Hugh's Room Live invites music lovers to experience a vibrant array of performances from a collection of diverse artists. From the acclaimed singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith to the evocative melodies of the Moulettes and the soulful renditions of The Lightfoot Band, this lineup promises to cater to a variety of musical tastes. This January and February, audiences can immerse themselves in the rich musical traditions and innovative sounds that these talented artists bring to the stage.

Dive into the Diverse Sounds of Hugh's Room Live

March at Hugh's Room Live in Toronto promises a delightful mix of musical genres and captivating performances. With events like the Venuti String Quartet Album Launch, the energetic Shuffle Demons, and the evocative International Women's Day celebration with Jah'Mila and Ammoye, audiences are in for a treat. A showcase of talent like blues sensation Raoul and The Big Time, and extraordinary voices using modern electronic accompaniments adds richness to the musical feast. With artists from diverse backgrounds, this line-up will enchant music lovers of all tastes.

Unforgettable Sounds: Exploring the Vibrant Line-Up at Hugh's Room Live

This spring, Hugh's Room Live is set to host an extraordinary series of performances featuring some of the most esteemed storytellers in music. With talents ranging from iconic Canadian musicians like Valdy to the genre-blending violinist Mark Fewer, each event promises a unique experience. Whether you're drawn to the folk-rock charm of David Celia, the indie-folk innovation of Little Misty, or the deeply rooted sounds of The Once, there's something for everyone. Join us as we delve into the captivating worlds these artists create through their music and stories.

An Exceptional Lineup at Hugh's Room Live: Celebrating Storytelling Through Music

Violinist Mark Fewer leads a multi-disciplined life in music.  Described as “intrepid” (The Globe and Mail), “genre-bending” (National Post), “profound” (The WholeNote), and “freaky good”(The Gazette), he has performed around the world in halls such as Carnegie, Wigmore and Salle Pleyel, and is equally at home in recital venues such as Bartok House (Budapest) to Le Poisson Rouge (NYC) to The Forum (Taipei).  As a soloist, he has performed with the symphonies of Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Quebec, San Francisco and Melbourne, as well as groups such as the Fodens-Richardson Brass Band (UK), the Zapp Quartet (Amsterdam), and the McGill Percussion Ensemble. Our classical series is curated by Eric Friesen and Angela Hewitt. Sunday May 25 at 2pm.

Mark Fewer

Hugh's Room Live

Newfoundland has a storied history of stunning songwriters, poets, and players.  The Once have writ and knit themselves into that story. Their career has been propelled by the rare chemistry that comes from a decade of writing and touring together. Their songs have been placed in film and television; they have YouTube videos with millions of views; and there's a trail of trophy nominations and wins from the East Coast Music Awards, the Canadian Folk Awards, and the JUNO Awards in their wake. Friday May 23.

The Once

Little Misty is an indie-folk band founded in Montreal and led by Kathryn Samman (vocals) and François Jalbert (guitar).  Although firmly grounded in folk music, their repertoire mixes indie-rock with more broad compositions. From cinematic landscapes to wailing guitar solos, the group explores a full range of musical possibilities, always searching for innovative ways to serve their story telling.  A first time on our stage, Thursday May 8

Little Misty

David Celia is predominately his own songsmith and performer with four of his own albums released and another in the works. His music can be described as folk-rock wrapped up in a Beatle-esque pop package. He’s off touring the world twice a year and thrives on performing in front of music loving audiences with his “feel good but think” lyrics and spontaneous off-the-cuff improvisation. David’s music has consistently appeared on the CBC, BBC and WNYC in New York. The legendary Gordon Lightfoot was a fan and the CBC’s Tom Power has called him “one of Toronto’s best guitar players”.

David Celia with Zuffalo

Winner of two JUNO awards, creator of 16 albums, 22 singles, four gold records, CARAS "Songwriter of the Year" and since 2012 Member of the Order of Canada, Valdy is one our country's truly great storytellers. He is also an accomplished producer and a composer of film and television soundtracks and host of B.C. Music Project, a music video program featuring British Columbia artists from five cities and towns that went on to win a Gold Ribbon Talent Development Award.

Valdy

JUNO Award winning artist Angelique Francis is a versatile and exceptionally gifted musician. She is known for her eclectic mix of various musical genres including blues, soul, folk, Americana, jazz, gospel and rock.  Her diversity, passion and love of music can be heard in all her original compositions. Saturday April 12.

Angelique Francis

Mysticssippi” bluesman Harry Manx has been called an “essential link” between the music of East and West, creating musical short stories that wed the tradition of the blues with the depth of classical Indian ragas. He has created a unique sound that is hard to forget and deliciously addictive.

Harry Manx

Dar Williams was always in the right place at the right time for the success she’s had over a 25+ year career. She rose out of the vibrant mid-90s Boston scene, inspired by the eclectic influences of alt-rockers, Berklee jazz musicians, slam poets and folk artists like Patty Griffith, Melissa Ferrick, the Throwing Muses, Vance Gilbert and Jonatha Brooke. After a year of touring non-stop with her first album, The Honesty Room, in 1994, she was invited by Joan Baez to tour in Europe and The United States. We are glad to welcome her back to Canada, and to our new home on Broadview. Saturday, April 5.

Dar Williams

For what began life as something of a side project for Michael Weston King and Lou Dalgleish paying homage to the classic country duets of the 60s and 70s, My Darling Clementine has grown and grown, and to some degree, has even overtaken the solo careers of its two main protagonists.

My Darling Clementine Matinee

Maria Doyle Kennedy is best known internationally as an actress and beloved in Ireland as a singer-songwriter. Accompanied by her husband, multi-instrumentalist Kieran Kennedy, Maria brings a storytelling style that combines her rich voice with Kieran’s musical skill, crafting a deeply intimate experience. Their collaboration creates an evening filled with songs that explore love, life and reflection, and does so with elegance and emotion, all framed by Maria’s captivating stage presence. Friday April 4.

Maria Doyle Kennedy

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the rich and diverse talents of contemporary Indigenous musicians. "Original People, Original Songs" showcases powerful performances of original material, reflecting the unique voices and stories of our artists from across the country in an immersive journey through music, storytelling, and cultural expression. Come, listen, and be inspired by the vibrant melodies and heartfelt lyrics that honor the past, present, and future of Indigenous communities with an extraordinary celebration of culture and creativity! Curated by Merilainen Music Inc.  

Original People Original Songs with The North Sound

Winner of the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition and recipient of the Dame Fanny Waterman Gold Medal, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko became the first Canadian Grand Prize Laureate at an instrumental edition of the Concours musical international de Montréal in May 2024. His triumphs at landmark competitions have quickly established him as one of his generation’s most exciting and creative talents. Our classical series is curated by Eric Friesen and Angela Hewitt. Sunday March 23 at 2pm.

Jaeden Izik-Dzurko

 The John Prine Shrine hosted by Jason Fowler was loved by audiences at our Dundas venue and now makes its way to the Other Side of Town with some very special guests including Dala, Kennedy Road, Jory Nash, Melanie Conly, John McDermott Tom Allen, Maury LaFoy and more to be announced. Tickets will sell fast so be sure to get yours quickly to avoid disappointment. Saturday March 22.

The John Prine Shrine

Extraordinary Voices celebrates singing in its many fun and modern facets.  The night features six extraordinary vocal acts, all creatively using electronics to support their work across different styles from singer-songwriter/pop to jazz to global folk traditions.  The artists include the stunning duo Free Play, featuring Suba Sankaran and Dylan Bell, solo artists Jordana Tulsky, Blunt Chunks, Haiye (Judy) Zhu, Yarro, and the creative duo Barnyard Drama featuring Christine Duncan and drummer/electronic musician Jean Martin.  Thursday March 20

Extraordinary Voices

Solidaridad Tango was founded in 2021 by Aparna Halpé to create fair work, professional development and performance opportunities for women tango musicians. While trained in historical tango performance practice focusing on Golden Age styles, Solidaridad is proud to present new music by women tango composers and arrangers from around the world. Solidaridad Tango is Aparna Halpé, Suhashini Arulanandam, Esme Allen-Creighton, Sybil Shanahan, Shannon Wojewoda, Elizabeth Acker and Valeria Matzner. Wednesday March 19.

Solidaridad Tango

Raoul and The Big Time is one of the most highly regarded and awarded young blues acts in Canada having won a Maple Blues Award for Best New Artist in 1999 and NOW Magazine's Best Toronto Blues Artist in 2007.

Raoul and The Big Time

296 Broadview is not yet a fully wheelchair accessible venue, with stairs between all levels. Our goal is to fix that, and we need your support to do so - please consider making a donation towards our goals to make HRL the best listening room in Toronto!

Russell deCarle

International Womens Day 2025 with Jah'Mila and Ammoye

For Lucy MacNeil, music has always had a heartbeat and she recalls it as the centre of her childhood home where family, neighbours and visiting musicians were often known to gather – the perfect rhythm of everyone’s feet tapping with the music would lull her to sleep on many nights. Her career with The Barra MacNeils has seen her opening tours for international stars such as Celine Dion, Kenny Rogers and fellow Canadian Rita MacNeil.  Friday March 7.

Lucy MacNeil

Shuffle Demons are a high-energy Canadian band that blends virtuosic jazz and funk playing with eye-catching costumes and over the top stage antics to produce an incredible show. A hit at festivals all over the world, the Shuffle Demons are a crowd pleasing, full-on musical group that backs up wild stage antics with phenomenal playing by some of Canada's most talented musicians.  Do not miss them on Thursday March 6.

Shuffle Demons

The Venuti String Quartet is made up of some of the most sought-after freelance musicians in Toronto.  Their members frequently perform with many of the major orchestral ensembles in Toronto, including The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The Canadian Opera Company, The National Ballet of Canada and Tafelmusik.  They are a highly versatile group comfortable performing not only the great classical repertoire but also jazz, contemporary and many other musical genres. Their violinist, Drew Jurecka also composes and arranges for the quartet.

The Venuti String Quartet Album Launch

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the rich and diverse talents of contemporary Indigenous musicians. "Original People, Original Songs" showcases powerful performances of original material, reflecting the unique voices and stories of our artists from across the country in an immersive journey through music, storytelling, and cultural expression. Come, listen, and be inspired by the vibrant melodies and heartfelt lyrics that honor the past, present, and future of Indigenous communities with an extraordinary celebration of culture and creativity!

Original People Original Songs Lancelot Knight and opener Raven Reid

As two-time JUNO winners, The Sattalites are known as Canada’s longest standing reggae group. The band started as a teaching group who opened The Sattalite Music School on a pay-what-you-can basis to spread their influence in 1981. They became very well known for their enthusiastic live performances which initiated their extensive touring across Canada and the United States. They perform at Hugh's Room on Friday February 21

The Sattalites

Alfie Zappacosta has been polishing his live performances for over 40 years and it shows!  They are sophisticated, intimate and intense, blending both jazz and pop elements.  His audiences end up fully engaged and totally satisfied!  Saturday February 15.

Alfie Zappacosta

We know that Valentine’s Day is normally a day when we hear lots of songs about being in love, so we thought why not celebrate the end of romance, the heartache and heart breaks? Hurtin' Songs with Jeremy Voltz, Kevin Quain, Diana Di Mauro, T. Thomason, Eliana Cueves and Jeremy Ledbetter will do just that! Friday February 14.

Hurtin' Songs

There is something truly captivating about JUNO Award nominee Kellie Loder. They are a passionate storyteller and accomplished songwriter with a voice that conveys warmth and power. Their unrivaled lyrical brilliance is honest and vulnerable in ways that make the music feel deeply personal. Possessing a unique ability to work a room effortlessly, they will have you crying, laughing and everything in between. It’s no wonder CBC q’s Tom Power holds Loder in such high regard stating, “If I were a betting man, I’d bet the house on Kellie Loder being the next big thing out of Newfoundland”. Thursday February 13

Kellie Loder

The Lightfoot Band is the original musicians that recorded and toured with the late great Gordon Lightfoot for decades.  Featuring the original Lightfoot touring band comprised of Rick Haynes (bass), Barry Keane (drums), Mike Heffernan (keyboards) and Carter Lancaster (lead guitar), and joined by their newest member, lead singer and rhythm guitarist Andy Mauck, the performance will showcase selected songs from Lightfoot’s illustrious career. Sunday February 9 at 2PM. 

The Lightfoot Band Matinee

The Lightfoot Band is the original musicians that recorded and toured with the late great Gordon Lightfoot for decades.  Featuring the original Lightfoot touring band comprised of Rick Haynes (bass), Barry Keane (drums), Mike Heffernan (keyboards) and Carter Lancaster (lead guitar), and joined by their newest member, lead singer and rhythm guitarist Andy Mauck, the performance will showcase selected songs from Lightfoot’s illustrious career. Saturday February 8. 

The Lightfoot Band

Moulettes have had support from all over the world, with praise and appreciation in the parallel worlds of Folk, Prog and Indie. Key supporters include BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2, The Independent, MOJO, The Guardian, PROG Magazine, Music Week, Metro and The Evening Standard. As they reinvent and reimagine themselves at every stage with a revolving cast of exceptional musicians, Moulettes’ music is always distinctively recognizable.  Friday February 7.

Moulettes

Ron Sexsmith is one of Canada’s most accomplished singer-songwriters.  He has collaborated with the likes of Daniel Lanois, Mitchell Froom, Ane Brun, Tchad Blake, and Bob Rock.  His songwriting appears on albums from Rod Stewart, Michael Bublé, k.d. lang, Emmylou Harris and Feist.  His inimitable work has drawn praise from the likes of Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and Chris Martin to name just a few.  He has been awarded 3 Juno Awards, having been nominated 15 times including eight nods for Songwriter of the Year.  For all the latest on Ron Sexsmith follow Ron on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or his website. Thursday January 30.

Hugh's Room Live

May 25, 2025

Mark Fewer

May 23, 2025

The Once

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