Thursday, May 7, 2026

2026 Canadian Tony Awards Nominees including Hamilton's Caissie Levy

The Hammer is proud that it's very own Caissie Levy is up for a 2026 Tony Award for her work in the musical Ragtime.

A number of other Canadian got the nod including a few for the show Titaníque, which weaves Celine Dion songs into a parody of the Titanic movie. The production and cast feature a number of Canadians.

Hopefully a few Canucks will bring home the hardware at the awards show on Sunday June 7, 2026.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Below is a complete list of nominees. Canadians are bolded.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Best Book of a Musical

  • Titaníque
  • The Lost Boys
  • Schmigadoon!
  • Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Best Musical

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

  • Layton Williams (Titaníque)
  • Ali Louis Bourzgui (The Lost Boys)
  • André De Shields (Cats: The Jellicle Ball)
  • Bryce Pinkham (Chess)
  • Ben Levi Ross (Ragtime)

Best Revival of a Musical

  • Ragtime (ft Hamilton's Caissie Levy)
  • Cats: The Jellicle Ball
  • Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show

Best Sound Design of a Play

  • Lee Kinney (The Fear of 13
  • Justin Ellington (August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone) 
  • Tom Gibbons (Oedipus) 
  • Josh Schmidt (Bug) 
  • Mikaal Sulaiman (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)

Best Choreography

  • Christopher Gattelli (Schmigadoon!) 
  • Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant (The Lost Boys) 
  • Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons (Cats: The Jellicle Ball) 
  • Ellenore Scott (Ragtime)
  • Ani Taj (Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show)

Best Costume Design of a Play

  • Brenda Abbandandolo (Dog Day Afternoon) 
  • Qween Jean (Liberation)
  • Jeff Mahshie (Fallen Angels) 
  • Emilio Sosa (The Balusters) 
  • Paul Tazewell (August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone)

Best Direction of a Musical

  • Michael Arden (The Lost Boys) 
  • Lear deBessonet (Ragtime)
  • Christopher Gattelli (Schmigadoon!) 
  • Tim Jackson (Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York)
  • Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch (Cats: The Jellicle Ball)

Best Direction of a Play

  • Nicholas Hytner (Giant)
  • Robert Icke (Oedipus) 
  • Kenny Leon (The Balusters) 
  • Joe Mantello (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
  • Whitney White (Liberation) 

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

  • Kevin Adams (Chess) 
  • Jen Schriever and Michael Arden (The Lost Boys) 
  • Jane Cox (Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show) 
  • Adam Honoré and Donald Holder (Ragtime) 
  • Donald Holder (Schmigadoon!) 
  • Adam Honoré (Cats: The Jellicle Ball) 

Best Lighting Design of a Play

  • Isabella Byrd (Dog Day Afternoon) 
  • Natasha Chivers (Oedipus) 
  • Stacey Derosier (August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone) 
  • Heather Gilbert (Bug) 
  • Heather Gilbert (The Fear of 13) 
  • Jack Knowles (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman) 

Best Orchestrations

  • Doug Besterman and Mike Morris (Schmigadoon!)
  • Ethan Popp, Adrianne "AG" Gonzalez, Gabriel Mann, Kyler England (The Lost Boys) 
  • Lux Pyramid (Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York)
  • Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Wilson, Trevor Holder and Doug Schadt (Cats: The Jellicle Ball)
  • Brian Usifer (Chess) 

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

  • Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
  • August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone
  • The Lost Boys
  • Schmigadoon!
  • Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

  • Christopher Abbott (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
  • Danny Burstein (Marjorie Prime)
  • Brandon J. Dirden (Waiting for Godot)
  • Alden Ehrenreich (Becky Shaw)
  • Ruben Santiago-Hudson (August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone)
  • Richard Thomas (The Balusters)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

  • Nicholas Christopher (Chess)
  • Luke Evans (Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show)
  • Joshua Henry (Ragtime)
  • Sam Tutty (Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York)
  • Brandon Uranowitz (Ragtime)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

  • Will Harrison (Punch)
  • Nathan Lane (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
  • John Lithgow (Giant)
  • Daniel Radcliffe (Every Brilliant Thing)
  • Mark Strong (Oedipus)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

  • Shoshana Bean (The Lost Boys)
  • Hannah Cruz (Chess)
  • Rachel Dratch (Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show)
  • Ana Gasteyer (Schmigadoon!)
  • Nichelle Lewis (Ragtime)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

  • Betsy Aidem (Liberation)
  • Marylouise Burke (The Balusters)
  • Aya Cash (Giant)
  • Laurie Metcalf (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
  • June Squibb (Marjorie Prime)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

  • Rose Byrne (Fallen Angels)
  • Carrie Coon (Bug)
  • Susannah Flood (Liberation)
  • Lesley Manville (Oedipus)
  • Kelli O'Hara (Fallen Angels)

Best Play

  • The Balusters
  • Giant
  • Liberation
  • Little Bear Ridge Road

Best Revival of a Play

  • Becky Shaw
  • Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
  • Every Brilliant Thing
  • Fallen Angels
  • Oedipus

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

  • dots (Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show)
  • Soutra Gilmour (Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
  • Rachel Hauck (Cats: The Jellicle Ball)
  • Dane Laffrey (The Lost Boys)
  • Scott Pask (Schmigadoon!)

Best Scenic Design of a Play

  • Hildegard Bechtler (Oedipus)
  • Takeshi Kata (Bug)
  • David Korins (Dog Day Afternoon)
  • Chloe Lamford (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
  • David Rockwell (Fallen Angels)

Best Sound Design of a Musical

  • Adam Fisher (The Lost Boys) 
  • Kai Harada (Cats: The Jellicle Ball) 
  • Kai Harada (Ragtime) 
  • Brian Ronan (Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show) 
  • Walter Trarbach (Schmigadoon!)  

Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award

  • Mary-Mitchell Campbell

Special Tony Award
  • League of Resident Theatres (LORT)

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

  • André Bishop
  • James Lapine
  • Jules Fisher

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre

  • 1/52 Project
  • Jake Bell
  • Kenn Lubin
  • Loren Plotkin


Previous (Accordion Day Videos)

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Music Listings: May 7-10, 2026

May 7, 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.


May 7-10 / May 11-17


Thursday, May 7

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

ArtsEverywhere Festival (Guelph) (May 7-12)




12:30pm: Open Ukulele Session @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $5 (Weekly)

5:30pm: Jamie Petrie @ Forge BBQ (Ancaster) (Weekly)



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

6-8pm: Ed Pizzo on the Baby Grand Piano @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Weekly)

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






6:30-8:30pm: Nella @ Shawn & Ed Brewing Co (Dundas) 

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

7-8:15pm: Matilda Jr (Musical) @ Gasworks (Hamilton) $30+ (May 7-9)


7-10pm: Paige Armstrong @ Teddy's (Grimsby) 

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

7-10pm: Elliott Brood @ The Exchange (Niagara Falls) $39.97+

7-10pm: Stu & Jay Peterson @ Manhattans (Guelph)  

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





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

7:30-10:30pm: The O'Deadlys @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

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

8pm: Ariel Posen @ Mills Hardware (Hamilton) $25.66




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

8-10pm: Dragan on the Sax @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Weekly)


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


Friday, May 8

---- Before 6:00pm ----


ArtsEverywhere Festival (Guelph) (May 7-12)







3-7pm: Jamie Boomer Time & Dinner @ ANAF Club (Guelph) (Weekly)



5-8pm: Brad James @ Fool & Flagon (Hamilton) (Weekly

---- 6:00-6:59pm ----



6-9pm: James Anthony @ Scout Cafe (Stoney Creek) (Weekly)

6pm: The Bull Collective @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)

6-8pm: Jamie Shea @ Nickelbrook Brewing (Burlington)

6-8pm: Redline Radio @ Puddy's (St. Catharines)

6-10pm: Ricardo Barboza Band & Samba Dancers @ Brasa (Niagara Falls) (Weekly Fri & Sat)




6:30pm: Dave Menard @ Easy Pour (Cambridge) 

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

7-10pm: Ty Price @ East End Social (Hamilton) 



7-10pm: Michael Theodore @ Ottawa St Local (Hamilton) (Weekly

7pm: Mike Balonjan @ Piper Arms (Burlington)



7-10pm: Dueling Pianos @ Uptown Social House (Burlington) (Every Fri & Sat)

7-10pm: Soul Jam @ Crystal Chandelier (Crystal Beach)

7-11pm: Atkinson Brothers @ Polish Hall (Brantford) $8 

7-10pm: 
Woody Woodburn 
@ Manhattans
 (Guelph)

7pm?: Brad Hailz @ Sandbar on the Beach (Turkey Point)





7:30pm: Dirty Pioneers @ Gator Ted's (Burlington)

7:30pm: Nice Work If You Can Get It @ Drury Lane Theatre (Burlington) $? (May 8-31)



---- 8:00-8:59pm ---- 





8pm? Adam & Court @ Handsome Dave's (Hamilton) 







8-11pm: Ford Kellermann Band @ Gingerman (Oakville) 


8-11pm: Brett Friesen @ Teddy's (Grimsby)


8-11:45pm: Open Mic @ Mahtay Cafe (St. Catharines) (Weekly

8pm: Anvil @ Columbus Club (Niagara) $35 adv/$40 door




8-10:30pm: Top Pocket @ The Jazz Room (Waterloo) $?



8:30pm-12:30am: Boom Box @ Ye Olde Squire, Fennell (Hamilton) 

8:30-11:30pm: Chris Wheeler Band @ Forge BBQ (Ancaster)

8:30pm: Kevin Beeby @ Coach & Lantern (Ancaster)

8:30-11:30pm: Ryan Thomas Smelle @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

---- After 9:00pm ----





9pm-1am: James Robert Band @ Come by Chance (Hamilton) 

9pm: Fiddlestix @ Jersey's Bar & Grill (Burlington) 

9pm-1am: On Tap @ Pitchers Sports Bar (St. Catharines)

9pm-12am: Kim Kay and Stop @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines)

9pm-12am: The Bash @ The Hub (Welland) 





9pm: The 3 Avocados @ 211 Main (Port Dover) 


9:30pm-1am: X-Prime @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

10pm: Fiction @ B-Side Social (Hamilton) 

10pm: Jammr @ Powerhouse (Stoney Creek) 


10pm: Time Machine @ The Dickens (Burlington) 

10pm-2am: Evermile @ Whiskey Dawgs (St. Catharines) 

10pm-2am: Rudy Gunn @ Big Texas (Niagara Falls) 

Saturday, May 9 (Train Day)

---- Before 2:00pm ----



ArtsEverywhere Festival (Guelph) (May 7-12)



11am-9pm: Sew Hungry @ Ottawa St (Hamilton)

1-2:15pm: Matilda Jr (Musical) @ Gasworks (Hamilton) $30+ (May 7-9)



1-4pm: Acoustic Jam @ Briskit BBQ (Georgetown) (Weekly)



---- 2:00-3:59pm ----

2-5pm: Mike Branton & Friends @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $10 (Weekly) 

2-4:30pm: Open Mic with Victor Morgado @ Smoke and Moonshine (Beamsville) (Weekly)




3-7pm: Bareback Riders @ Come by Chance (Hamilton) 



3-6pm: Open Mic @ Sessions on the River (Fort Erie) (Weekly)


3-6pm: Johnny B @ Duke of Wellington (Waterloo) (Weekly)

---- 3:00-6:59pm ----

4pm: North Gone South @ Black Bull (Burlington) 

4-7pm: Jazz Express @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines) (Weekly)





6-9pm: Nick Bescio @ Briskit BBQ (Georgetown) 

6-10pm: Ricardo Barboza Band & Samba Dancers @ Brasa (Niagara Falls) (Weekly Fri & Sat) 



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

7pm: The Lost Roses @ Clifford Brewing Co (Hamilton) $10/PWYC


7-8:15pm: Matilda Jr (Musical) @ Gasworks (Hamilton) $30+ (May 7-9)



7-9:30pm: Heavy Jam @ The Bank, Art House (Welland)

7-10pm: 
Luke Brazin 
@ Manhattans
 (Guelph)







7:30pm: Nice Work If You Can Get It @ Drury Lane Theatre (Burlington) $? (May 8-31)

---- 8:00-8:59pm ----

8pm: MJD @ Buddy's Roadhouse (Hamilton) 




8pm: Detour @ Brown Barrell (Hamilton)


8pm? Chris Jupp @ Handsome Dave's (Hamilton) 

8pm: Moonshine Rewind @ Black Bull (Burlington) 



8pm: The Weber Brothers @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $35 (May 9-10)

8-11pm: The Vans Deferens @ Gingerman (Oakville) 


8-11pm: Matthew James @ Teddy's (Grimsby)






8-10:30pm: Gordon Sheard Trio @ The Jazz Room (Waterloo) $? 




8:30pm: Shari & Jonny @ Thirsty Cactus (Dundas) 

8:30-11:30pm: Mountain Lion Trappers @ Forge BBQ (Ancaster) 


8:30pm: Dela Walk Duo @ Winchester Arms (Dundas) 

8:30-11:30pm: The Feverish Lemons @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)


---- After 9:00pm ----


.
9pm: Tyler Gifford @ Shooterville (Burlington)

8pm: Grady Brothers @ Pump & Patio (Oakville) 

9pm: Black Sheep @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines) 

9-11:45pm: Breakfast Club @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls)



9pm: Sarah Church @ 211 Main (Port Dover)


9:30pm-1am: The Midnight Sons @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)


10pm: London Underground @ Powerhouse (Stoney Creek) 

10pm: Station 31 @ BLK Swan, Brant St (Burlington)

10pm: Empty Hours @ The Dickens (Burlington) 

10pm-2am: Aldershot @ Whiskey Dawgs (St. Catharines)

10pm-2am: Chase Heaslip @ Big Texas (Niagara Falls)

Sunday, May 10 (Mother's Day)

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


ArtsEverywhere Festival (Guelph) (May 7-12)



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

1-4pm: Roger Wyatt Trio @ The Hub (Welland) 


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

---- 2:00pm - 3:59pm ----


2-5pm: Lionel Bernard @ Battlefield Legion (Stoney Creek) $10


7:30pm: Nice Work If You Can Get It @ Drury Lane Theatre (Burlington) $? (May 8-31)

2pm: The Weber Brothers @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $35 (May 9-10)


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


2-5pm: Gavin Ray Duo @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

2-5pm: Sean Bienhaus @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)



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

3-5pm: Eric James @ Nickelbrook Brewing (Burlington) 

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

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


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



7pm: Jesse Gollem @ The Avro (Hamilton)

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



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


COMING SOON!

May



May 7-12: ArtsEverywhere Festival (Guelph)


May 8-31: Nice Work If You Can Get It @ Drury Lane Theatre (Burlington) $? # 

May 11, 7-9pm: Brant Harmonica Guild @ Knights (Brantford) (2nd & Fourth Mondays)


May 12, 7pm: Song Circle @ ANAF Club (Guelph) (2nd & 4th Wed) PWYC

May 12, 7:30pm: Ian Thomas... Not Gone Yet @ Sanderson Centre (Brantford) $83




May 13, 7:30pm: Ian Thomas... Not Gone Yet! @ River Run Centre (Guelph) $86 #



May 14, 7-10pm: Greg Brisco & Ian Andrews @ The Boiler & Whistle (Hamilton) (2nd Thu)


May 14, 7:30pm: Live Jam & Open Mic Hosted by Sessionista @ The Barber Towne Pub (Georgetown) (2nd & 4th Thu) 

May 16-18: Binbrook Ribfest @ Binbrook Fairgrounds $2/Kids Free


May 17, 2-6pm: Trickbag @ Boiler & Whistle (Hamilton)

May 17, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5


May 20, 7-11pm: Dundas Music Club @ Oddfellows Hall (Dundas) (3rd Wed) 

May 20, 7:30-10pm: Open Mic with Corey @ The Staircase, Lounge (Hamilton) (3rd Wed

May 22, 7pm: Good Lovelies + Ian Bell @ Old Town Hall (Waterford) $52#




May 28, 9-11pm: Live Band Karaoke @ Tracie's Place (Hamilton) (last Thu)

May 28, June 18, July 9, September 17, October 8, November 3, December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)


May 29, 7:30-8:30pm + 9:30-10:30pm: Fleetwood Mac Mania @ Chudleigh’s Entertainment Farm (Halton Hills) $? #

May 29, 8pm: The Hogtown Allstars @ Clifford Brewing (Hamilton) $25 adv/$30 door


May 30, 3-8pm: Hohner Avenue Porch Party (Kitchener)

June


June 1, 7:30pm: The Guess Who + Don Felder (Eagles) @ TD Coliseum (Hamilton) $? #







June 12: 6:30-8:30pm: Staff Showcase @ Tabone Academy of Music (Hamilton) $10#

June 18, July 9, September 17, October 8, November 3, December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)


July



July 6, 8pm: Father John Misty @ FirstOntario Concert Hall (Hamilton) $? #

July 9, September 17, October 8, November 3, December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)

July 23: Lou (Founder & Blogger) Birthday

September



September 17, October 8, November 3, December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)

September 29: Linda (Our Marketing Maven) Birthday


October



October 8, November 3, December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)

October 14-18: Folk Canada Conference @ Sheraton Hotel (Hamilton) $?

November



November 3, December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)

November 29: Hamilton Blues Lovers Turns 18

December


December 2, 7:30pm: Mudmen @ Fergus Grand Theatre $?

December 3, 7:30pm: Canadiana: The Musical @ Greg Frewin Theatre (Niagara Falls) $? (dinner available: 6pm)

May 7-10 / May 11-17



Monday, May 4, 2026

National Cartoonist Day

Update of 2013 Post






Click here for more of our Cartoons

Local Cartoonists:
Please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com if you know of any other cartoonists that should be on our list.

Previous (World Laughter Day Videos) - - - Next (Accordion Day Videos)

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Become an Escarpment Blues Society Member

 

From their website:

The goal of the The Escarpment Blues Society is to strengthen awareness and appreciation of Blues And Roots Music while at the same time put the emphasis on growth. 

The Escarpment Blues Society will:

  • Promote Blues & Roots Music through multiple avenues including live performances, artist support, education with blues in the schools’ programs and highlighting recordings.  
  • Support local, national and international blues and roots artists for the advancement of their craft in the Niagara Escarpment area. This applies to established Blues And Roots artists as well as new artists.  
  • Support local venues that feature Blues And Roots music 
  • Engage in activities that will garner funds for operational needs
  • Raise community awareness for Blues and Roots Music, through through social media, mainstream media, digital and print media 
  • Will become an affiliate of the Blues Foundation and help raise funds for artists to participate in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis

We are encouraging everyone to please become a member of this great organization. Benefits of Membership Include:   ** First chance to buy tickets to all of our EBS sponsored events/shows  **Discounts to various blues events throughout the year and the opportunity to meet other blues fans & musicians in the region, in addition to helping us promote blues n’ roots music and venues in the region. 

$25 for a one-year membership and $40 for a two-year membership. .

We appreciate any support you may give the EBS. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Links: