Castro's

Mike Daley & Eric Schenkman
2024-05-02 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto)
Mike Daley is a guitarist and singer based in Toronto. A professional musician for over 30 years, Mike has toured Canada, the United States and England and has recorded extensively in a variety of musical styles. He is a longtime member of Fraser/Daley with bassist Alec Fraser and is also proud to work with a variety of bands around Toronto including the Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation, the Travellers and others.
You may have seen Eric Schenkman onstage before thousands of fans worldwide with the Spin Doctors. He is one of the band’s not-so-secret weapons — a vital songwriter and virtuoso
guitarist who crafted the ‘90s band and co-wrote all five of their Top 100 hits. He also worked with Chico Hamilton, Carly Simon, Natalie Merchant, Noel Redding, Phoebe Snow and Corky Laing, among many other notable musicians.

Fraser / Daley
2024-05-03 17:30 - 19:30, 2024-05-17 17:30 - 19:30, 2024-05-31 17:30 - 19:30
A popular concert and recording act for over 14 years, Toronto-based Fraser/Daley has released three CDs of original music and performed widely, consistently entertaining audiences with their large and varied repertoire, big sound and spontaneous sense of fun. Alec Fraser hails from Glasgow, Scotland and is a respected bassist and Juno and Maple Blues Award winner. Mike Daley was dubbed by Jeff Healey ‘one of Canada’s finest guitarists’ and has a long list of live and studio credits. Alec and Mike met while working in Healey’s touring band in the mid-2000s and found that they enjoyed singing together after the gig. In 2008 they began playing together regularly in Toronto as Alec perfected a unique bass-drums combination instrument that gives this duo the unmistakable sound of a trio. Their three albums, Fraser/Daley, The Whole Fam Damily and Fifty Miles of Elbow Room have garnered steady sales and strong airplay on blues and folk radio, and Alec and Mike have become sought after for their versatile performances, playing everything from intimate house concerts to street dances. Learn more at fraserdaley.com.

DJ Rob
2024-05-03 22:00 - 2024-05-04 02:00

Thelonious Hank
2024-05-04 17:00 - 19:00, 2024-06-01 17:00 - 19:00
Thelonious Hank plays your father’s country, rock n’ roll, and jazz. They don’t use set lists and they take requests all day long

North Star 90
2024-05-05 15:00 - 18:00
NORTH STAR 90 is a 4-piece band formed over the past few years in Toronto’s east end, and they’ve been creating a buzz with their surefire selection of ‘90s rock/pop classics! Covering popular songs by iconic artists of the era (STP, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains, Green Day, Tragically Hip, 54-40), as well as a few forgotten gems, they’ve been steadily impressing crowds with their solid set-list! If you’re a fan of ‘90s alt-rock music, you’re sure to enjoy this band’s great energy and groove!

Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation
2024-05-06 19:30 - 22:00, 2024-06-03 19:30 - 22:00
The Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation (TWAC) comprise of some of the best musicians in all of Toronto coming together for their love of Tom Waits and paying Tribute to him and his music!

Trivia Night @ Castros
2024-05-07 19:00 - 22:00, 2024-06-04 19:00 - 22:00
Join us for a fun and friendly trivia night on the 1st Tuesday of every month at Castros. Free to play and prizes for the winners.

CHATTY WEDNESDAY'S
2024-05-08 17:30 - 20:30, 2024-05-15 17:30 - 20:30
Join us every Wednesday for a time of socializing with old friends and new ones you haven’t met yet.

Daley/Fraser
2024-05-09 18:00 - 20:00
Mike Daley is a guitarist and singer based in Toronto. A professional musician for over 30 years, Mike has toured Canada, the United States and England and has recorded extensively in a variety of musical styles. He is a longtime member of Fraser/Daley with bassist Alec Fraser and is also proud to work with a variety of bands around Toronto including the Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation, the Travellers and others.
Born in Glasgow,Scotland and immigrating in 1967, Alec Fraser Jr has been playing bass fifty years in Canada and around the world. He has played bass with international artists such as Bo Diddley, The Drifters, Kim Wilson, Ian Gillian (Deep Purple), Muddy Water’s drummer Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel), Ben. E King, Walter Trout,Ron Sexsmith, and Mel Brown as well as Canadian artists like Jeff Healey, David Wilcox, Jack de Keyser, Morgan Davis,Randy Bachman, Steve Strongman, Danny Marks, Jerome Godboo, Rick Fines, Jimmy Bowskill, Powder Blues Band, Downchild Blues Band and Gospel singer Danny Brooks and Newfoundland singer/songwriter Ron Hynes. These credits have helped earn him the 2004 and 2009 Maple Blues Bassist of the Year award as well as the MBA Lifetime Achievement nomination for several years in a row.

Sugar Rush
2024-05-10 17:30 - 19:30, 2024-05-24 17:30 - 19:30
Sugar Rush is the ultimate party band, playing really fun, upbeat covers spanning different genres from classic rock, funk, soul, blues, country, jazz, disco, 80s, motown, hard rock, reggae, oldies, R&B, and folk! Get ready for a full evening of dancing, singalongs and just really good music!
Sugar Rush has been a GTA staple since 2007, returning to the circuit after a brief hiatus, familiar to many a musician and music fan for their jam nights at the Curzon, their Friday night residency at the Loaded Dog, beach parties and corporate events. Anchored by Frankie Dee and Tony Carpino with a rotation of top notch players with special surprise guests and currently featuring Gary Lee Hill. This dynamic crew brings all the best classic rock, funk, soul, blues and much more to keep the floor filled. Always guaranteed sweet sounds with Sugar Rush.

Will Whitwham
2024-05-11 18:00 - 20:00
Will Whitwham is one of Canada’s most prolific and talented singer/songwriters. As a founding member of the Wilderness of Manitoba, he has written and recorded five albums and three EPs. The group was nominated for a JUNO award. The Wilderness of Manitoba toured Canada, the US, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany including performances at the End of the Road Festival, WOMAD, SXSW and the Reeperbahn Festival.
He has also written and recorded two albums as Lake Forest, an EP for the Whateverly Brothers, an album for Pyramid Tropic, and collaborated with recording artists Martha Johnson, Eamon McGrath and Delhi 2 Dublin. The Wilderness of Manitoba was nominated for Sync Artist or Songwriter of the Year at the first Canadian Sync Awards during Canadian Music Week. Their songs (written by Whitwham) have appeared in such US television series as This Is Us, Elementary, Parenthood and No Tomorrow among others. Whitwham’s next project is an EP under his own name called End of Dreams.

Lotus Wight
2024-05-13 19:00 - 21:00
Folk Musician
In the decades which book-ended the turn of our century, Lotus Wight embraced the music over which he had obsessed since his childhood. He dwelled in the cradles of their conception and birth. The Carolinas, the Mississippi Valley, West Virginia, Kentucky, and New England fed him the sounds of tradition and helped to form his musical life.
Known for his soulful singing and inimitable playing of guitar and banjo, Lotus’ remarkable live performances always include something unusual. If it is jaw-harp, an old forgotten chant or a bass harmonica on a chest-rack, Wight will always find a unique way to present the work that he clearly loves so much. Wight will always surprise his audience with his ability to move through the American musical cannon with remarkable originality in his delivery and instrumentation.
He is a singer of pre-war blues and banjo songs. Between these seemingly distant cousins, Lotus Wight travels these analogous roads and delivers his music in a seamless and well-curated mix.
Lotus is also a member of the international touring act Shesesham, Lotus and Son and has produced recordings for children’s television, animation projects, and JUNO award winner Jenny Whiteley.

Mike Daley & Teddy Hawkins
2024-05-16 18:00 - 20:00
Mike Daley is a guitarist and singer based in Toronto. A professional musician for over 30 years, Mike has toured Canada, the United States and England and has recorded extensively in a variety of musical styles. He is a longtime member of Fraser/Daley with bassist Alec Fraser and is also proud to work with a variety of bands around Toronto including the Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation, the Travellers and others.
Drummer, singer, raconteur, man about town. Front man for Thelonius Hank and The Hulagoons (Canada’s #1 faux Hawaiian ensemble). Plays drums with Danny Marks Combo and the Root Down Trio. Originally from The Hammer and played way back in the day with Mike Daley in Hocus Pocus and The Jack Diamond Band.

catl.
2024-05-18 20:30 - 22:30
catl. are probably one of the last rock n’ roll bands from Toronto. The duo have released five full-length records to critical acclaim and have been touring both North America and Europe for a decade. You know that feeling of walking into a space knowing that you’re looking good, have that swagger, and everything you say is going to be cool? That’s exactly what catl inspires. If you need a boost of self-confidence during this time of insecurity, sport a leather jacket, pour yourself a whiskey, and mouth the lyrics with a stiff upper lip.

Gary Lee Hill featuring Stacie Tabb
2024-05-19 15:00 - 18:00
Join Gary Lee Hill, Stacie Tabb and killer rhythm section for an evening of rocking tunes.
Stacie Tabb – Vocals & Percussion
Gary Lee Hill – Guitar & Vocals
Mark McIntyre – Bass
Wilson Laurencin – Drums
with special guest Frankie Dee

The 501 East
2024-05-20 19:00 - 21:00

Mike Daley & Dave Murphy
2024-05-23 18:00 - 20:00
Mike Daley is a guitarist and singer based in Toronto. A professional musician for over 30 years, Mike has toured Canada, the United States and England and has recorded extensively in a variety of musical styles. He is a longtime member of Fraser/Daley with bassist Alec Fraser and is also proud to work with a variety of bands around Toronto including the Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation, the Travellers and others.
Dave Murphy has recorded and performed worldwide for a wide variety of Canadian acts, beginning his career as a young musician with a five year stint as keyboardist for Canadian rock legend “Romping” Ronnie Hawkins. Since forming in 1993, the Dave Murphy Band has performed over 3000 times. The band’s mastery of a wide range of styles earned them opening spots for diverse acts like James Brown and The Barenaked Ladies. The band was the house band for four years running at the Collingwood Elvis Festival, and was enlisted by the Canadian government to perform separate shows for both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.
The band has released two independent CDs of all original material showcasing their wide range of musical interests. Dave also performed with the late, great Canadian guitar virtuoso Jeff Healey during the last five years of his tragically short life. Dave worked as the bandleader of Jeff’s house band for his weekly shows at the club, a band Jeff affectionately called “the best damned bar band in Canada!” Dave also toured world wide with Jeff and performed on Jeff’s two final record releases, the award-winning Mess of Blues and Songs

Danny Marks
2024-05-25 17:00 - 19:00
This iconic rocker’s roots go back to the sixties as a founding member of Capitol Records’ group, Edward Bear. After a span as a journey man session musician throughout the seventies, Danny settled in to the club scene, establishing a cult following as a genre bender in music and humor.
A house band gig at Toronto’s famed Albert’s Hall led him to host his own nation-wide TV show, Stormy Monday. Through the eighties, Danny starred in CBC radio’s hit series the Hum Line.
Most recently, Danny Marks recorded two original music albums, Guitarchaeology and True, before paying tribute to Toronto’s R&B roots with Big Town Boy in 2005.
Danny’s in his thirteenth year as the radio host of JAZZ.FM91’s Saturday night blues show, bluz.fm.
As a child, young Danny would lock himself in his room with a stack of 45’s, an old Seabreeze record player, and a fantasy of having his own radio show. More than a few years later this pre-pubescent propensity paid off.

Melanie Petersen
2024-05-25 20:00 - 22:00
Melanie Peterson has been referred to as “Mary Poppins with a broken heart” by BBC Radio and has been recognized as having “a beautiful voice” and being a “terrific songwriter” by Joe Warmington of the Toronto Sun. Melanie initially moved to Toronto to pursue a career in acting. Between acting jobs she often picked up the Gibson guitar her father had given her as a parting gift. She soon began the second leg of her artistic journey: songwriting and performing her songs live. In 2016 Melanie received her second FACTOR grant which she used to record an original holiday single, which was released to radio stations worldwide. The single, titled Santa’s Sleigh was produced by award winning producer Chris Birkett.

Rob Quail Trio
2024-05-26 15:00 - 18:00

Mike Daley & Wayne DeAdder
2024-05-30 18:00 - 20:00
Mike Daley is a guitarist and singer based in Toronto. A professional musician for over 30 years, Mike has toured Canada, the United States and England and has recorded extensively in a variety of musical styles. He is a longtime member of Fraser/Daley with bassist Alec Fraser and is also proud to work with a variety of bands around Toronto including the Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation, the Travellers and others.
Wayne DeAdder is a “musician extraordinary” and a JUNO nominated songwriter. Wayne has contributed his inspirational talent to dozens of American and Canadian bands and solo artists. He has worked with the likes of Michael Pickett, Jeff Healey, David Wilcox, and Richard Bell (The Band, Bonnie Raitt), and written songs for two-time JUNO nominee Johnny Max Band, and Project 360, among others. He also toured in Europe in 2010 with the JUNO nominated band of an award winning singer and song writer Jimmy Bowskill.

Morgan Davis
2024-06-02 15:00 - 18:00
For nearly four decades Morgan Davis has been on the road travelling across Canada, the United States and Europe. His performances draw from a rich tradition of country blues, as well as his own contemporary songs infused with wit and a large dose of humour.

Mike Daley & Charlotte McAfee-Brunner
2024-06-06 18:00 - 20:00
Mike Daley is a guitarist and singer based in Toronto. A professional musician for over 30 years, Mike has toured Canada, the United States and England and has recorded extensively in a variety of musical styles. He is a longtime member of Fraser/Daley with bassist Alec Fraser and is also proud to work with a variety of bands around Toronto including the Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation, the Travellers and others.
Charlotte McAfee-Brunner is an award-winning trombonist, bandleader and vocalist Charlotte McAfee-Brunner has been making waves on the Toronto music scene recently. Her bands include: Charlotte McAfee-Brunner and her Fireflies, Grapevine and Trombone charlotte’s Tiger Band. Accomplished in several musical styles, she continues to perform as a sideman with many other excellent groups in Toronto, infusing any room with an undeniable energy. She is a part of the Happy Pals, Combo Royale, Thomas Steele’s 10tet, Dennis Kwok Jazz Orchestra, The Magnolia Brass Band and has been featured with many other groups. With her heart-stopping vocals and compelling trombone solos, Charlotte McAfee-Brunner is a jazz musician and performer you won’t forget and is regularly featured in some of the hottest venues in town.
