A weekly feature that highlights the 10 best music happenings in Toronto. Here's what's on this week, Sept 19 to 25.
Rob Ford: The Musical Given the Mayor's current battle with cancer, an "unabashed, take-no-prisoners comedy" this production turned out to be ill-timed, but not necessarily any less entertaining. To Sept. 28. $40. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St., 416-504-9971 or robfordmusical.ca.
Bloor Ossington Folk Festival Three days of free music at various venues, with sets from Brendan Canning, AroarA, Julie Doiron and the Wrong Guys, Lily Frost and many more. Sept. 19 to 21. Free. bloorossingtonfolkfestival.ca/blog.
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Karyn Ellis The gracefully affecting singer-songwriter makes bluesy acoustic music, in celebration of her her latest album, More Than Hero. Sept. 20, 8 p.m. $20. Musideum, Suite 133, 401 Richmond St. W., 416-599-7323 or musideum.com.
Sam Smith Blue-eyed British soulster continues his unaccountably meteoric rise. Sept. 21, 8 p.m. $47. 50. Kool Haus, 132 Queens Quay E., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
DJ WINDOWS 98 Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler spins discs and gives shout-outs to outdated operating systems. Sept. 23, 10 p.m. Coda, 794 Bathurst St., ticketweb.ca.
David Bowie is Happening Now Did you miss the fabulous David Bowie exhibition at the AGO? Here is a documentary film – screening in cinemas across North America – on the groundbreaking all-things-Bowie happening, created by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m. cineplex.com.
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John Coltrane Tribute Saxophonists Pat LaBarbera and Kirk MacDonald board the Blue Train. Sept. 25 to 27, 9:45 p.m. $TBA. Rex Jazz & Blues Bar, 194 Queen St. W., 416-598-2475.
TSO: Beethoven's Ninth The composer's anthemic final symphony is given a whirl by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Peter Oundjian and with Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and vocal soloists. Sept. 25 to 27. $38.75 to $169. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-593-4828 or tso.ca.
Life, Death and the Blues A concert/theatre hybrid, created by Gemini-nominated actor and blues artist Raoul Bhaneja, involves autobiography, interview, live music, multimedia and the singer Divine Brown. Sept. 30 to Oct. 19 (previews begin Sept. 25). $17 to $38. Theatre Passe Muraille, 416-504-7529 or passemuraille.ca.
Brandee Younger Intriguing young harpist is classically trained and capable of "Afrofuturistic" soul-jazz adventures, and has collaborated with the diverse likes of Drake, John Legend, Charlie Haden and Jack DeJohnette. Sept. 26, 8 p.m. $10 to $20. Music Gallery, 197 John St.. Tickets at Soundscapes or musicgallery.org.
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BOOKING AHEAD
Chromeo Sept. 27. Kool Haus, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Boz Scaggs Sept. 27, Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Johnny O'Neal Oct 2 to 4. Jazz Bistro, jazzbistro.ca
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Eric Anderson Oct. 5. Hugh's Room, 416-531-6604, hughsroom.com
Nas Oct. 8 (two shows). Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Buddy!: The Buddy Holly Story Begins Oct. 14 to Nov. 16. Winter Garden Theatre, 1-855-622-2787 or ticketmaster.ca
Weewerk 13th Anniversary Party: Art Bergman, Tony Dekker, Two-Minute Miracles Oct. 24. Great Hall Tickets at Rotate This and Soundscapes
Mounties Nov. 1. Lee's Palace, ticketfly.com
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Carlos Varela Nov. 2. 416-588-0307 or lula.ca
Doug Paisley Nov. 7. Horseshoe Tavern, ticketfly.com
Cinderella: The Gags To Riches Family Musical Nov. 21 to Jan. 4, 2015. Elgin Theatre, 1-855-599-9090 or rosspetty.com
The Arkells Nov. 27 to 29. Danforth Music Hall, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
The Hold Steady Dec. 10 to 13. Horseshoe Tavern, ticketfly.com
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Timber Timbre Dec. 11 to 13. Lee's Palace, galleryac.com
N The Queen of Paris Sept. 24, 2015 to Oct. 11, 2015 (on sale, Sept. 24). Elgin Theatre, 1-855-622-2787 or ticketmaster.ca