Castro's

Thelonious Hank
2023-11-11 17:00 - 19:00, 2023-10-28 17:00 - 19:00, 2023-10-14 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Toronto)
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

Little Magic Sam
2023-11-10 17:30 - 19:30, 2023-10-27 17:30 - 19:30
When the world gets down on Little Magic Sam, he gets down on a Les Paul. Hailing from St.Thomas, ON, Sam Taylor is a born entertainer with a penchant for raw blues and soul music and lyrics that bely someone much older than his 29 years. With an enormous stage presence, it comes as no surprise that this multi-talented singer/songwriter has been performing internationally since the age of 7.

Mike Daley & Debbie Fleming
2023-11-09 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.
Debbie Fleming is a gem of a musician with many facets. A former Juno nominee, she is a singer, songwriter, producer, performer, director, arranger, contractor, vocal coach, and recording artist for her own Riverdale Records label, having devoted her talents to the Canadian music scene for many years.
Debbie’s deep love for all good music has led her to explore the essence of jazz, R & B, country, pop, roots, bluegrass and classical music both in her singing and her writing. Debbie has earned great respect and a solid reputation in all these areas — from adding her soprano voice to choirs such as The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, The Amadeus Choir, and the Hedgerow Singers, to singing and arranging backup vocals for major names in the music business.

Compassion Fatigue (Book Launch)
2023-11-08 21:00 - 23:00
Join us for the launch of Compassion Fatigue the latest book from Humberto da Silva.
About the book…A father comforts his young son, hoping against hope their last little island of the Azorean archipelago won’t be strip mined by the Singularity. A couple choose a cheap upload for the consciousness of their young daughter who is dying from a disease they can’t afford to cure. A tourist doing yoga on a Canary Island beach watches the distance diminish between himself and the African refugees landing on a European shore. A soldier is debriefed after witnessing unimaginable violence ending in an encounter with a mythical being. Humberto da Silva’s prophetic, disturbingly realized stories remind us of the bizarre, disorienting, and occasionally horrifying nature of life in the recent past, the weird present, and the fearful future. Humans are adaptable, love is enduring, but it will get weird. Compassion Fatigue is an unnerving, and occasionally funny, collection of speculative fiction.
About the author…Humberto da Silva’s work has published in Our Times, THIS Magazine, OnSpec, and Rampike. His story “Compassion Fatigue” was included in Best Canadian Short Stories (Oberon Press, 1992). He has flown millions of miles and visited world capitals, tourist resorts, and war zones, managing to retain his sense of humour along the way. Humberto da Silva lives in Toronto with his wife Lina, and black cat Montie.

Trivia Night @ Castros
2023-11-07 20:00 - 22:00
Join us for a fun and friendly trivia night at Castros. Free to play and prizes for the winners.

Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation
2023-11-06 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!

Michelle Rumball
2023-11-05 15:00 - 18:00
Michelle Rumball makes songs. She chases songs by other writers. And she sings them all with joy and conviction and a smile in her voice. Now, after a ground-breaking album with the legendary Grievous Angels, two previous solo records, and a sojourn in New Orleans, she’s back with a new collection of songs.
Time to make a list
Burn it up and move along
Time to sing a whole new kind of song
Time to see a sky of blue not grey or rain
They’re the opening lines of just one of the 11 songs on Years Behind, Michelle’s new record, and a new turning point in her life. Five of the songs on the record she made herself; others are love-letters to your heart from John Hiatt, Bob Dylan, Sting and Toronto songwriters Kevin Quain and Chris Staig.
And she sings all of them with heart and style.
Michelle is from Toronto’s maligned suburb of Scarborough — and proud of it — and she’s been a musician for as long as she can remember. Her powerful voice first emerged as the voice of the legendary Canadian acoustic rock band Grievous Angels. After two records and five years, a Juno nomination and countless gigs in coffee houses, clubs, concert and legion halls, bars and festivals across the country, she left to find her own voice and sing her own songs.

Danny Marks
2023-11-04 17:00 - 19:00, 2023-10-07 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.

DJ Rob
2023-11-03 22:00 - 2023-11-04 02:00, 2023-10-06 22:00 - 2023-10-07 02:00

Fraser / Daley
2023-11-03 17:30 - 19:30, 2023-10-20 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.

Mike Daley & Kevin Breit
2023-11-02 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.
Canadian guitarist Kevin Breit is an acclaimed, multi-dimensional performer whose adept skills bridge his love of jazz, blues, rootsy country twang, and experimental rock. Raised in McKerrow, a small town in Northern, Ontario, Breit began playing guitar at a young age, and by 17 had moved to Toronto. Once there, he began gigging, working with local bands and as a studio musician. Over the years, he has played with such highly regarded artists as Holly Cole, Cassandra Wilson, k.d. Lang, Janis Ian, the Wailin’ Jennys, and many more.
As a solo artist, he debuted in the late ’90s with two instrumental albums, Maybelle and Empty. More well-received efforts followed, including 2003’s Jubilee, 2007’s Burnt Bulb on Broadway, and 2010’s Simple Earnest Plea. Also during this period, he joined singer/pianist Norah Jones’ band, appearing on her acclaimed albums Don’t Know Why, Come Away with Me, and Feels Like Home.
In 2006, he took home his first Juno Award for his work with his jazz ensemble the Sisters Euclid’s album Run Neil Run.He then paired with fellow singer/guitarist Harry Manx for 2011’s Strictly Whatever on Stony Plain. The following year, he won his second Juno Award for Best Instrumental Album with his band Stretch Orchestra’s debut. Ernesto and Delilah followed in 2015, and featured contributions from vocalist Rebecca Jenkins. In 2017, the guitarist delivered the conceptual roots album Johnny Goldtooth and the Chevy Casanovas.

Sugar Rush
2023-10-29 15:00 - 18:00, 2023-10-13 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.

The 501 East
2023-10-23 20:00 - 22:00, 2023-10-09 20:00 - 22:00

Lucas Stagg & The Junctioneers
2023-10-22 15:00 - 18:00
Based in the heart of Toronto’s Junction, Stagg has toured endlessly and released over a dozen albums in the past two decades, each a reflection of his choice of the troubadour life. By turns confessional and narrative, the songs are presented in an unadorned performance style that throws their lyrical and melodic content into sharp relief. It’s edgy and cartoony; country, blues and rock ‘n’ roll.

Left Turn (with Mike Sedgewick & Juliett Ann)
2023-10-21 17:00 - 19:00
What happens when a seasoned blues band steps outside the genre and covers all the hits from the past few decades in pop, rock, funk, R&B? You get Left Turn. Born out of the popular Friday Night Blues Jam, the house band decided that they needed an act that would allow them to combine all of the different influences the members bring to the table. One song to the next is a complete left turn from covers of: Lenny Kravitz, Beatles, Radiohead, Amy Winehouse, Rolling Stones, Bill Withers, GnR, Doobie Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, AC/DC, Hendrix, 4 Non Blondes, Tina Turner, etc. This high energy act plays with the conviction of a blues band, which creates a unique vibe and experience for the listener. This band has been gaining attention with a standout debut performance at the 2023 East York Blues Festival. Come and see what all the buzz is about! The band is made up of the powerhouse vocals of Juliet Ann, searing guitar chops of Mike Sedgewick, thundering bass of Tex Bach, and solid groove of Paul Domanski.

Mike Daley & Greg Wyard
2023-10-19 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.
An extraordinary singer, bassist, guitarist, and songwriter, Greg Wyard is the premier solo performer in the GTA, with thousands of gigs under his belt. He has toured and performed the music of the Beatles at some of the most prestigious theatres in North America and is a successful singer and songwriter in his own right, with four albums of original material.

Steve Good's Hank Williams Tribute
2023-10-15 15:30 - 17:30
An evening of tribute to Hank Williams.

The Halloweiners
2023-10-13 20:30 - 23:00
The Halloweiners play nostalgic songs of October’s past, decorated in full costume. Soon to become and annual tradition, you will not want to miss their debut show!

Mike Daley & Wayne DeAdder
2023-10-12 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.

Po' Boy Jeffreys & Calamity Jane
2023-10-06 17:30 - 19:30
Po’Boy Jeffreys is a folk music group revitalize roots music through their energetic performance and unique style, whilst maintaining integrity and nostalgia through their use of traditional instruments.

Mike Daley & Selena Evangeline
2023-10-05 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.
Growing up with the sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Chaka Khan, Prince, Sting, Janet Jackson and Stevie Wonder helped shape the artist that is Selena Evangeline. She was a grand prize finalist in Caribbean Idol in 2011 and the winner of Avon’s first-ever Global Talent Search – Avon Voices. As a songwriter, her snapshots of real life have won her an Ontario Independent Music Award for Best Urban, an honourable mention in the 2007 and 2008 John Lennon Songwriting contest, and had nine of her songs from “This Girl’s Life” (her debut album as Selena 7tySix) featured on CTV’s “Da Kink In My Hair”.

Tom Waits Appreciation Congregation (CANCELLED)
2023-10-02
NO BAND TONIGHT
