Please Support Local Charities

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Please Support Local Charities

From their website: Since 1966, the poverty of loneliness and exclusion has been overcome with friendship and compassion at Welcome Inn Community Centre, where people from all walks of life work together to alleviate poverty in the North End and across Hamilton.

The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week.  HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.

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Happy 'Punk for a Day' Day! Videos by Pantychrist, Saint Alvia, Creepshow

Update of 2021 post

Links: Pantychrist, Video above courtesy of Richard Dryfist

Links: Saint Alvia, More Saint Alvia Stories, Video above courtesy of Stomp Records

 
Links: Creepshow, Video above courtesy of Stomp Records

 
Links: More Punk Stories, More Punk Day Videos

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Previous

Music Listings: October 25-29, 2026

October 25-29, 2026

We try our best to make sure these listings are as accurate as possible. If you spot any errors or omissions, please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com.

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Oct 25-29 / Oct 30-Nov 1

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Sunday, October 25

Barton Village Sunday Market (with live music) @ Barton & Birch (Hamilton) (2nd & 4th Sun- June-Oct)

---- Before 3:00pm ----

11:30am-2pm: Jazz Brunch with Henry Strong & Friends @ Ottawa Street Local (Hamilton) (Weekly) 

11:30am: Beatles Brunch ft Andrew McTaggart @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)

1pm: Voices From A Concrete Ceiling (Rita Chiarelli Documentary Screening) + Q&A with Rita @ Playhouse Cinema (Hamilton) $12

1-3pm: Special Olympics Hamilton Benefit Concert ft Jay Erlich, Jeff Gunn, Dwayne Morgan, Ron & Jules, Paul Coombs @ Shawn & Ed Brewing Co (Dundas) $19.50 

1:30-4:30pm: Irish Jam Session @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls) (Weekly)

2-5pm: Open Mic Hosted by SnowHeel Slim @ Checkered Flag  (Hamilton) (Bi-Weekly)

2-5pm: Piper & Carson (Full Band) @ Mule Spinner (Hamilton) $35

2-4pm: Dundas Folklore Centre presents Irish Millie & Murray @ The Dundas Museum $27.96

2-5pm: James Anthony @ Ned Devine's (Milton)

2pm: Chris Funk- Redefining Wonder (Magic Show with Live Music) @ FirstOntario Arts Centre (Milton) $? 

2-5pm: Open Mic @ Harbourfront Inn (Port Colbourne)(Weekly)

2-5pm: Ron McEwen @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

2-5pm: Matt Vandersluys @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

2-5pm: The Tonewheels @Busholme (Erin) PWYC

2pm: Into the Woods (Musical) @ Country Playhouse (St. Jacobs) $? (Oct 8-25) 

2pm: Ray @ Falls Road on Victoria (Kitchener)

2-6pm: Jasmine T Band @ Port Dover Legion 

2pm: The Worlds Greatest Tribute To The Traveling Wilburys @ Lighthouse Theatre (Port Dover) $?

2pm: Julian Taylor & Evan Rotella @ Old Town Hall (Waterford) $35

2:30-6pm: Brant Parker Blues Band + Mark Crissinger @ Donnelly's Pub (Thorold) $10

2:30pm: Jimmy’s Juke Joint Hosted by Jim Casson ft Cheryl Lescom & Chuckee Zehr @ Iggy’s Pub & Grub (Fonthill)

---- After 3:00pm ----

3-5pm: Sterling @ Nickelbrook Brewing (Burlington) 

3pm: Mike Stevenson & Friend @ BLK Swan, Brant St. (Burlington) (Weekly)

3-6pm: Open Stage with Hellion Ton @ Cornerstone (Guelph) (Weekly) 

3-5pm: Snowblind ft Boyd McDonald @ Registry Theatre (Kitchener) $?

3pm: Sarah McLeod @ Boathouse (Kitchener)

3:30-6:30pm: ANAT @ Duke of Wellington (Waterloo) (Weekly)

4pm: Glenn Groves @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)

4-8pm: Electric Hounds @ Super Mario's Pizza (Port Colborne)

5-8pm: MoJo @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines) 

6:30-9:30pm: Paige Armstrong Band @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

7pm: Lucas Stagg @ The Avro (Hamilton)

7pm: Champagne James Robertson @ The Capitol Bar (Hamilton)

7pm: Jam @ Henry’s on James (Hamilton) (Weekly)

7:30pm: Open Mic @ Golden Brothers (Welland) (Weekly)

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Monday, October 26 (Ontario Municipal Elections)

12-3pm: We Three Kings: Pop, Soul, and Rock & Roll (Elvis, James Brown, Michael Jackson) @ Gathering Place by the Grand (Ohsweken) $? (Oct 26-27)

3:30-4:30pm: Hamilton Suzuki School of Music Students @ Hamilton Public Library, Binbrook FREE

3:30-4:30pm: Amanda Jansen: Flute @ Hamilton Public Library, Sherwood FREE

6-7:30pm: Guitar Pickers (Open Stage) @ Hamilton Public Library, Greensville (Weekly)

6-7:30pm: Shaky Knees Club: Songwriting Workshops and Showcase @ Hamilton Public Library, West Harbour 

6-9pm: Beatles Tribute ft Re-Peatles @ Innsville (Stoney Creek)  (Weekly)

6-8pm: Youth Jam @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $5 (Weekly)

6:30-8pm: Open Mic & Workshop with Victor Morgado @ Smoke and Moonshine (Beamsville) (Weekly)

6:30-10pm: Open Mic @ Duke of Wellington (Waterloo) (Weekly)

7-11pm: Acoustic Open Mic with Sean Fuller @ Pub 36 (Hamilton) (Weekly)

7:30-10:30pm: Irish Traditional Sessions @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

8pm: Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923 Silent Movie Screening) with music by Guelph Chamber Choir @ The Westdale (Hamilton) $?

8pm: Open Jam with Iain Leslie @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) (Weekly)

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Tuesday, October 27

10am-4pm: Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music (Exhibit) @ Visitor Experience Centre (Hamilton) (Jan 27-Dec 31, Tue-Sat)

12pm: RBC Music at Noon ft Tim Phelan (guitar) Doug Miller (flute) @ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Recital Hall (St. Catharines) $?

12-3pm: We Three Kings: Pop, Soul, and Rock & Roll (Elvis, James Brown, Michael Jackson) @ Gathering Place by the Grand (Ohsweken) $? (Oct 26-27)

3pm: André-Philippe Gagnon @ Fallsview Casino Resort, Avalon Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (Oct 27-29)

4:30pm: Northshore Highlanders @ Port Dover Legion (Weekly)

5-6pm: Guitar Pickers (Open Stage) @ Hamilton Public Library, Kenilworth FREE (Weekly)

7-10pm: Open Mic with Brennagh Burns @ Lukaya Cafe (Hamilton) (Weekly)

7pm: Open Mike  with Neil MacNaughton @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $5 (Weekly)

7-10pm: Open Mic @ The Boathouse (Kitchener)(Weekly)

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8pm: Arthur O'Brien + Mike Sixongate @ Mills Hardware (Hamilton) $20

8-11pm: Open Jam with the Boom Babiez @ Ale House (Hamilton) (Weekly) 

8pm: Adam Baldwin @ Sonic Hall (Guelph) $30 

8:30-11:30pm: Open Mic/Jam @ Barton Touchdown Pub (Hamilton) (Weekly)

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Wednesday, October 28

10am-4pm: Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music (Exhibit) @ Visitor Experience Centre (Hamilton) (Jan 27-Dec 31, Tue-Sat)

3pm: André-Philippe Gagnon @ Fallsview Casino Resort, Avalon Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (Oct 27-29)

4-7pm: Open Mic Hosted by Victor Morgado @ Ridgeway Legion (Bi-Weekly)

5pm: HDSB SingOntario 2026 @ FirstOntario Arts Centre (Milton) $? 

7-10pm: Dan Thomas & Lester Smith @ East End Social (Hamilton)

7-10pm: Open Mic with Brant Parker @ Donnelly's Pub (Thorold) (Last Wed)

7pm: Perry and Mark @ Royal Electric (Guelph) (Weekly) 

7-10pm: Open Mic @ The Bullring (Guelph) (Weekly)

7:30pm: Adam Ostrosser @ Thirsty Cactus (Dundas) (Bi-Weekly) 

8-11pm: Open Mic @ The Block Co (Burlington) (Weekly)

8pm: Shjaane Glover @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $20

8-11pm: Open Mic with Mike Shotton (Pop Machine) @ Gingerman (Oakville) (Weekly)

8-12pm: Open Jam @ Frankie's (Brantford) (Weekly) 

8pm: Slow Leaves with Matthew Holtby @ Sonic Hall (Guelph) $20

8pm: Back out of Helloween - the Ultimate Meat Loaf Tribute @ Fergus Grand Theatre $? 

8pm: Mariza @ Centre In The Square, Raffi Armenian Theatre (Kitchener) $? 

8-11pm: Blues Review ft Jon Knight & Friend @ White Rabbitt (Waterloo) (Weekly)

8pm: Felicia McMinn @ 211Main (Port Dover) (Weekly)

8:30pm: André-Philippe Gagnon @ Fallsview Casino Resort, Avalon Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (Oct 27-29)

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Thursday, October 29

---- Before 7:00pm ----

10am-4pm: Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music (Exhibit) @ Visitor Experience Centre (Hamilton) (Jan 27-Dec 31, Tue-Sat) 

10am-12pm: Breakfast of Champions (Radio Show) w Paul Panchezak (Trickbag) @ 93.3 CFMU or cfmu.ca (Weekly) 

1-3pm: Open Ukulele Session @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $5 (Weekly)

3pm: André-Philippe Gagnon @ Fallsview Casino Resort, Avalon Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (Oct 27-29)

6pm: Woodly @ Henry’s on James (Hamilton) 

6pm: Jamie Petrie @ Forge BBQ (Ancaster) (Weekly)

6-9pm: Open Mic @ Crystal Chandelier (Crystal Beach) (Weekly) 

6pm: Open Mic @ Brandi's (Brantford)(Weekly)

6-8pm: Music @ 2 Rivers (Paris) 

6-9pm: Lucas Stagg @ Aging Oak (Cambridge) (Weekly)

6-8pm: Turk & The Hobbit (Juneyt & Derek) @ Molly Blooms (Waterloo) (Weekly)

6:30pm: Innisfree @ Corktown Pub (Hamilton) (Weekly)

6:30-8:30pm: Sean Bienhaus @ Shawn & Ed Brewing Co (Dundas) FREE 

6:30-8:30pm: Eddie Pizzo (Piano) @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake)(Weekly)

---- 7:00pm -7:59pm ----

7-9pm: Music @ Squires Pub on Locke (Hamilton) 

7pm: Classic Country Open Mic with the Country Ramblers @ 447 Wing (Hamilton) (Weekly) 

7-10pm: Jacob Ludwig @ Teddy's (Grimsby)

7-10pm: Josh Coulter @ Judge & Jester (Grimsby) (Weekly)

7pm: Zeus w/ Feverish Lemons @ Helliwell Hall (St Catharines) $20

7-10pm: Matt Miani @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls) 

7-10pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Harmony United Church (Brantford) (Bi-Weekly)

7-10pm: Music @ Manhattans (Guelph) 

7-10pm: Stan Chang & Gary Taylor @Busholme (Erin)

7pm: Open Mic @ The Falls Road on Victoria (Kitchener) (Weekly)

7:30pm: The Odin Quartet: Halloween Hauntings @ Ancaster Memorial Centre, Peller Hall $?

7:30pm?: Music @ The Block Co, Edison Room (Burlington) 

7:30pm: Stampeders @ FirstOntario Arts Centre (Milton) $?

7:30-10:30pm: Open Mic with Victor Morgado @ Your Neighbourhood Pizza Co (Beamsville)  (Weekly) 

7:30-10:30pm: Paddyman @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

7:30-9:30pm: Destroyer: An Evening of KISS @ Sanderson Centre (Brantford) $? 

---- After 8:00pm ----

8pm?:  Tr3nt & Friends @ Ooey Gooey's (Hamilton) $?

8pm: "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY" - The Horror-ific Truth Behind The Alice Cooper Group w. Bob Ezrin & Dennis Dunaway @ Bridgeworks (Hamilton) $44.29 

8pm: Timber Trio @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $15 

8pm: Murray Drive @ Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, Studio Theatre -Lower Level $35

8-11pm: Open Mic Night + Jam @ Temple Bar (Oakville) (Weekly) 

8-10pm: A Romantic Evening with the Baltic Piano Trio @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

8pm: Rock & Roll Heaven @ Yuk Yuk's (Niagara Falls)

8pm: Jesse Roper @ Sonic Hall (Guelph) $25 

8pm: The Campfire Poets @ Busholme (Erin) $25

8-11:30pm: Open Mic with Nora Crete and Derek Bowers @ Elora Legion (Weekly)

8-11pm: Acoustic Melodies ft Lor & Friends @ White Rabbitt (Waterloo) (Weekly)

8:30pm: Open Mic @ Coach & Lantern (Ancaster) (Weekly) 

8:30pm: André-Philippe Gagnon @ Fallsview Casino Resort, Avalon Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (Oct 27-29)

9pm-12am: Black Hat@ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

9pm: Evan Rotella & Mark Rogers @ Fallsview Casino Resort, Lucky's Restaurant (Niagara Falls) 

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Oct 22-25 / Oct 26-Nov 1

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Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors

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Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors

Ken Wallis is an amazing local music supporter. He has a great radio show

Tuesdays: 4-5:30pm: Blues Source Canada w Ken Wallis @ INDI 101.5 FM 

Now on-demand at Mixcloud

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Throwback Thursday: JW Jones on Guitar Player Magazine Compilation (2009)

Original: Part of Aug 25, 2009 Post

Updated/Expanded Post: Thursday, October 15, 2026

In 2009, Guitar Player Magazine Releases a CD compilation, Guitar Masters Vol. 2, that featured the song Parasomnia by Ottawa Bluesman JW Jones. The incredible track hung out with such guitar luminaries as Jimmy Page, Santana, BB King, Yngwie Malmsteen & others.

Links: JW Jones, More JW Jones Stories, Video above courtesy of Jw Jones Band - Topic

Available on Spotify, Amazon Music, You Tube. CD may be available used online.

Tracklist

Not on online services*

1. Yngwie Malmsteen–Light Up The Sky *
2. Jimmy Page, Lord Sutch– Flashing Lights *
3. Santana–Jingo *
4. B.B. King– Payin' The Cost To Be The Boss*
5. Pete Anderson–Baby Done Something Wrong
6. Larry McCray–Buck Naked
7. Michael Lee Firkins, Neil Zaza–Fargo
8. Brian Tarquin, Max Middleton–Jungle Room Boogie
9. Hal Lindes–Ricarda
10. The JW-Jones Blues Band–Parasomnia
11. Brian Tarquin, Steve Morse-Towers
12. Beat The Bone–Planet E
13. The Flyin' Ryan Brothers–Gaza
14. Alex De Rosso–Wishes

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Previous (Winners of the 2026 Ontario Folk Music Awards)

Support Local Charities

From their website: Begun in the 1980's out of a desire to help one family with a terminally ill child, the TENDER WISHES FOUNDATION has grown to seek out and grant wishes to children in the Niagara Region who suffer from a potentially life-threatening illness.

The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week.  HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.

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Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors

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Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors

NEED COMPUTER HELP? Try First Choice Computer Solutions. 

Their service is friendly and reliable. In person and remote assistance available.

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Winners of the 2026 Ontario Folk Music Awards

The Ontario Folk Music Awards were handed out at The Studio in Hamilton, Ontario on Wednesday, October 14th during the annual Folk Canada Conference. 

Highlights from local area artists

• Brantford's Logan Staats earned Performing Artist of the Year & the Culture in Climate Award and also perfomed.
• Waterdown's own Terra Lightfoot did an amazing job hosting the night too.
• Hamilton songstress Treasa Leveasseur led a musical tribute to Coco Love Alcorn when she earned the Estelle Klein Community Builder Award.
• The final jam was a cover of Shine from Hamilton legends Junkhouse.

Media

• Hamilton City Magazine
• CHCH
• Roots Music Canada
• Billboard Canada

Below is a complete list of winners. 

• Performing Artist of the Year: Logan Staats (Brantford)
  
  
  
  Links: Logan Staats, More Logan Staats Stories, Video above courtesy of Logan Staats
  
  
• Culture in Climate Award: Logan Staats (Brantford)
• Album of the Year: Reasons To Stay by Tanika Charles
• Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award: Jonathan Nvita
• Estelle Klein Community Builder Award: Coco Love Acorn
• Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award: Chris White
• Music Video of the Year: “Been Done” by Frank Mighty
  
  
  
  Links: Frank Mighty, More Frank Mighty, Video above courtesy of Frank Mighty
  
  
• Recording Artist of the Year: Aysanabee
• Song of the Year: “Quit My Habit” by Rebekah Hawker
  
  
  
  Links: Rebekah Hawker, More Rebekah Hawker Stories, Video above courtesy of Rebekah Hawker

More Ontario Folk Music Awards Stories

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Previous (New Smoke Wagon Blues Band Double Live Album) - - - Next (Throwback Thursday: JW Jones on 2009 Guitar Player Magazine Compilation)

Still Jukin' Celebrates 30 Wonderful Years of the Smoke Wagon Blues Band

Mini-Review: To celebrate their 30th anniversary, the award-winning local favorite, SSmoke Wagon Blues Band, has released a double-live album: Still Jukin'. Recorded live at Kitchener's Registry Theatre, it captures the band performing at the absolute top of their game. This is what 30 years of powerful blues sounds like!

Available: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Their Website (CD + Download), Their Live Shows (CD)

Links: Smoke Wagon Blues Band, More Smoke Wagon Blues Band Stories, Album above courtesy of  The Smoke Wagon Blues Band - Topic, More Releases

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Previous (Hug a Bassist Day Videos) - - - Next (Winners of the 2026 Ontario Folk Music Awards)

Hug a Bassist Day Videos of Justine Fischer

Update of 2021 Post

Links: Matty Simpson, More Matty Simpson Stories, Video above courtesy of Matty Simpson

Links: Logan Staats, More Logan Staats Stories, Video above courtesy of L Staats

Links: Spencer Mackenzie, More Spencer Mackenzie Stories, Video above courtesy of Frank Muggianu

Links: Justine Fischer, More Justine Fischer Videos, More Bassist Day Posts

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Previous (Thanksgiving Videos) - - - Next (New Smoke Wagon Blues Band Double Live Album)