Art Bergman - photo credit KENNETH LOCKE For Wheeler Listings
A weekly feature that highlights the 10 best music happenings in Toronto. Here's what's on this week, Oct. 24 to 30.
Weewerk 13th Anniversary Party: Art Bergman "From the heights of hypocrisy come the drones of democracy." Independent record label Weewerk celebrates its 13th birthday with a concert featuring the welcome return of Art Bergman, the self-exiled iconoclast who this summer released the potent EP Songs For the Underclass. Also on the bill are the Two-Minute Miracles and Tony Dekker. Oct. 24, 8 p.m. $17.50 to 22 (advance tickets at Rotate This and Soundscapes). Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W., weewerk.com.
Global Cabaret Festival The seventh annual event includes performances from the charismatic likes of John Millard, Molly Johnson, Patricia O'Callaghan, Denzal Sinclaire, Jackie Richardson and others, programs that include salutes to Don McLean's American Pie and the songbooks of Hank Williams and George and Ira Gershwin. To Oct. 26. $20 to $26. Young Centre, 50 Tank House Lane, 416-866-8666 or globalcabaret.ca.
Alcina From Opera Atelier, what is being billed as the Canadian premiere of a fully-staged period production of Handel's heartbreaking drama. To Nov. 1. $45 to $189. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 1-855-622-2787 or ticketmaster.ca.
Sinead O'Connor The complicated Irish singer will not be appearing with Pope Francis at the upcoming American Music Awards – as has been suggested in some circles – but at Massey Hall she may well sing Take Me to Church, from her opinionated I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss album. Oct. 24, 8 p.m. $49.50 to $79.50. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Symphonic Spooks Have you ever tried to keep a viola in tune? It's a scary proposition. On Saturday, the TSO attempts to provoke hair-raising and goosebump moments for the pipsqueaks, with a program of Phantom of the Opera Overture, selections from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Symphonie Fantastique. Costumes are welcome. Oct. 25, 2 and 4 p.m. $20 to $32. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255 or tso.ca.
Oh Susanna The songstress's new album is Namedropper, so named because of the top class of songwriters which contributed new material to the record: Ron Sexsmith, Jim Cuddy, Joel Plaskett, Royal Wood and Amelia Curran are on board. Expect some of them to show up for the album launch. Oct. 25, 8 p.m. $25. Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. W., 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com.
Dream Serenade Benefit Concert: Feist, Sarah Harmer, Hayden, Jason Collett In benefit of services for children with developmental disabilities, the indie stars of singing and songwriting come out. Oct. 25, 7 p.m. $50 to $200. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com.
Toronto International Piano Competition The preliminary rounds of a contest for elite young pianists lead up to the final showdown on Nov. 1 (Koerner Hall). Oct 25 to 30. $10. P.C. Ho Theatre, Chinese Cultural Centre, 5183 Sheppard E, cccpianocompetitions.org.
Chrissie Hynde The badass Brass in Pocket singer-guitarist and Pretenders leader tours in support of her long-in-coming debut solo album, Stockholm. Oct. 30, 8 p.m. $35 to $75. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com.
Alice Cooper Halloween festivities, a night early, with the shock-rocking Welcome to My Nightmare rocker. Oct. 30, 8 p.m. $57.60 to $87.10. Casino Rama, Rama, Ont., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
BOOKING AHEAD
Alice Cooper Oct. 31 Centre on the Square, Kitchener, Ont., centreinthesquare.com.
Doobie Brothers Oct. 30 Casino Rama, Rama, Ont., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
Evil Dead: The Musical Oct. 31 to Nov. 9. Randolph Theatre, 877-435-9849 or ticketfly.com
Mounties Nov. 1. Lee's Palace, 877-435-9849 or ticketfly.com
Carlos Varela Nov. 2. 416-588-0307 or lula.ca
Doug Paisley Nov. 7. Horseshoe Tavern, 877-435-9849 or ticketfly.com
Bruce Cockburn Nov. 7 (sold out). Koerner Hall, 416-408-0208 or tickets.rcmusic.ca
Elizabeth Shepherd Nov. 15. Music Gallery, musicgallery.org.
Adam Cohen Nov. 17. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 416-973-4000 or harbourfrontcentre.com.
Lucinda Williams Nov. 20. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Amelia Curran Nov. 22. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Cinderella: The Gags To Riches Family Musical Nov. 21 to Jan. 4, 2015. Elgin Theatre, 1-855-599-9090 or rosspetty.com
Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life Nov. 25. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Gordon Lightfoot Nov. 26 to 29. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
The Arkells Nov. 27 to 29. Danforth Music Hall, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Cat Stevens Dec. 1. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
The Hold Steady Dec. 10 to 13. Horseshoe Tavern, 877-435-9849 or ticketfly.com
John Mellencamp April 29, 2015. Hamilton Place Theatre, Hamilton, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
John Mellencamp May 1 and 2, 2015. Sony Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
The Who Oct. 19 and 21, 2015. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Brad Wheeler