Entertainment Beat

Scarborough Music Theatre presents the popular musical The Wizard of Oz, Nov. 1-4, 8-11, and 16-17, at the Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd. at Markham. Follow Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion  through the Land of Oz to the Emerald City. Along the way they battle the Wicked Witch of the West and her henchmen, who want to steal Dorothy’s ruby slippers. The story is timeless, the music unforgettable, but pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
Evening performances begin at 8 p.m. There are Sunday afternoon matinees at 2 p.m., and a special sing-along performance Nov. 10 at 2 p.m., during which the audience can join the cast in singing their favourite pieces from the show.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $21 for seniors and students, with group rates available. To order call the box office at 416-267-9292, email boxoffice@theatrescarborough.com and for more information visit theatrescarborough.com.
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The East End Refugee Committee presents an evening of sacred and secular music performed by the massed choirs of eight local churches, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd. The churches include Beach United, Calvary Baptist, Fallingbrook Presbyterian, Kingston Road United, Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist, St. Aidan’s Anglican, St. John’s Norway Anglican, and St. Saviour’s Anglican.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Call 416-691-4560 or 416-699-6091. Proceeds from this concert go towards the East End Refugee Committee, to help provide financial support, friendship and settlement assistance to refugee families in need.
The Toronto Beach Chorale begins its fifth season concert series when it presents Bach in the Beach, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 72 Main St. The program consists of Cantata BWV 131 (Aus der Tiefe) with soloist Martin Houtman, tenor, and Jesse Clark, baritone; Keyboard Concerto in D Minor, BWV 1052; Solo Cantata BWV 54 (Widerstehe doch der Sünde) featuring Chelsea Säuer, mezzo-soprano; and the popular Cantata BWV 147 (Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring). All pieces will be accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra, with everything coming under the superb direction of Artistic Director Mervin Fick.
Tickets to Bach in the Beach are $20 for adults, $10 for youth 7 to 18, and free for children 6 years and under. Tickets are available for individual concerts, or as a series package through the website at torontobeachchorale.com, or at the door.
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Local Beach Band The Porchdog Choir will be performing at The Green Dragon, 1032 Kingston Rd. at Victoria Park, Oct. 27, from 7 p.m. onwards. For more information call 416-690-1782, or visit www.thegreendragonpub.com.
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The next Music for the Soul, Beach Jazz & Reflection concert will take place on Nov. 3, from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. , at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, 70 Silverbirch Ave. at Queen. This is the second performance of the fall lineup, and will see the Downtown Jazz Band perform their own unique brand of Dixieland Jazz under the theme New Orleans. This event is sponsored by Beach United Church, and held at St. Aidan’s while Beach United is under renovation.
Admission is free; there will be a free-will offering. For more information call 416-691-8082, or visit beachunitedchurch.com.
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The Soundcheck Sessions is a weekly live music web series which will feature some of the newest exciting and talented bands in Toronto. Beginning in January bands will perform live in a studio with a candid interview following each performance. Episodes are 20 minutes in length and are broadcast in 1080p high definition.
The Soundcheck Series grew out of the popular online review series of guitar equipment; pedals, amps and other gear. Producer Ryan Noel – who also produced two films about the adventures of The Notorious Newman Brothers featured in Beach Metro News a couple of years ago – will begin shooting the series in November with the first broadcasts airing in January of 2013. He is looking to generate monetary support for the project, and you can help by donating – and find out more information about it all – at thesoundchecksessions.com. You could have the chance to win anything from autographed recordings to incredible musical gear.
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Beach chanteuse Peggy Mahon will be appearing at the Homesmith Bar in the Old Mill Inn, Nov. 2, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. This is part of the popular Fridays To Sing About series. Mahon will be joined by her regular accompanists, Danny McErlain on piano, and Dave Field on bass.
As always there is no need for reservations, no cover, a full menu and free parking, along with easy access to the subway. For more information call 416-236-2641, or visit oldmilltoronto.com.

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