Tasty Thursdays 2011
Tasty Food 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Restaurants from all over the city bring their international cuisine to Nathan Phillips Square weekly, featuring a range of dishes from authentic jerk chicken and Pad Thai to juicy burgers and burritos.
Tasty Concerts Noon - 2:00 pm
July 14
Coming from a musical family, brothers John, James and cousin Elijah combine bluegrass, country and folk-rock to produce a sound that has Canadian media buzzing. Their talents even earned them the opportunity to perform at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, making them the youngest Canadians to do so.
July 21
Delivering her modern version of the energetic and melodic folk music from North-eastern Brazil, Aline Morales, singer, percussionist and composer, has grown to become one of the most recognizable international musicians on the Canadian scene. As the leader of drum group Maracatu Nunca Antes, she has been recently seen as the face of Ontario Tourism's "No Place like This" campaign and released her solo CD Flores, Tambores e Amores in May 2011. Morales delivers lively, upbeat music that will keep audiences on their feet.
July 28
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Lyndon John X has often been compared to legendary reggae artist Bob Marley, but it is his original blues and jazz-influenced sound that makes him unique to reggae music. As the only reggae artist to perform at the 2011 JUNO Awards pre-ceremony events, for which he was nominated as Reggae Recording of the Year, John X delivers a passionate mix of new school reggae with an old-school approach.
August 4
Montreal-based Bent by Elephants is a seven-piece indie rock band whose melodies combine to produce a unique jazz pop sound. Led by vocalist Chelsey Walsh, the groups' varied instruments complement the soulful songs they produce, telling stories through music.
August 11
Mookie and The Loyalists serve up the energy of a punk band while delivering a popular indie sound. Featuring the vocals of former Canadian Idol finalist Mookie Morris, the band puts on an exciting show every time.
August 18
Annual Toronto Blues Society Talent Search
Run for more than a decade, the Toronto Blues Society (TBS) Talent Search is the launching pad event for all Canadian blues talent. The TBS hosts the finals of this competition at Nathan Phillips Square. Six selected finalists will be showcased, performing live before a panel of judges who will select the winner.
August 25
Jayme Stone is a Toronto-based banjoist whose jazz sound is infused with African rhythms and melodies. His most recent album Room of Wonders received a 2011 JUNO nomination for "Instrumental Album of the Year". Playing banjo music in a nontraditional style, Stone delivers performances that are unexpected and thrilling.
September 1
A household name on the Canadian blues scene, Roxanne Potvin blends the rock ’n roll, country, folk and jazz music that surrounded her growing up to produce something that is both unique and fresh. This multi-talented guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, based in Gatineau, Quebec, consistently delivers stellar performances that keep her on the club and festival circuits locally and internationally. Her talents and skill as an artist have earned her recognition across the industry earning her a JUNO Award nomination and a Maple Blues Award nomination.
Special Guest
As a veteran of the music scene, Brian Blain performs his unique brand of folk and blues to deliver music that is soulful and thoughtful while always remaining entertaining. Born in rural Quebec, Blain's style is a combination of authentic blues guitar with lyrics that are both insightful and witty.
