Music Notes

East York resident Randy James might have to think twice – or even three times – about what band he’s anchoring on the drum kit at a CD release party Friday, Dec. 14 at the Hollywood on the Queensway.

One thing he won’t need to think twice about, however, is who his band mates are: from Rexdale lead vocalist Todd Sharman; from Mississauga bass player Paul Whiteside; and originally from Windsor, guitarists Stephen Ruppert and Mark Higginbottom.

The band mates have actually been together for many years. But the band’s stage name can change depending on the gig. Continue reading…

You’d be hard pressed to find a better entertainment bargain then the $10 admission price to last Sunday’s sold-out 16th annual Riverdale Share Christmas Concert at the Danforth Music Hall.

After all, where else are you going to get Steve Page of the Barenaked Ladies sharing the spotlight with the Frankland School Choir who sang with him on Hanukkah, Oh, Hanukkah (which he covers on BNL’s Barenaked for the Holidays CD)?

Or Canadian icon Murray McLauchlan (see photo above) dedicating one of his early signature songs On the Boulevard to Christmas shoppers and then backing up Lorraine Segato of Parachute Club fame?

Residents from Riverdale and beyond obviously agree it’s a bargain as the event, which has now become an institution, as it boasted its earliest ever sell-out date.

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The Riverdale Share Christmas Concert at the Danforth Music Hall Dec. 9 is all but sold out and organizers are already musing about adding a second concert for next year.

Longtime organizer Susan Baker is hoping this year’s concert – with a cast of dozens led by prominent local musicians such as Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies and Murray McLauchlan – can raise $50,000 to be distributed among worthy local charities.

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The Toronto Choral Society, which is based out of Eastminster United Church on the Danforth, where it practices and performs, is presenting a holiday concert at the church on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.

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The Riverdale Youth Singers typically present two full concerts a year and their upcoming concert is slated for this Monday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church, 115 Simpson Ave. in Riverdale.

The free concert is entitled Festival of Lights, Songs of lights to welcome the return of the sun.
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Your Mommy paints the sunset.
Your Dad lassos the moon.
Their arms circle ‘round you,
They sing a goodnight tune.
You hug your friends together -
Cuddle Bear and Glow Worm, too.
Funny Monkey’s on the pillow,
Standin’ guard on you.

And everything’s okay.
There’s no monsters in the closet.
Your parents love each other -
They ain’t never goin’ away.*

In a Child’s Room, music and lyrics by Norm Hacking, from both the tribute album and his “Best Of.”

Norm Hacking, a much loved local Scarborough roots musician, died Nov. 25 at his Scarborough home of an apparent heart attack. He was 57
A memorial celebration of his music, poetry – and life – is planned for Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Renaissance Cafe on Danforth Avenue, just west of the Woodbine Subway Station.

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With Riverdale musicians like the Barenaked Ladies Steven Page again throwing in their support to the annual Riverdale Share Christmas Concert, slated for Sunday, Dec. 9 at the Danforth Music Hall, it’s no wonder that a sell-out is all but guaranteed.

What is remarkable is that the $10 ticket price remains the same despite the remarkable line-up of Riverdale musicians and their friends who are slated to once again donate their time, including Murray McLauchlan, Cindy Church, Russell deCarle and Lorraine Segato, just to name a few of the more than 100 performers (including local choirs) expected on stage.

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