Music Listings: July 27-30, 2026

July 27-30, 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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Jul 27-30 / Jul 31-Aug 2

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Monday, July 27

12-2pm: Rick Henderson @ Jackson Square, Rooftop (Hamilton) (July 27-31) 

1-4pm: Mario Arcuri @ 13th Street Winery (St. Catharines) 

4-7pm: Evan Rotella @ Sherkston Shores (Weekly)

5-8pm: Mark Donoghue @ 13th Street Winery (St. Catharines) 

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

6-9pm: Ensemble! Cable 14 TV Show Taping Hosted by Dave Rave @ The Westdale (Hamilton) FREE

 

6-7pm: Paul Coombs Band

7-8pm: Joshua Arden Miller & Pappy Johns Band

8-9pm: Bend it Like Beck

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

6-10pm: Open Mic @ Kin Club of Ridgeway (Crystal Beach) (Weekly)

7-8pm: Hamilton Public Library Presents Terra Lightfoot @ Pier 8 (Hamilton) FREE

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)

7pm: Burlington Concert Band @ Ireland House Museum (Burlington) 

7:30-10:30pm: Band of Thieves @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

8-8:30pm: Ensemble! TV Show Hosted by Dave Rave & Starring Carol Greene & Wayne Krawchuk, Recorded at Clifford Brewing @ Cable 14 (Hamilton) or live stream on Cable14.com

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

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Tuesday, July 28

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

12-2pm: Rick Henderson @ Jackson Square, Rooftop (Hamilton) (July 27-31) 

2pm: Sorry...I'm Not Sorry (Musical) @ Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre (St. Jacobs) $? (Jun 3-Aug 22)

4-8pm: Kyler Mackenzie @ Flat Rock Cellars (Lincoln)

5pm: Kick N Strings @ Bardo (Hamilton) (Weekly)

6-9pm: Ensemble! Cable 14 TV Show Taping Hosted by Dave Rave @ The Westdale (Hamilton) FREE 

6-7pm: Alex Whorms Band

7-8pm: Tia McGraff & Tommy Parham

8-9pm: Easy Street Blues Band

6-8pm: Benny Douglas @ Forge BBQ (Ancaster) (Weekly)

6:30pm: HellBent Rockers @ Port Dover Legion 

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

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

7-11pm: Live Band Open Jam @ West Side Pizzeria & Sports Bar (St. Catharines) (Weekly)

7pm: Sunset Music Series ft Kim Kay & Stop 19 @ Charles Daley Park (Lincoln)

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

8pm: Johanna Rose & The Dreamboats with Josh & The Dirty Rags @ Sonic Hall (Guelph) $20

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

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Wednesday, July 29

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

12-2pm: Rick Henderson @ Jackson Square, Rooftop (Hamilton) (July 27-31)

2pm: Sorry...I'm Not Sorry (Musical) @ Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre (St. Jacobs) $? (Jun 3-Aug 22)

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

6-7pm: Gunter Ott Blues Band @ Hamilton Public Library, Valley Park 

6-9pm: Concerts in the Park ft NOTHING THIS WEEK @ Montebello Park (St. Catharines)

6-8pm: Brad Hailz @ Burnin' Kiln Winery (Norfolk)

6:30-8:30pm: Open Mic Jazz @ Corktown Pub, Downstairs (Hamilton) (Weekly)

6:30-8pm: Welland Supper Market ft Soul Street @ Market Square

6:30-9:30pm: Jay Pollman @ Homegrown Hideaway (Port Dover) $?

7pm: Bloodshot Bill + Trebletones @ Clifford Brewing Co (Hamilton) $?

7-8:30pm: Access Storage Concerts presents Subourbon Street @ Central Park Bandshell (Burlington) 

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

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

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

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

7-9pm: Linnet @ Twilight at Templin (Fergus)

7-9pm: Tonewheels @ Boathouse (Kitchener) (Weekly in July)

7:30pm: Chris Chambers @ Thirsty Cactus (Dundas) (Bi-Weekly) 

7:30-10:30pm: Ryan Thomas Smelle @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

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

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

8pm: Richard Marx @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $?

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

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

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

9pm: Jimmy's Juke Joint @ Fallsview Casino Resort, Lucky's Restaurant (Niagara Falls)

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Thursday, July 30

---- 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) 

12-2pm: Rick Henderson @ Jackson Square, Rooftop (Hamilton) (July 27-31)

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

1:30-2pm: Ensemble! TV Show Hosted by Dave Rave & Starring Carol Greene & Wayne Krawchuk, Recorded at Clifford Brewing @ Cable 14 (Hamilton) or live stream on Cable14.com

2pm: Sorry...I'm Not Sorry (Musical) @ Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre (St. Jacobs) $? (Jun 3-Aug 22)

5-8pm: Front Paige @ 13th Street Winery (St. Catharines)

5-9:45pm: Party in the Park @ Rockmosa Community Centre (Rockwood)

• 5:00–6:30 PM | The Generals Tavern
• 6:45–7:15 PM | Line Dancing with Becca
• 7:30–9:30 PM | The Flamingos

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

5:30-6:30pm: Greg Upshaw @ Fonthill Bandshell

5:30-9pm: Waterfront Market ft Cherry Bomb @ Crystal Beach

6pm: Brad Hailz @ East End Social (Hamilton) 

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)

6-8pm: Music @ 2 Rivers (Paris) 

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

6pm: Music @ Strykerz Kitchen & Bar (Kitchener) 

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

6:30-8:30pm: Music on the Waterfront ft Caroline Wiles with Bob Doidge & Michael McCurlie @ Pier 8 (Hamilton) FREE 

6:30pm: Jimmy Howard Trio @ Henry’s on James (Hamilton)

6:30-9:30pm: James Ferris with Fried Balogna @ The Corktown Pub (Hamilton)(Weekly)

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

6:30-9:30pm: Andrew Irving @ BLK Swan, Brant St. (Burlington)

6:30-9:30pm: James Anthony with Michael Theodore @ Ned Devine's (Milton)

---- 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) 

7pm: Lake Notes ft Project Pheonix @ Bronte Park (Oakville) FREE 

7-10pm: Matthew James @ Teddy's (Grimsby)

7-9pm: Music in the Park with The Postmen @ Coronation Park (Grimsby)

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

7-10pm: Patio Party with Music @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines) 

7-9pm: Duende @ Fonthill Bandshell

7pm: Blues in the Park ft No Illusions @ Fireman's Park (Niagara Falls)

7-9pm: Taylor Laslo @  Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls)

7-10pm: Stan Chang @ Manhattans (Guelph)

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

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

7:30-8:30pm: Music from the Rooftop: NOTHING THIS WEEK @ Joseph Brant Museum (Burlington) $18+

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)

7:30pm: The Beach Boys @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $? (Jul 30-31)

Party in the Park @ Rockmosa Community Centre (Rockwood)

• 7:30–9:30 PM | The Flamingos

7:30pm: Sorry...I'm Not Sorry (Musical) @ Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre (St. Jacobs) $? (Jun 3-Aug 22)

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

8pm: EMERG with THEIA + The Burningtree @ Mills Hardware (Hamilton) $20

8-11pm: Music @ Southcote 53 (Ancaster) 

8pm: Accidental Paradise Band @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $15 

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

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

8pm: Road to Hotel California @ Yuk Yuk's (Niagara Falls)

8pm: Rubber Tire Peep Show + Just Coulter @ Sonic Hall (Guelph) $20

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) 

9pm: Hey McFly @ Fallsview Casino Resort, Lucky's Restaurant (Niagara Falls)

9:30pm-1am: A Simple Gesture @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

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Jul 23-26 / Jul 27-Aug 2

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Please Support Local Charities

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Please Support Local Charities

From their website: The Stephen Lewis Foundation launched the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in March 2006, in response to the emerging crisis faced by African grandmothers as they struggled to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS. The Campaign aims to raise awareness, build solidarity and mobilize support in Canada for Africa’s grandmothers.

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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Throwback Thursday: Steve Strongman in 2009

From March 19, 2009 edition of the Hamilton Spectator.

Click above to enlarge

Original posts: January 24, 2009, October 10, 2009

Updated Post: July 23, 2026

Hamilton Bluesman Steve Strongman had a great year in 2009

Here are a few highlights

• Released album, Blues in Color 
• The album Blues in Color was the only Canadian disc to enter Roots Music Report's Top 20 list for the week of July 10, 2026
• Opened for Buddy Guy
• Was the surprise opening act for legend Joe Cocker.
• Up for a Maple Blues Award
• Started recording Live DVD in West Lincoln Barn
• Won a Hamilton Music Award

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories

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Previous (New Johnny Max Band Album)

Please Support the Hamilton Blues Lovers

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Please Support the Hamilton Blues Lovers

We are a not for profit organization (but not a registered charity) . Thank you for your tip.

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Johnny Max & His So-Called Friends is a Remarkable Album

Mini-Review: Toronto's Johnny Max surrounds himself with oodles of talented artists from the Hamilton & Niagara areas for his latest remarkable album. Johnny Max & His So-Called Friends, is packed with a Blues sounds:  boogie-woogie, jazz, soul, funk, country-flavours, and more. This is all blended in to Johnny's trademark down to earth stylings and lyrics.

Available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Amazon Music

Main Band

• Johnny Max - Lead Vocals, Producer
• Jim Casson - Drums & Percussion, Producer
• Mitch Lewis - Guitars
• Dylan Wickens - Guitars
• Steve Goldberger - Bass
• Bill Evans - Keyboards

Guests

• Neil Chapman - Guitar 
• Jay Burr - Tuba
• Quisha Wint - Vocals
• Suzie Vinnick - Vocals
• Wayne Deadder - Guitars & Vocals
• Russ Boswell - Bass
• Dave Dunlop - Trumpet
• Sabine Casson - Vocals 
• Nan McAneney  - Spoken Voice

Links: Johnny Max, More Johnny Max Stories, Album above courtesy of Bandcamp

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Previous

Hamilton's Caissie Levy Earns Tony Award

The was only a bit of Canadian content at the winner's circle for the 2026 Tony Awards ceremony. On Sunday June 7, 2026, Hamilton's Caissie Levy won for her work in the musical, Ragtime. That wonderul show also took home some hardware.

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Below is a complete list of winners. 

• Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Caissie Levy from Hamilton (Ragtime)
  
  
  
  Links: Caissie Levy, More Caissie Levy Stories, Video above courtesy of The Tony Awards

• Best Revival of a Musical: Ragtime (ft Hamilton's Caissie Levy)
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Joshua Henry (Ragtime)
• Best Sound Design of a Musical: Kai Harada (Ragtime) 
• Best Book of a Musical: Schmigadoon!
• Best Costume Design of a Musical: Qween Jean (Cats: The Jellicle Ball)  
• Best Musical: Schmigadoon!
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Ali Louis Bourzgui (The Lost Boys)
• Best Sound Design of a Play: Mikaal Sulaiman (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
• Best Choreography: Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons (Cats: The Jellicle Ball) 
• Best Costume Design of a Play: Jeff Mahshie (Fallen Angels) 
• Best Direction of a Musical: Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch (Cats: The Jellicle Ball)
• Best Direction of a Play: Joe Mantello (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
• Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Jen Schriever and Michael Arden (The Lost Boys) 
• Best Lighting Design of a Play: Jack Knowles (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman) 
• Best Orchestrations: Doug Besterman and Mike Morris (Schmigadoon!)
• Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre: Schmigadoon!
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Alden Ehrenreich (Becky Shaw)
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: John Lithgow (Giant)
• Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Shoshana Bean (The Lost Boys)
• Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play: Laurie Metcalf (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
• Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Lesley Manville (Oedipus)
• Best Play: Liberation
• Best Revival of a Play: Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
• Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Dane Laffrey (The Lost Boys)
• Best Scenic Design of a Play: Chloe Lamford (Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman)
• Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award: Mary-Mitchell Campbell
• Regional Theatre Award: American Players Theatre
• 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

Link: The Tony Awards, More Tony Awards Stories

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Previous (Throwback Thursday: Melissa Bel Debut Album + EP) - - - Next (New Johnny Max Band Album)

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Throwback Thursday: Melissa Bel Debut Album + EP (2009)

Original Post: September 15, 2009 & July 19, 2009

Updated Post: July 16, 2026

Melissa Bel Debut: Brave

In September 2009, Burlington's Melissa Bel released her debut album, Brave.

Melissa's incredible, smooth voice is used to great effect as she travels through blues, pop, soul, rock, and folk with ease.

Special notes:

• All online versions of the album do not contain the song You Don't Fool Me, which was on the CD
• The CD of the album is now hard to find

Available on: Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music

Album above courtesy of Melissa Bel

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Melissa Bel: Self Titled EP

There's a little bit of everything on this EP. Bluesier numbers such as Distance (co-written with Ray Lyell) and He'll Never be You share the spotlight with soulful pop-folk gems like We All Lose Our Way, I Hate to Say it and Tragedy in Disguise. Melissa ends this amazing collection with a smooth version of Smokey Robinson's You've Really Got a Hold On Me. 

Personnel (highlights): 

• Sean Ashby (guitar)
• Mark McIntyre (bass)
• Danny Lockwood & Craig Lapsley (drums)
• Jesse O'Brien & Bill King (piano)

Special notes:

• Songs from this EP that also appeared on the album Brave were remixed, remastered or rerecorded for the later recording
• You've Really Got a Hold On Me is the only song from the EP that wasn't on also on her debut album.
• The EP is not available online 
• The CD is hard to find.

Links: Melissa Bel, More Melissa-Bel stories, More Releases

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Previous (New Kyle Pacey EP)

Please Support Local Charities

From their site: Working to make a significant impact in the quality of life of Canada’s ill & injured CAF members, Veterans, First Responders, and their families.

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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