Your VINTAGE WEEKEND Roundup! Oct 22 to Oct 25th

HIGHLIGHTS: Vintage Clothing & Textile Show / Saturday Night Swing: Evening in Paris with Les Petits Nouveaux / Rue Morgue CineMacabre Movie Nights: Return of the Living Dead / Kitty Nights Toronto: Dusk Till Dawn 

THURSDAY Oct 22nd: 
12pm - Fashion Victims: The Pleasures and Perils of Dress in the 19th Century at Bata Shoe Museum(runs until June 2016)
5pm - My Diary: A Woman’s Life in Victorian Scarborough at Scarborough Museum (on until Jan 31st)
7.30pm - The Haunted Walk of Toronto with Mackenzie House. Visit starts at Hockey Hall of Fame
8pm - Tour Guys: Fact or Fiction Ghost Tour starts at Old City Hall
8pm - The Ghosts and Spirits of the Distillery starts at 30 Gristmill Lane
8pm – Live Blues and Dancing: Ria Reece Band Release Party atMonarchs Pub
8pm - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Live at Walmer Centre Theatre
9.30pm - @Rue Morgue CineMacabre Movie Nights: Return of the Living Dead at The Royal Cinema - Toronto - Toronto -

FRIDAY Oct 23rd:
5.30pm - Straight Eights at Castro's Lounge
7pm - Leon Bridges at Danforth Music Hall
7pm - Haunted Toronto Scavenger Hunt starts at Royal Conservatory of Music (advance ticketing)
7.30pm -The Haunted Walk The Haunted Walk of Toronto with Mackenzie House Visit starts at Hockey Hall of Fame
8pm - The Ghosts and Spirits of the Distillery starts at 30 Gristmill Lane
9pm - Social Dance at Lindy Hop Revolution
9pm - Friday Night Fish Fry (RnR/R&B /soul/Garage/ at The Old Laurel
9pm - Bad News: All Sixties Dance Party at Handlebar
9pm - Matadors and Nasties (rockabilly/psychobilly) at Cherry Cola's Rock 'n' Rolla Cabaret & Lounge
10pm – Record Party with DJ Double Denim (60s/70s) at Castro's Lounge
10pm -DJ Blush 50s/60s/70s) at Stones Place
10pm - Fast Times 80's Dance Party at The Piston
10pm - LA Nights (70s/80s) at The Central

SATURDAY Oct 24th:
1pm - @Toronto Lindy Hop Open Swing Dance Practice at Dovercourt House
4.30pm - The Happy Pals (jazz/swing) at Grossman's Tavern
6pm – The Cosmotones (rockabilly) at Castro’s Lounge
7pm – Saturday Night Swing: Evening in Paris with Les Petits Nouveaux atDovercourt House
7pm - Original Haunted Walk of Toronto with Mackenzie House Visit starts at Hockey hall of fame
8pm - The Ghosts and Spirits of the Distillery starts at 30 Gristmill Lane
8pm - Tour Guys: Fact or Fiction Ghost Tour starts at Old City Hall
9pm - Bad News: Raw Sixties Soul at Handlebar
9pm - Lindi Ortega at Virgin Mobile Mod Club
9pm - Kitty Nights Toronto: Dusk Till Dawn (burlesque) at Revival Bar
9pm - TMW/iM presents : Beatles vs The Stones at Junction City Music Hall
9pm - Patron Saint of Plagues: House of Haunt, Zack Power, Ruby's Revenge (psychobilly) at The Smiling Budha
9.30pm - 1977 Punk Rock Night: Tributes to The Jam, The Ramones, and Blondie at Linsmore Tavern
10pm – Fast Times-80s Dance Party at The Piston
10pm - Shake, Rattle and Roll (50s/60s) at Clintons
10pm - Shake-A-Tail (50s/60s) at Sneaky Dee's

SUNDAY Oct 25th
6am - Sunday Antique Market at St. Lawrence Market
10a - Vintage Clothing & Textile Show at Wychwood Barns
1pm - Tea and Tour Sundays at Gibson House
2pm - Rosie & The Riveters at Hugh's Room
2.3p - Swingin'OUTea for 2 Dance Social Swing dance at The 519
4pm - New Orleans Connection All Stars (big band jazz) at Grossman's Tavern
4pm – Alistair Christl Trio at The Duke Live.com
5pm - Common Ground (Blues/Funk/Soul/Jazz) at Linsmore Tavern
8pm - The Ghosts and Spirits of the Distillery starts at 30 Gristmill Lane
9pm - Watch This Sound (rare vintage vinyl) at Castro's Lounge
9pm - Sinful Sundays at Cherry Cola's (burlesque): Un Dead

OUTER GTA:
Oct 23-25 - Jump n Dance in Quebec City
Oct 23rd, 9pm - Hellbent Rockers Bday Bash (rockabilly) at Sip Club (Guelph)
Oct 24, 5:30 - Swing Dance and Dinner at The Verdi Club (Amherstburg)

LONG RUN SHOWS/EXHIBITS:
Fashion Victims: The Pleasures and Perils of Dress in the 19th Century at @Bata Shoe Museum (runs until June 2016)
Weegee: Murder is My Business (vintage photography) at @Ryerson Imaging Centre (runs until Dec 13)
Motown: The Musical - (runs until Nov 1st)
My Diary: A Woman’s Life in Victorian Scarborough at @Scarborough Museum (runs until Jan 31st)

RADIO SHOWS:
Thursdays, 7pm – The Redline Rockabilly Show on 103.7 CFBU
Fridays, 6pm – Rockabilly with DJ Catwoman CIUT 89.5 FM
Fridays, 7pm – Rock n Roll Riot on 97.7 The Beach (Wasaga)
Fridays, 8pm – TheRockabilly Room on 100.3 CKMS (Kitchener)
Saturdays, 3pm - Vinyl from the Crypt (vintage/vinyl) on CIUT 89.5

‪#‎TVS‬ ‪#‎Toronto‬ ‪#‎TO‬ ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎retro‬ ‪#‎antiques‬ ‪#‎20s‬ ‪#‎40s‬ ‪#‎50s‬ ‪#‎60s‬ ‪#‎70s‬‪#‎80s‬ ‪#‎rockabilly‬ ‪#‎burlesque‬ ‪#‎pinup‬ ‪#‎cabaret‬ ‪#‎jazz‬ ‪#‎bigband‬ ‪#‎blues‬ ‪#‎surf‬‪#‎soul‬ ‪#‎disco‬ ‪#‎ska‬ ‪#‎rocknroll‬ ‪#‎mod‬ ‪#‎swing‬ ‪#‎lindyhop‬

Your VINTAGE WEEKEND Roundup! Aug 13-16!

HIGHLIGHTS: Dancing on the Pier with TO All Star Big Band / Story of TO in Seven Stops / Tennessee Voodoo Coupe / Rosie-O-Rama / Kitty Nights / Alternative People's Choice Awards / Retro Road Show / Classic Cars on Danforth / After Hours: Speakeasy / Jalopy Jam Up / Leslieville Flea /

THURSDAY, Aug 13th:
6pm - Jazz night: Sean Stanley Quartet at Cafe Belong and Belong Catering at Evergreen Brick Works
6.3p – Heritage Toronto Walk: Story of the City in Seven Stops (must register for location)
7pm - Dancing on the Pier: The Toronto All-Star Big Band at Harbourfront Centre
8pm – Live Blues and Dancing at Monarchs Pub
10p - DJ Vivs (45s/vintage vinyl) at Sweaty Betty's

FRIDAY, Aug 14th:
1pm - Luau or Die live to air on CIUT 89.5FM from Hart House (listen or watch!)
5pm - The Straight Eights at Castro's Lounge
6pm – Rockabilly with DJ Catwoman CIUT 89.5 FM
7pm – Friday Night Swing : Mike Daley Swing Band at Dovercourt House
7.3p - Always ABBA at Lower Ossington Theatre
8pm Urban Capers Scavenger Hunts: Haunted Toronto (advance ticketing)
9pm – Record Party with DJ I Hate You Rob (60s/70s) at Castro's Lounge
9pm - Tennessee Voodoo Coupe at Monarchs Pub

SATURDAY, Aug 15th:
11a - Wheels On The Danforth Aug 15th, 2015 (classic cars) at Danforth Ave & Danforth Rd
1pm - Rosie-O-Rama at Nathan Phillips Square
3pm - Vinyl from the Crypt (vintagevinyl) on CIUT 89.5 FM
4pm - Happy Pals (jazz) at Grossman's Tavern
6pm – The Cosmotones (rockabilly) at Castro’s Lounge
7pm – Saturday Night Swing: Peter Shea Swing Trio at Dovercourt House
7.3p – After Dark: A Speakeasy at Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens
9pm - Missy/Ink Magazine: Alternative Peoples Choice Awards at Lee's Palace
9pm - The Shakedown Combo from Nova Scotia at El Mocambo
9pm - Kitty Nights Toronto: Midsummer's Night Dream at Revival Bar
9.3p - Toronto Summer Soul Allnighter at The Great Hall
10p - Shake, Rattle andRoll (50s/60s) at Clintons
10p - Shake-A-Tail (50s/60s) at Sneaky Dee's
10p - Combo Royale and Whitebrow at Cameron House Inn
10p - Retro Roadshow: Popstars and Icons at Dovercourt House

SUNDAY, Aug 16th:
10a - The Leslieville Flea at Ashbridge Estate
11a – Rockabilly Brunch at Cadillac Lounge
1pm Urban Capers Scavenger Hunts: History of Church Street (advance ticketing)
1pm - Tea and Tour Sundays at Gibson House
1.3p - Tour of St James Cemetery at 635 Parliament St
4pm - New Orleans Connection All Stars (big band jazz) at Grossman's Tavern
4pm – Alistair Christl Trio at The Duke Live.com
7pm – Sunday Serenades: TO All Star Big Band at Mel Lastman Square
8pm - Bootleg Sugar Burlesque at The Paddock Tavern
9pm - Watch This Sound (rare vintage vinyl) at Castro's Lounge 9pm - Sinful Sundays at Cherry Cola's: Weekend Warriors

NOTABLE OUTER GTA:
Thurs, Aug 13:5p - Rockin the Waterfront at Pier 4 Park (Hamilton)
Hammer Hoppers at Dundas Cactus Festival
Fri-Sat, Aug 14-15, 10a - The Jalopy Jam Up a pre 64 Traditional Hot Rod and Custom Car Show at Ghost Town Frontier (near Hanover, ON)
Sat-Sun, Aug 15-16,
9am - Orillia Classic Car Show on Mississauga Rd Downtown (Orillia, ON)
Sat, Aug 15:
11a - Retro 50s, 60s Show (classic cars +) at That 50s Diner (Pickering)
9pm - The Greasemarks at Chainsaw (Waterloo)
Every Thursday, 7pm – The Redline Rockabilly Show on 103.7 CFBU
Every Friday, 7pm – Rock n Roll Riot on 97.7 The Beach (Wasaga)
Every Friday, 8pm – TheRockabilly Room on 100.3 CKMS (Kitchener)

#TVS #Toronto #TO #vintage #retro #antiques #20s #40s #50s #60s #70s #80s#rockabilly #burlesque #pinup #cabaret #jazz #bigband #blues #surf #soul #disco#RocknRoll #mod #swing #lindyhop #speakeasy

Your VINTAGE WEEKEND Roundup! July 9-11!

It's the weekend!

What will you be doing??

HIGHLIGHTS: TVS Does the Gladstone Flea! / Beaches Jazz Festival / Electro Swing ft Big Rude Jake / Mary Poppins / Shakin Summer Soiree / Swingin Blackjacks / Git Down - Bad News - Beam Me Up Dance Parties/ Vintage Ink Generations / Parkdale Flea / Etiquette of Downton Abbey / Buster Keaton Silent Film Fest 

THURSDAY, July 9th:
10a - Camera Atomica Exhibition Opens (1945-present) at Art Gallery of Ontario (open until Nov 15)
7pm – Dancing on the Pier at Harbourfront Centre
7pm – Halloween in July (burlesque) at Social Capitol Theatre
7.3p - Mary Poppins at Lower Ossington Theatre
7.3p – Fringe Festival: Inventor of All Things (1940s based play) at Tarragon Theatre Mainspace
8pm – Live Blues and Dancing: The Jerome Godboo Band at Monarchs Pub
10p –Electro Swing ft Big Rude Jake vs Measuring Man at The Painted Lady

FRIDAY, July 10th:
12p - Beaches International Jazz Festivalwww.beachesjazz.com
6pm – Rockabilly with DJ Catwoman CIUT 89.5 FM
7pm – Dr. No (1962) at The Royal Cinema - Toronto
7pm – Friday Night Swing: Tyler Yarema at Dovercourt House
7.3p - Mary Poppins at Lower Ossington Theatre
7.3p - Alias Dance Project: Animating Historic Space atZion Schoolhouse
8pm – A Decade of Decadence (burlesque) at Revival Bar
8.3pm – Fringe Festival: Inventor of All Things (1940s based play) at Tarragon Theatre Mainspace
9pm – Record Party with DJ I Hate You Rob (60s/70s vinyl) at Castro's Lounge
10p - The Swingin' Blackjacks (rockabilly) atGrossman's Tavern
10p – Hip Shake (rock/soul/funk) at Bovine Sex Club(tiki patio)

SATURDAY, July 11th: 
3pm - Vinyl from the Crypt (vintage vinyl) on CIUT 89.5 FM
4pm – Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) at The Royal Cinema
4pm - Happy Pals (jazz) at Grossman's Tavern
6pm – The Cosmotones (rockabilly) at Castro’s Lounge
7pm – Saturday Night Swing: Up Jumped Swing at Dovercourt House
7pm – Linda Carone Sings (jazz/blues) at White Elephant
7.3p - Alias Dance Project: Animating Historic Spaces at Zion Schoolhouse
8pm – Murder at 120: 1920s Speakeasy at Club 120
9pm – Movies in the Park: Top Gun at Riverdale Park East
9.3p - Becoming Burlesque at Al Greene Theatre
10p - Shake, Rattle and Roll (50s/60s)at Clintons
10p - Shake-A-Tail (50s/60s)at Sneaky Dee's
10p – Beam Me Up: Disco Disco Disco at The Piston
10p – Bad News All Vinyl Psycho 60s Boogaloo atMonarch Tavern
10p – Git Down! (soul/funk) at Junction City Music Hall
10p - Shakin Summer Soirée: Tennessee Voodoo Coupe and Bang! Bang! at Handlebar

SUNDAY, July 12th:
10a – TVS does the Gladstone Flea at Gladstone Hotel
10a – Parkdale Flea at Goodfellas Gallery
11a – Heritage Toronto Walk: The Danforth at City Adult Learning Centre
11a – Rockabilly Brunch at Cadillac Lounge
12p – Fringe Festival: Inventor of All Things (1940s based play) at Tarragon Theatre Mainspace
12.3 and 3p – The Etiquette of Downton Abbey atSpadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens
1pm - Heritage Toronto Walk: Leslieville starts at Queen St E Presbyterian Church
1pm - Tea and Tour Sundays at Gibson House
4pm - New Orleans Connection All Stars (big band jazz) at Grossman's Tavern
4pm – Alistair Christl Trio at The Duke Live.com
4p - Becoming Burlesque at Al Greene Theatre
6.3p – For Your Eyes Only (1981) at The Royal Cinema
7pm – Vintage Ink presents: Generations at 99 Sudbury
7pm – Sunday Serenades: Ragweed Jazz Band at Mel Lastman Square
7pm – Buster Keaton Silent Film Series at Heliconian Hall
7.3p - Alias Dance Project: Animating Historic Space at Zion Schoolhouse
9pm - Watch This Sound (rare vintage vinyl) at Castro's Lounge
9pm - Sinful Sundays at Cherry Cola's

NOTABLE OUTER GTA:
Every Thursday, 7pm – The Redline Rockabilly Show on 103.7 CFBU
Every Friday, 7pm – Rock n Roll Riot on 97.7 The Beach (Wasaga)
Every Friday, 8pm – The Rockabilly Room on 100.3 CKMS (Kitchener)

#TVS #Toronto #TO #vintage #retro #antiques #20s#40s #50s #60s #70s #80s #rockabilly #burlesque#pinup #cabaret #jazz #bigband #blues #surf #soul#disco #RocknRoll #mod #swing #lindyhop

Heather Ballentine celebrates the release of her new CD "The Cat's Meow"

Heather Ballentine is gearing up for her “Rockin Retro Party” this coming Wednesday at Lula Lounge to celebrate the release of her new album "The Cat's Meow"!

We met Heather at OLD SCHOOL restaurant for a Southern style meal to discuss her history, her influencers, her new album, the upcoming show...and of course her signature pin-up style!

Give me a brief history of yourself and how your upbringing lead you to music.

I grew up in a town called Alma, Arkansas, a farm town in the Southern US. My dad is a musician and would always be playing Roy Orbison, Patsy Kline, Elvis, Buddy Holly, so I always listening to that kind of music growing up.  My dad is a bass player, he also plays trumpet, the harmonica, so I just knew from a very young age that I wanted to do music. I eventually moved to LA where I met Lary Bartley and we started writing music together. My voice is very low, similar to Patsy Kline's, so that style and that type of music always appealed to me. When we write, that's what ends up coming out. 

Tell me about the different styles that can be found in your music?

It's really diverse.  It's a lot of classic country, rockabilly, swing, big band, classic Rock'n'Roll too. 

What eras inspired you as a person and your music?

I really like the 50s and 60s. The way I dress, my hair, the red lips, my music are all influenced by the eras that my Dad liked.  I enjoy the 20s, 30s, and 40s as well but it really doesn't influence my music as much.  The big band in my music is only a hint of 40s, it really has it's own identity. Someone commented on Facebook after I posted "Kiss Me" that "this sounds suspiciously like country music". Country music today is watered down pop/rock. It is really not country anymore, so I found that comment really cool, because he is considering what I do to be similar to classic country, like Patsy and Johnny, which is nice. I'm considered a roots artist because they don't know how to label me yet. Which is a good thing, it's individual.

Would you consider yourself a revivalist? Do you ever feel a responsibility to “do right” by the eras that influence your music?

That is interesting! Even though my music has elements of classic style, I am trying to do it 
in a fresh new way. The younger generation may not listen to Buddy or Johnny but they may have heard of them. However, they won't know the Everly Brothers...it's sad that they don't or won't ever know who they are. So, yes I am trying to revive them but in a fresh new way. I also cover my favourite classic artists to do right by them. I do 60%/40% covers to originals. You want to keep them alive.  Hopefully it makes the younger generation go and check them out. 

What instruments do you play? If there is more than one, which would be your favourite? Do you have a favourite make/model?

I play guitar, mandolin and piano.  I don't love piano, my mother made me play the piano, but as soon as I picked up a guitar, it made sense to me.  Guitar and Mandolin just clicked. I like a nice jumbo Gibson J200, the bigger the better right!? I just love Gibson guitars...I have a custom pick guard and my HB brand.  I love that guitar!

As your music is vintage-inspired. In the studio, do you use vintage recording methods or embrace new technology? 

I am really a stickler for everything being live...real. Real strings, real drums, real horns...there is nothing worse than cheesy keyboard horns.  That is why my band is so big, I have an 11 piece band!  There are so many places you can see live music in Toronto, but how often do you see the kind of music I'm doing with a horn section and all these instruments you don't get to see live. We want to make it a real experience!

How is the audience different from a vintage crowd versus then lets say playing for a mainstream crowd?

In LA, bar crowds mostly just talk and ignore the music...but I was lucky, that never happened to me.  We would start playing and the audience would turn around to look and listen.  The music is a huge part of it, but there is also a visual aspect to it when you are doing anything pin up.  People love it, it captures their attention. I haven't had any issues, because they captivated.  My band wears silver jackets and we have choreographed background singers, so it's a real SHOW. Rarely do I have an issue, whether the audience is into vintage or not, they all seem to like it. Even my greeters and merchandise girls dress to my theme!

Tell me about the best show you ever played. Who is your favourite audience?

Pride in LA was pretty awesome, I opened for Debbie Harry!  It was a sea of men!  I have dual citizenship - American and Canadian, so when I was living in the US, I was hired to do a lot of USO shows which goes with the whole pin-up style. I went to over 10 countries. Each show was unique and I have so many stories from each country! Japan was pretty awesome, 3 girls fainted....I couldn't believe it!  Also, my show last year at Lula Lounge, was my first show in Toronto with the big band...it was just awesome and a great vibe!

Do you dress to augment the music or visa versa?

Both. I used to buy more true vintage, but now I'm so busy don't have the time. I used to scour through thrift stores for hours when I was younger, but now I buy a lot online.  My friend owns Pin Up Girl Clothing in LA, so I buy a lot from them, mainly because everything fits me.  Lately I have been finding all the boutiques in Toronto like Rosie the Rebel and Damzels, so I am planning a big shopping day!  Also, I am curvy so pin up works. You don't have to be stick thin, I am all about women being real women and the pin up style complements that.

Photo: Laura Byrn

With a new album "The Cat's Meow" releasing in July, what can fans hope to find both in the album and at your Toronto show?

The great thing about the show is what you hear on the album, is what you can expect at the show.  The same sound quality.  We have all those instruments live.  So that is pretty exciting and rare for a live show.  I was lucky to work with Pete Anderson, he worked on KD Lang and Dwight Yoakam, so I pretty much worshipped him my whole life. I never thought I would get the chance to work with him, so when he asked to do a record with me, I was just blown away!  He is an amazing producer and so cool. 

Heather's Top Fives!

Top five artist of any genre that you are into right now?

Bruno Mars - I like his retro thing
Megan Trainor - she has great retro style
The Hives - they put on a great show
Mumford and Sons - they are kind of roosty and country
James Barker - their guitar player is incredible. Young, but incredible. Exciting

Top five albums of all time?

Dwight Yoakam - Guitars and Cadillacs
Pete Anderson - Birds above Guitarland - he is a genius!
Johnny Cash - Live at Folsom Prison 
Everything Patsy Cline has ever done!
Buddy Holly - Greatest Hits is always on my record player
...and I love Elvis! I walked down the aisle to "I Can't Help Falling in Love"

Photo: Dana Brushette

Favourite repro brands, shops and/or vintage shops?

Pin Up Girl Clothing
Deadly Dames
Unique Vintage
Remix Shoes - they are so comfy!
Coquette Stockings

I want to have my own brand down the line.  I love the clothing, makeup, hair...I'd love to work with a boutique to create my own branding once the music is at a level that is can maintain itself. I definitely want to take pin up mainstream!

A man on my Instagram said - "It's so nice to see a girl wearing a dress"

...and we couldn't AGREE more!

Heather's upcoming 

"Rockin Retro Party"! 

Heather Ballentine brings her “Rockin Retro Party” to Lula Lounge Wednesday July 8.
Join Heather with her 11 piece band celebrating the release of her new CD “The Cat’s Meow”.

Her show will be a unique mix of songs from the new album and retro classics from the past that seamlessly blend the sounds of Big Band, Swing, Rockabilly and Country!

Doors open at 7pm. Please call Lula Lounge for table/dinner reservations-416-588-0307

Heather's full bio....

“Music’s Favourite Pin Up Girl”, Heather Ballentine, is a charming, talented, and down to earth Southern belle. She is an entrepreneur, singer/songwriter, pin-up model, and actress.
Her life-long pursuit of excellence began in Arkansas, where she was born. She grew up with passion for performing, and always knew what she was meant to do. Her mother was named after Marilyn Monroe, which sparked Heather’s interest in pin up fashion, culture and lifestyle. Her father, a musician with a fondness for retro music, encouraged her to listen to artists such as Elvis, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Wanda Jackson, and Buddy Holly, which became Heather’s musical influences.

In 2011 Heather moved to Canada and happily adopted it as her new home. Based in Toronto, she is actively building her pin up brand. She recently recorded with Grammy Winning Producer, Pete Anderson to create her album, “The Cat’s Meow”.
Her new single, “Kiss Me”, was released in May of 2015 and has garnered national video play on CMT and on CBC and multi-format radio. “Kiss Me” has also been viewed over 12,000 times on Youtube in just over a month since its release!
Heather and Pete have created her own signature sound that appeals to big band, swing, country, and rockabilly audiences alike. To see her unique live show is to fall in love with her personable retro charm!

For more information:

www.heatherballentine.com 
www.facebook.com/heatherballentine https://twitter.com/HNBallentine 
http://instagram.com/heather_ballentine