Author Archives: Editor

Thursday March 17, 2016, cover $5 to $10. Blues night with the Beg To Differ Trio, and special guests. Featuring Tim Ninehouse on keyboard and vocals, Doug Sikma on guitar and Steve Foster on drums.

Saturday February 27, 2016, at 8 pm, $15. An evening of poetry and song with Leonard, Burns & Dell and poet Glenn Bowie.   Leonard, Burns & Dell (Sue Leonard, Brennagh Burns, Cindy Dell) are a powerhouse harmony trio based out … Continue reading →

Thursday February 25, 2016, at 8 pm, $5. Mohawk Music showcase jam, featuring vocalists Nicole Chambers (left) and Lauren Cumberbatch, with R&B classics, Reggae tunes and some original tunes by the vocalists. Guest vocalist Jessie Faiazza. The band includes Olivia Brown … Continue reading →

Friday February 12, 2016, James North Art Crawl, from 8 pm, tip jar. Warm up at Artword Artbar! Award-winning soul and R&B vocalist André Bisson on guitar, vocals; Kevin Beeby bass; Glenn Paul drums; Loretta Hale trumpet; Kristen Prince tenor … Continue reading →

Thursday December 10, 2015, at 8 pm, $10. Queens of Quirk, a concert celebrating charming (un)conventional coolness, hosted by Hanna Bech. * Accordionist/storyteller-in-song Willow Rutherford * Comedienne Michelle Zhitomirsky * Silks Aerialist/vocalist Pamela Gardner * Keyboardist/songsmith Hanna Bech

Sunday November 15, at 7 pm, $15/$12. The Something Else! Creative Music Series is hosted by Zula Presents and Cem Zafir. http://zulapresents.org/ LEE BARWIN 3 (Hamilton/Toronto): Gary Barwin alto saxophone, flute, vocals, electronics; Ryan Barwin pedal steel guitar; David Lee … Continue reading →

Saturday, November 14, 2015, 8 pm, $10. Artword Artbar is pleased to welcome The Harmones back to the stage, in a solo show! This ukulele trio (Carol Greene,  Christine Roarke and Audrey Hensen) sing sweet three-part harmonies on folk and … Continue reading →

Friday October 16, 2015, at 8 pm, $15.  Guitarist and singer Kyle Pacey presents an evening of original music that’s an eclectic mix of soul, roots, R & B and funk. With Kevin Christoff on bass, and Jay Burr on … Continue reading →

Thursday October 15, 2015 at 8  pm, $10. Will Gillespie’s Old World Romance. Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes bombastic, sometimes campy fun, Old World Romance is the charming, disarming, elegant and eccentric vision of Hamilton-based singer-songwriter, Will Gillespie. Will has also invited … Continue reading →

Saturday October 10, 2015 at 8 pm, $10. The Hamilton launch of Brass Bandit, the latest CD from percussionist/ songwriter Dave Clark and his wacky and wonderful Woodshed Orchestra.  http://thewoodshedorchestra.com/ Plus an opening set with Dinner is Ruined band reunion: … Continue reading →

Saturday October 3, 2015, 8 pm, $10. Hamilton’s own Michael J. Birthelmer, master guitarist, songwriter and story-teller performs selections from his infamous Songbook on themes of love, life, the American Civil War… and weasels in tuxedos. Join us for this … Continue reading →

Saturday September 26, 2015, at 8:30 pm, $15 reg / $12 students. The Something Else! Creative Music Series is hosted by Zula Presents and Cem Zafir. http://zulapresents.org/ In The Sea, an improvising string trio from Montreal and Amsterdam, includes Tristan … Continue reading →

Saturday, September 19, 2015, 8 pm, $10. Back at Artword Artbar! Shake it up with soul, R&B and motown classics and new compositions by award-winning vocalist André Bisson on guitar, vocals. Band members: Loretta Hale trumpet, Andrew King tenor sax, … Continue reading →

Friday September 18, 2015, at 8 pm, pwyc. An Artword favourite, the high-energy Beg To Differ Trio playing blues / jazz / funk — Tim Ninehouse on keyboards, vocals; Doug Sikma on guitar; Steve Foster on drums. Unique renditions of … Continue reading →

Saturday July 11, 2015, at 8 pm, $10. “Brilliant and lyrically impactful vocalist” singer-songwriter Orit Shimoni swings by Artword Artbar. On the road full time for nearly seven years now, this fiercely independent songstress has been writing and singing her … Continue reading →

Friday July 3, 2015, at 8 pm, $10. Artword Artbar’s good friend Mr. Jay hosts an evening of reggae roots music. Featured is Bajan-Canadian singer-songwriter jSun, who will call in some relaxing vibes with his reggae-folk infused acoustic sound. Special … Continue reading →

Wednesday June 10, 2015, at 8 pm, $5. Sim Bansal, guitarist/vocalist, hosts an evening of songs, originals, jazz and more. Guests include jazz duo Amber-Leigh Palka on vocals and Thom Mason on guitar.  Sim Bansal‘s solo acoustic set of mostly … Continue reading →

Friday June 5, 2015, at 8:30 pm, $15. Tiny Bill Cody presents Wranglers and Weepers an evening of classic western and classic originals with his super talented friends. Featuring Mimi Shaw, Dan Medakovic, Jeff Griffiths, Michael Hickey and Chris Altmann!

Wednesday June 3, 2015 at 8 pm, $12. Imagine Artword Artbar as a  cabaret in Paris in the 40s or 50s — Ariana Nasr chante PIAF! To celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the birth of the famous chanteuse Édith … Continue reading →

Thursday May 7, 2015, 8 pm, free. Campfire Stories. It’s time to fire up your creativity at Artword Artbar. Singer-songwriter Tom Dusome hosts an open stage for spoken word, poetry, song, music, dance, movement, visual art, or anything goes. Everyone … Continue reading →

Friday May 1, 2015, at 8 pm, $10 / pwyc. Canadian author and former Sunriser frontman Darryl Webster (aka OLD KID) performs a special acoustic show to celebrate the release of his new EP This Echo on Hamilton indie record … Continue reading →

Saturday April 11, 2015, at 8 pm, $10. Book online  or call 905-543-8512. Mark McNeil is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and award-winning Hamilton Spectator journalist with a new CD called Flashbacks that celebrates the character and characters of Hamilton. Join him … Continue reading →

Friday March 27, 2015, at 8 pm, $10. (To buy tickets in advance, contact opheliasyndrome@gmail.com.) Local alternative rock band Ophelia Syndrome is back at Artword Artbar with their new crowd-funded CD “North Sea“.  Josh Kohler bass, Trina Nadeau cello, Deanna … Continue reading →

Saturday March 21 at 8 pm, $15. An evening of traditional bluegrass with Randal Hill and friends: Richard Dugal, Glenn George and Larry Johnston. Virtuoso mandolin player Randal Hill (and vocals) is joined by Richard Dugal guitar and vocals, Glenn … Continue reading →

Saturday March 7, 2015, at 8 pm, $15 (call 905-543-8512 to reserve). A special jazz cabaret with vocalist Colina Phillips: “East of the Sun and West of the Moon, Ultimate Jazz Standards“. Joining Colina is the renowned jazz pianist and … Continue reading →

Thursday February 19, 2015, at 8 pm, $10. Singer-songwriter Sarah Burton (guitar and piano) is touring with singer-songwriter Dave Quanbury, from Texas, visiting in Toronto. And they’ve invited our favourite jazz singer Sophia Perlman as their special guest. Sarah Burton, … Continue reading →

Back this year! Every Wednesday in February 2015 (4, 11, 18, 25) at 8 pm. $10 or by donation.  FOLK, ROOTS, STEW, a festival of incredible folk and grassroots music, cooked up and hosted by singer-songwriter Richard Garvey. Artword Artbar … Continue reading →

Friday Feb 13, 2015, at 8 pm, tip jar. James North Art Crawl. An Artword favourite, the lively high-energy Beg To Differ Trio playing blues / jazz / funk — Tim Ninehouse on keyboards, vocals; Doug Sikma on guitar; Steve … Continue reading →

Back this year! Every Wednesday in February 2015 (4, 11, 18, 25) at 8 pm. $10 or by donation.  FOLK, ROOTS, STEW, a festival of incredible folk and grassroots music, cooked up and hosted by singer-songwriter Richard Garvey. Artword Artbar … Continue reading →

Back this year! Every Wednesday in February 2015 (4, 11, 18, 25) at 8 pm. $10 or by donation.  FOLK, ROOTS, STEW, a festival of incredible folk and grassroots music, cooked up and hosted by singer-songwriter Richard Garvey. Artword Artbar … Continue reading →

Friday December 12, 2014, at 9 pm, $10. Nothing says Holidays like ‘old time country variety show’. Tiny Bill Cody presents an evening of western, roots, string band music with a star studded array of special guests including The Family … Continue reading →

Thursday December 11, 2014, at 8 pm, $15 cover includes CD. Singer-songwriter Peter Tigchelaar is doing a series of “soft launches” of his new CD “Better Things”. At Artword Artbar he will be joined by John Lewis, guitar and Andrew … Continue reading →

Saturday November 22, 2014, 8 pm $10. (Noche Bohemia had to cancel.) We are pleased to announce that brilliant guitarist Wayne Janus and his band KAIZEN: drums (David Carrillo), bass (Shane Lannigan) and guitar/vocals (Wayne Janus) will be back at … Continue reading →

Friday November 21, 8 pm, $10, call 905-543-8512 to reserve.  Back again! Grammy-nominated guitarist and singer Kyle Pacey presents an evening of original music that’s an eclectic mix of soul, roots, R & B and funk. Guests Kevin Christoff on … Continue reading →

Wednesday November 19, 2014, at 8 pm. Jazz bassist Tom Altobelli has a new project, Koopa Troop, a new group who play their own jazz arrangements of classic video game music. Songs from Mario, Tetris, Pokemon, Metroid, and Banjo Kazooie. … Continue reading →

Saturday November 15, 8 pm, $5/pwyc. An acoustic / folk show with The Plain Steel (folk set), and the return of Euphonic. Euphonic is an eclectic trio of instrumentalists, Bob Wegner guitar, Vince Waters drums, Geoff Ball cello, perform original … Continue reading →

Saturday November 8, 2014, at 8 pm, $15. Back again (their shows sell out, so reserve early!) New Cumberland, a bluegrass band from London Ontario: Tom Burns – vocals and guitar,  Blair Heddle – vocals, mandolin and dobro, Paul Hurdle … Continue reading →

Thursday November 6, 2014, 7:30-9:30 pm, pwyc ($10 suggested) SINGALONG with Sam Turton and Jane Lewis, singer-songwriters from Guelph. Come out and SING! They’ve got songbooks full of classic favourites — YOU request the songs, and we all sing them … Continue reading →

Wednesday November 5, 2014, we will be closed.

Saturday November 1, 2014, at 8 pm, $15. Stuart Laughton is back with a new edition of his Radio Dial, with Stuart Laughton on vocals, guitar, harmonica, trumpet, piano. Guest musicians for November 1 are: Rebecca Campbell (vocals), Jim Clayton … Continue reading →

Friday, October 31, 2014, at 8:30 pm, $10-$15. Something special coming our way, organized by Cem Zafir (part of his Something Else 2014-2015 Creative Music Series): 2×2 –>Epps/Charuest & Barwin/Lee. Montreal improvisers, perpetual explorers and searchers of the sound, trumpeter … Continue reading →

Thursday October 30, 2014 at 8 pm, pwyc. An Artword favourite, the lively high-energy Beg To Differ Trio playing blues / jazz / funk — Tim Ninehouse on keyboards, vocals; Doug Sikma on guitar; Steve Foster on drums. Unique renditions … Continue reading →

Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 8:00 pm, $10. Revisiting ‘Yorkville Days’ with Bob Bryden (formerly of Christmas and Reign Ghost), with The Suicidal Folk-Singers. Psychedelic lighting by Dan Zen. Ric Taylor wrote about Bryden’s launch of Yorkville Days last April … Continue reading →

  Friday, October 24 at 8 pm, cover $10 suggested. Special fundraising concert by singer-songwriters Richard Laviolette and Baby Eagle, both members of the You’ve Changed Records group of artists. RICHARD LAVIOLETTE: Richard Laviolette writes compassionate songs of romance, protest … Continue reading →

Thursday October 23, at 8 pm, $5/pwyc. Jazz with The Matthew Pullicino Tercet, a trio of past and present Mohawk Jazz/Contemporary music students from the Hamilton area. The Tercet likes taking standards and adding a modern twist. Matthew Pullicino is … Continue reading →

Wednesday October 22, at 7:30 pm, $10. A wonderful evening of three indie singer-songwriters on tour: Karyn Ellis, Marina Marina and Richard Garvey, with new songs and new albums. Karyn Ellis is a singer-songwriter from Toronto. Last winter she released her … Continue reading →

Saturday, October 11, 2014, at 8 pm, $15. The Hill Brothers Bluegrass Band in a reunion concert! First time on Artword Artbar’s stage, and a rare appearance by the amazing Rocky Hill. Featuring Randal Hill on mandolin and vocals, Rocky … Continue reading →

Thursday October 9, 2014, at 7:30 pm, $10. Artbar favourites Jane Lewis and Sam Turton return with a special event — combining their popular Singalong with Jane’s CD release! The evening will feature a mix of original music from Jane’s … Continue reading →

Saturday October 4, 2014, at 9:00 pm, no cover. Sherman & Lee concert cancelled. We will be hangin’ out with the See Bob Run team and friends for an acoustic jam.

Saturday September 27, 2014, at 8 pm, $15. Back again for another wonderful evening: Michael Vallely, Matt Coleman and Randal Hill. Singer-songwriter Michael Vallely presents an array of heartfelt original songs and a few interesting covers. Violinist Matt Coleman brings … Continue reading →

Thursday September 11, 2014, at 9:00 pm, no cover, tip jar. Artword Artbar’s season launch and Supercrawl Showcase #1, a kick-off special: Chris Skrzek, trombone player extraordinaire, has put together a nine-piece band called Skirt Check, with a five-piece horn … Continue reading →

Saturday July 12, 2014, at 8 pm, $5. KAIZEN is a three-piece band: drums (David Carrillo), bass (Shane Lannigan) and guitar/vocals (Wayne Janus). Their sound has a rich variety of influences ranging from Funk, Jazz, Blues, Fusion, Rock, and Latin. At … Continue reading →

Saturday July 5, 2014, at 8 pm, $10.  Jacob’s Cattle, featuring Roy Patterson guitar, Burke Carroll pedal steel, Paul Donat bass, Mike Billard drums, will bring their richly evocative interpretation of Roots/Americana music to Artword Artbar. http://jacobscattle.com/ The band  performs … Continue reading →

Thursday June 26, 2014, 7:30-9:30 pm, pwyc ($10 suggested) SINGALONG with Sam Turton and Jane Lewis, singer-songwriters from Guelph. Come out and SING! They’ve got songbooks full of classic favourites — YOU request the songs, and we all sing them … Continue reading →

Friday June 20, 2014, at 8 pm, $10, call 905-543-8512 to reserve.  Back again! Grammy-nominated guitarist and singer Kyle Pacey presents an evening of original music that’s an eclectic mix of soul, roots, R & B and funk. Kyle draws … Continue reading →

Thursday June 19 at 8 pm, $10. Canadian multi-instrumentalist, Dan Walsh is already well known for his collaborations with a number of talented musicians. He’s added his bluesy-bluegrass signature style to two dozen albums and toured across North America, Europe … Continue reading →

Wednesday June 18, 2014, at 8 pm, $10. Singer-songwriter-storyteller Ian Foster is on tour from Newfoundland with his new album. His special guests are Graydon James and The Young Novelists, from Toronto, rapidly becoming Artword Artbar regulars! Ian Foster, an … Continue reading →

Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 8 pm, $15. (Call 905-543-8512 or book tickets online). The incredible Whiskey Jack bring their 30-year history of bluegrass and roots music to Artword Artbar.  http://www.whiskeyjackmusic.com/ Duncan Fremlin, one of Canada’s premier banjo players, met … Continue reading →

Saturday June 7, 2014, at 8 pm, $15 regular, $10 for students/seniors/artists (call 905-543-8512 to reserve). An intimate evening of song with vocalist Shari Vandermolen, accompanied by Steve McCrae on piano and Clark Johnston on bass. Shari sings with her … Continue reading →

Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at 8 pm, $5/pwyc. A night of jazz standards arranged by Abigail Neale for her quartet: Abigail Neale alto sax, Chris Bruder piano, Tom Altobelli acoustic bass, Luke Paron drums.

Saturday May 31, 2014 at 8 pm, $15 (call 905-543-8512 to reserve ). “My Roots are Showing”. The one-and-only Jude Johnson on vocals, with Carl Horton on piano, in an evening of song. Jude will be joined by friends including … Continue reading →

Friday May 30, 2014 at 8 pm, $15 (call 905-543-8512 to reserve). We love our Bluegrass! Another hot evening of dynamite bluegrass music with virtuoso mandolin player Randal Hill (mandolin and vocals).  On guitar and vocals, the rock-steady Johnny Frame. … Continue reading →

Sunday May 25 at 7 pm, $10. A special double bill featuring Toronto’s Graydon James and the Young Novelists, and Haligonians Gabrielle Papillon and her band The Mighty Oak, who are on a special tour previewing Gabrielle’s new album set … Continue reading →

Saturday May 24, 2014, at 8 pm, cover $10 (call 905-543-8512 to reserve). WORLDS COLLIDE – Contemporary jazz pianist Aaron Zukewich and Hamilton singer/songwriter Marie Avery combine their talents for a collaborative performance of each other’s original music, as well as … Continue reading →