Live Listings

NOTE: All times are Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.

FESTIVAL ROUNDUP

Summertime! A great opportunity to discover the abundance of music festivals available to enjoy throughout Southern Ontario. Here is a brief summary of the festivals offering their first performances this week or continuing through the coming seven days. Please visit the WholeNote at www.thewholenote.com/index.php/listings/just-ask for detailed listings or check out the festival items in the Daily Listings section below. You can also visit the festivals’ websites directly. Enjoy!

Ashkenaz Festival
Aug 26-Sep 2

Brookside Music “One World Music Festival”
Aug 23-24

Highlands Opera Studio
Jul 25-Aug 26

Leith Summer Festival
Jun 22-Aug 24

Music Mondays
Jun 3-Sep 2

Port Hope Jazz
Aug 22-25

DAILY LISTINGS

Listings are based on information sent to WholeNote in advance by event presenters. Please note that this update includes dated listings for the period Mon Aug 19-26, 2024.

These daily listings include only basic information. For complete and detailed listings or for information on all events, click here to use our JustAsk feature.

The deadline for the next weekly update is Tue Aug 20 at 6pm. Presenters are asked to advise us as soon as possible of any changes or cancellations to John Sharpe at listings@thewholenote.com.

Subscribe to the weekly update at www.thewholenote.com/newsletter.

LIVE OR ONLINE

Aug 19 12:15: Music Mondays. Between Worlds. Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances; Ravel: Violin Sonata No.2; Kapustin: Violin Sonata; Kevin Lau: Violin Sonata No.2. Melody Chan, piano; Alvin Tran, violin. Church of the Holy Trinity, 19 Trinity Sq. 416-598-4521 X223 or www.musicmondays.ca or musicmondayscs@gmail.com. PWYC ($10 suggested).

Aug 19 7:30: Highlands Opera Studio. Homecoming: HOS Alumni in Concert. A concert of opera and musical theatre excerpts featuring past participants of Highlands Opera Studio. St. George's Anglican Church, 617 Mountain St., Haliburton. 1-855-455-5533. $25.

Aug 20 11:00am: Arcady. Moo-sic. Emily Hiemstra: Aesop's Fables (The Donkey, The tortoise, The Wolf); Michelle Lormier: Escape from the Barn; Alexandra Fol: Les Oiseaux de nos contres; Emma Verdonk: The Cat and the Mouse. Emily Hiemstra, viola; Sonya Nanos, cello. Whistling Gardens, 698 Concession 3, Wilsonville. www.arcady.ca or 519-428-3185. $10; $5(ages 3-16); Free(2 and under). Complimentary animal-themed activity pages and snacks will be provided following the concert.

Aug 20 7:00: Massey Hall. An Unfunny Evening With Tim Michin and His Piano. 178 Victoria St. www.ticketmaster.ca. From $53.

Aug 20 8:00: Toronto Concert Orchestra. Movies at Tiffany's. Mancini: The Pink Panther, Gypsy Violin, The Days of Wine and Roses; Rodgers: The Sound of Music; Andrew Lloyd Webber: Phantom of the Opera; Angela Morley: Reverie; John Williams: Raiders of the Lost Ark; and other works. Palais Royale Ballroom, 1601 Lake Shore Blvd. W. www.tcomusic.ca/05-movies-at-tiffanys-2024. $69; $30(under 30). Costume Theme: Breakfast at Tiffany’s or film festival red carpet.

Aug 21 2:00: Bloor/Borden Farmer's Market. Music in the Market - Andy Phillips. 300  Borden St. 613-475-4769. Free. 2pm-7pm. Rain or shine.

Aug 21 7:30: Massey Hall. Joshua Bassett: The Golden Years Tour. 178 Victoria St. www.ticketmaster.ca. From $31.

Aug 22 11:00am: London Symphonia. Family Cushion Concert: Musical Time Machine. London Public Library - Crouch Branch, 550 Hamilton Rd., London. 226-270-0910 or www.londonsymphonia.ca Free.

Aug 22 6:00: Port Hope Jazz. Joy Lapps. Memorial Park (Port Hope), 44 Queen St., Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.comFree.

Aug 22 7:00: Harbourfront Centre. Summer Music in the Garden: The Family That Sings Together. Georgian polyphony. Ori Shalva. Toronto Music Garden, 479 Queens Quay W. www.harbourfrontcentre.com. Free.

Aug 22 7:30: Highlands Opera Studio. Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville). Pre-performance chat. Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion, 5358 County Rd. 21, Haliburton. 1-855-455-5533. Also Aug 24(7:30pm), 25(2:30pm), 26(7:30pm).

Aug 22 8:00: Hugh's Room. Wesli. World. Hugh's Room Live, 296 Broadview Ave. www.showpass.com/lwesli. $35. CANCELLED

Aug 22 8:00: Massey Hall. Passenger. 178 Victoria St. www.ticketmaster.ca. From $60.

Aug 22 8:30: Port Hope Jazz. Mike Downes Trio With Robi Botos and Ted Quinlan. BLou Room, 48 Mill St., Suite 2, Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. $25.

Aug 23 2:30: London Symphonia. Family Cushion Concert: Musical Time Machine. London Public Library - Beacock Branch, 1280 Huron St., London. 226-270-0910 or www.londonsymphonia.ca. Free.

Aug 23 6:00: Brookside Music Association. One World Music Festival. Little Lake Park - Rotary Stage, 549 Little Lake Park Rd., Midland. www.brooksidemusic.com. Free. Also Aug 24.

Aug 23 6:00: Port Hope Jazz. Ewen Farncombe and Alex Bird. TwentySix, 26 Ontario St., Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. $30.

Aug 23 6:00: Port Hope Jazz. Charlotte McAfee-Brunner. Beamish House, 27 John St., Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. $20.

Aug 23 8:00: Massey Hall. Bronco. 178 Victoria St. www.tickets.mhrth.com. From $79.

Aug 23 8:00: Port Hope Jazz. The Shuffle Demons. Ganaraska Hotel, 30 Ontario St., Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. $30.

Aug 23 8:00: Theatre on King. Melón Jimenez and Lara Wong: Flamenco and World Music. Fusion of flamenco, jazz, and Indian music in a dynamic and constant dialogue between cultures on a musical journey of dynamic compositions and vivid improvisation. Melón Jimenez & Lara Wong, guitars; Maria Caballero, flamenco dancer & choreographer. 171 King St., Peterborough. Visit Melon Jimenez and Lara Wong. From $15. NOTE: Limited seating.

Aug 23 10:00: Port Hope Jazz. Michael Shand and Duncan Hopkins: The After Hours Jam. BLou Room, 48 Mill St., Suite 2, Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. $10; Free(musicians).

Aug 24 12:30: Brookside Music Association. One World Music Festival. Little Lake Park - Rotary Stage, 549 Little Lake Park Rd., Midland. www.brooksidemusic.com. $10/$8(adv). Also Aug 23.

Aug 24 1:00: Port Hope Jazz. Alex Pangman. Beamish House, 27 John St., Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. $20.

Aug 24 3:00: Hannaford Street Silver Band. St. Anne's Benefit Concert. Help us raise funds to support the rebuilding St. Anne’s ministry. St. Anne's Parish Hall, 651 Dufferin St. Donate what you can. www.hssb.ca.

Aug 24 3:30: Port Hope Jazz. Jesse Ryan. Ganaraska Brewery, 33 Mill St. S., Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. $20.

Aug 24 7:30: Highlands Opera Studio. Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville). Pre-performance chat. Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion, 5358 County Rd. 21, Haliburton. 1-855-455-5533. Also Aug 22(7:30pm), 25(2:30pm), 26(7:30pm).

Aug 24 7:30: Leith Summer Festival. Stewart Goodyear. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.23 in f Op.57 "Appassionata"; Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue. Stewart Goodyear, piano and string ensemble. Historic Leith Church, 419498 Tom Thomson Ln., Leith. 519-371-2833 or visit www.leithchurch.ca. $45.

Aug 24 7:30: Port Hope Jazz. Kellylee Evans. Port Hope United Church, 34 South St., Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. $40; $20(st).

Aug 24 8:00: Hugh's Room Live. Harry Manx. 296 Broadview Ave. www.showpass.com/harry-manx-2. $45.

Aug 24 8:00: TD Music Hall. Pacific Estate. 178 Victoria St. www.tickets.mhrth.com $25.

Aug 24 10:00: Port Hope Jazz. Michael Shand and Duncan Hopkins: The After Hours Jam. BLou Room, 48 Mill St., Suite 2, Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. $10; Free(musicians).

Aug 25 10:25am: Port Hope Jazz. The Lorne Nehring Quartet Featuring Alex Dean. Port Hope United Church, 34 South St., Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. By donation.

Aug 25 11:30am: Port Hope Jazz. Duncan Hopkins Trio Featuring Allison Au and Reg Schwager. Beamish House, 27 John St., Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. $20.

Aug 25 2:00: Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble. Jazz at the Legion. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 82, 35 Front St. N., Port Credit. friends@mbbje.com or 905-270-4757. PWYC.

Aug 25 2:00: Port Hope Jazz. Steve Holt Quintet Featuring Terry Clarke, Perry White, Kevin Turcotte and Duncan Hopkins. Ganaraska Brewery, 33 Mill St. S., Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com. $20.

Aug 25 2:30: Highlands Opera Studio. Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville). Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion, 5358 County Rd. 21, Haliburton. 1-855-455-5533. Also Aug 22(7:30pm), 24(7:30pm), 26(7:30pm).

Aug 25 3:30: Kirtan Culture Initiative. Kirtan at The Yoga House. Yoga House, The, 7 Copeland Ave. 416-616-5136 or www.kirtanculture.com. $25.

Aug 25 4:00: Harbourfront Centre. Summer Music in the Garden: From Toronto to Kyoto. Contemporary classical. University of Toronto Percussion Ensemble. Toronto Music Garden, 479 Queens Quay W. www.harbourfrontcentre.com. Free.

Aug 25 4:30: Port Hope Jazz. Jazz Vespers with Tryptique Featuring Colleen Allen, Fern Lindzon and George Koller. Port Hope United Church, 34 South St., Port Hope. porthopejazz@gmail.com or www.porthopejazz.com By donation.

Aug 25 7:00: Trinity Anglican Church (Aurora). Concert of the Senses with Nadine & Friends. Doors open at 6:30pm. Works by Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi, Sarasate, and Chopin. Nadine Bargout, violin; Anastasia Pogorelova, soprano; Imre Olah, organ & piano. 79 Victoria St., Aurora. 437-324-9324 or visit Concert of the Senses. $35.

Aug 26 12:15: Music Mondays. The Bohemian Violin. León Zuckert: Gypsy Memories; Ernst: Dance alla Zingarese; Dvořák: Slavonic Fantasie in b (arr. Kreisler); Dinicu: Spring Tune; Falla: Danse rituelle du feu; Liszt: Romance oubliée; Drdla: Carmen Variations; and Monti: Czardas. Lucia Barcari, violin; Sabatino Vacca, piano. Church of the Holy Trinity, 19 Trinity Sq. 416-598-4521 X223 or www.musicmondays.ca or musicmondayscs@gmail.com. PWYC ($10 suggested).

Aug 26 7:30: Highlands Opera Studio. Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville). Pre-performance chat. Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion, 5358 County Rd. 21, Haliburton. 1-855-455-5533. Also Aug 22(7:30pm), 24(7:30pm), 25(2:30pm). 

LIVE REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

A New Quartet is an emerging Toronto area ensemble that rehearses traditional repertoire and writes new music. The quartet is currently seeking saxophone players and composers. For details please visit www.anewquartet.net.

The Choralairs is a non-audition, adult choir that welcomes new members in September and January.  Rehearsals are on Tuesday 6:45-8-45pm at Edithvale C.C. 131 Finch Ave. W, Toronto. Please contact Elaine at choralairs.delighted.720@silomails.com to RSVP. Check out our new website at  www.Choralairs.com.

Etobicoke Community Concert Band. Full rehearsals every Wednesday night at 7:30pm. 309 Horner Ave. Open to all who are looking for a great band to join. Text Rob Hunter at 416-878-1730.

Harmony Singers of Etobicoke. The women of The Harmony Singers survived COVID and are regrouping for 2024! If you'd like to sing an exciting repertoire of pop, jazz, folk and light classics, the group will give you a warm welcome! Rehearsals start in January on Wednesday nights from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. at Richview United Church in Etobicoke. Contact Conductor Harvey Patterson at: theharmonysingers@ca.com or call 416-239-5821.

New Horizons Band of Toronto. All levels from beginners to advanced for brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Weekly classes led by professional music teachers. Loaner instrument provided to each new registrant in the beginners’ program. Visit www.newhorizonsbandtoronto.ca. 

North Toronto Community Band. Openings for drums, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, French horns.  Rehearsals held at Willowdale Presbyterian Church 38 Ellerslie Ave. (just north of Mel Lastman Square). Monday evenings 7:30-9:30 pm. Contact ntcband@gmail.com.

Serenata Singers. Are you free Wednesday mornings? Do you love the joy of singing and the camaraderie it brings? Join the Serenata Singers who have sparkled in Toronto’s constellation of choral gems since 1976! Seniors singers, come together with voices united in song. Inspire generations to follow! This 55-voice adult SATB community choir, ranging in age from 55 to 97, will gather again under accomplished choral director Michael Morgan who shares his talents and expertise to perform a “Winter Cabaret” on November 30, 2024, with other performances during the year at seniors’ residences. Our season crescendos with two annually spring concerts on May 8 & 9, 2025. Our spring concerts entitled “Tuned In” will feature favourites from the movies, Broadway, and television. Consider joining this caring, friendly group of retirees at Scarborough Bluffs United Church, 3739 Kingston Rd, every Wednesday from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Two free trial rehearsals are allowed before deciding to join! Check us out at our website at www.serenatasingers.ca  or call Charlotte at 416-449-4053! Come join us!

String Orchestra TO is a new string orchestra in Toronto for amateur intermediate and advanced string players. No auditions. Our season runs from Sep 11, 2024 to May 28, 2025. Wed rehearsals: 7:15-9:15 pm at St. Barnabas Church, 361 Danforth Ave.. Visit www.sites.google.com/view/stringorchestrato/home or email us at StringOrchestraTO@gmail.com.

Strings Attached Orchestra, North York. All string players (especially viola, cello, bass) are welcome. Mondays 7 to 9 p.m. from Sep to Jun. Email us first at info.stringsattached@gmail.com to receive music and other details or visit our website at www.stringsattachedorchestra.com for more information.

Toronto Shape Note Singers. Sacred Harp Singing. Shape note selections from the Sacred Harp tunebook.Singing is participatory, not a performance. No experience necessary. All are welcome and there are books to borrow. Monthly on the third Wednesday from Feb 21 to Dec 8, 2024. Friends House, 60 Lowther Ave. 647-838-8764. Pay what you can. Aug 21, Sep 18, Oct 16, Nov 20 & Dec 18.

Aug 26 7:00: Array/ECCG Gamelan. Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan Monthly Meetup. Array Space, 155 Walnut Ave. 416-532-3019. Free.

MUSICALS

Blyth Festival. Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: The Farmerettes. By Alison Lawrence. Inspired by the Book by Bonnie Sitter & Shirleyan English. Harvest Stage (Aug 14-31). Memorial Hall (Sep 3-7). $60; $35(partially obstructed view); $30(obstructed view); $20(youth). www.blythfestival.com. 

Drayton Festival. Naked Radio: A Comedy With No Dead Air. Music by Paul Libman. Book and Lyrics by Dave Hudson. Dayton Festival Theatre, 33 Wellington St. S., Drayton. www.draytonentertainment.com. Aug 7-25.

Shaw Festival. My Fair Lady. Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. Festival Theatre, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake. www.shawfest.com/playbill/my-fair-lady. To Dec 21.

Shaw Festival. The Roll of Shaw. Spiegeltent, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake. www.shawfest.com/playbill/the-roll-of-shaw. To Sep 28.

Shaw Festival. The Secret Garden. A Play with Songs. Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Adapted for the stage by Jay Turvey and Paul Sportelli. Royal George Theatre, 85 Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake. www.shawfest.com/playbill/the-secret-garden. To Oct 13.

Shaw Festival. The Shaw Variety Show. Spiegeltent, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake. www.shawfest.com/playbill/the-shaw-variety-show. To Oct 6.

Stratford Festival. La Cage aux Folles. Book by Harvey Fierstein. Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman. Based on the play by Jean Poiret. Directed by Thom Allison. Choreographed by Cameron Carver. Avon Theatre, 99 Downie St., Stratford. www.stratfordfestival.ca. To Oct 26.

Stratford Festival. Something Rotten. Book by Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell. Conceived by Karey Kirkpatrick & Wayne Kirkpatrick. Directed and Choreographed by Donna Feore. Festival Theatre, 55 Queen St., Stratford. www.stratfordfestival.ca. To Oct 27.

TYT Theatre. Junie B. Jones the Musical. Book & Lyrics by Marcy Heisler. Music by Zina Goldrich. Adapted from the Junie B. Jones series of books by Barbara Park. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Sydney LaForme & Erinn Bekkers, directors; Sydney LaForme, choreographer; Quinton Naughton, music director. Wychwood Theatre, 601 Christie St. boxoffice@tyttheatre.com. $42.49(Front Row); $33.49(4 or more Group Pack); $37.49; $35.49(under 12). Aug 3-Sep 8 at 1pm & 3:30pm.

ONGOING EVENTS

Trinity College, University of Toronto. Evensong. Traditional Anglican choral music. Trinity College Chapel Choir; Thomas Bell, director of music; Peter Bayer, organ scholar. Trinity College Chapel, University of Toronto, 6 Hoskin Ave. 416-978-2522 or Trinity College. Free. Evensong is sung every Wednesday at 5:15pm in the beautiful Trinity College chapel during term time.

Encore Symphonic Concert Band. Monthly Concert Band Concert. The first Thursday of every month at 11am. 35-piece concert band performing band concert music, pop tunes, jazz standards (2 singers) and the occasional march. Trinity Presbyterian Church York Mills, 2737 Bayview Ave. www.encoreband.ca. $10.

ONLINE EVENTS

Arts@Home. A vibrant hub connecting Torontonians to arts and culture. Designed to strengthen personal and societal resilience through the arts. www.artsathome.ca.

North Toronto Community Band. Openings for clarinet, trumpet, trombone, tuba and auxiliary percussion. Rehearsals held at Willowdale Presbyterian Church 38 Ellerslie Ave. (just north of Mel Lastman Square). Monday evenings 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.  Contact ntcband@gmail.com.

Recollectiv. For anyone living with cognitive challenges from Alzheimer’s, dementia, traumatic brain injury, stroke or PTSD. The group meets weekly to rediscover the joy of making music. Community members and music students are welcome to this fun, rewarding and inter-generational experience. Sessions take place from 2 to 3pm (with sound checks and socializing at 1:30pm). No summer sessions after Jun 22. Weekly sessions resume on Sep 7. Please contact recollectiv@gmail.com for more information.