This new venue (formerly Honey’s Beestro) is good news for fans of Mississauga’s independent music scene. Owner Marcello Camillo is well-known in those circles, as manager/booker of the now-defunct Duke Of Marlborough pub for the previous decade.
“It’s mainly about support,” he says of this venture. “I want to give indie bands a chance to show what they can do. I want to give them a place to play.
“They’re already starting to leave their packages, and business cards.”
The entertainment kicks off with Chris Pozzi’s acoustic set, followed by Starring Janet Leigh and Romeo Liquor Store. In the afternoon there will be an acoustic session starting at 2 p.m. with Jimothy Shanktron, and Undefiled Wisdom – not to mention a barbecue.
With one EP to their credit (Welcome, Now You Can Leave), the local Starring Janet Leigh is made up of singer Matt “Cap’n” Nimmo, guitarist Matt “Zaddy” Zadkovich, drummer Aaron “Pazz” Pozzer, guitarist Chris “Strongo” Sokoloski and bassist Justin “Juke” Brown.
“They’re a pretty loud band,” Camillo muses. “They’ve got quite a huge following.”
Handling bookings here will be Bushra Mahmood, promoter of the recent Rock The Coliseum Festival at City Centre, and a former frequenter of The Duke.
“He brings people together,” she says of Camillo. “He’s a complete advocate to the musicians. Not a lot of people are doing that.”
There’s a new stage in the dining room, a new décor and a new menu (“steering away from the regular bar food,” with dishes such as salmon, lamb, steak sandwich, plus freshly cut fries). A fun aspect will be Marcello’s Wall of Fame, where bands that go over well will get their photos displayed.
The club will be presenting live bands every weekend, and a weekly Wednesday night open acoustic jam with rotating hosts Jason Cabanaw, Mike Silva, Shanktron and Chris Rogers.
On the town Wednesday: Monique Burany checks into Ten; Tom Barlow Band jams at Enfield Fox.
Thursday night: Glenn Groves does his weekly show at Lionheart; Saltwater jams at Ballada; Kimberly Wetmore Band jams at AppleJacks.
Friday: Fiddlestix is back at The Brogue Inn; Bon Jovi Forever hits PK Creek; Sedan Delivery plays Abbey Road; Sean Pinchin solos at The Mosquito Grill (6 p.m.); Jason Ford hits Cuchulainn’s; Rock Cover Band is at Caven’s Alley Bar; Dean Gray jams at Trojan’s.
Friday and Saturday, it’s Jay Douglas at Snug Harbour, Sweater Puppets at On The Curve, Sonic Playground at Failte, Lucky 13 at West 50.
Saturday: Soulstack checks into Roc ‘N Doc’s.
Saturday and Sunday: Chuck Jackson Trio does rhythm and blues at Port Credit Village Square (1:30-4:30 p.m.).
Sunday: The Meteors return to The Harp; Kevin Phillips plays Mulligan’s; Reno entertains at Karma.
onlinenews@mississauga.net
