A weekly feature that highlights the 10 best music happenings in Toronto. Here's what's on this week, July 18 to 24.
Katy Perry Though the spunky pop superstar has expressed interest in playing the lead role in a Broadway musical adaptation of the film comedy Clueless, the current spectacle tour in support of her album Prism keeps her occupied. July 18 and 19 (7:30 p.m.) and July 21 (7 p.m.). $46.75 to $167.75. Air Canada Centre, 50 Bay St., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
Beaches International Jazz Festival The popular three-night streetfest of upbeat jazz and rhythmic exuberance (July 24 to 26) is bookended by festival concerts at Woodbine Park this weekend and next. July 18 to 27. Free. beachesjazz.com.
Return to Grace A jukebox musical covers the prime of Elvis Presley, from the earliest Sun Studio days to the King's bravura Aloha From Hawaii performance in 1973. To July 20. $30 to $99. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St., 416-872-1212, 1-800-461-3333 or mirvish.com.
Time Festival An eclectic all-day affair counts the young Australian beat-maker Flume, the synth-songstress Grimes and Chicago's indie-rocking Smith Westerns as main attractions. July 19, gates open at noon. $35 to $50. Fort York Garrison Commons, 250 Fort York Blvd., ticketweb.ca.
Corin Raymond: The Great Canadian Tire Money Caper The charismatic folk musician and raconteur delivers a one-man musical monologue about his funny-money-funded live album. To July 27. Hamilton Fringe Festival, Hamilton, hamiltonfringe.ca.
Toronto Summer Music: Emerson String Quartet Nine-time Grammy winners gang up on works by Beethoven and Schubert, and honour a piece by Benjamin Britten composed in tribute to Henry Purcell. July 22, 7:30 p.m. $35 to $75. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208 or torontosummermusic.com.
Toronto Summer Music: Beatrice Rana The silver medalist at the 2013 Van Cliburn piano competition has at a program of Bach, Chopin and Prokofiev. July 23, 7:30 p.m. $47. Walter Hall, 80 Queen's Park, 416-408-0208 or torontosummermusic.com.
James Taylor The popular MOR crooner soothes the Caucasians with sympathetic hits You've Got a Friend and Handy Man. July 24, 8 p.m. $31 to $147. Molson Amphitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer New-order blues from a hot, inventive duo. July 24, 9 p.m. $10. Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., 416-850-4579.
Nat Baldwin The intriguing double-bassist, agile tenor and marathon runner never plays a song the same way once. July 24, 8 p.m. $10. Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton St., 416-531-5833 or ticketfly.com.
BOOKING AHEAD
Toronto's Festival of Beer: K-os, the Trews, Matthew Good July 25 to 27, Bandshell Park, beerfestival.ca
Bruno Mars July 26 and 27. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Cold Specks July 31. Drake Hotel, galleryac.com
Boots & Hearts: Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Hunter Hayes July 31 to Aug. 3. Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ont., bootsandhearts.com
John Mellencamp July 30 and 31. Casino Rama, Rama, Ont., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
Smokey Robinson Aug. 1. Casino Rama, Rama, Ont., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Edgefest 3: Our Lady Peace, Sloan, I Mother Earth Aug 16. Echo Beach, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
Greenbelt Harvest Picnic: Bruce Cockburn, Gord Downie & the Sadies, Ray Lamontagne Aug. 23. Christie Lake, Dundas, Ont., harvestpicnic.ca
Sam Roberts Band Aug. 30 and 31. Key to Bala, Bala, Ont., thekee.com
Muskoka Sound Music Festival: Shad, Serena Ryder, Hawksley Workman Sept. 12 to 14. Huntsville, Ont., muskokasound.ca
Sandbanks New Waves Festival: The Hylozoists, Bry Webb, Cuff the Duke Sept. 13. Sandbanks Provincial Park, Prince Edward County, Ont., sandbanksnewwaves.com
Mac DeMarco Nov. 6 (on sale July 19, 10 a.m). Danforth Music Hall, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Brad Wheeler