Chilly Gonzales (a.k.a. Jason Beck) at home in Paris.
A weekly feature that highlights the 10 best music happenings in Toronto. Here's what's on this week, May 23 to 29.
Timber Timbre (and Cold Specks) Spooky-music specialists Timber Timbre team up with the harrowing, bluesy indie siren Cold Specks for a very reasonably priced double bill. May 23, 8 p.m. $18.94. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., masseyhall.com or 416-872-4255.
Pete Seeger: A Song and a Stone The iconic folk musician is the subject of a 1972 documentary film about his music and his concern for the Hudson River. May 23, 24 and 29. $12. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor St. W., bloorcinema.com or 416-637-3123.
Jessy Lanza By day she's a mild-mannered Hamilton piano teacher, but by night she's a hip electronic-R&B chanteuse. May 23, 8 p.m. $12.50. The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W., ticketfly.com or 416-519-9439.
John Otway The charismatic but under-talented English frontman from the 1970s drops in for a screening of a charming documentary (Rock and Roll's Greatest Failure: Otway the Movie, at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, May 25, 6:30 p.m.) and a couple of gigs. May 23, 9 p.m. $22.60. This Ain't Hollywood, Hamilton, thisainthollywood.ca; May 24, 8:30 p.m. $20. Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., 416-596-1908.
21C Music Festival The festival of new music continues, with a master class from Feist collaborator Chilly Gonzalez (May 24, 2 p.m., free) and a 70-minute solo from fellow pianist Marc Andre Hamelin (May 25, 3 p.m., $32). To May 25. Koerner Hall and Mazzoleni Concert Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208 or rcmusic.ca.
Sun Parlour Players Passionate folk-rocking multi-instrumentalists are a top-notch live act and the duo's songwriting improves with each release. May 24, 9 p.m. $12. Adelaide Hall, 250 Adelaide St. W., northerntickets.com or 416-205-1234.
TSO: Beethoven Symphony 6 The Lithuanian-born violinist Julian Rachlin arrives for a program that includes Beethoven's refreshing "pastoral" symphony. May 28 and 29, 8 p.m. $33 to $145. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., tso.ca or 416-593-4828.
Jack Johnson Surfboard songster warms up the spring outdoor music calendar. May 28, 7:30 p.m. $51.25 to $84.50. Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
Pretzel Logic Steely Dan cover band gets back, Jack, and does it again. May 29, 10 p.m. Orbit Room, 580 College St., 416-535-0613 or orbitroom.ca
Bidiniband With his crew, the author and rock progressive Dave Bidini launches the politically conscious new album The Motherland. May 29, 7 to 9 p.m. Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., 416-850-4579.
BOOKING AHEAD
Canadian Children's Opera Company: East O' the Sun and West O' the Moon May 29 to June 1. Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay W., harbourfrontcentre.com or 416-973-4000
Skrillex: Mothership Tour May 30 and 31. Echo Beach, ticketweb.ca
Matthew Barber June 3. Dakota Tavern, 416-850-4579 or ticketfly.com
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings June 6. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Elvis Costello June 14. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Brad Paisley and Friends July 2 (rescheduled from May 18). Molson Amphitheatre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (with Steve Winwood) Aug. 26 (on sale May 31, 10 a.m.). Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Chris Isaak Aug. 27 (On sale May 23, noon). Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
The War on Drugs Sept 15. The Phoenix, ticketfly.com
The Black Keys Sept. 16. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Boz Scaggs Sept. 27. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Brad Wheeler