith, a look at some of the best options for every day of the festival.
Max Kerman is walking by his old high school, Harbord Collegiate, as he responds to interview questions on the phone, explaining that he started dabbling in songwriting at 16. Kerman is the lead singer of the Arkells, a band that has quickly risen to fame since they released their first EP in 2007. Now they
Some of the best live music and the best experiences can be found in the most intimate of venues where the next-big-things are born or the used-to-be-things come home to relax. Herewith, our fave live music venues.
Indie rockers — with a new album, and two dates at Massey Hall this fall — talk about their battle of the bands beginnings
When chef Rodney Bowers opened Hey Meatball on College Street in 2011, expectations were high. Bowers, after all, had made a name for himself at such high-end restaurants as The Rosebud and The Citizen. But then came the mixed reviews, the dwindling crowds and finally, closure last month.
The artistic side of Toronto revs into full gear when September rolls around — theatre, music, art, literature, it all kicks off in the fall. Herewith, our guide to the best cultural events the city has to offer.
Shawn Creamer and his wife Shannon (of the Dakota and Hayloft) on their lakeside wedding with a performance by Serena Ryder
Longtime cottage country entertainment hall, the Kee to Bala, now has a PEC competitor in the Hayloft.
Bold new album further develops “acid folk” sound
Spring, when it arrives, will bring a new batch of albums along with the flowers and fresh batch of leaves. For your previewing pleasure we have the five best singles from this week.
