Where's Wendell Now
The Date:
The Details:
December
Dec 14

It’s a Sunday so I’m going to church! This will be the third church I’ve played this year and lightning still hasn’t struck! I’m amazed. This is the annual Common Table Benefit show at The Church of the Redeemer presented by Mike Daley and his wife Jill. They get a lot of well-known acts to come and entertain the full house and the proceeds help feed the homeless. It’s a wonderful, warm way to spend an afternoon. The show gets underway at 1:00pm and you’re out of there around 3:30-4:00. The church is located at: 162 Bloor St. W. Toronto and here’s Common Table's web-site: https://theredeemer.ca/alt/get-involved-alternative/drop-in/

Later that same day...

I’m playing with the 'Lost Patients’ at the Long Branch Social House (3595 Lakeshore Blvd. W. Etobicoke, On M8W 1P5) Here’s their website link: https://longbranchsocialhouse.ca
It’s a special birthday celebration and we’re doing  a few numbers with the birthday boy. We start at 8PM and go until we’re done. I’ve never played here before but I’ve heard some nice things about it. And the Lost Patients guys are great!

Dec 15 I’m back with the Stew at Mulligan’s Pub in the Woodchester Plaza. 2458 Dundas St. W. Mississauga. We start at 4:00pm and play until 7:30-ish. Lots of fun. The link: https://mulliganspub.ca
Dec 19 Betty & the Bobs return to Hugh’s Room Live. This is a Christmas show with Boreal. (Boreal in case you don’t know is a wonderful female trio made up of Katherine Wheatley, Tannis Slimmon and Angie Nussey.) They’re doing the first half and then Betty & the Bobs are doing the second. Ticket info is at the Hugh’s Room Live.
Dec 21 Ed Smith & the Even Squares are playing traditional country music and playing it right! This is always a fantastic band made up of real pros. I never even ask who’s on the gig anymore. Ed always has excellent players. This will take place in Port Hope at the venerable old Ganaraska Hotel ‘The Ganny’ (Ganaraska Hotel - Ganny) 30 Ontario St. Port Hope.
Dec 22 It’s Mulligan’s Pub in Mississauga. The Stew do their thing and you can watch and if you’re talented you can maybe get up in the second show. Downbeat at 4:00pm. Here’s a link to their website: https://mulliganspub.ca
Dec 27 The Montcrest Big Band is doing their winter concert. We usually try and do it before Xmas but this year that didn’t work out so if you’re still in a holiday mood, c’mon down to Grossman’s Tavern and check us out. 21 piece. 6 Saxes. 6 trombones. 4 trumpets and 4 piece rhythm section. Plus our fearless director. Some old swing, some jazz standards, a few vocal pieces (sung by Fergus Hambleton) and even some modern numbers. (Maybe even a Christmas song? You can stand just one more, right?) Grossman’s is located at Spadina Street and we start at 7:00 and finish at 9:00. Here’s their website: https://grossmanstavern.com
Dec 29 Back to Mulligan's Pub in Mississauga. You must know the info by heart by now? I sure do. 4PM downbeat. https://mulliganspub.ca
January 2025
Jan 1 The Stew is back at  Mulligan’s Pub. When you get to be our age you don’t like playing New Year’s Eve anymore. It’s 'lunch-bag let-down'. But many people our age enjoy getting out New Years Day in the afternoon. I believe it’s still 4-7:30 but I could be wrong…? Call them and check before you head out. It might be earlier? Here’s their number (905) 855-7584 and website: https://mulliganspub.ca
Jan 2 I’m the special guest of Mike Daley at Castro’s Lounge in the Beeches 2116 Queen St, E. We play a brief 2 hours (6:00-8:00PM), but we have so much fun and really get into it, that it feels like it goes by in 10 minutes. Lot’s of fun and we play everything from jazz to rock, to folk, to pop, to country to klezmer. No cover but they do pass the hat... So bring small bills. Here’s their website: https://castroslounge.com
Jan 5 I’m back at Mulligans’ Pub with The Stew. As every Sunday we lay a wide variety of tunes and the audience is just as surprised as we are. Never a set list, never a rehearsal and never a clue. But we play hard and have lotsa fun. Here’s their website: https://mulliganspub.ca Downbeat is 4:00PM and we go until around 7:30.
Jan 12  It’s Mulligans Pub again. https://mulliganspub.ca Check the previous listings for info because I'm getting tired of making up new ways to say the same thing.
Jan 16 I’m joining my old pal Lou Moore at the Olde Village Free House (OVFH as it’s known locally) in Newmarket for an evening of great tunes and hot picking. Lou is a furious flat picker and he really makes me work when I try and keep up to him. They’re located in the old village of Newmarket on Main St. Here’s their website: https://www.oldevillagefreehouse.com
Jan 18  I’m back playing with Ed Smith and The Even Squares ("even squares can have a ball"_ Merle Haggard). This time we’re out in Ed’s hometown, Port Hope. At the Ganaraska Hotel (the Ganny!). They’re located at 30 Ontario Street in Port Hope. But note!: This is an afternoon gig. We start at 2:00 and go to 6:00PM. Here’s a link to the website: http://www.ganny.chttp://www.ganny.ca
Jan 19 Mulligans’ Pub. You know the drill! https://mulliganspub.ca
Also...
I’m playing with The Stew but this time in Orangeville at ‘Revival 1863’ 35 Armstrong Street, Orangeville L9W 3H6. We start at 8:00PM and reservations are recommended. Here’s their website: https://www.revival1863.com/home
Jan 26 The Stew is (guess where?) Can’t guess, I’ll tell you. Mulligan’s Pub. In case you haven’t been paying attention it’s in Mississauga and the band starts at 4PM. https://mulliganspub.ca
February 
Feb 2  The Stew. Mulligans. Need I say more? https://mulliganspub.ca
Feb 7 The Stew is at Long Branch Legion. #101. This is a fun Legion and they sure like to dance there. From the first number and all night! We start at 8:00PM and the drinks are cheap and icy cold. This branch is located at: And here’s their website: https://www.legion101.com
Feb 9 Mulligans! 4PM! I can’t do this anymore. Not the gig... that, I love. It’s writing it out so many times. Help me! https://mulliganspub.ca
Feb 16  You’ll have to guess where I’m playing. Here’s a hint. It's on a Sunday. https://mulliganspub.ca
Feb 19 I’m doing a little duo gig with my friend (and ex-Ronnie Hawkin’s guitarist) Gary Lucas. Details as soon as I know them.
Feb 21 The Stew is back up in Orangeville at ‘Revival 1863’. I don’t know what that date signifies… why 1863 and who’s being revived? But it’s a cool club, the food is great and the decor is something to marvel at. All 1920’s-style Al Capone-Speak-easy-like. They’re located at 35 Armstrong St. in Orangeville On. and we start at 8:00PM. Website: https://www.revival1863.com/home​​​​​​​
Feb 23 Muuuuuuuligaaaaans! Again Argggghhhh! https://mulliganspub.ca​​​​​​​
- And in the coming months here’s a few gigs to look out for:
April 10 at the John Candy Theatre 
April 25 Long Branch Legion with The Stew
Guelph with Katherine Wheatley
May East Coast tour with those nasty Good Brothers
The Redbird in Ottawa
May 30-June 1 The Country Music Association of Ontario’s Annual Award weekend
June 20 The Stew at Long Branch Legion
June 29 Ron Robertson Band at Port Dover Legion
July 11 & 12 Hosting and performing at the Mud Creek Bluegrass Festival
July 26 The Stew at Revival 1863
August 2 Ron Robertson Band at Shore Acres (near Port Dover)
September 6 The Hollywood Country Festival
September 11-14 The CCMA’s Awards weekend in Kelowna BC
E-mail: wendell@wendellferguson.com
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