With a history dating back to 1953, the Scarborough Choral Society, which is now in the midst of its spring production of Brigadoon (wrapping up April 5), counts itself as one of the oldest art groups in the city.
In fact, it’s been around so long that the venerable musical Brigadoon is back for the third time, having previously been performed in 1984 and 1967. (more…)
Covering the local music scene for more than two years now, the thought has struck me that a comparison can be made to breweries.
Think of your favourite brew by a major label, and then by a mirco brewery?
In a taste test, some might even prefer a micro-brewed beer even though it couldn’t even begin to compare with its major brewery counterpart in terms of sales and profits earned.
I found the same thing with the local artists I’ve had the privilege to listen to now for a couple of years.
Many of their CDs have confidently crept from my work file into my regular collection.
Among them are: (more…)
Two local music festivals on Danforth Avenue are once again pencilled in to help residents beat the February blahs. (more…)
East York resident Randy James might have to think twice – or even three times – about what band he’s anchoring on the drum kit at a CD release party Friday, Dec. 14 at the Hollywood on the Queensway.
One thing he won’t need to think twice about, however, is who his band mates are: from Rexdale lead vocalist Todd Sharman; from Mississauga bass player Paul Whiteside; and originally from Windsor, guitarists Stephen Ruppert and Mark Higginbottom.
The band mates have actually been together for many years. But the band’s stage name can change depending on the gig. (more…)
You’d be hard pressed to find a better entertainment bargain then the $10 admission price to last Sunday’s sold-out 16th annual Riverdale Share Christmas Concert at the Danforth Music Hall.
After all, where else are you going to get Steve Page of the Barenaked Ladies sharing the spotlight with the Frankland School Choir who sang with him on Hanukkah, Oh, Hanukkah (which he covers on BNL’s Barenaked for the Holidays CD)?
Or Canadian icon Murray McLauchlan (see photo above) dedicating one of his early signature songs On the Boulevard to Christmas shoppers and then backing up Lorraine Segato of Parachute Club fame?
Residents from Riverdale and beyond obviously agree it’s a bargain as the event, which has now become an institution, as it boasted its earliest ever sell-out date.
The Riverdale Share Christmas Concert at the Danforth Music Hall Dec. 9 is all but sold out and organizers are already musing about adding a second concert for next year.
Longtime organizer Susan Baker is hoping this year’s concert – with a cast of dozens led by prominent local musicians such as Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies and Murray McLauchlan – can raise $50,000 to be distributed among worthy local charities.
The Toronto Choral Society, which is based out of Eastminster United Church on the Danforth, where it practices and performs, is presenting a holiday concert at the church on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.
The Riverdale Youth Singers typically present two full concerts a year and their upcoming concert is slated for this Monday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church, 115 Simpson Ave. in Riverdale.
The free concert is entitled Festival of Lights, Songs of lights to welcome the return of the sun.
(more…)
