Club Listings & other Venues
(Listed Alphabetically)

(updated: December 2011)


        jump to Concert Venues
        (coffee houses & concert halls)


        The Folk Clubs (& open stage venues):  
 

The Acoustic Harvest Folk Club
Toronto's East End, Beaches and Bluffs folk club.
at the St. Nicholas Anglican Church
(corner of Kingston Rd. and Manderley Rd)
note: this is a new location (as of September 2006), 1 block east of the old one

Concert series: all start at 8pm (doors open at 7:30)
schedule available at the Acoustic Harvest Website
Admission: (usually)$12. Students are half price..
For further information email Lillian Wauthier (lillianw@interlog.com).
(see also Fiddles & Frets Concert Series)
 
 

 

The Black Walnut Folk Club
of Kitchener-Waterloo*
at The Mill Courtland Community Centre
216 Mill Street, Kitchener, Ontario (at Mill and Stirling)
3rd Friday of the month, September through June at 8 pm.
For information, call Jakki Annerino (519) 742-2584    or E-mail:   Wayne Cheater
Open stage format (2-song sets) plus a feature set, usually to begin the evening. Adm: $3
(wheelchair accessible & smoke-free)       website      map

              

 

Brantford logo
at the Brant Park Inn/Best Western Hotel
19 Holiday Dr., Brantford. N3T 5W5
(at the Hwy 403 and Wayne Gretzky Parkway interchange)
Every other Friday at 8:30 PM, September through June.
Run by Don & Brenda McGeoch. (519) 759-7676.
Website: http://www.Brantford.folk.on.ca/index.htm
Email: brantfordfolk@execulink.com
Open stage format (2-song sets). Some concerts.
Adm: $3 (performers free)
(wheelchair accessible & smoke-free)
map

Go here for a newspaper article about the club, published September 18, 2002    

November, 2005. The Brantford Folk Club is undergoing a major change. At the end of 2005, the club will cease to be an open stage venue. Don & Brenda McGeoch started the club 23 years ago, and through their committment and devotion have made it perhaps the most successful club around, with a significant audience component and an international reputation.
The final open stage session will take place on Friday, December 2, 2005.
                    
Beginning in 2006, the
Brantford Folk Club name will be associated with a series of "Artists On Stage" concerts in conjunction with Brantford's Sanderson Centre.
                    
Many of the regular participants have expressed the hope that someone will carry on the open stage tradition, and Dave Jensen has stepped in to organize a new club, to be known as the Brantford Open Stage. It has been arranged that the new club will be able to carry on in the same place and with the same schedule.
                    
The first session took place on Friday, January 6, 2006.
(see below)

 

Brantford Open Stage logo
at the Brant Park Inn/Best Western Hotel

19 Holiday Dr., Brantford. N3T 5W5
(at the Hwy 403 and Wayne Gretzky Parkway interchange)
Every other Friday at 8:30 PM, September through June.
Run by Dave Jensen.  519-752-0453
Website is here

Email:    dave4446@rogers.com
or:   jeremiah@bfree.on.ca
Open stage format (2-song sets).
Adm: $4 (performers free)
(wheelchair accessible & smoke-free)

map

 

British Isles Traditional Folk Music Pub Sessions
at the Golden Kiwi, 47 Dickson St, Cambridge.
Hosted by Tethera on the first & third Sunday of each month from September until June, from 3 - 5 pm.
Informal gatherings of like minded musicians, playing together in a pub setting for fun!
The repertoire consists of mainly - though not exclusively - English music, with a focus on tune playing.
This is group playing, not a singaround format.
Inquiries: Brad McEwen

                  
                      
                    
Cuckoo's Nest Folk Club usually a (non-smoking) concert series beginning at 7:30 (doors open at 6:45)
usually on Sundays at Chaucer's Pub, 122 Carling St., London, Ontario
Website: http://www.cuckoosnest.folk.on.ca E-mail: folk@iandavies.com Reserving in advance is recommended as Chaucer's Pub has limited seating.
Reservations can be made by calling 473-2099 or e-mail folk@iandavies.com

map

                     
                       

Fat Albert's Coffee House*
at the United Steelworkers Of America Union Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto
open stage on Wednesday evenings
7 pm - set-up and open stage sign up      8 - 11:30 pm or so - performances w/ afeature set around 9 pm
a donation of $2 is requested        non-smoking venue    info:  Tony at (416) 531-9730
& at last a website:  http://www.angelfire.com/folk/fatalberts/

 

 

First Friday Fiddle Jams  -  Orangeville

in the Friendship Room at   Westminster United Church
247 Broadway
first Friday of the month from 7 pm to 11 pm.
All instruments are welcome. Bring a pop or a coffee if you wish, and be prepared to enjoy some great music.

For more information contact Eleanor: fiddlee@hotmail.com


 

Flying Cloud Folk Club
at the TRANZAC (292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto)
(between Bathurst and Spadina, just south of Bloor)
Sunday evenings, usually a concert venue
E-mail: flyingcloudfolk@gmail.com    or phone:  416 410 FOLK (aka 3655)
Website:    www.flyingcloudfolk.ca/
 

Folkway Music
163 Suffolk Street West, Guelph, Ontario, Canada


Folkway Music is a small (35 people max.) performing space
that masquerades as an instrument repair shop during the day.
Check the website for concert schedule, workshops and jams
Call 519-763-5524 to reserve a seat.
website:     www.folkwaymusic.com
 
 

Fonthill Coffee House
at the Pelham Old Town Hall on Canboro Road (near Centre Street), Fonthill, Ontario
2nd Friday of the month at 7:30 PM, September through June.
Open stage format (2-song sets), with a feature set.

Admission is $3 (children free).     It's non-alcoholic and smoke free.
Information:  Graeme: 905-563-1226   or   Jim: 905-892-0732

website                         map
 

Free Times Cafe*
320 College Street, Toronto, Ontario. 416-967-1078
open stage Monday evenings, all year long
Sign-up time is 6:45 pm & Start time is 7:00 pm
Recommended that you get there early to sign up & play. Guest Host every week

 

The Great Claude Fiddle and Folk Jam
Claude Church, 15175 Hurontario Street, Caledon, 3.5 km north of
Held on the third Friday of each month at 7:30 pm 
All musicians, folk & fiddle afficionados most welcome! No admission fee.
Occasional concerts will also be scheduled
Telephone: Claude Presbyterian Church: 905-838-3512
or Elizabeth Szekeres:  905-843-2749
    email:  wjeg@3web.net

 

Greenbank Folk Music Society
In Uxbridge
1st Sunday of each month

The Greenbank Folk Music Society is a volunteer, non-profit group that has been dedicated to bringing the best Canadian roots and traditional folk and blues music to small town Ontario since 1993. The season consists of monthly concerts October to May, held in the Greenbank Centennial Hall. The Hall is located 30 minutes north of Whitby on Highway 12. (See map) The location is small, only 95 tickets available per concert and usually sold out, so calling ahead for tickets is important. Over the years the Society has gained a solid reputation and the support of both the general public and performing musicians.

For information, 905-985-8351 or 905-852-7578
E-mail Tony Burns: ynot@globalserve.net
Website: http://www.globalserve.net/~ynot/grnbnk.htm
 
 

The Hamilton Folk Club*

at the Pheasant Plucker, 2rd floor, 20 Augusta St., Hamilton.
Every other Tuesday at 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm, from September to June.
Website: www.hamiltonfolkclub.ca            E-mail:   info@hamiltonfolkclub.ca
Phone: Don Middleton: 905-628-5945; Al Lindsay: 905-529-8896
Open stage format (2-song sets), + regular feature set.
Adm: $3 (performers free)            map

 

 

Hamilton Guitar Association
(formerly the Southern Ontario Fingerstyle Guiar Association)

at the Pheasant Plucker, 2rd floor, 20 Augusta St., Hamilton.
every 2nd Monday at 8 pm
905-529-9000

There will be a $3 admisssion fee, performers free
There will be the usual open stage and guest performers of the highest quality
Hosted by Mark Vanderheyden.   Further information: HGA website
Email:   hamiltonguitarassociation@gmail.com

 


Hamilton-Wentworth Old-Tyme Fiddlers' Association
at the
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 58, 1180 Barton Street East, Hamilton. (across from Centre Mall)
Year 'round, third Wednesday of the month, 7pm,  in the banquet room, upstairs.

"The Hamilton Wentworth Old-Tyme Fiddlers' Association is a collection of people whe enjoy fiddle music.
We are made up of fiddlers, other musicians, and people who enjoy listening or dancing.
We are dedicated to enjoying ourselves, the music, and each other.

We have a monthly meeting, typically with 20 to 30 fiddlers,
and upwards of 100 people who come to listen, dance, and join in the fun.

Non-alcoholic refreshments are available, such as coffee, tea, and sometimes soft drinks,
as are complementary baked goods, which our members bring to share.

There is no entry fee into our meetings. There is a donation box, for those who wish to make a contribution.
By 7pm, there is a full scale jam session taking place around the piano.

There is a small PA system set up for use by the fiddlers. Accompaniament is unamplified,
and chairs are provided for those
who bring guitars, banjos, etc.

Those fiddlers who wish to play at the microphone, sign up on a play list at the front table upon arrival."

for more information, email: fiddlekrazy@gmail.com



Headwaters Acoustic Music Society
concert series titled :   "Live! At the Opera House"
Orangeville Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville

website:    http://www.laurabird.com/HAMS.htm        e-mail:    h.a.m.s@sympatico.ca

The core group is made up of musicians &live music enthusiasts who felt that the Orangeville area was under-served in offering live acoustic music.
The nearest live performance venues offering this style of music are in Toronto and Guelph, Ontario.
The series runs from October through May with a total of eight concerts.
HAMS is a non-profit, community based group of volunteers committed to supporting Canadian performing artists
in the Traditional, Folk, and Roots category.
We present high quality performances within the beautifully restored 275 soft-seat Orangeville Opera House.
We have also produced several very successful Artist Workshops following the previous nights performance.
Over the years the HAMS organization has been involved in several events with various members performing together within the community,
such as the Caledon Inn-Speakers Series, Headwaters Arts Festivals
and the Arts in The Hills-Artist Studio Tour/ Musician Coffee House Performances and much more


 

The Mill Race Folk Club
at the Royal Cdn Legion, Br 121, 4 Veteran's Way, Cambridge (Galt) - 519-621-5850
1st & 3rd Saturday of the month at 8 PM, September through June.
(exemptions in 2008 are September 20th and November 1st)
Run by Brad McEwen (519) 621-7135.

Acoustic sing-around format. Adm: $3

e-mail:  mill_race@yahoo.com

Website:  http://www.millracefolksociety.com/

map

 
 

Old Chestnuts Song Circle
in Kitchener/Waterloo
4th Saturday of the month, from September to May. 8 PM
For information, call Jack Cole. (519) 578-6298
E-mail: jhcole@mgl.ca    Web Page: http://www.mgl.ca/~jhcole/
acoustic singaround/singalong
 

 

Port Colborne Folk Arts Council Coffee House
4th Friday of the month
at St. Patrick's Catholic Church Parish Hall located in downtown Port Colborne
at the northeast corner of King and Victoria Streets.

"Join us for an evening of music and entertainment as the Port Colborne Folk Arts Council
hosts their Coffee House. Sure to please, this night of many musical styles, poetry
and story telling is an open mic forum.
Admission is only $2.00 with proceeds going towards Folk Arts events held throughout the year.
Doors open at 7:30pm and the fun begins at 8pm.
Refreshments are available throughout the evening.
So come out, bring your instrument and be a part of the evening's list of entertainers
or just enjoy it as part of the audience.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all!!.....We'll see you Friday Night!"
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT - DEREK 905-835-9889 or MONIQUE 905-835-0661


  

 
South Coast Folk Club

Not local to us by any means, but they do seem to have a thriving club. Worth a look, methinks.
Adelaide, Australia                       
                      
                 
  

                      
Vital Spark Folk Society

in Whitby, Ontario
Concert series - variable venues
E-mail:    vitlsprk@icomm.ca
Website:   www.icomm.ca/vitlsprk
or call:    Karen at 905 430 8692
or:           Vicky at 905 432 3237
  


posterWaterford Old Town Hall 'First Sunday Musical Gathering'*
at the Old Town Hall on Main Street in Waterford, Ontario
(about 25 min. south of brantford)
1st Sunday of the month, October to May, from 2 pm til 5
open stage w/ feature set to end the afternoon
admission: $5 (performers free).  Coffee, tea, pop & snacks are available
hosts: Luanne Ashe & Mike Hogg

see also the Old Town Hall Association (OTHA) site about information
on the restoration project,
which includes a superlative old-fashion music hall.
note: restoration is complete, the hall is one of the best-sounding concert venues anywhere.

 

The White Oak Folk Club*
has more or less melded into the activities of
The Moonshine Café
      137 Kerr Street       Oakville, Ontario


Windsor Folk Music & Arts Society*
Concerts and Acoustic Stage events are held at Mackenzie Hall
3277  Sandwich Street     Windsor, Ontario
Telephone: 519-978-3274    Email:  cibor@server.uwindsor.ca
Website:  www.windsorfolk.org
Membership fees: $15 per individual/ $25 per family
Members receive a discount on concerts, newsletters (approximately 4 times a year), and notices about special events.
Acoustic Evenings from 8 to 11, & limited to 8 performers.
If you wish to perform, contact Jan Ciborowski (Tel. 519-978-3274), only during the week before the scheduled evenin.g
Admission for the Acoustic Evenings is free, but donations are invited. Refreshments are available.
Acoustic Stages are scheduled for the following dates:
.


                       

Notes: * - denotes sound system. Others are acoustic singarounds.

Each club has different arrangements regarding the price of admission. Some clubs are able to admit performers free. Others simply can't if they are to meet their expenses. Please be understanding of this.

If you know of any other clubs, particularly west of Toronto, to add to this list, please e-mail Jeremiah.
 
 



Coffee Houses, Concert Halls and other Folk Friendly Venues
 
 

Arkell Schoolhouse Gallery
August 16, 2006: This lovely wee venue has been sold.
There will be no more music here.

                       

Hugh's Room*

at 2261 Dundas Street West (Near Roncesvalles), Toronto M6R1X6
200 seat folk venue and restaurant, mostly concerts
operated by Richard Carson & named for & dedicated to his brother, the late Hugh Carson
web site: http://www.hughsroom.com/     phone:  (416) 531-6604
                      
                       

Lighthouse Festival Theatre
in Port Dover, Ontario
Main & Market Street        P.O. Box 1208        N0A 1N0
Box Office: (519) 583-2221        Box Office Email: lftboxoffice@execulink.com
Administration Email: lft@execulink.com        Web: www.lighthousetheatre.com
                      
                       

Live from St. Jacobs
at The Church Theatre
1376 King Street, St. Jacobs, Ontario
concert series
(no apparent website)    phone: (519) 664-1134
                       
                       
                      
London Music Club
470 Colborne Street, London, Ontario.

from the website:     "The London Music Club is a unique new facility dedicated to the advancement of live music in London.  It features two licensed rooms providing many existing and exciting options to performers and listeners.   The Acoustic Room is an intimate "folk club" style room primarily for solo or duo acts.  The Big Hall is a great big "banquet hall" style room for larger groups and special musical events.  Thursday's "New Music Night" showcases mainly original-material solo and duo performers.  Friday's feature is the very popular "Acoustyle Open Mic", so come out and show us what you've got (and bring your friends too!!!)  Saturday features an evening of regional solo and duo performers, with some special exceptions from time to time!!!  As you can see, the London Music Club provides performers with these great and varied entertainment opportunities along with the availability for recitals, lessons, rehearsals, workshops, etc.  All for the advancement of live music in London."
website:   http://www.londonmusicclub.150m.com/         phone:  
(519) 640-6996                      
                      
                                               
                        
                        
The Old Copper Kettle
(as of October 2008) sessions in Fergus
are now being held at
The Shepherd's Pub

at 8 Mill Street West, Elora, Ontario
Phone: 519-846-5775
open jam session every Tuesday evening from 8 to 11
hosted by Terry Golletz
                       
                       
                       
The Ground Floor Concert Series
(formerly Paris Plains Church Concert Series)
Paris    Ontario    Canada
tickets: Ground Floor Music
31 Grand River Street North
phone:    519-442-0040    email:   Charlie Cares <charlie@groundfloormusic.ca>
Directions                                    Map
                       
                      
                      
 
The Moonshine Café
137 Kerr Street      Oakville      Ontario      Canada

phone:  905 844 2655      email: John Marlatt      website: http://www.themoonshinecafe.com/

 


Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts
88 Dalhousie Street    Brantford    Ontario    Canada    N3T 5V7
phone:    519-758-8090    or toll free:    800-265-0710    fax:    519-752-1866
website:    www.sandersoncentre.on.ca
                       
                       
                       
Waterloo Community Arts Centre
aka: The Button Factory
25 Regina Street South, Waterloo, Ontario. N2J 1R8
phone 519 886 4577;  fax 519 886 4599
e-mail:  wcac@sentex.net    website:  www.sentex.net/~wcac
                       
                       
                       
Zooma Zooma Coffee Lounge
in Jordan, Ontario
(new location as of July 23, 2004 - across form the old) 3839 Main Street
operated by Stephen Del Col     call:  905 562-6280
Website: http://www.jordanvillage.com/zooma.shtml    Email:   tintern@niagara.com



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