A weekly feature that highlights the 10 best music happenings in Toronto. Here's what's on this week, Nov. 7 to Nov. 13.
The Poem/ The Song In which music is connected with poetry, with the author Margaret Atwood among the performers on hand. The Art of Time Ensemble opens its season with a program that whimsically combines the art of Franz Liszt, Leonard Cohen, Walt Whitman and George Crumb. Nov. 7 and 8, 8 p.m. $25 to $59. the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000 or harbourcentre.com.
Lynne Hanson Fans of Mary Gauthier-style Americana will cotton to the moody laments of the Ottawa-based singer Nov. 7, 7 p.m. Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., 416-850-4579.
Doug Paisley A gifted vocalist and songwriter of a country style, this red-haired troubadour is no stranger to Queen Street West. But he's outgrown his old Cameron House haunt for a bigger room a few doors down. Nov. 7, 9 p.m. $13.50. Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., 877-435-9849 or ticketfly.com
A Tribe Called Red They call it "electric pow wow." We call it electronic dance music with an eclectic, indigenous twist. Nov. 7, 7 p.m. $23.50 to $33.50. Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Carry On, Sergeant! In advance of Rembrance Day, a 1928 silent film about a married front-line Canadian soldier and his secret affair is screened, with a score by Ennio Morricone performed live by the indie-pop group Hilotrons Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m. $13.27. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., 416-637-3123 or bloorcinema.com.
Angélique Kidjo Upbeat Afro-funk fusion, from the motivational Grammy-winning African diva. Nov. 8, 8 p.m. $35 to $85. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208 or performance.rcmusic.ca.
The Soul Motivators Nine pieces of funk, soul and giddy-up go makes for old-school, brassy heat. Nov. 8, 9 p.m. $10. Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., 877-435-9849 or ticketfly.com.
Daniel Lanois The uncontainable Daniel Lanois continues to percolate fresh ideas in sound and vision, here offering a concert which incorporates real-time sampling, dubbing and processing, along with the presentation of short films inspired by his potent, ambient album Flesh and Machine. Nov. 9, 8 p.m. $50. Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County Staged as an old-timey radio play, this stage collaboration between John Mellencamp, T Bone Burnett and horrormeister Stephen King involves a Southern gothic storyline and a touring cast that includes Gina Gershon. Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m. $42.50 to $85. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com.
Ryan Adams His latest album is a self-titled homage to 1980s rock, right down to an album cover that borrows from Bryan Adam's Reckless. Not only that, earlier on this current tour, the enigmatic singer covered the Canadian rocker's Run to You. Nov. 12, 8 p.m. $29.50 to $69.50. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com.
BOOKING AHEAD
Elizabeth Shepherd Nov. 15. Music Gallery, musicgallery.org
Pup Nov. 15, Lee's Palace, ticketfly.com
Gingger Shankar Nov. 16. Drake Hotel, ticketfly.com
Adam Cohen Nov. 17. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 416-973-4000 or harbourfrontcentre.com.
50+ Poems for Gordon Lightfoot: A Literary and Musical Celebration Nov. 17. Hugh's Room, 416-531-6604 or hughsroom.com.
Bob Dylan Nov. 17 and 18. Sony Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Lucinda Williams Nov. 20. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Touré -Raichel Collective Nov. 21. Koerner Hall, 416-408-0208 or performance.rcmusic.ca.
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
Taylor Swift Oct. 2 and 3 (on sale Nov. 14, 10 a.m.). Air Canada 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