This weekend is going to be banana cuckoo when it comes to deciding what parties, concerts and special events to attend. The TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Pride Week, CHIN Picnic and Canada Day activities abound. Here are a few suggestions for the next week:

FRIDAY JUNE 29

June Garber with The George Lake Big Band

Hugh’s Room
2261 Dundas St. W Toronto

416.531.6604
w - hughsroom.com

doors at 6:00pm / show at 8:30pm
$25

June Garber has been more than just a great vocalist on the Toronto jazz landscape... she has remained one of the most positive people in the local music scene and when not on stage performing you will find her in the audience watching, supporting and mentoring young singers.

June and her husband Bob Doherty are moving to Florida soon so Steve Petafor and The George Lake Big Band (with many special guests) are throwing a party for her to bid her a fond farewell.

Come say goodbye to the month of June and to June Garber simultaneously! Call now for dinner reservations or get your tickets at the door.

SATURDAY JUNE 30

Genevieve Marentette Quartet

The Blue Dot Gallery
55 Mill Street, Building 47
The Distillery District

416.487.1500
thebluedotgallery.com

dinner at 6:30pm / show at 8:00pm

Genevieve (or Gigi as some call her) is just back from eight months in Asia and will sing with some of Toronto’s best-loved musicians at the cozy Blue Dot Gallery.

The gallery has a permit to sell wine and beer and the $46 cover charge includes a buffet dinner and coffee/deserts. This jazz series has become very popular over the past couple years and attracts a listening audience.

Ms. Marentette will be joined by Stacie MacGregor (piano) Artie Roth (bass) and Colleen Allen (saxes and flute). A unique event not-to-be-missed!

WEDNESDAY JULY 4

The Robert Scott Trio: A Unison Fund Benefit Concert

The Delta Chelsea Hotel
Monarch’s Pub 33 Gerrard Street West (at Yonge)

416.595.1975
w - monarchspub.ca

8:00pm-12:00midnight

Don't miss the Robert Scott Trio (Robert Scott on keys, Great Bob Scott on drums and Lee Hutchinson on bass) as they perform at Monarchs Pub at the Delta Chelsea for a fabulous evening of music and prizes.

Robert (composer of the hit song "Hollywood" by Michael Buble) celebrates the launch of his new CD "The City Dances" and helps to raise money for The Unison Benevolent Fund; a non-profit organization that provides counselling, emergency relief, and benefit programs for those in the Canadian music community. There will be many special guests and prizes include a dinner for two at Bb33 (the hotel’s signature restaurant) with a one night stay for two in a deluxe room, hotel parking and an Elmwood Spa 50-minute Swedish massage. This is a PWYC event with a recommendation donation amount of $20.

SATURDAY JULY 28

PAMALOT: Live Recording

The Canterbury Music Company
322 Dufferin Street
Toronto

416.205.9311
w -rockethub.com

7:00pm
$100 ticket (c/o Rockethub donation)

"Pamalot!" is the debut CD from the irrepressible singer/comedienne Pam Hyatt and pianist Peter Hill. This recording will contain jazz standards, show tunes and comedic rarities. At 76 years young, Pam Hyatt is a story-telling songstress who finds humour in everything and introduces songs such as "Life Sucks And Then You Die" and "If He Were Straight And I Were Young" to audiences from 19 to 99. Peter Hill is one of Canada's most sought-after pianists and has performed with Alex Pangman, Laura Hubert, Chris Whitely, Kevin Clark and the late, great Jeff Healey. He has been working with Pam for the past year creating charts for songs both familiar and obscure.

Rockethub is a cool thing. It is one of several new websites that allows artists to ask their fans and friends to help finance their recording. You can donate twenty bucks for a thousand... check the website for more information!

AUGUST 3-5

Electric-Eclectics Festival (EE7)

The Funny Farm (near Meaford Ontario)

Day Pass $35
Three Day Weekend Pass $75

The Electric-Eclectics Festival is a celebration of experimental music and sound art that has been operating near Meaford Ontario since 2006. Gordon Monahan and Chris Worden book all kinds of music and performance art over three days, including DJ’s down in the forest ("The Valley Of The DJs") for late night dancing, film and installations. Think of this as "Surrealist Camping" and get your tickets now.

For info contact info@electric-eclectics.com