Latest news with #TheMusicHall
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
McCoy's last stand as host of CMAOntario awards
After more than a decade of hosting the CMAOntario Awards, country star Jason McCoy will pass the reigns to another prominent figure of what he calls a growing country music scene. The award show is part of a four-day festival that started Thursday and is packed with performances, workshops and a post-awards party. On Sunday, June 1, the awards show will close the festival at The Music Hall on Hamilton's Main Street West. One of McCoy's favourite moments hosting was performing Gordon Lightfoot's 'If You Could Read My Mind' for the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter when he received the association's Impact Award in 2014. 'I was probably 15 feet away from him in the front row and that was quite unnerving,' said McCoy, adding Lightfoot was gracious and kind. 'Spotlights and everything go down and everybody's just a regular person.' The 54-year-old musician is continuing his career, shooting music videos with his band The Road Hammers, performing and hosting a Pure Country 106 morning show. To McCoy, Ontario's country music scene is pushing its way to the global grounds, starting with a foundation of talented producers. 'These producers are working with Nashville peers and they get to hone their craft, up their game,' said McCoy. 'Ontario artists don't necessarily have to just go to Nashville anymore.' McCoy sees Ontario becoming 'bigger, better and stronger' with up-and-coming artists such as Parry Sound singer Sully Burrows, Hamilton-based Karli June and Hamilton band The Redhill Valleys — all of whom have been nominated for CMAOntario Awards. The Redhill Valleys are vying for Group or Duo of the Year, June is competing for Music Video of the Year for her song 'Still Make Cowgirls,' and Waterdown's Josh Ross is again nominated for fans' choice. Ross won the award in 2024. No matter who wins, McCoy said viewers should pay attention to smaller up-and-coming artists putting their heart and soul into their music. 'Watch all the people who are in the corners,' said McCoy. The awards show will run from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Although the country star is stepping down as host, McCoy said he is never fully gone. 'I might come back and co-host the odd time or something like that,' he said. The country association's board of directors said the search for a new host has already started. 'Filling Jason's boots as the host of the CMAOntario Awards will be no easy task,' read an email statement. The board is looking for a 'major player' in the Ontario country music scene who can uplift and entertain. The term would be 12 years. Tickets to the award show ranges from $40 for balcony general admission to $199 regular VIP tickets. To buy tickets or get more information on the festival, go to . Here are some other arts and music events you can attend locally in the next week: Thursday, June 5, is the first of Hamilton Waterfront Trust's free summer concerts by the water. Every Thursday until Aug. 28, artists will take to the Waterfront Stage at Pier 8 ( 47 Discovery Dr., Hamilton ) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Mike Stevenson Trio will play the first show. Attendees should bring a lawn chair or blanket. For more information, go to . Evan Smith, Vaughn Lucyk and Josh Robertson will perform at 'The AM Club' on Saturday, May 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Coffee and pastries will be offered at the event. The coffee party will happen at The Port House Social Bar and Kitchen at 2020 Lakeshore Rd. in Burlington . Tickets are $20 on . The Queen Is Dead and Factory will play sounds from the Smiths and New Order at the bar on Saturday, May 31 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. The bar is located at 339 York Blvd., Hamilton . Advance tickets are $15, or $20 at the door. To buy, go to . Local folk, rock and country artists will perform at the theatre's The Bright Room on Sunday, June 1, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Hamilton band The Commune, Guelph singer-songwriter Ian James Bain and Michael Antelope will play the show. The theatre is located at 27 Dundurn St. N., Hamilton . Tickets are $15 on . For more information, go to . For The Sugar Pills will perform '80s music from artists such as the Smiths, The Police, Depeche Mode and Duran Duran on Thursday, June 5 from 8 to 11 p.m. Andthenyou is located at 145 Main St. E., Hamilton . To buy tickets, go to . Advance tickets are $10, or $15 at the door. Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. cbholla@
Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Go-to summer festivals in the Hamilton area this year
With summer on the way, now is the perfect time to plan out what to do during the warmest time of the year. There are plenty of festivals to attend in Hamilton, whether you're interested in music, beer or comics. Here is what you can look forward to: Country fans can enjoy a weekend of performances, a bonfire, the R2i TuneUp Conference and the 13th annual awards ceremony at the Country Music Association of Ontario Festival and Awards. Jason McCoy, from the Road Hammers and Pure Country Radio, will host various acts, such as Andrew Hyatt, Sacha and Nations. Tickets range from $40 to $199. For more information, go to . The show will be held at The Music Hall ( 24 Main St. W. ) on Friday, May 1, and The Textile Building ( 10 George St. ) on Saturday, May 2. Awards will be presented on the festival's last day at The Music Hall. Walk Off the Earth plays at Burlington's Sound of Music Festival in 2017. The Hamilton Arts Council is hosting a week of art in June, featuring local artist performances and art showcases at venues around the city, including The Cotton Factory. There will be different exhibits, including a sound and video installation to explore Hamilton's industrial noise and a two-hour Caribbean-jazz-gospel-themed concert. For more details, go to . The annual free children's art festival is back in Gage Park ( 1000 Main St. E. ) in early June. The festival will feature workshops from local dancers, music and poets. For more details, go to . Big Wreck, David Wilcox and Junkhouse are a few of the artists set to perform at this year's Sound of Music Festival in Burlington's Spencer Smith Park ( 1400 Lakeshore Rd. ). The festival is free and will include a parade of marching bands, floats, performers and vintage cars on Saturday. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs since bleachers will not be available this year. For more details on the festival, go to . Hamilton will host Ontario's biggest francophone festival for a weekend in the Gage Park bandshell at 1000 Main St. E. The event will include francophone concerts and family activities. For more details, go to . Lead dancer Christine Restoule of Dokis First Nation dances with others in the ring during the Soaring Spirit Pow Wow in 2023 at Battlefield Park. The Indigenous festival will have its 28th annual event in Battlefield Park in Stoney Creek to celebrate National Indigenous People's Day. Over three days, there will be workshops, ceremonies, live entertainment and the Native Arts, Craft, Trade and Food Show. There will also be sunrise ceremonies, drumming, dancing, music and art. For more details, go to . The Brott Music Festival is back for its 38th season, kicking off with a red carpet and music from the National Academy Orchestra of Canada before a Romeo and Juliet ballet performance, an immersive Beethoven symphony performance and Christmas musical show. Tickets are available for all performances at . This free festival is perfect for family and friends, full of music, entertainment, art and food. The festival will be held at Gage Park in Hamilton. For more details, go to . Matthew Good and His Band, Terra Lightfoot and Down With Webster will perform at the Pier 4 Park ( 64 Leander Dr. ) festival. Attendees will have access to hundreds of craft beers, ciders and cocktails. Tickets are $111 for the whole weekend, or $67 for each day. For more details, go to . Thirty food trucks will serve food from around the country at this free food truck festival in Gage Park ( 1000 Main St. E. ) in Hamilton. There will also be free children's games, tribute bands, cold beer and eating challenges. For more details, go to . Space Forain entertains attendees at Gage Park in 2018 during the opening night of FrancoFEST. This arts festival covers everything from live comedy to theatre to dance and film. There will be more than 350 performances. Tickets are $14 with the purchase of a $4 Fringe Benefits Button. Go to for more details. The Fiesta Extravaganza is the biggest Filipino celebration in Hamilton with a weekend of entertainment, cultural performances, celebrity guests and food. The festival will take place in Bayfront Park at 200 Harbour Front Dr. For more details, go to . This free festival, to be held at Gage Park in Hamilton, will feature live music, art, food and activities. The full lineup list will be released in mid-June. For more up-to-date information, go to . Heather Edgington, left, and Sharon Cate dance to the music of Ginger St. James at It's Your Festival in Gage Park in 2019. Enjoy different food, explore vendors and watch lion dancers in Bayfront Park ( 200 Harbour Front Dr. ) at this annual Asian culture celebration festival. For more information on the event, go to . The rib and beer fest will be held at CF Lime Ridge Mall ( 999 Upper Wentworth St. ) for $2 admission. Children under five years old are free. Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 12 to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 12 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The festival will feature live music, including tributes to The Tragically Hip and AC/DC. For more information on the festival, go to . The festival will be return to Hamilton's Pier 4 Park in August. This year's theme is Reclamation, Unity and Healing. For up-to-date information, go to . Downtown Stoney Creek will showcase music, performances, food and drinks for this free two-day country music festival. The festival will happen along King Street East. For details on the festival, go to . Celebrate Latin culture at another free festival in Gage Park. Attendees can enjoy music, food, culture and activities. Visit for more details. The Dundas Cactus Festival will celebrate its 50th annual event along and off of King Street West. There will be music from four stages, family fun zones, pro-wrestling shows and BMX shows. You can also pop by the mobile video game trailer to play in a climate-controlled setting with up to 16 players. See for full details. The Peach Festival features an arts and craft section, amusement rides, vendors, a food court and live music. Grab a peach-filled pie, crepe, cobbler or sundae at Winona Park ( 1328 Barton St., Stoney Creek ). Go to for more details. The James Street North annual arts and music festival will return with performances, fashion and food. This year will be the Sonic Unyon festival's 17th year running. For more up-to-date information on the festival, go to . For lovers of superheroes, sci-fi, fantasy and pop culture, Hamilton Comic Con will offer exhibitors, comic books, movie cars, cosplay contest, celebrity guests and photo opportunities at The Hamilton Convention Centre at 1 Summers Lane . For up-to-date information on tickets prices and celebrity attendees, go . Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. cbholla@
Hamilton Spectator
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Award-winning musicians to do TVO Today Live Q&A event in Hamilton
TVO Today Live's next stop is Hamilton. On Saturday, May 10, locals have the chance to be in the audience of the live-taped series on democracy and music, featuring a question-and-answer segment with local musicians. TVO's Steve Paikin will host Burlington's Sarah Harmer, and Tom Wilson and Cadence Weapon of Hamilton, at The Music Hall. All are award-winning artists. Singer-songwriter Harmer is the 2024 Juno humanitarian award winner, rocker Wilson is the 2024 CMW Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award winner and a five-time Juno Award winner, and hip hop artist Weapon is the 2021 Polaris Music Prize winner. Doors open at 6:30 p.m and attendance is free. Attendees will be entered in a prize draw to win books and TVO merchandise. The Music Hall is located at 24 Main St. W. Starting at 7 p.m., the musicians will answer questions from Paikin and the audience about how they relate politics to their music and explore their influence in the world. For more information and to register, visit and search for 'TVO Today Live.' This is the first TVO Today Live to be held in Hamilton. The show is an event series on the future of democracy, with previous episodes touching on the state of democracy in Ontario, U.S. President Donald Trump's previous term and social media's impact on politics. The show has been taped in cities such as Toronto, Ottawa and Kitchener. The first episode was shot in June 2022 at Toronto's MaRS Discovery District. Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. cbholla@
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel tribute, Lady Gaga dance party, Benny Green: Things to do in Seacoast
Mother Nature can't seem to make up her mind and you may have a hard time making yours up too with the line-up of entertainment in the Seacoast this weekend. Head to The Music Hall for "The Penguin Lessons" movie, see a Billy Joel tribute at The Press Room, get moving to Lady Gaga at a dance party at 3S Artspace, or get crafty at one of the workshops being offered. Read on for details on things to do: What: Film inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. When: Friday, April 11, 1-3 p.m. Where: The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth Cost: $14-$16 More info: What: Heart Attack Ack Ack Ack Ack Ack is a Billy Joel cover band based in Boston, paying tribute to one of the most successful solo artists of all time. When: Friday, April 11, 7 p.m. Where: The Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth Cost: $20-$25 More info: What: Väsen-Duo, Mikael Marin and Olov Johansson create their very own musical language which in its appeal is as modern as it is ancient. When: Friday, April 11, 7:30 p.m. Where: The Dance Hall, 7 Walker St., Kittery, Maine Cost: $20-$38 More info: What: This immersive dance performance created and directed by Jeff Jean-Philippe introduces the exploration and wonder of the relationship between Earth (in its many forms) and human interaction. When: Saturday, April 12, 3 p.m. Where: Green Acre: A Baha'i Center of Learning, 61 Green Acre Drive, Eliot, Maine Cost: $5-$30 More info: What: 65 Voices explore themes of Home, accompanied by flute. percussion, and piano, including CCSB commissions utilizing poems by Sarah Orne Jewett and Celia Thaxter. When: Saturday, April 12, 3 p.m. Where: Portsmouth High School, 50 Andrew Jarvis Dr., Portsmouth Cost: $17-$20 More info: What: A Lady Gaga dance party. Come for Gaga, stay to hear the best of all your pop faves, including, but not limited to: Ke$ha, Dua Lipa and Kylie Minogue. Ages 18-plus When: Saturday, April 12 Where: 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth Cost: $15-$25 More info: What: A transformative bird photography experience designed for nature lovers and photographers of all skill levels. When: Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: Center for Wildlife, 385 Mountain Road, Cape Neddick, Maine Cost: $175 More info: What: Benny Green, a celebrated jazz pianist, moved to New York at 19 to join Betty Carter's band and has since played with jazz legends like Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and the Ray Brown Trio. When: Sunday, April 13, 7:30 p.m. Where: Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth Cost: $17.50-$47.50 More info: What: Based on vintage linen folding maps, in this workshop, students will create a folding fabric book that holds the dearest treasures. When: Sunday, April 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: The Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter Cost: $200 More info: What: Musicians Mike Effenberger (piano) and Chris Klaxton (trumpet) create a sacred space exploring hymns and spirituals through styles native to gospel, jazz, and the avant garde. When: Sunday, April 13, 2-3:30 p.m. Where: South Church, 292 State St., Portsmouth Cost: $20 suggested donation More info: This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Billy Joel tribute, Lady Gaga dance party, Benny Green: Things to do
