A variety show featuring Phil Vonesh, curator and founder of the Toronto Folk Festival. Get ready to dance, sing a long to some classics and have a very fun time!

Shak Shak is a calypso band rooted in the classic calypso songbook and the Eastern Caribbean folk traditions from which calypso sprang. They are a creative forum in which Caribbean-born Canadian artists and Canadian-born artists collaborate to develop a brand of calypso unique to its time and place.

Like a tumbleweed going with the wind, Sarah is a natural rambler. She has played vastly diverse stages, from train cars crossing the country as part of the ‘Via Rail Artists on Board Program’, to house concerts in the Maritimes, outdoor bars in Honduras, and the Capital Ballroom in Victoria, BC. She appears as a one-woman show, alongside peers, and often with her talented backing band “The Magic Buttons”. As a performer, she thrives on the emotional connection she builds with her audience via her songs and light hearted storytelling.

Tim Bovaconti has been a fixture on the Toronto Music seen for many years. He has put out five albums of original material over the years and is currently the touring guitarist with former Guess Who lead singer Burton Cummings.He released a new album this year titled Again with a sold-out concert at Toronto's Hugh's Room. Patrick Allcock has released several albums of his own over the years and has a new album of original material due for release later this year.

Foot-tapping Americana fiddle tunes and spirited improvisation from some of Toronto's most exciting young roots musicians. Mike T. Kerr is a wild guitar player and a staple in Toronto’s country blues and jazz scene; Sam Clark is a pensive fiddler and songwriter from the duo Basset, and Peter Klaassen is a gifted bassist with a wide range of styles and techniques.

Mike T. Kerr is a wild guitar player and ambitious songwriter living in downtown Toronto. Combining the boisterous Ragtime of the Reverend Gary Davis, the Country class of Chet Atkins, and the explosive energy of Django Reinhardt, Mike's show is a fireworks display of musical joy. During his time at Berklee College of Music in Boston and in over 10 years of performing, he's lived his life through many historical and contemporary musical styles. Always curious to dig up not only a song's history, but the shape of the world at the time, Mike plays passionately and openly while interpreting the great guitar players of the past.

Niña Volcán, a dynamic dance band from Toronto cultivating the emerging musical experience we call "Canadian Cumbia". This past year we've played at Drom Taberna, BSMT 254, Bloom Fest and Geary Art Crawl and we're set to release our first full album in 2025, backed by an OAC recording grant. Our songs pay homage to the influence of cumbia music across Latin America and the world, and we strive to deliver a fresh, evolving take on the genre, blending in elements of electonica, jazz and afrobeat that'll make you move your (dancing) feet.

Toronto born songwriter & singer, Phillip Vonesh is a true “front person” which is to say, he struggles with bouts of narcissism and insufferability. The Spare Parts were formed in an earnest attempt to look outward and tell other people's stories. The Spare Parts released their Southern Rock infused debut album “Infatuation” in 2021 and are currently working on their follow up album “Golden Wheat” which will be released in the fall of 2025 and is far more quirky and country in its aesthetic.

Toronto based country & western gaze/young adult contemporary.

Shak Shak is a calypso band rooted in the classic calypso songbook and the Eastern Caribbean folk traditions from which calypso sprang. They are a creative forum in which Caribbean-born Canadian artists and Canadian-born artists collaborate to develop a brand of calypso unique to its time and place.

Multi-instrumentalist and music producer JER integrates music and visuals to amplify her fusion of Northeastern Brazilian roots with global influences. Born in Bahia, she weaves psycho-tropical grooves with indie and electronic textures, shaping a striking aesthetic in both sound and lyrics. Deeply inspired by her birthplace and her second home, Canada, the Brazilian-Canadian artist reimagines tradition through an eclectic lens, drawing from Hermeto Pascoal’s sonic explorations to the haunting melodies of Joni Mitchell. Her debut full-length album, set for release in fall 2025, features collaborations with a renowned Brazilian producer and musicians who have worked with iconic artists such as Nação Zumbi, BaianaSystem, and Gal Costa.

Pressgang Mutiny are Toronto's Shantymen, dedicated to traveling the globe to discover shanties, works songs and the people who sing them. A quartet of dynamic musicians and tall ship sailors, they have performed at festivals and venues across Canada, the US, and Europe.
Their third album, Departure, releases this summer.

Shak Shak is a calypso band rooted in the classic calypso songbook and the Eastern Caribbean folk traditions from which calypso sprang. They are a creative forum in which Caribbean-born Canadian artists and Canadian-born artists collaborate to develop a brand of calypso unique to its time and place.

The Roast Chicken Ramblers are a Toronto based vintage blues, jazz and ragtime group. The roast chicken repertoire is largely based upon pre-war/swing era tunes curated by band leader Isaak Bonk. Whether it’s with Horns and drums, or a simple string band, the ramblers are sure to entertain.

Nii Osabu is a Ghanaian highlife and African traditional musician, songwriter, and music producer, currently based in Toronto. With a start in music at 10 years old, following in the footsteps of his musical father, he now has over 30 singles to his credit and a debut album coming soon.

The Island Cafe will be welcoming Great Lakes Brewery as well, offering up samples and a great deal on our own private labeled “Island Cafe Lager”.

Selkie Sessions are Ivy Mairi, Isla Craig, Andrew Patten and Sean Donald. Playing traditional music that we love from Ireland, Scotland, and America, and singing in rich harmony.

The Honeyrunners are a Northern take on Southern Soul – hot-blooded and rife with the poetry of human folly. The energy of this Toronto band is undeniable on stage and on record. They are back in studio recording a raw batch of songs guaranteed to break a few hearts in Fall of '25. The Island Cafe is excited to welcome them as our first live music night of the season!