This show’s called Between the Boots! This iteration of Between the Boots is a celebration of some of Toronto’s local musicians and poets. Five performances, five original sets. These performances are by Seasonal Birds, Desiree McKenzie, Mike McPhee, Almandrez, and the Between the Boots Crew. Come through!
The Furniture Music Composition Workshop is a monthly series (or space?) for composers either dealing with an idea that they're stuck on or with sounds that are impossible to realize through a computer. Hosted in the Tranzac's Living Room (usually) every 4th Sunday (usually) from 2-4pm (usually) we assemble a rotating panel of three skilled performer-composers […]
Precious Little Presents: Round the table we turn Contraptions and shenanigans. Storage and porridge, song-title geography. Improvisation and Omni-visualation. We're out in the workshop, hammer and saw, Phonometers in hand we measure and draw. Erasing the borders, the box opens wide. Where is the door? Turn it all on its side. David Woodhead / electric […]
Conversation - a Tranzac Jam is a weekly jam that invites musicians and dancers into a safe space where the only rule is be in the moment while creating music in community with others. Each week a house band starts off the night with a 45 minute set of music and then the floor is […]
The Starfires return to the Tranzac with their unique blend of folk, jazz and world music. With their eclectic collection of master improvising musicians they will combine meditative exploration classic folk tunes with funky versions of jazz tunes and original compositions, including old favourites and new tunes from their forthcoming release.
The Tranzac open stage is every Monday in the Southern Cross room. All are welcome! Start: 7pm Sign up: 6:30pm 8 minute slots (or two songs) The open stage is a safe space in accordance with the Tranzac code of conduct.
Dan and his quintet return to the Tranzac to perform a new book of original music to prepare for the upcoming recording of their next album. The group features Dan's longtime trio of Alex Fournier on Double Bass and Nick Fraser on drums along with Patrick Smith and Naomi McCarroll-Butler bringing a tetrad of woodwind […]
Each instalment of Solitary Shrew features two performances led by women and gender non-conforming artists spanning an array of genres and artistic disciplines. This month features Dame Cook (ambient hauntological experiments) & Tumbling / Arrival (performance drawing)!
1st set: EPHEMERA (Pierre-Yves Martel modular synthesizer, harmonium) Between January and March 2024, Pierre-Yves Martel dedicated himself to composing and recording a 60-minute track each week, resulting in the creation of the 10-hour album Ephemera. By combining field and archival recordings with modular synthesis and acoustic instruments, this project served as an experiment in sonic […]
For this month's Holy Oak Family Singers residency, we are joined by the beloved BC singer-songwriter Veda Hille! The night will feature original songs from Veda, and covers by the HOFS crew, all centered around the theme of Plants & Animals.
The Blue Sky Group is an original, melodic, and engaging jazz group that will entertain and inspire. It is composed of five diverse and experienced Toronto musicians performing original music. Fresh from the recording studio earlier last summer in 2023. We are happy to share our music in the spring of 2024! Featuring: Ernie Tollar […]
Strangetooth is a Toronto based bluegrass band known for their rich vocal harmonies, stellar picking, and eclectic song choices.
May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11: The NAGs Players Present Off The Grid by John Spurway. 7:30 pm, $25-$30. Advance tickets available here. In the Main Hall. Married couple Martha (Marty) and Leonard (Len) are stressed out from their jobs and nervous about starting a family in their mid-30s. Marty, an architect, has landed a […]
The Tania Gill Quartet on this night will include Brodie West (alto saxophone and clarinet), Rob Clutton (bass), Nico Dann (drums) and Tania Gill (piano and compositions). Original instrumental music "displaying lyricism and angularity in equal measure" (Winnipeg Free Press)..."which cleverly and completely effortlessly balances between modern jazz and the more unpredictable avant-garde. The music […]
May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11: The NAGs Players Present Off The Grid by John Spurway. 7:30 pm, $25-$30. Advance tickets available here. In the Main Hall. Married couple Martha (Marty) and Leonard (Len) are stressed out from their jobs and nervous about starting a family in their mid-30s. Marty, an architect, has landed a […]
JAAM E JAM is the first in a series of world folk music community events, a jam session exploring various SWANA folk music traditions, and where folks can exchange their knowledge. Attendees are encouraged to bring an instrument or voice, for night of song, dance, and poetry.
In Barbara’s music you can hear echoes of jazz, folk, blues, barrel-house boogie and old-time-religion hymns. She writes story telling songs, offering up intimate portraits of people's lives played in the old blues style on a parlour guitar or upright piano. A singer songwriter and interpreter, Clela’s vibrant blend of folk and jazz creates the […]
May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11: The NAGs Players Present Off The Grid by John Spurway. 7:30 pm, $25-$30. Advance tickets available here. In the Main Hall. Married couple Martha (Marty) and Leonard (Len) are stressed out from their jobs and nervous about starting a family in their mid-30s. Marty, an architect, has landed a […]
Heavy On The Willie return to Tranzac's Southern Cross Lounge Saturday, May 4 at 10 pm with an opening set by Sarah Greene. Originating in interpreting the songs of Willie Nelson, Heavy on the Willie is nowadays heavy on the songs of Paul Kolinski, which are songs of longing and connection, played with soul and […]
Sundays are for lifting up our voices, sharing ideas and experiences, and meeting friends new and old. That's the goal of HARMONY, a gathering on the first Sunday of the month in the Southern Cross lounge. Join us for a vibrant mix of communal singing, thought-provoking talks, engaging conversations, and much more.
Singer songwriter Bill Wood is joined by band member Chris Bennett on guitar. Bill Wood’s songs have been described as “what happens when 30 years of songwriting, honed over decades of hard life experiences, meet the craftsmanship of a career musician who doesn’t know what it means to compromise.”
Conversation - a Tranzac Jam is a weekly jam that invites musicians and dancers into a safe space where the only rule is be in the moment while creating music in community with others. Each week a house band starts off the night with a 45 minute set of music and then the floor is […]
Dave Clark Presents! showcases fantastic local artists who perform their original music. Each event is a surprise gift of sonic goodies for you to behold. See upcoming brilliance and veteran magic perform for your pleasure.
A quartet led by vibraphonist, Michael Davidson, exploring the compositions of Thelonious Monk. It’s an amorphous blob of his entire catalogue, drifting through songs as if in a dream. High intensity in a quiet package, delivering a delicate but ferocious interpretation of one of the most important books of music from the 20th century.
The Tranzac open stage is every Monday in the Southern Cross room. All are welcome! Start: 7pm Sign up: 6:30pm 8 minute slots (or two songs) The open stage is a safe space in accordance with the Tranzac code of conduct.
Join Spruce Needles and Jenny Omnichord for an evening of weird and extremely charming folk music, spiced up with stand up comedy by Heather Mariko and Todd Graham.
First Tuesday of every month at 8pm at the Tranzac Club. Radio Haha brings Toronto's best and weirdest stand-up and sketch comedians together with stars of the experimental music scene for a surreal and psychedelic comedy show from composer-comedian James Hamilton Lowrie. Live Music! Sound Design! Characters! Recurring bits! Canadian-famous comedians! Experimental music-famous musicians! Is […]
Peripheral Vision is excited to have the Joe Sorbara sextet opening on Tuesday May 7. Joe Sorbara's new sextet explores original music drawing on influences from the great composers of the Black American Creative Music tradition and features Rebecca Hennessy (trumpet), Ted Crosby (tenor saxophone and clarinet), Aline Homzy (violin), Tania Gill (piano), Michael Herring […]
A note from Brodie West: For my monthly at the Tranzac I will often schedule my quintet called The Brodie West Quintet which is Tania Gill piano, Josh Cole bass, Nick Fraser drums, Evan Cartwright drums and myself. Sometimes the drummers are substituted up and in that case it's usually Phil Melanson who is there […]
Coming off a premiere with the Thin Edge Ensemble the night before and heading into a Spring mini tour, Yaz Lancaster will be presenting a special solo set at the Tranzac (living room) in Toronto! Yaz will be joined by Andrew and Sara for some opening sets and collaborations, before presenting a screening of Ibrahim […]
The second Thursday of every month, hosts Surer Qaly and Chris Middleton are throwing a little Pay-What-You-Can show for people who want a little boost of Serotonin before their end of the month show. Featuring some of their friends, these up-and-coming comics will try out new material. Please come and see new jokes before anyone […]
Strangetooth is a Toronto based bluegrass band known for their rich vocal harmonies, stellar picking, and eclectic song choices.
Please join LE SIGH magazine in celebrating the publication of Issue 14, featuring Fan Wu's poetic response to Kalil Haddad's experimental film "The Taking of Jordan (All American Boy)," 2022. The launch will include a screening of Haddad's work, a special live performance by Fan Wu and Kaelin Isserlin, and an eros-themed snackscape.
May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11: The NAGs Players Present Off The Grid by John Spurway. 7:30 pm, $25-$30. Advance tickets available here. In the Main Hall. Married couple Martha (Marty) and Leonard (Len) are stressed out from their jobs and nervous about starting a family in their mid-30s. Marty, an architect, has landed a […]
Hosted by Kurt Newman, this monthly series creates a space for experiments in country and folk music forms, which can range from more or less straight-ahead to more or less psychedelic. Between sets: comedy from the best of Toronto's left-of-center comedians.
With her palette of acoustic folk instruments, Collette whittles out of her imagination beautiful song gems. She brings them to you wrapped in the exciting package of her band of seasoned masters, The Savants: Rebecca Campbell(Jane Siberry, Ian Tamblyn...),John Switzer John Switzer(Jane Siberry, Vance Gilbert, Katherine Wheatley etc.³) Martin Worthy (Joe Hall, Paul Quarrington), Tim […]
May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11: The NAGs Players Present Off The Grid by John Spurway. 7:30 pm, $25-$30. Advance tickets available here. In the Main Hall. Married couple Martha (Marty) and Leonard (Len) are stressed out from their jobs and nervous about starting a family in their mid-30s. Marty, an architect, has landed a […]
Song Experiment is a monthly song lab hosted by Cassie Norton to provide songwriters a venue for explorations into different approaches to song-writing, instrumentation, arrangement or all three. Drawing/colouring supplies and big banner paper will be provided for all doodlers, so you can collaborate too! This month features a small group of seniors and kids […]
Low Country Hill is the moniker for Paul Hogeterp's soulful alt-folk project and is a loose translation of his Dutch-Frisian family name. It’s a fitting metaphor for what music can be. Terps are small hills where people once settled to be protected from surging floods. Songwriting serves as Hogeterp’s modest perch from where he gets […]
May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11: The NAGs Players Present Off The Grid by John Spurway. 7:30 pm, $25-$30. Advance tickets available here. In the Main Hall. Married couple Martha (Marty) and Leonard (Len) are stressed out from their jobs and nervous about starting a family in their mid-30s. Marty, an architect, has landed a […]
Ayal Senior & Friends rez returns in May for a special Mother's Day Edition, #5 for 2024! Accompanying Senior as usual is the tremendous Kurt Newman whose recent LP, 'Cagey Doves' by the Country Phasers is an essential ripper for '24! Grip that action here: https://rat-drifting.bandcamp.com/album/cagey-doves Senior & Newman are getting ready to drop a […]
Conversation - a Tranzac Jam is a weekly jam that invites musicians and dancers into a safe space where the only rule is be in the moment while creating music in community with others. Each week a house band starts off the night with a 45 minute set of music and then the floor is […]
The Tranzac open stage is every Monday in the Southern Cross room. All are welcome! Start: 7pm Sign up: 6:30pm 8 minute slots (or two songs) The open stage is a safe space in accordance with the Tranzac code of conduct.
Each month, Ghostgirl (Aline Homzy, violinist) delves into a different ghost story from across Canada, crafting original compositions and ghost stories, and exploring improvisation alongside a diverse ensemble of musicians, including Allan Mackie on bass, Michael Davidson on vibes, Steven Noronha on piano, and others. From the ethereal melodies inspired by ghostly tales from Victoria, […]
“Cole can be coolly lyrical, he can write a controlled “classical” counterpoint, he can drop in some funk, and he can also let the improvisers loose in the stratosphere.” – Popmatters.com “The effect is both lyric and timeless, almost ambient, made by instrumental sounds as engaging as you might hear.” –Stuart Broomer, The Whole Note […]
Honeypaw invites you to share their journey as they turn unpublished wax cylinder recordings into a modern concert program with traditional instruments. Following the residency in October they will present the results in the Lithuanian villages where the wax cylinders were recorded.
Join the Toronto Klezmer Society on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 9:30-11:30 for our EPIC jam on Jewish folk music known as klezmer! Instrumentalists of all abilities are welcome to join in. Set lists and sheet music is available for download at http://www.torontoklezmersociety.com. We collect money on a PWYC basis to pay the […]
Strangetooth is a Toronto based bluegrass band known for their rich vocal harmonies, stellar picking, and eclectic song choices.
Makam Nights is an open space dedicated to sharing knowledge of makam music. Each session we will have different musicians join us in discussion and performance, so bring your curiosity, instruments and ideas to share! No limitations to instruments or training, we welcome experimentation and cross-cultural collaboration. This event is pay what you can, with […]
‘Chris Bezant Presents Django' brings together a selection of Toronto's heavyweights to celebrate and explore the impression that Django Reinhardt continues to leave on music today. Join Chris Bezant, Jonathan Meyer, Roberto Rosenman, and Mo Mitchell, as they peer through one of the countless facets of the jewel that is Django's legacy. Come find warmth […]
If you love to sing musical theatre or showtune songs then this is for you. Bring a friend, bring your sheet music, just come and listen, be inspired and just be you. This space is open to anyone that loves musical theatre. It’s a great way to work on song for an audition, to promote […]
Fergus Hambleton appears in the Southern Cross the third Sunday of every month... 2:30- 4:30. Fergus is a veteran of the Canadian music scene, having played a wide variety of music since 1967. A member of the Juno award winning Sattalites Fergus has played reggae, folk, jazz and rock over his career and has released […]
With lyrical guitar players, Bob Cohen and David Hines plus wild Mary Hanson on piano, Robert Priest digs into his eclectic catalogue of song/poems. Tuneful poetic, heavy, and light, with always a special guest.
Conversation - a Tranzac Jam is a weekly jam that invites musicians and dancers into a safe space where the only rule is be in the moment while creating music in community with others. Each week a house band starts off the night with a 45 minute set of music and then the floor is […]
the SPECIAL INTEREST group brings a new rhythm to songs of hope & struggle …. Infusing songs from civil rights, gospel, folk and protest movements with elements of folk, blues, rock, R&B, jazz, reggae & ska. Songs of social change, from picket lines and protest marches, addressing contemporary issues from peace to climate change to […]
Strangetooth is a Toronto based bluegrass band known for their rich vocal harmonies, stellar picking, and eclectic song choices.
Saxophonist and curator Karen Ng invites guests and collaborators every month to present a night of improvised music or music that lies outside expectations.
Molehill returns to the Tranzac to deliver our monthly slice of improvised minimalist dub music. This leap year edition will feature a trio set by Molehill lifers Jake Oelrichs (drums), Pete Johnston (electric stringed instrument), and Mike Smith (bass and electronics).
Isabel Fryszberg and The Uncommons Isabel and the Uncommons is a trio, featuring songwriter, singer, and guitarist Isabel Fryszberg, Steve Briggs (Russell DeCarle, Sylvia Tyson) on lead guitar, and Rebecca Campbell (the SPECIAL INTEREST group, Sultans of String, Lynn Miles) on harmonies, percussion, and harmonica . Visual artist and singer songwriter Isabel Fryszberg has written or co-written a diverse repertoire, inspired […]
Join host Phillip Vonesh on the 4th Saturday of every month, from 7:00 - 9:30 for an intimate night of music. Vonesh and two other songwriters will share songs, and chat about the process of writing, creating and making a life in music. Toronto-born Phillip Vonesh is an artist who follows his heart wherever it […]
This show’s called Between the Boots! This iteration of Between the Boots is a celebration of some of Toronto’s local musicians and poets. Five performances, five original sets. These performances are by Seasonal Birds, Desiree McKenzie, Mike McPhee, Almandrez, and the Between the Boots Crew. Come through!
The Furniture Music Composition Workshop is a monthly series (or space?) for composers either dealing with an idea that they're stuck on or with sounds that are impossible to realize through a computer. Hosted in the Tranzac's Living Room (usually) every 4th Sunday (usually) from 2-4pm (usually) we assemble a rotating panel of three skilled performer-composers […]
Precious Little Presents: Round the table we turn Contraptions and shenanigans. Storage and porridge, song-title geography. Improvisation and Omni-visualation. We're out in the workshop, hammer and saw, Phonometers in hand we measure and draw. Erasing the borders, the box opens wide. Where is the door? Turn it all on its side. David Woodhead / electric […]
Conversation - a Tranzac Jam is a weekly jam that invites musicians and dancers into a safe space where the only rule is be in the moment while creating music in community with others. Each week a house band starts off the night with a 45 minute set of music and then the floor is […]
A lifetime member and Columbia recording artist with the Perth County Conspiracy, Terry Jones has played innumerable concerts over 50 years, with various versions of this band, at small venues, concert halls and universities. In 1970 Terry played lead guitar in a musical, "The Line of Least Existence", alongside Danny Devito, Judd Hirsch, and members of The […]
NICK FRASER PRESENTS (JAZZ, IMPROVISED MUSIC): Nick Fraser has been an active and engaging presence in the Toronto new jazz and improvised music community since he moved there from Ottawa in 1995. He works with and presents with a veritable “who’s who” of Canadian jazz and improvised music. Downbeat Magazine: “Drummer Nick Fraser is a […]
Strangetooth is a Toronto based bluegrass band known for their rich vocal harmonies, stellar picking, and eclectic song choices.
The last Thursday of every month, hosts Surer Qaly and Chris Middleton invite their friends to do some stand up at the Tranzac. It'll start around 8 pm, but you should get there for 7:30 pm just in case. It will be a good time, promise.
The Ryan Driver Sextet specializes in the psychedelification of popular American songs from the 1920's through 1960's. They have been engaging in this task monthly since 1999, when they started playing as a quartet at Graffiti's in Kensington Market. The sextet plays only ballads, and almost always very slowly. That said, the interpretations are wildly […]
In Barbara’s music you can hear echoes of jazz, folk, blues, barrel-house boogie and old-time-religion hymns. She writes story telling songs, offering up intimate portraits of people's lives played in the old blues style on a parlour guitar or upright piano. A singer songwriter and interpreter, Clela’s vibrant blend of folk and jazz creates the […]
The Tranzac event calendar is updated regularly. Some events (such as private rehearsals, parties, and tentative events that are being contracted) are not displayed in the calendar. As such the calendar is not a comprehensive representation of venue availability. If you do not see your event in the calendar, please review our Event Promotion & Style Guide
This calendar was established in May 2023. To view an archived calendar with basic event information, please click here.
