Sweet relief
Tonight, Dec. 4, music enthusiasts can help send some much needed aid to the Philippines by doing what they do so well: going to a show. There will be a Haiyan/Yolanda relief fundraiser at The Great Hall in Toronto featuring Casey (picture above front) and Jenny Mecija of the late, great band Ohbijou, along with Maloo and Datu, and projections by Mangopeeler. The evening will be hosted by Sarah Taylor and Abdominal. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. There will be an auction, raffle and food at 6 p.m. Show time is 8 p.m.
Rufus readies another aria
Exciting news from the Canadian Opera Company as it announces the commission of a new opera by composer Rufus Wainwright and playwright Daniel Macivor. The opera, Hadrian, currently in development, isn't scheduled to premiere until the company's 2018-19 season, but it is a big-time announcement. Hadrian will be Wainwright's second opera. “I’m thrilled to be setting out on this epic journey with the COC and look forward to once again diving into the deep end, a requirement on all fronts in the world of opera,” Wainwright says. The clip below shows Wainwright performing "Les Feux d'artifice t'appellent" from his first opera Prima Donna.
Sky's the limit
Toronto band The Wooden Sky have announced the fourth instalment of their Annual Holiday Revue. The concert is scheduled for Dec. 29 at 918 Bathurst, with proceeds going to the Daily Bread Food Bank. As in years past, special guests will join the band on stage. Past guests have included Tim Showalter from Strand of Oaks, Nils Edenloff from Rural Alberta Advantage and the Weather Station's Tamara Lindeman. Nick Ferrio opens the show. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or in-store at Soundscapes, Sonic Boom and Rotate This. Check out the band below from their five-part video series shot in the Grace On The Hill Church in Toronto.
Wired for sound
A new music festival in Toronto is scheduled for Dec. 12 and will feature five bands in three venues (Adelaide Hall, Measure and Ryerson University). The artists scheduled to perform at Wired City Music Festival are Bruce Peninsula, ColinResponse, KC Roberts & The Live Revolution, Union Duke and Long Range Hustle. The concerts will also be streamed live at each location. I'm not sure five bands in three locations qualifies as a traditional festival, but we're open-minded about the whole thing. Bruce Peninsula below.
Something sinister this way comes
Canadian prog rockers Bend Sinister have announced a new album to be released on March 11, 2014. Animals follows on the heels of the band's acclaimed 2012 album Small Fame. The band recorded the album with producer Joe Marlett, who has worked with such notable bands as Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age. “With this album we tried to say ‘yes’ to everything,” cites guitar player Joseph Blood. “As much as possible we let go of any preconceptions over how we think we should sound as a band and just let the songs come out.” Ahead of the album's release date, the band has booked a North American tour. The Canadian leg of the tour kicks off in Toronto on March 20 at the venerable Horseshoe Tavern.
Mayor vs. rocker
East Coast rocker Matt Mays got some good publicity last weekend when he tweeted that Mayor Rob Ford stole his seat for the Buffalo Bills game at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Mays tweeted: "Rob Ford is sitting in my seat at the Bills game. He stole my seat. I don't know what to do." Mays will be back in Toronto next week for a series of shows (Dec. 12-14) at the Horseshoe Tavern, celebrating the club's 66th birthday.
Video file
Legendary Toronto rockers Danko Jones return with a bold new video for their song "Legs" directed by Bruce LaBruce. It is intense, sexual, and classic Danko Jones. Also, Metric has just released a colourful and vibrant new new video for their song "Lost Kitten" directed by Sammy Rawal and shot in Mexico City featuring ballroom dancer and actor Sheldon McIntosh.
