What's On Tap This Week? (April 2nd - April 6th) @3030DundasWest

Sometimes you've got to look back

  The cool thing about this job, is just how many shows you get to see.  Sometimes you have to pinch yourself, when you realize that some of the best moments, the most gratifying ones can come when you least expect them, and that years from now, these are the moments that you'll savour, and once in a while you might even get to tell your friends 'I saw these guys back when...'.  I think I had one of those moments on Sunday.

 I was approached a month ago, by one of my favourite MC's in the city, who goes by the name of Relic.  He was finishing up a tour through the states, and they wanted to do one last show in his home-town to rap the tour up.  Although we were booked on the Friday and Saturday, we were able to work something out for the Sunday.  He brought along a few other folks, specifically Fresh Kils and Mad Dukez.  There might have been less than thirty folks in the room that night, but the show was absolute magic.  Check out the video from an earlier show to get a little taste.  It was a special one.

The Kitchen

  Every few weeks, Chef Adisa Glasgow gets a little crazy in the kitchen, and we get to have a lot of fun with a special menu.  With the Blue Jays kicking off their season, and opening day fever gripping the city, we're especially proud to be the opening day home of Left Field Brewery.  To find out a whole lot more about this event on Friday, starting at 7:07pm, click the link right here.  Chef Glasgow, is preparing a special, ballpark themed menu for the evening, so if Boar Sliders, Cracker Jacks and Candy Apples taste great at the ballpark, wait until you have one made by one of the best chefs in the city, and then wash it down with a pint of Left Field.  Half the price of the Rogers Centre, and a hundred times better...

The Bar

  We're really excited to be the home, of Left Field's Home Opener, and even more excited to be one of the first establishments in the city, where you can try this great new beer.  This weeks beer feature, looks at Left Field Breweries Eephus Our Oatmeal Brown Ale - inspired by the seldom thrown Eephus – a risky and unexpected high-arcing pitch that catches the batter off-guard. This American Brown Ale finds its sweet spot with dark, dried fruit aromas, a touch of bitterness and spicy woodiness, and a surprisingly creamy smooth taste.

The Programming

On Wednesday, the smart set in the Junction always makes a point of coming to our @3030Trivia night, brought to you by Junction Craft Brewing, and if you're reading this, we suspect we'll see you there.

We've got a great Canada documentary premier on Thursday, for the film 'The Typewriter (In The 21st Century)', along with performances by Kevin Kralik and Cailean Lewis.

It's going to be an amazing Friday, with the opening day launch of Left Field Brewery, along with some awesome soul music courtesty of !DO! to finish the night off.

Finally, if this isn't enough great programming for one week, bring your dancing shoes on Saturday, because we've got the phenomenal BPM Krew, along with DJ Ricky Bionix.

Wednesday, April 3rd - @3030Trivia brought to you by Junction Craft Brewing

QUESTIONS FROM WEEK THREE:

Question #1 - What novel was the most recent Canadian novel to win the prestigious Man Booker Prize, awarded yearly to the best full-length fiction novel written by a member of the Commonwealth?

Question #2 - Which two countries used the “pound” before switching to the Euro? The first joined the Euro in 2002 and has a population of just over 4.5 million. The second is an island nation that joined the Euro in 2008 and has been in the news recently because of this switch.

Question #3 - Computer screens are divided up into a matrix of thousands or millions of tiny, individually-controllable units. The term we use for a single one of these units is actually a portmanteau, and is a combination of what two words?

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At 3030trivia, food, beer, smarts and prizes combine into one heck of a fun-filled night, sponsored by Junction Craft Brewing, one heck of a fun-filled company.  Here's how 3030trivia works: bring your team of four down to the ol' 3030 nice and early to get a good table.  Order up some snacks n' pints and get ready for the cheery onslaught of questions written by our hosts, Anthony and Leila.  Swap your papers with the team beside you for marking, hilarity ensues.

Smother Teresa claimed last week's victory after teams Young, Dumb and Full of Steam Bun and the Toronto Maple Queefs lost points for too many players (there's a moral here...).  In a very tight standings race, Jollillity secured their place at the top of the chart pulling 5 points ahead of second place.  They seem safe...for now.

To our regular teams: What's new for April, you ask?  With only four weeks left in Season Two, Anthony and Leila are adding a whole new level of heat to the already spicy competition that we all know and love as 3030trivia.  Of course, the overall standings remain, but is that really enough competition for a Wednesday night?  Inspired by March Madness, please welcome...APRIL ABSURDITY.  

Here's how it works: the top 16 teams have been seeded based on their overall standing.  Let's call them the SWEET SIXTEEN.  Seed number 1 (Jollillity) plays seed number 16 (Fat Kid Always Wins at See-Saw); seed number 2 (Toronto Maple Queefs) plays seed number 15 (The Facts Machine); and so on.  There are no additional questions; each team's final score at the end of the night will determine the winner in each competition.  

The eight winning teams on Wednesday will go through to the Elite Eight; then the Final Four... and in the final week of Season Two there will be two left going head to head for the prize. The tension is already palpable.  Good luck, teams!

Oh...are you still waiting for the answers to last week's questions from the top of this post?  Here they are: The Life of Pi, Ireland & Cyprus, Picture & Element.

APRIL ABSURDITY -- SWEET SIXTEEN:

Jollillity (1) v. Fat Kid Wins at See-Saw (16)

Smother Teresa (8) v. Mayan Triviara (9)

Sacre Bleu's Clues (12) v. Funky Ball of Wits (5)

Friends with Penefits (13) v. John Stamos (4)

CleoFactraA (3) v. TerrAble Too (14)

Catch TwentyClue (6) v. BAG (11)

Nefer-Titties (10) v. Medweeval (7)

The Facts Machine (15) v. Toronto Maple Queefs (2)

STANDINGS -- SEASON TWO, WEEK FOUR:

1    Jollillity    192

2    Toronto Maple Queefs    187

3    CleoFactra A    186

4    John Stamos    182

5    Funky Ball of Wits    174

6    Catch Twenty-Clue    168

7    Medweeval   162

8    Smother Teresa    157

9    The Mayan Triviara    150

10    The Nefer-Titties    144

11    BAG    135

12    Sacre Bleu's Clues    133

13    Friends with Penefits    132

14    Terr(Able) Too (squared)   116

15    The Facts Machine    114

16    The Fat Kid Always Wins at See-Saw    99

What's On Tap This Week (March 26th - 31st) @3030DundasWest

Bit of a gear down, before a gear up.

  We're into our last weekend in March, snow is hopefully a memory until next year, and we're looking forward to putting our mini patio up in April.  We've also got a really great week of stuff planned next week, and with Easter falling on this coming weekend, we're looking to end the month on some relaxed, laid back evenings.

  Speaking of Easter, maybe you need to send a last minute easter egg to someone, or get that package off before everything is shut down for Good Friday.  Well guess what, I'm here to tell you about a really good place to get that done, and the best darned printer in the area.  Check out Envoy Printing on 412 Roncesvalles avenue, and meet Jake.  He's kind of a big deal over there, and pretty much runs the show, which is why the customer service there is absolutely amazing.  Seriously, the next time you get crappy service from a teenager at a big box sprawl mart, just remember that there is a place just down the street, that's cheaper, better and much friendlier.

Runs a tight ship.

  Finally, I just want to thank McAuslan, Plaster, Statue Park and Groenland for an awesome saturday night this past week.  If you were there, you probably had a blast.  I sure did.  Friday, getting to hear Justin Rutledge spin some vinyls was pretty cool as well.  You should click here and give his music a listen.  Maybe buy a copy or fifteen for all your friends.  It's good.

The Kitchen

  Coming really soon, Chef Adissa Glasgow's 'Trini Mamma's Hot Sauce'.  It's really good stuff, with a beautiful sweet start, followed by some serious trini heat.  We're going to be selling it by the jar real soon, and I recomend you try some.

The Bar

  Stay tuned next week, when we watch a brand new craft brewery take flight, right here at 3030.  This week, we're working through some great McAuslan beers that we put up this Saturday, including an awesome Scotch Ale.  There's also a few pints left of the Erable, a beer I wrote about last week, that you'll likely never get to try a second time, unless you live in Quebec, which is also pretty awesome (Maple Syrup and Beer really do work well together).

The Programming

On Wednesday, @3030Trivia is back, and remember to come early as it fills up really fast.

Get set for an awesome concert on Thursday, with Sue Newberry, having her album release party here.  There's been some really good press about the album, which you can read about here, and here.

It's a good music kind of Good Friday, and we've got nothing planned.  Probably going to screen The Life of Brian, and something else that we have rights for.  Suggestions?  Tweet them to us here.

On Saturday, it's the #StoneHammerSessions, courtesy of F&M Brewery, bringing you a great free show, with The Joyful Sinners sharing the stage with DJ Splattermonkey.  What's not to love about that.

  Finally, on Sunday, roll away the stone and get down here for an early hip-hop show, featuring some of the best cats in the underground scene, as Mad Dukes, Fresh Kils, Philly Moves and Relic roll into 3030, starting at 8pm.

Saturday, April 6th - #StoneHammerSessions presents: The BPM Krew w. DJ Ricky Bionix

The #StoneHammerSessions

Some good folks out in Guelph, Ontario are fire-brewing beer, in small batches with all natural ingredients, and it's pretty great stuff.  Check out F&M Brewery, who make Stone Hammer beer if your up in that neck of the woods, or come on down to 3030 to try out one of their great brews.  There's always one on tap...

Also on tap, once a month is some great independent music, featuring some of the hottest bands in the city that just happens to be free courtesy of these fine folks.  Introducing the #StoneHammerSessions.

The BPM Krew - The Band Designed to Replace the DJ

  You may have noticed a paucity of cover bands being booked at 3030.  This isn't an accident, as we normally only bring in bands who do original music, but sometimes, a band comes along that puts such a fresh spin on covers, that you simply can't pass up the opportunity to bring them into the Junction.  Introducing The BPM Krew, the band designed to replace the DJ.

  It's one thing (and not easy) to pull off a pitch perfect cover, but it's a completely other thing to reinvent pop songs in your own style by mashing them up, similar to a DJ.  For those folks who have been clamouring for a bit of the entertainment district to make it's way to the Junction, this is your night.  Bring your dancing shoes.  Also, be sure to look extra photogenic, as we will be shooting a music video with them this evening.

The Irreplaceable DJ Ricky Bionix

Ricky Bionix has been an innovator in Southern Ontario's deejay scene for over a decade. Beginning his career in Guelph, he played host to numerous residencies in the city, plus a weekly radio program on University of Guelph's campus & community radio station, CFRU 93.3 FM. Ricky can be credited for playing the first exclusive electro sets in Guelph, as well as being the first to host a weekly indie/dance night in the city limits, breaking many artists and styles to the masses, which have since become household names.

Irreplaceable experience, a deep and varied selection of music in a plethora of genres, and the skills and know-how to move a dance floor are a few of the many reasons why Ricky Bionix has achieved the respected status as a leader amongst disc jockeys. Ricky has more recently relocated to Toronto where he looks forward to exploring new directions.

Saturday, April 13 - 7pm - Mel Coleman Art Opening, 9:30pm Jet Set Motel w. DJ Gatty Prant - $Free!

7pm - Mel Coleman Art Opening

  Not your Grandma's gallery, 3030 is going to be host to Junction based artist Mel Coleman's newest show 'Shooting From the Hip'.  Since I'm not an art critic, or for that matter someone who knows how to intelligently write about art without seeming pretentious or foolish, I'll simply say that her mixed-media works will cause the viewer to question some of their long held assumptions about class, gender and consumerism and it's also pretty cool stuff.  You should come by in April to check it out as it will be showing from April 9th to the end of the month.

9:30pm - Jet Set Motel

  I really dig Dave Picco's songwriter.  You might as well, but I'll let folks with much more cred than I have tell you that you should.

“Jetset Motel’s debut album brims with rootsy goodness… the four-piece has lots going for it – like David Picco’s appealing voice, which is coarse-edged without being weary. Their melodies are top-drawer, and their songs – even the higher-energy rockers in the middle – retain a gentle, unforced feel.” – Carla Gillis, NOW Magazine

“A Motel worth checking out.” – Kerry Doole, Exclaim!

This song above absolutely kills me every time I hear it.  It's heavy. 

DJ Gatty Prant

  Better known during the day as Patrick Grant, he's the rad chap behind the counter at Kops Records, so needless to say, he's got a pretty impressive vinyl collection.  The good news for you, is that he'll be spinning records before, in between and after Jet Set Motel's sets.  On top of this, he also has a band of his own that you should endeavour to check out.

Wednesday, March 27th - 8pm @3030Trivia, brought to you by Junction Craft Brewing

It's a big 'ole seasonal hint!

SOME QUESTIONS FROM LAST WEEK:

Question #1: Padma Lakshmi, host of Top Chef was, for a time, married to what well-known author who lived for over a decade with the name Joseph Anton?

Question #2: What Roman prefect was appointed under Emperor Tiberius, likely ordered to death under Emperor Caligula, and was also a pivotal character in the New Testament?

Question #3: If you play the word “JAZZ” in a standard game of English Scrabble and the word does not fall on any double or triple word or letter scores and you create no other words, what is the maximum score you can get?

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TRIVIA! BEER! FOOD! PRIZES!  Sound good?  Then you'll want to head on down to the 3030 on Wednesday for 3030Trivia, sponsored by Junction Craft Brewing.  Bring a team of four, a razor-sharp pencil, and pencil-sharp wits because hosts Anthony and Leila are going to give your brain a workout.  It's fun and it's free and it's the smartest way to spend your Wednesday.  Don't think you can cut it?  Relaaaax!  Anyone can do it - you're never put on the spot. There are no buzzers.  There's no pressure.  It's just a bunch of nerds packed into our back room who like to do tests for fun.  Want in?  The action starts at 8 but tables fill up fast - really fast - so come early for a drink and some small plates and start psyching out the competition.  

Last week saw a raucous victory by CleoFactra A, landing them in an extremely close second to Jollillity with John Stamos and the Toronto Maple Queefs right on their heels. It's close, folks.  Like close-ity-close-close-close.  What does this week have in store for our brilliant teams? I don't know, but I do know the answers to some of last week's questions posted above: Salman Rushdie, Pontius Pilate, and 19  (8 for J, 1 for A, 10 for Z, and in order to get another Z, you need to use a blank. Sneaky, right?!)

SEASON TWO STANDINGS -- WEEK THREE

1    Jollillity    138

2    CleoFactra A    137

3    John Stamos   136

4    Toronto Maple Queefs    135

5    Sacre Bleu's Clues    133

6    Funky Ball of Wits    130

7    Catch Twenty-Clue    124

8    Medweeval    116

9    The Facts Machine    114

10    The Mayan Triviara    109

11    The Nefer-Titties    105

12    Smother Teresa    102

13    Friends with Penefits    99

14    BAG    92

15    Hungry Hungry Hipsters   91

Friday, April 12 - 9pm - Rock-A-Billy Shake Up! w. Tennessee Voodoo Coupe, The Greasemarks plus DJ's Rockin' Dave Faris & DJ Matchbox - $5

Rock-A-Billy Shake-Up!

  Spring has sprung, and the smell of hot-rods burning rubber is in the air as the Rock-A-billy Shake-Up! is back for the April installment thanks to our good friends at RockhouseTO.  Let's check out this month's line-up...

Tennessee Voodoo Coupe

Up out of the back streets of Toronto's Retro Rebel Underground comes Tennessee Voodoo Coupe, purveyors of “100 proof reckless hillbilly jive.”

With legendary "Swing Punk"pioneer Big Rude Jake on vocals and acoustic guitar, and Steve Good on the doghouse bass, TVC round out their lineup with Stevie “Six String” Abrams on the twangy Gretsch guitar, and Dashing Don Decouchay on a minimal standup drum kit. (Don is known and respected as the former drummer of the classic Toronto Rockabilly/Skiffle combo,, the Razorbacks)

With this classic rockabilly arrangement, TVC tackles a broad mix of music, leaning heavily on early rockabilly, country, and some ’40s jump blues,along with plenty of originals and a few unexpected surprises. TVC have been rocking stages across town for a couple of years, and in 2008 launched the East End Rockabilly Riot series, which has since become the premier semi annual Rockabilly event in Ontario.

The Greasemarks

Leaving a trail of grease stained pillows, broken hearts and busted amps in their wake The Greasemarks have been doin' desperate 50's rockabilly raw & right since 2007. Three guys, all named Mark - a bassist pullin' double duty, kickin' a snare while beatin' out the rhythm, a guitarist not thinkin' much beyond keepin' the chords live, & a young, drunk, explosion of nervous energy up front , barely able to hold the acoustic guitar in his hand as he chokes out the words.

Thursday, April 4th - 8pm - Canada Premier: 'The Typewriter (in the 21st Century)' w. Kevin Kralik & Cailean Lewis - $5

Canada Premier of 'The Typewriter (in the 21st Century)'

Old Fort Typewriter Co. and 3030 will be co-hosting the Canadian screening of director Christopher Lockett's film The Typewriter (in the 21st Century).  With this being the films only scheduled screening in Canada, you don't want to miss this great documentary, nor do you want to not hear the phenomenal Kevin Kralik and Cailean Lewis.

The Typewriter (in the 21st Century)

Featuring 30+ interviews, in 10 U.S. states with authors, collectors, repairmen (and women), artists, musicians and inventors, the film focuses on the history of the typewriter, as well as machines of note, owned by such folks as Ernest Hemingway, Jack Kerouac, John Steinbeck and Sylvia Plath among many others and shown in beautifully filmed high definition.

The film shows that these machines are not merely beautiful collectibles: but rather that they offer a rare moment to unwinde, nay to unplug in today's constantly wired world.

Kevin Kralik

  I saw Kevin Kralik a month ago, play to five people on a Monday night at the Drake.  Those five folks know that they saw something special, and I absolutely had to find a way to get him to play at 3030.  Maybe films about typewriters aren't your thing, that's cool, but you should really come and check out this guys music.  As a pretty cynical and jaded booker, I was absolutely floored by his show.  I think you will be as well.

Cailean Lewis

  Cailean's a good guy from the 'hood, a hell of a songwriter and he's probably sold you a coffee at Locomotive at some point or another.  You should really give his stuff a listen, the man can write a heck of a song.

CAILEAN LEWIS - Tyger Style from Southern Souls on Vimeo.

Saturday, March 30 - #StoneHammerSessions presents - The Joyful Sinners w. DJ Splattermonkey

Fear the animals and come to the show....or else.

The #StoneHammerSessions

Some good folks out in Guelph, Ontario are fire-brewing beer, in small batches with all natural ingredients, and it's pretty great stuff.  Check out F&M Brewery, who make Stone Hammer beer if your up in that neck of the woods, or come on down to 3030 to try out one of their great brews.  There's always one on tap...

Also on tap, once a month is some great independent music, featuring some of the hottest bands in the city that just happens to be free courtesy of these fine folks.  Introducing the #StoneHammerSessions.

The Joyful Sinners

The Joyful Sinners are a band unafraid to dig deep into the earth, and pull out the roots of American music. In an age of the frivolous chase of modernity, The Joyful Sinners have released Slow Cooked, unleashing a sound long marinated in the tried and true tradition of American song. Formed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, The Joyful Sinners possess a rare set of gifts far wiser than the years of a group of guys in their mid-20s; dipping into many styles of American music, all of which are stops on a righteous quest for genuine authenticity.

Fans of Allan Tousaint, The Band and the Allman Brothers will probably dig this southern friend northern roots rock.

DJ Splattermonkey

One of the city's best all-vinyl DJ's, the funky munky will be back on the 1's and 2's spinning wax before, in between and after the band.  Find out why Mike's got one of the best collections of wax in the city, and give his podcast a good listen.

What's On Tap This Week (March 21 - March 23rd) @3030DundasWest

Hey There Folks!

  First and foremost, for those of you who didn't make it out to our St. Paddy's Day Party, well you missed something really special.  As someone, who has worked off and on in the hospitality industry for the better part of a decade, this is usually the one day on the Calendar that I dread.  However, I have to say that it was a really cool and beautiful thing, to see folks from the neighbourhood coming out for a great party, to see one of my favourite bands on stage absolutely killing it and most importantly it was exactly what a St. Paddy's Day Party should be on a Sunday, a really fun, relaxed get-together with all our favourite friends and neighbours.  Thanks.  It was special.

Young Running, Live at 3030, March 17th-2013 from James McGee on Vimeo.

  We've got a great weekend coming up for you, so without wasting anymore of your time, here's the roundup.

The Kitchen

  Folks of described it as 'sublime', 'mind blowing' and 'the best I've ever had'.  No we're not talking about an evening with Adisa Glasgow (which was also awesome by the way), we're talking about his pulled pork sandwich.  I'm not even sure how we can get away with selling this for $5, but we are, and a lot of nights we are selling out of it.  Check it, and all the other awesome $5 snack menu options for this week, as our menu changes regularly so if you're curious, don't wait, don't hesitate but come down and satiate your palette (ok, that line was a bit of a stretch).

The Bar

  We are super stoked for an awesome night that we have planned with McAuslan St-Ambroise.  Not only are we bringing in some absolutely phenomenal Montreal bands, but we are bringing in some equally phenomenal Montreal beer.  Let's use this section to check out a late, and super rare addition to Saturday night's line-up; The St-Ambroise Érable.

Mmmmmmmaple Syrup!

  Created in collaboration with chef Martin Picard, and featured on the premier of his television show 'Un chef a la cabane', it's made with real maple syrup, and there are only 38 kegs of it total in the whole province.  Guess who has the first of these kegs?  So come on down this Saturday, and make sure you get here early as we are likely going to be sold out of this ultra-rare beer.

The Programming

  It's a fun weekend coming up, albeit not as busy as the past weekend.  However the programming has something that should hopefully appeal to everyone, and after the past few frantic weeks, and with spring officially here (although it doesn't feel that way), it's nice to have something a bit more relaxed.

On Friday, the Junction's very own Justin Rutledge is going to be spinning some vinyls all night along with DJ OH16, for the second installment of the Vinyl Chronicles.

Then on Saturday, we've got an absolutely phenomenal line-up, perhaps one of the strongest bills I've ever put together with the first installment of #MetropoleTO in conjunction with McAuslan St-Ambroise.

Finally, on Sunday, it's the Wonderful World of Lazy, featuring Wreck It Ralph.

Should be a great weekend, and if you've made it this far, take another couple of minutes to give this great song a listen.