ORKESTAR KRIMINAL “Imagine a 10-member gender-balanced band that sources material from the criminal underworld a century ago, performing songs in eight languages with quirky instrumentation and a punk attitude" - Edmonton Journal "They’re the frenetic, hyperbolic version of the wildest live show you don’t have the musical vocabulary to lie to your kids about catching. […]
Cosmic Homeostasis XXIII an afternoon of ambient interstellar electroacoustic drift vibes Sunday, March 31, 2024 / 5:00 p.m. (later-than-usual start!) / The Tranzac PWYC / all are welcome / help us listen to whispers from space You are invited to take in an afternoon of ambient interstellar electroacoustic drift vibes. Following the dictates of the […]
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 […]
Devin Patten's the Afton Project returns to perform new original works as well as a couple selections from his most recent record. Paired with arrangements of a few beautiful songs from great singer songwriters like Gabriel Kahane, Allegra Krieger, Andy Shauf and local Toronto artists like Justin Orok, Adina Vlasov and Melissa Paju
Improvised music from some of the finest artists in the city led by guitarist Nilan Perera featuring Adrian Russouw (contrabasse), Rick Sacks (drum kit/percussion) and Marilyn Yogarajah (piano)
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.
Egyptian vocalist & producer Nadah El Shazly returns to Toronto in duo with harpist Sarah Pagé. Supported by experimental electronic musician Khôra celebrating their LP release and Finno-Baltic neofolk duo Honeypaw. El Shazly (Land of Kush) mixes seeds of traditional Egyptian music with contemporary electronic & synthesized sounds. Playing with improvised forms she builds songs […]
A series presenting emerging or underappreciated songwriters, paired with carefully curated bands making music together for the first time. The featured artist of the week will explore their history through a mix of original songs and covers, while making connections with a diverse array backing musicians from various corners of the Toronto music community. For […]
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 […]
The Holy Oak Family Singers present visiting artist Xu Shaoyang celebrating a new 7" release. HOFS will open the night with a tribute to Tori Kudo's ensemble Maher Shalal Hash Baz.
Strangetooth is a Toronto based bluegrass band known for their rich vocal harmonies, stellar picking, and eclectic song choices.
Ben E. Wood's Birthday Show with Mel Udell! Thursday April 4th, join us for a "groove-while-u-grieve" night of music from Mel Udell (@all.is.mel ) and Ben E. Wood (@weakoldbaby ) The "hi" button has been pressed down on the blender that contains all of the ingredients for a funny/sad music smoothie. "Hello!" we reply. "Happy […]
Tania Gill (piano), Doug Tielli (trombone and singing), Michael Davidson (vibraphone) and Rob Clutton (bass) will perform music by legendary composer, pianist and bandleader Carla Bley, who passed away October 17, 2023 at the age of 87. This performance will be a tribute to Carla, and will include pieces from her albums Tropic Appetites and […]
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 […]
Join Portraitures and Joey O'Neil for an evening of indie jazz/folk music. Portraitures band will be comprised of Mags Gibson on vocals, Mark Scherzinger on Guitar, Teagan Larmand on bass, and Steph Duchesne on drums. It would be so lovely to see ya there.
Sun Milk (formerly known as decoration day) join Alex Samaras' Tryal for a night of surreal folk and beautiful songs.
Bassist Luke Vajsar plays original loop style bass music in styles of funk, jazz, psychedelic, lounge with percussive beats at Tranzac. Performance will be in a trio format featuring Andrew Vaisar and Avi Iyer on percussive beats.
Howard Gladstone Band are back at the Tranzac, this month with special guest singer/songwriter Lynn Harrison. Howard Gladstone performs his unique original folk/roots songs with flavours of blues/jazz/world and other sounds, accompanied by a great group: Tony Quarrington (guitars, vocal), Laura Fernandez (vocal, piano), Bob Cohen (bass) and Ambrose Pottie (drums). Themes range from reflections […]
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.” Paired with the sweet sounds of Burke Carroll’s pedal steel and resophonic guitars, these songs take on the aura […]
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. Dave Clark Presents! Alli Sunshine & Dave Bidini. All three artists will perform solo sets of their original songs. Alli […]
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.
Toronto Ravel Study is a monthly gathering of professional and amateur musicians and composers who come together to study great orchestral scores, just for the love of doing so. Now in it's 11th year, the Ravel study was begun in Los Angeles by composer Ron Jones (Family Guy, Star Trek Next Generation...) with the study […]
Two sets from 7-9pm, ft. 9/10 of a full D-DB, as we warm up/prepare for the LP/DL release of Pita Parka, Pt. I: Xam Egdub via Ansible Editions on Fri. May 3rd (stay tuned for news re: a Main Hall release party in mid-May!) Jay Anderson - Roland Handsonic (1st set) Josh Cole - electric […]
“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 “Cole plays an extremely strange, distorted solo" - Art Music Lounge Josh Cole presents... a two bass hit! Rob Clutton - double bass Josh […]
2X polaris nominated, Canada’s beloved experimental pop group BERNICE is the project of Robin Dann (voice, songs) with her longtime collaborators Thom Gill (keyboards), Philippe Melanson (e-percussion), Daniel Fortin (bass) and Felicity Williams (voice). For more than a decade, the band has made music which wanders into r&b, neo-soul, and free music, and coalesces through […]
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 […]
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.
Second generation minimalist composer Arnold Dreyblatt returns to Toronto for the first time in over 15 years for a collaboration with local musicians forming an Orchestra of Excited Strings. Dreyblatt (compositions, upright bass), will work with cellist Amahl Arulanandam (Thin Edge New Music Collective, VC2), violinist Laura C. Bates (Volur), and percussionist Brandon Valdivia (Mas […]
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.
The Chris Langan Traditional Irish Music Weekend is an annual Toronto festival with concerts and workshops featuring some of the finest Irish music artists and teachers from around the world and our own great city. Saturday features workshops, sessions, a ceili and a gala concert.
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 […]
Illarra and Hikaya band will be on stage at The TRANZAC on April 12 at 7:30pm Be ready to listen to some Arabian music fusion from all around the Arabian peninsula (Saudi, Yemen, Kuwait, and Bahrain) reimagined and rearranged by Illarra and Peter Henry Holbrook who's a jazz pianist. Illarra will also share some originals […]
Musica Universalis Apr 12th southern cross lounge Sarah Peebles - sho/cracklebox Jay Hay - Bass Clarinet Colin Fisher - Guitar/effects
The Chris Langan Traditional Irish Music Weekend is an annual Toronto festival with concerts and workshops featuring some of the finest Irish music artists and teachers from around the world and our own great city. Saturday features workshops, sessions, a ceili and a gala concert.
Hey gang, spring is here & that can only mean Ayal Senior & Friends Residency returns to the Tranzac in April with Edition #4 in '24. As always, I am humbled, honoured & psyched to be duo-ing w/ the great Kurt Newman, who just dropped the phenomenal new LP, Cagey Doves, which you must grip! […]
Reception for DIORAMA DRAMAS: Playfully Exploring Big Issues. Join photo artist Martha Davis as she presents five photographs of her mixed media dioramas, in larger than life format! Davis uses a playful and lighthearted touch as she explores such challenging issues as Climate change, Technology overload, Animal welfare, and the Childcare crisis. This mini-show is […]
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 […]
Chris Birkett ‘s birthday party and concert with Brian Morgan and special guests at the Tranzac, Southern Cross Room on April 14th from 7:30 to 9:30pm. Come and celebrate the 50th anniversary of his 21st birthday. Chris and Brian will be playing some of their original songs as well as several favourite covers. All are […]
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.
The "It's too late!" Late Show Masquerade Cabaret Presents: Grandma's First Drag Show Featuring: THE UNIVERSAL THEORY OF A**HOLES An ageless, genderless visualization of cognition and psychological abuseabuse Accompanied by: CODEPENDENT KARAOKE Karaoke sign-up / Reserve tickets at Ticketleap Mask-making station and fake-name generators will be available at the costume / craft pre-party. Performers agree […]
Duo Cichorium is making People Soup! Each month, a new and interesting “soup” will be made depending on the “ingredients” (ie, the artists) participating! They will begin their residency at the Tranzac with LOUD MINESTRONE. They will be joined by Trevor Flemings, Hillary Jean Young, and Nolan Hildebrand.
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.
‘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 […]
An evening with singer-songwriters Annabelle Chvostek and Mike Evin. Annabelle and Mike will each be playing solo sets and sitting in with each other. Annabelle is a Juno-nominated singer-songwriter, composer and producer whose musical achievements span across multiple genres. She has composed music for dance and film, co-written songs with Bruce Cockburn, and toured the […]
Get ready for an evening of musical storytelling, spell-casting and adventure, as Elena Spanu & Xefira share original fiddle tunes and find common ground in their compositional journeys. Join us for a foot-stomping, genre-twisting good time!
Arts organizations across the city face challenging times, and the Tranzac is not immune. Join us in sustaining and enhancing the Tranzac and the impact we make across so many artistic communities. We begin our fundraising efforts with a concert on April 20th at 8pm, featuring Sandro Perri & Friends, Masahiro Takahashi, and Anne Bourne. […]
Sarah Belle Reid & Ryan Gaston with Michael Palumbo & Adam Tindale Saturday, April 20 5:00PM Tranzac 292 Brunswick Ave. Toronto PWYCA $10, $15, $20 P Sarah Belle Reid is a performer-composer who plays trumpet, modular synthesizer, and an ever-growing collection of handcrafted electronic instruments. Her unique musical voice explores the intersections between contemporary classical […]
Using a variety of vintage guitars, acoustic steel guitars, resonator, mandocello and more, Don Rooke and Kevin Breit will perform selections from their latest recording, Bloom. “Truly a beautiful album— the compositions, the playing, and the recording quality are stunning. What I love the most is how it captures the musical intimacy between these musicians. […]
Cachada is the sound of modern Salvadoran cumbia; a handpicked selection of pan-Latin musicians from Toronto's Latin, jazz, and urban music scenes. The group performs a repertoire of strictly original music that fuses hip hop, reggae, and Latin jazz into their traditional cumbia sound; creating one of the most fun and interesting Latin dance bands […]
Artsy Fartsy Comic Con is a comic book and comic creator focused event. Comic books, graphic novels, kids books, original art and more will be in focus and presented by the mainstream and indie talents who created them. Come to the Tranzac and find some new and exciting books to read and enjoy.
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 […]
Join us for an evening of three singer-songwriters who share a common practice in writing songs that deal with matters of the heart. Sarah Jerrom is an accomplished vocalist, pianist, composer, and arranger specializing in jazz and creative music, taking her inspiration from lyric-driven melodies, genre-defying instrumentation and experimental soundscapes. Sarah’s expressive singing, playing and […]
Silver Pools is the project of Canadian poet, singer-songwriter, & multi-instrumentalist Todd Macdonald (The Winks, Norvaiza). Rubbing sounds together to make a flame, Macdonald’s songs reach into glittering caves of sadness and under the blankets of hope.
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.
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 […]
Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night), Canada’s most diverse & brave poetry reading + open mic series, celebrates its 100th event during the poetry month Featured poets: Rasiqra Revulva & Andy Lee + Open Mic for poetry in any language Host: Bänoo Zan Time: Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Place: Living Room, Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto, […]
Children at heart who love comedic, poetic, theatric, yet at times serious storytelling alongside truly magical music, should prepare themselves for the surprising world of Ronley Teper. Teper invites a rotating roster of some of the finest musicians to publicly improvise around her storytelling that cycle through many influences from folk, funk, jazz, cabaret, cinematic, […]
Joe Strutt is celebrating his 50th birthday in style, with live performances from Eucalyptus, Isla Craig + band, and Colin Fisher. All are welcome to hang out / celebrate. PWYC at the door (suggested $15, notaflof). no presents / just presence
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.
Marilyn Lerner-piano and Matt Brubeck-cello, in dialogue, compositions and improvisations. Join us for an evening of sublimity.
Come on out for a warm up of the 2024 Tottenham Bluegrass Festival that will be held June 21-23 2024. The Barrel Boys and Denis LePage and HighBank will be on stage to give you a taste of what's in store at this year's festival. We'll be drawing for a pair of weekend tickets to […]
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).
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 […]
Isabel & the Uncommons are back this 4th Saturday and we are excited to have Logan W. McNeil joining the Uncommons on mandolin and special guest singer/songwriter Lynn Harrison! Long time Tranzac host of the Bridge, Lynn Harrison is a very well seasoned and accomplished singer songwriter who released her 7th album "Treasure," in 2023. […]
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 […]
William, Keon and Colin are going to play a set of piano trio, then Max Stover will join the trio for the second set.
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 […]
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 […]
Thom Gill and Luka Kuplowsky head up a rotating crew of Toronto artists for eclectic and intimate tribute nights. Reimagining the songbooks of lumaniraries (Arthur Russell, Judee Sill, Roches, The McGarrigles) and local legends alike. Basic Categories: Singer-songwriter, Folk
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.
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.
