Joni Mitchell
TimesTalks Sunday (June 16), 6 pm, Isabel Bader Theatre (93 Charles), $35 Joni: A Portrait In Song, Tuesday and Wednesday (June 18 to 19), 7:30 pm, Massey Hall (178 Victoria). $35-$175. luminatofestival.com.
For weeks we’ve known that Joni Mitchell would attend the Massey Hall celebration of her work and upcoming 70th birthday, Joni: A Portrait In Song. We also knew she’d do a rare onstage interview with her drummer/bandleader, Brian Blade, and New York Times pop music critic Jon Pareles for TimesTalks Luminato. But the announcement last week that the genius singer/songwriter would perform at the tribute still caught us by surprise. It should be two glorious evenings. Also on the bill: Kathleen Edwards, Cold Specks, Rufus Wainwright, Glen Hansard, Esperanza Spalding, Herbie Hancock and many others. Sadly, Chaka Khan cancelled in order to rest her voice. Doctor’s orders.
The Weeknd
Virgin Mobile Mod Club (722 College), tonight (Thursday, June 13)
R&B fave plays the NXNE Extra Series.
Live In Bellwoods: Great Heart Festival
w/ Maylee Todd, Olenka and the Autumn Lovers, Donovan Woods, Paper Lions, Absolutely Free, Still Life Still, Meanhouse and many others
Trinity Bellwoods Park (790 Queen West), today to Sunday (Thursday, June 13 to 16)
Unofficial NXNE park party.
Monster Truck, Indian Handcrafts, George Pettit
291 College, Friday (June 14)
Appetite For Construction party.
Luminato
w/ k-os, Serena Ryder, Kid Koala, Buck 65, Elan Mastai
David Pecaut Square (55 John), Friday (June 14) to June 23
Arts fest kicks off with noon-hour and nighttime shows.
Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran
Rogers Centre (1 Blue Jays Way), Friday and Saturday (June 14 and 15)
Top-of-the-charts pop superstar.
NXNE Bruise Cruise
w/ Mikal Cronin, Odonis Odonis, We Are Wolves, Fat Tony
Queen’s Quay Terminal (207 Queens Quay West), Saturday (June 15)
M for Montreal boat cruise.
Agnostic Front
Hard Luck Bar (772a Dundas West), Saturday (June 15)
Hardcore vets play NXNE Extra Series.
Skratch Bastid’s BBQ
w/ Roger Mooking, DJ Cosmo Baker, Starting from Scratch and many more
Steam Whistle Brewing (255 Bremner), Saturday (June 15)
Local turntablist’s annual bash.
Cameron House Records Art & Music Showcase
Cameron House Outdoor Stage (408 Queen West), Saturday and Sunday (June 15 and 16)
A dozen acts over two days for NXNE.
Japandroids, Crocodiles
Adelaide Music Hall (250 Adelaide West), Monday (June 17)
Vancouver punks christen new venue.
Man or Astro-Man?, Jacuzzi Boys, BB Guns
Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor West), Monday (June 17)
Spacey Alabama surf rock.
The Heavy, the Silent Comedy
Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne), Wednesday (June 19)
Guitar-heavy neo soul.
Method Man, Red Man
Sound Academy (11 Polson), Wednesday (June 19)
Rapper returns with How High tour.
