World class entertainment in Niagara

The beautiful Avalon Theatre, Fallsview Casino Niagara.  
Picture provided by Niagara Falls Events

One of the cool perks I get to enjoy singing at Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse is the stunning view of the Fallsview Casino courtyard.  Looking out the front of The Hilton you have an almost eye level view of the Casino's massive electronic billboard.  Over the years, I have enjoyed looking to see which famous person would be performing across the street from me and if possible I will usually try to sing a song by the artist and plug their show on my mic.  You never know who can be in the audience! I have had the chance to sing Smooth Operator with Emmanuel Lewis (Webster) on his birthday, met Kevin Sorbo when he was in Niagara for Comic Con, and Natasha Bedingfield enjoyed cocktails in front of me while I performed Valerie by Amy Winehouse just a few months ago. 

Click here to watch my promo featured on
The Hilton Fallsview Hotel clocktower.

Niagara Falls is growing in popularity world-wide as it is becoming Canada's epicenter for destination vacations.  One of the contributing factors are the headlining acts brought in by the Fallsview Casino. The Avalon Theatre provides 1500 guests with an up close and personal experience in a state of the art performance venue. With over 250 shows a year, including full scale productions, the Avalon Theatre hosts world-class entertainment right here in our own city. 

Some past headliners have been:

• Ringo Starr
• Jay Leno
• Kelly Clarkson
• Keith Urban 
• Sylvester Stallone
• Diana Ross
• Il Divo

There is an incredible line-up booked for 2015 with some must see's:  

• Reba Mcentire (March 24-25)
• Don Felder (March 26-28)
• The Moody Blues (April 1-2)
• Art Garfunkel (April 24-25)
• The Temptations (April 30-May 2)
• Earth, Wind & Fire (May 20)
• The 5th Dimension (May 22-23)
• Boston (June 3-June 4)
• Heart (June 25-26)
• Richard Marx (June 27)

Be sure to enjoy what Niagara has to offer this Spring and spoil yourself to a dinner and a show. For more information on full concert listings and how to get tickets please follow this link.

  

Live Music Venues in Niagara

Live action pic from my show on February 27 in 
365 Club/Fallsview Casino with The Sister Act Band

Over the years I have struggled to find one location where I could find venues in Niagara that had live music.  If you google the key words "Niagara Live Music" you will come up with a myriad of Niagara websites that are far from a complete or accurate listing.  The best source in my opinion for finding out where you could go out and hear some amazing Niagara talent used to be the St Catharines Standard Niagara DO IT listings. Unfortunately my research has only come across lists from last summer which leads me to believe that the DO IT listings are no longer being published.  I am going to look into this and share what my investigation comes up with.

Niagara is a hot spot for talent, and with the amount of tourists visiting yearly there really needs to be somewhere where they can go to look up live music listings.
After years of frustration,  I have decided to embark on what will likely be a large undertaking.  I plan on reaching out to every business on this list to compile an accurate reflection of what there is to see in this Niagara Peninsula in terms of live music, hopefully hyper linking their website for complete details. Since this will be a constantly updated project I will need your help, so please contact me if you know of a show or venue that I am missing so that I can update my list.  For the purposes of keeping this blog Live Music based I am going to focus on just live music, not club, DJ's or Karaoke Bars.

Please email me via the contact form or simply add a comment to this blog.  

The last thing I would like to share with you this week is an app called Rock Our Town. This app is an online radio station showcasing Niagara artists on a playlist with more than 3,000 songs in constant rotation. You can listen to what this great region has to offer right on your device.  If you are a Niagara Band looking to get your music on air then you can send your tracks to niagaramusic@rockourtown.com or check out the Rock Our Town Facebook Page.  They also have a hashtag for you to proudly upload pics.  I have just started using it myself!  #rockourtown

LIVE MUSIC VENUES IN THE NIAGARA REGION

AG INSPIRED CUISINE: 289-292-0005. 5195 Magdalen Ave., Niagara Falls.

ANGEL INN: 224 Regent St., Niagara-on-the-Lake.

BIG MARCOS RESTAURANT:  274 4th Avenue Louth 905-641-4411.

BIG TEXAS: Country Music, Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls

BLIND REFEREE: Dance Music by DJ T, Fridays. 338 Merritt St. 905-680-5050.

BLUE MERMAID SEAFOOD AND STEAKHOUSE: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 10 Market Square, 905-684-7465.

BRASA BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE: Live Latin, Jazz and Pop music with The Rio Trio. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7-10 p.m. Hilton Fallsview Hotel, Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, 905-353-7187.

BUCHANANS CHOPHOUSE: 6022 Stanley Ave., Niagara Falls (DoubleTree), 905-353-4111.

CACHE: 44 James St. 905-641-0007.

CAFE ON MAIN: 1455 Pelham St., Fonthill. 905-892-1188.

CAPITOL Q: 905-357-0631. 4317 Queen St., Niagara Falls.

CASA MIA: 3518 Portage Rd., Niagara Falls. 905-356-5410.

CASINO NIAGARA: www.casinoniagara.com.

CAT’S CABOOSE: 224 Glenridge Ave., 905-682-0139.

CHEERS BAR AND GRILL:  358 Ontario St., 905-704-0676.

CHURCHILL LOUNGE: Live Music every Friday night 9-11 p.m. Located in the Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake.

CLANCY’S: 5233 Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls, 905-357-4112.

COACH AND HORSES PUB: Queen St., Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

COCO CABANA NIGHTCLUB: 57 Carlisle St. 289-362-2999

COPACABANA BRAZILIAN RESTAURANT: 6671 Fallsview Blvd. Niagara Falls.

COCO’S LOUNGE: Holiday Inn, 5339 Murray St., Niagara Falls (across from Casino Niagara).

CRACKERJACKS BAR AND GRILL: Music trivia every Wednesday. 207 Keefer Rd. Thorold. 905-680-5066.

DONNELLY’S PUB: 54 Front St., Thorold. 905-227-1947.

DUNN STREET GRILL: 6095 Dunn St., Niagara Falls.

FALLSVIEW CASINO RESORT: The 365 Club — Ticket and information, call Ticketmaster 1-877-833-3110 or ticketmaster.ca.

FEATHERY PUB:. 905-687-3553. 420 Vansickle Rd.

FIDDLER’S POUR HOUSE: June 9, 7:20 p.m. 149 St. Paul St. 905-641-8251.

FORTIS RESTAURANT:  135 Queenston St., 905-682-6167.

FRADO’S: 535 Queenston St., 905-684-5484.

GOLDEN BROTHERS BAR: 10 Geneva St., 905-688-8118.

GOLDEN PHEASANT (THE DUCK): 244 Ontario St., 905-687-9505.

GRAND CENTRAL BAR AND GRILL: 4573 Queen St., Niagara Falls. For more information, contact 905-357-9000.

GRIMSBY LEGION: 233 Elizabeth St., Grimsby.

HEMINGWAY’S TAP AND EATERY:  547 Ontario St. L2N 4N4 905-397-7770.(Formerly The Street) 547 Ontario St. 905-397-7770.

HISTORIC NIAGARA ARTISTIC EXHIBITION CENTRE:  4323 Queen St., Niagara Falls, 289-969-4229.

HOUSE OF COMEDY: Entertainment Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m., 4189 Stanley Ave., Niagara Falls, 905-357-7469.

IRISH HARP PUB: Irish music with Finnegan's Wake, Fridays 8-11 pm,  245 King St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, 905-468-4443.

JORDAN HOUSE TAVERN: 751 Main St., Jordan, 905-562-9591, ext. 2.

KEG STEAKHOUSE AND BAR: Located in the Marriott Courtyard Hotel, 5950 Victoria Ave., Niagara Falls. 905-358-3083.

KILT AND CLOVER BEAMSVILLE: 5205 King St., Beamsville, 289-566-8843.

KILT AND CLOVER PORT DALHOUSIE: Lock St., Port Dalhousie, 905-646-8917.

L3: 6 James St., St. Catharines. www.l3nightclub.ca. 905-688-8888.

LA CACHETTE RESTAURANT: (At Strewn Winery) 1339 Lakeshore Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake. 905-468-1222. www.lacachette.com

LONDON ARMS/KAHUNAVILLE: 905-688-0228.

MAHTAY CAFE AND LOUNGE: 241 St. Paul St. 905-685-4040.

MANSION HOUSE: William St. 905-685-5651.

MARGARITAVILLE:  Fallsview Blvd.

MAPLE LEAF TAVERN:  5831 Ferry St., Niagara Falls, 905-358-6764.

MARKET SQUARE STAGE: Downtown St. Catharines.

MERCHANT ALE HOUSE: St. Paul St., downtown St. Catharines.

MOOSE AND GOOSE: Country music Fridays. 54 Front St., Thorold. 905-227-6969.

MURPHYS RESTAURANT: 38 Lakeport Rd. 905-934-1913.

MYST LOUNGE:  Live Entertainment Friday and Saturday nights, Hilton Fallsview Hotel, Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, 905-353-7187.

OFFICE TAP & GRILL: DJ Tanner, 2 turntables with videos, Saturdays. 22 James St., St. Catharines, 905-984-4440.

OLD WINERY RESTAURANT: 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake. Dinner and show reservations at 905-468-8900 or www.theoldwineryrestaurant.com

ONEFORTYFIVE: 145 King St. www.onefortyfive.com, info@onefortyfive.com, 905.980.1145

PALMWOOD:  Live bands on the patio every Saturday night. 3823 Terrace Lane, Crystal Beach. 905-894-0820.

PARIS CREPES CAFE: 4613 Queen St., Niagara Falls.

PATRICK SHEEHAN’S: St. Paul St., St. Catharines.

PEGASUS TAP EATERY: 3626 Portage Rd. Niagara Falls. 905-353-0142.

PLANET NIGHTCLUB:  4585 Queen St., Niagara Falls. 905-371-3030.

PUDDY’S BAR & GRILL: 36 Wright St., 905-684-9990.

PYRO PUB: 12 Front St. N, Thorold. 289-362-4000

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: 1 St Paul Street, St Catharines

ROCKFORD’S:  88 St. Paul St., 905-988-5390.

ROMBY’S TAVERN & SMOKEHOUSE: 488 Lake St. 905-937-0331

SANDTRAP PUB AND GRILL: 358 Mary St., Niagara-on-the-Lake. 905-468-8727

SOME PLACE ELSE: 49 Scott St. W. 289-362-0212

SOUTH SIDE 543: DJ, Thursdays. 543 Allanburg Rd., Thorold, 905-227-5500.

SPYCE LOUNGE:  Live entertainment nightly, Hilton Fallsview Hotel, Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, 905-353-7187.

STELLAS RESTAURANT:  45 James St. 905-685-3000.

STREGA CAFE: Open mic, Thursdays. 19 King St., 905-984-5872.

SUDZZ BAR AND GRILL: 6865 Dawson St. (corner of Dorchester Rd.), Niagara Falls. 905-354-6711.

SWING RESTAURANT:  289 Dailmer Parkway Welland. www.reminisceduet.com

TEDDY’S: 28 Main St., Grimsby.

TJ’S SPORTS BAR:  448 Welland Ave, St. Catharines, 905-688-5176.

TOUCHDOWN WILLY’S: 239 Saint Catharines St., Smithville. 905-957-8448.

URBAN STEAKHOUSE & LOUNGE: Highway 20, Fonthill, 905-892-3322.

THE VICTORIA INN: Live bands/ DJ karaoke every Friday and Saturday. 4816 Bridge St., Niagara Falls. 905-374-3331

WHITE OAKS CONFERENCE RESORT & SPA:  253 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake. 905-704-5680

WELLAND LEGION: 5705 Falls Ave., Niagara Falls, 905-262-5233.

YUK YUK’S: For tickets and information, call 905-262-5233.

Niagara Falls: Canada's Mini Vegas

Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada.  "Canada's mini-Vegas"

Working as an entertainer all year round means I don't get to play tourist often. But when I do, I find it refreshing to enjoy the many commodities and attractions residents of Niagara tend to take for granted. Recently you may have heard a funny moniker  that compares Niagara Falls to Las Vegas by calling it "Canada's Mini Vegas".  I know I have, so this week I will blog about why this is becoming a reality.

The Clifton Hill District

Niagara Falls, Ontario is home to a bounty of activities appropriate for all ages ranging from The Falls, Marineland, water-parks, and a downtown mid-way called Clifton Hill District that has rides, museums and adventure rooms. But recently there has been a push by the major hotel chains to cater to a different demographic.  Marketing has shifted focus to the adult lifestyle and here are some reasons why.

Toronto is only 90 min away, and for many GTA residents the concept of a weekend "get-away" means going to Niagara Falls for a mini-vegas style vacation.  Minus the warm weather of course. This population of 25-45 year old professionals are looking to spend money and have a good time.  No kids allowed.

Suite at The Hilton Fallsview Hotel

An ideal weekend for this prospective tourist should start with booking a room at The Hilton Fallsview Hotel Resort, where you can enjoy Hilton service right across the street from the Fallsview Casino Resort.  This Hilton has the highest hotel tower in Canada, and built a glass-hallway that connects you directly to the Casino without ever having to step outside. This is great perk for those adventure types who brave the winter in high-heels and spandex mini-skirts.  

Backstage at 365 Club with
Tara from the Sister Act  Band

You can enjoy dinner at one of The Hilton's three signature restaurants, Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse (make sure you come say hi to me!), The Watermark Restaurant, or Pranzo Italian Grill prior to going out on the town.  If your in the mood for a drink, Spyce Lounge located on the main floor not only serves exotic martini's and also features a menu with light snack's to start off the night.  

The next step on this Niagara adventure usually involves going to the Fallsview Casino Resort to play cards or to see a show.  The Avalon Theatre brings world-class acts to Niagara all year round.  Club 365, where I performed just last weekend with the Sister Act Band, is located right off the gaming floor.  Anyone looking for a club experience with bottle-service can visit Dragonfly Nightclub, and those who want a more intimate venue can enjoy breathtaking views of The Falls up in the R5 Restaurant & Lounge.

Sterling Inn & Spa

To ease your body aches no vacation is complete without a visit to the Spa.  And you don't have to go far to find one, there are several within a few block radius of Fallsview Boulvard. One boutique hotel called the Sterling Inn & Spa offers couples massages and a contemporary chic decor. But if you have time for a day trip to Niagara-on-the-lake, I highly recommend spoiling yourself at the White Oaks Resort & Spa or one of the luxurious Vintage Hotels locations.

All this excitement and your home within hours, no air travel required!  With how much the Niagara Region has to offer, it's no surprise that business is exploding in this market. I can't wait to see what's in store for Niagara in the next five to 10 years.  

If you have any suggestions on must-see attractions or recommendations for me to blog about please share them with me!