Toronto Blues Society Christmas Party

Bluesy Christmas

Featuring

Johnny Max,

Chuck Jackson &

 Cheryl Lescom

Friday December 12, 2025

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m

Long Branch Social House

3595 Lake Shore Boulevard West Toronto

Tickets

Dining Room $35.00

Bar $25.00 

Get ready to jingle and jam with Johnny Max, Cheryl Lescom & Chuck Jackson backed by a stellar band for a bluesy Christmas show that'll have you feeling festive all night long.

Doors open for 5:00pm for Dinner service, show starts promptly at 8:00pm. Once you've purchased your tickets please be sure to make a reservation directly with Long Branch Social House. Please include all names of ticket holders in your reservation booking.

TBS Members get an exclusive 15% Discount on tickets

Check your email for your discount code

or Email info@torontoblessociety.com

to check on your membership status

Tickets for The Canadian Blues Music Awards Gala

go on sale this Friday December 12 at 10am

TBS Members get presale tickets

ON Sale Now and 20% off tickets

2026 Canadian Blues Music Awards Gala:

The Phoenix Concert Theatre 

410 Sherbourne St. Toronto

 Monday, March 30, 2026

7pm Start Doors 6pm

Ticket prices range from $40 to $75 (plus Service fees) per person

(before discount):

Regular Seat Prices Below

• Floor Seats (General Admission) - $40.00 + $10.79 fees = $50.79
• Floor Standing (General Admission) - $30.00 + $10.49 fees = $40.49
• Balcony Seats (General Admission) $50.00 + $12.61 fees = $62.61 
• Skybox (2nd Floor - 4 seats - 3 Boxes) $75.00 + $13.36 fees = $88.36 x 4 = $353.44 per box

About the Canadian Blues Music Awards

The Canadian Blues Music Awards is Canada’s national blues awards program. Its goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field. 

ENTER THE TBS CONTEST FOR YOUR CHANCE TO

WIN A PAIR OF VIP TICKETS TO

JazzInToronto Songbird Series

Blue Standard:

Raoul Bhaneja & Jesse Whiteley

Celebrate Frank Sinatra & Joe Williams

Sunday December 14, 2025

The Pilot

22 Cumberland Street, Toronto

2:00-4:00pm Show

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Send an email to info@torontobluessociety.com

2. Type “Blue Standard Tix” into the subject title

3. Input your first and last name in the body of the email

Deadline: Entries must be submitted by

Thursday December 11 Midnight

Winners will be notified on Friday December 12

December Maple Blues News

In this month's issue

Harrison Kennedy inducted to the Escarpment Blues Society Hall of Fame

Single Season

Call for nominations TBS Board

Blues Britannia: Can Blue Men Sing the Whites? Bill King

Album Reviews

Miss Emily, Ross Neilsen & Pierre Lacocque’s Mississippi Heat

Concert Listings, Loose Blues News, Where it's on, Top Blues & more

New TBS 40th Tshirts

Only $30 Each plus shipping

We only made a limited number

so grab one before they're gone.

Sizes M, L & XL

Head over to our website to get one now or email info@torontobluessociety.com for more info

Honeybear, The Band

“I was wrong”

Honeybear, The Band, steps into the spotlight with a compelling album that speaks the language of blues with sincerity and vigor. Fronted by the charismatic Ian Beaty on vocals and bass, with Colin Brumelle’s guitar cutting through the mix, Mike Kenney’s keyboards coloring the soundscape, and Tim Watson’s steady drumming locking the groove, Honeybear offers a refreshingly honest blues experience for today’s listeners.

Produced by Jeff Zipp and released on their own Playmor label, the album showcases the band’s tight interplay and dynamic range. The music moves effortlessly between heartfelt balladry and upbeat grooves, with a sound rooted in classic blues tradition yet unafraid to embrace contemporary nuances. Honeybear invites listeners into a world where each song is a story, a confession, and a celebration.

The band’s Vancouver roots run deep, and their live shows are a testament to their commitment to connection and authenticity. Whether playing the intimate corners of local venues or larger festivals, Honeybear’s energy is palpable, and their musicianship impeccable. Their sound bridges generations, inviting longtime blues aficionados and new fans alike to rediscover the power of the genre.

“I Was Wrong,” the lead single released on June 20, 2025, is generating buzz on Spotify, SoundCloud, and YouTube, capturing attention with its raw emotion and catchy melodic hooks. The song’s lyrical honesty resonates widely, reminding listeners of the redemptive power of owning one’s mistakes and moving forward.

The band describes their creative process as deeply collaborative. “We write what we live,” says Ian Beaty. “Our songs come from real experiences, moments that stick with you — the kind of stories that belong in the blues.” Colin Brumelle adds, “We want the music to feel alive, something that makes people feel they’re part of the story.”

Honeybear’s lineup reads like a blueprint for success in modern blues: Ian Beaty’s soulful vocals and commanding bass; Colin Brumelle’s expressive guitar work; Mike Kenney’s rich keyboard textures; and Tim Watson’s solid, tasteful drumming. Together, they create a sound that is robust and nuanced, commanding attention without overpowering.

Concerts of Note

Here are some great Blues concerts that are coming our way

Monkey Junk

Cove Inn | Westport | December 11 - Buy Tickets

Toronto Blues Society Christmas Party A Bluesy Christmas 

Longbranch Social House | Etobicoke | December 12 - Buy Tickets

Kellylee Evans Wintersong

Hugh's Room Live | Toronto | December 16 - Buy Tickets

A Soulful Christmas feat. Quisha Wint, Micheal Dunston and Sean Jones

Hugh's Room Live | Toronto | December 18 - Buy Tickets

Suzie Vinnick

Hugh's Room Live | Toronto | December 27 - Buy Tickets

Jack de Keyzer New Year’s Day Matinee w/Easy Street Blues Band 

Polish Hall Brantford | Brantford | January 1 - Buy Tickets

January Blues with Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar 

Hugh's Room Live | Toronto | January 16 - Buy Tickets

Jack de Keyzer

Cove Inn | Westport | January 16 & 17 - Buy Tickets

Billy F Gibbons and the BFG Band 

Niagara Fallsview Casino | Niagara Falls | February 4 - Buy Tickets

The Maple Blues Revue feat: The Maple Blues Band w/ Jay Douglas, Samantha Martin, Suzie Vinnick

Capitol Centre | North Bay | February 14 - Buy Tickets

Matt Andersen w/ Mariel Buckley 

Centre In The Square | Kitchener | February 19 - Buy Tickets

The Maple Blues Revue feat: The Maple Blues Band w/ Jay Douglas, Samantha Martin, Suzie Vinnick

National Arts Centre | Ottawa | February 20 - Buy Tickets

The Maple Blues Revue feat: The Maple Blues Band w/ Jay Douglas, Samantha Martin, Suzie Vinnick

Algonquin Theatre | Huntsville | February 22 - Buy Tickets

Miss Emily

Cove Inn | Westport | February 27 - Buy Tickets

The Maple Blues Revue feat: The Maple Blues Band w/ Jay Douglas, Quisha Wint

The Westdale Theatre | Hamilton | March 6 - Buy Tickets

Kenny Wayne Shepherd w/Jimmie Vaughan 

OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino| Niagara Falls | March 14 - Buy Tickets

Crystal Shawanda

Cove Inn | Westport | March 20 - Buy Tickets

The Maple Blues Revue feat: The Maple Blues Band w/ Jay Douglas, Samantha Martin, Suzie Vinnick

Market Hall Cultural Centre | Peterborough | March 28 - Buy Tickets

George Thorogood & The Destroyers 

FirstOntario Concert Hall (Hamilton) | Hamilton | April 2 - Buy Tickets

George Thorogood & The Destroyers 

Casino Rama | Orillia | April 3 - Buy Tickets

Angelique Francis

Cove Inn | Westport | April 17 - Buy Tickets

LIVE BLUES!

Conor Gains Band at Cameron House

Thursday December 11, 10:00 pm, 408 Queen St W, Toronto

Got a blues show coming up?

Add it to our community listings at

http://torontobluessociety.com/events/

Artist and venue submissions help keep the calendar vibrant and up to date!

Wednesday, December 10

• Rob Heimstra & Friends at Epochal Imp, 1:00 pm, 123 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
• Oliophonic at Function Bar, 8:30 pm, 2291 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, 416-440-4007
• Action Sound Band at Grossman’s Tavern, 9:00 pm, 377 Spadina Ave., Toronto, (416) 977-7000
• Grant Lyle & Brotherhood at Black Swan Tavern, 10:00 pm, 154 Danforth, Toronto

Thursday, December 11

• Mike Daley and Wayne DeAdder at Castro’s Lounge, 6:00 pm, 2116 Queen St E, Toronto, (416) 699-8272
• MonkeyJunk at Blues at the Cove – The Cove Inn, 7:00 pm, 2 Bedford St, Westport, (613) 273-3636
• Robichaud’s Ride at Harbour St. Fish Bar, 7:00 pm, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood, 705-293-3474
• Quisha Wint – The Ladies of Soul: Part 3 at Jazz Room in Waterloo, 8:00 pm, 59 King St N, Waterloo
• Greene and Bleus Band at Grossman’s Tavern, 9:00 pm, 377 Spadina Ave., Toronto, (416) 977-7000
• Conor Gains Band at Cameron House, 10:00 pm, 408 Queen St W, Toronto

Friday, December 12

• Fraser/Daley at Castro’s Lounge, 5:30 pm, 2116 Queen St E, Toronto, (416) 699-8272
• Alfie Smith at Le Tambour Tavern, 6:00 pm, 345 James St N, Hamilton
• John McKinley solo at Lancaster Smokehouse, 6:00 pm, , Kitchener
• ‘Jammin’ For Joy’ SickKids Hospital charity concert: Gavin McLeod, Lost Faculty & Everbloom at Rivoli, 7:00 pm, 334 Queen St W, Toronto
• LMT Connection at Redwood Theatre, 8:00 pm, 1300 Gerrard St. E, Toronto
• The Gary Kendall Trio feat: Tyler Burgess & Teddy Leonard at Moonshine Cafe (new location), 8:00 pm, 568 Kerr St, Oakville, 905-844-2655
• Toronto Blues Society Christmas Party: A Bluesy Christmas Show at Longbranch Social House, 8:00 pm, 3595 Lake Shore Blvd W., Etobicoke
• VOODOO Pawn Shop at The Second Wedge Brewery, 8:30 pm, 14 Victoria St., Uxbridge
• Zeke Pippin at Sauce on Danforth, 9:00 pm, 1376 Danforth Ave., Toronto
• Fraser Melvin Blues Band at Cameron House, 10:00 pm, 408 Queen St W, Toronto

Saturday, December 13

• The Coachmen wsg Feddy on Guitar (Blues and Roots Matinee Sessions at The Upper Coach) at Coach and Lantern, 1:00 pm, 384 Wilson St E., Ancaster, 905-304-7822
• Mike Branton & Friends (matinee) at Moonshine Cafe (new location), 2:00 pm, 568 Kerr St, Oakville, 905-844-2655
• Blues Etc. wsg Dave Rave at Regency Athletic Resort, 2:30 pm, 8068 Mountain Rd., Niagara Falls
• The Credit River Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival: Open Jam with Dingo at Port Credit Legion, 3:00 pm, 35 Front St, Port Credit
• A Bluesy Christmas w Johnny Max, Chuck Jackson & Cheryl Lescom at Meaford Hall Arts And Cultural Centre, 7:30 pm, 12 Nelson St E, Meaford
• Alfie Smith at Red Harp Pub, 9:00 pm, , Acton
• The Swingin’ Blackjacks at Noonan’s Irish Pub, 9:00 pm, 141 Danforth Ave, Toronto ON, 416 778 1804
• Glenn Marais & The Mojo Train at Function Bar, 9:00 pm, 2291 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, 416-440-4007
• Jay Bleus Trio at Black Swan Tavern, 9:30 pm, 154 Danforth, Toronto

Sunday, December 14

• Trini Blue and the Distractions Rockpile’s Blues Open Jam at Rockpile, 12:00 pm, 5555a Dundas Street West, Toronto, 416-464-7614
• Jimmy’s Juke Joint w/ host Jim Casson, guests Paige Armstrong & Dane Wedderburn at Iggy’s Pub & Grub, 2:00 pm, 115 Hwy 20 E., Fonthill, 905-892-6667
• Little Magic Sam at Rivoli (Pool Hall), 3:00 pm, 332 Queen Street W, Toronto
• The Gary Kendall Trio feat: Tyler Burgess & Teddy Leonard at Castro’s Lounge, 4:00 pm, 2116 Queen St E, Toronto, (416) 699-8272
• The Sunday Junction Jam at The Cat Pub & Eatery, 4:00 pm, 3513 Dundas St W. (at Jane St.), Toronto
• Chuck Jackson at Roc’n Docs, 4:30 pm, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Mississauga, (905) 891-1754
• Paul Reddick Band at Rex Jazz and Blues Bar, 5:00 pm, 194 Queen St W., Toronto
• Alfie Smith w/ Jordan Stevens at Moonshine Cafe (new location), 8:00 pm, 568 Kerr St, Oakville, 905-844-2655
• Sunday Night Blues Jam at Grossman’s Tavern, 9:00 pm, 377 Spadina Ave., Toronto, (416) 977-7000
• Rae Melvin Band – Sunday Night Jam at Black Swan Tavern, 9:30 pm, 154 Danforth, Toronto

Monday, December 15

• Jenie Thai Band at Cameron House, 6:00 pm, 408 Queen St W, Toronto
• Acoustic Jam Mondays – Mike Sedgewick at Black Swan Tavern, 9:30 pm, 154 Danforth, Toronto

Tuesday, December 16

• Julian Fauth at Sauce on Danforth, 6:30 pm, 1376 Danforth Ave., Toronto
• Chris Ayries at Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, 7:30 pm, Wilson St. E, Ancaster
• Tyler Yarema at Roc’n Docs, 7:30 pm, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Mississauga, (905) 891-1754
• Kellylee Evans Wintersong at Hugh’s Room Live, 8:00 pm, 296 Broadview, Toronto
• Quality Building Supplies at Cameron House, 9:00 pm, 408 Queen St W, Toronto

Wednesday, December 17

• Rob Heimstra & Friends at Epochal Imp, 1:00 pm, 123 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
• Chris Chambers Band with Special Guest Chris Caddell at Coach and Lantern, 8:00 pm, 384 Wilson St E., Ancaster, 905-304-7822
• Action Sound Band at Grossman’s Tavern, 9:00 pm, 377 Spadina Ave., Toronto, (416) 977-7000

Thursday, December 18

• Mike Daley and Tim Bovaconti at Castro’s Lounge, 6:00 pm, 2116 Queen St E, Toronto, (416) 699-8272
• Blues For Christmas- A Little Magic Sam Holiday Bash at Only Cafe, 7:00 pm, 962 Danforth Ave., Toronto
• A Soulful Christmas feat. Quisha Wint, Micheal Dunston and Sean Jones at Hugh’s Room Live, 8:00 pm, 296 Broadview, Toronto

Friday, December 19

• Steve Strongman & Rob Szabo Annual Holiday Show at Room 47 (ex Starlight Lounge), 7:00 pm, 47 King St N, Waterloo
• Soul Stew – Dance Party at The Redwood Theatre, 7:00 pm
• Zeke Pippin at Sauce on Danforth, 9:00 pm, 1376 Danforth Ave., Toronto
• Chloe Watkinson at Grossman’s Tavern, 9:30 pm, 377 Spadina Ave., Toronto, (416) 977-7000

Saturday, December 20

• Mike Branton & Friends (matinee) at Moonshine Cafe (new location), 2:00 pm, 568 Kerr St, Oakville, 905-844-2655
• Alfie Smith (matinee) at Nickel Brook Brewing Co., 3:00 pm, 3426 Mainway, Burlington
• The Credit River Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival: Open Jam with Dingo at Port Credit Legion, 3:00 pm, 35 Front St, Port Credit
• Paul James Band at Smokeshow BBQ and Brew, 3:00 pm, 744 Mt Pleasant Rd, Toronto, 416-901-7469
• Mike Branton & The Late Night Band at Moonshine Cafe (new location), 8:00 pm, 568 Kerr St, Oakville, 905-844-2655
• Jesse Karwat & The Coin Collection at Function Bar, 9:00 pm, 2291 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, 416-440-4007

Sunday, December 21

• Trini Blue and the Distractions Rockpile’s Blues Open Jam at Rockpile, 12:00 pm, 5555a Dundas Street West, Toronto, 416-464-7614
• Jimmy’s Juke Joint w/ host Jim Casson, guests Danny Marks & Alec Fraser at Iggy’s Pub & Grub, 2:00 pm, 115 Hwy 20 E., Fonthill, 905-892-6667
• James Anthony Band w/ guest Virgil Scott at Ned Devine’s Irish Pub, 2:00 pm, 575 Ontario St S., Milton, (905) 864-6794
• The Sunday Junction Jam at Cat Pub & Eatery, 4:00 pm, 3513 Dundas St W. (at Jane St.), Toronto
• Chuck Jackson at Roc’n Docs, 4:30 pm, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Mississauga, (905) 891-1754
• Paul Reddick Band at Rex Jazz and Blues Bar, 5:00 pm, 194 Queen St W., Toronto
• Jay Bleus Trio at Emmet Ray, 8:00 pm, 924 College St., Toronto, 416-792-4497
• Sunday Night Blues Jam at Grossman’s Tavern, 9:00 pm, 377 Spadina Ave., Toronto, (416) 977-7000
• Rae Melvin Band – Sunday Night Jam at Black Swan Tavern, 9:30 pm, 154 Danforth, Toronto

Be sure to visit http://torontobluessociety.com/events/

for the latest Live Blues listings

With a Toronto Blues Society membership, not only do you help support TBS and all the events we produce, you also receive these great benefits:

•  Maple Blues News emailed to you on the first of every month
• 20% discount on  Canadian Blues Music Awards tickets & exclusive early bird ticket access
• 20% discount on Women’s Blues Revue tickets & exclusive early bird ticket access
• 10% off every purchase from the Dead Dog Records, Toronto (1209 Bloor St. West &  1696 Queen St. West)
• TBS voting rights
• Discount tickets to all TBS events 
• Exclusive access to industry discounts, ticket giveaways, and more!

Toronto Blues Society

PO BOX 94035 RPO Bedford Toronto ON M4N3R1

www.torontobluessociety.com

416-538-3885 info@torontobluessociety.com

STAY CONNECTED