Warren Bain and Matt Bernard are a writing/directing/performing duo from Toronto and are Canada’s premier artists for writing short biographies about themselves. From their humble beginnings to what they’re currently doing, including future projects, their short biographies have it all! They’ve even written short bios for well and lesser known celebrities, who have yet to receive or read them. If you’d like a personalized short biography of your very own, visit bainandbernard.com today! Also, thank you for letting us host again this year!
Mike Tanner - Past Host
Mike played Host at Riverdale Share for 10 years. He sings and plays guitar with local stalwarts the Circumstantialists, regularly rehabbing the dregs of last century’s pop catalogue. He is the City of Toronto’s Music Sector Development Officer. @abbottheleme
Jim Cuddy
Long-time Riverdale resident, Jim Cuddy, has written songs that have become indelible in the soundtrack of Canadian lives for over 35 years. With the release of his fourth solo album, Constellation, he adds ten songs to that extraordinary songbook. As one of the founding members and creative forces behind Blue Rodeo, Cuddy has received nearly every accolade Canada can bestow upon a musician, from the Order of Canada and induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, to countless JUNO Awards and a Star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. Behind it all, is a simple devotion to his craft as a songwriter, which remains Cuddy’s tireless pursuit after more than three decades.
Lorraine Segato
For the past 40 years Lorraine Segato has fueled an impressive artistic career that’s produced some excellent and edgy cultural work. Her extensive experience as Singer- Songwriter, Artistic Director, Filmmaker, and Social Justice Ambassador makes Segato one of Canada’s iconic recording artists and respected cultural commentators. Since the release of her CD Invincible Decency, she has also curated a Cultural Artifact Exhibit entitled QSW- The Rebel Zone and is presently working on a new podcast series called Smolder.
Whitehorse
Since their debut, JUNO Award winning duo Whitehorse has evolved from magnetic folk duo to full-blown rock band. In truth, Whitehorse is never fully either one or the other, but an ever-evolving creative partnership that challenges both artists to explore new instrumental and lyrical terrain with each project. This fall, Whitehorse returns to the early days of electric blues with new songs from The Northern South Vol. 2, the second instalment of the band’s deep dive into 1950s/1960s blues. The Northern South Vol. 2 will be released in full in January 2019.
This iconic musician, singer-songwriter and broadcaster found his roots back in the sixties as a founding member of the Capitol Records’ group, Edward Bear. A house band gig at Toronto’s famed Albert’s Hall led him to host his own nation-wide TV show, Stormy Monday. Through the eighties, Danny starred in CBC radio’s hit series the Hum Line and Basic Black before settling in for the next 20+ years as the radio host of JAZZ.FM91’s Saturday night blues show BLUZ.FM. His original recordings include A friend In The Blues, Guitarchaeology, True, Big Town Boy and Cities in Blue. You can catch him playing regular gigs at Smoke Show and Castro’s Lounge.
Micah Barnes
Born in Vienna to artistic parents and raised in Canada, Micah Barnes cut his teeth in the cabarets and jazz clubs of Toronto while still a teenager, before touring the world as a member of the Pop A Cappella vocal group The Nylons. Micah recently signed to Alma Records/ Universal Music Canada and is currently working on a new album paying tribute to classic Pop songs of the 60’s including some Nylons chestnuts for release spring 2024. Micah is also one of Canada’s top Vocal, Performance and Career Strategy coaches through his Singer’s Playground Studio. His coaching credentials include 2020 Grammy Nominated artist JP Saxe (Arista Records), Emmy Award winning Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit CBC TV show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria and Season Two & Three of “Canada’s Got Talent”.
Thom Allison
Thom Allison is a Canadian Screen Award winner for the role of “Pree” in Killjoys. BROADWAY: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. STRATFORD FESTIVAL: Romeo and Juliet, Into the Woods. SHAW FESTIVAL: Ragtime, Guys and Dolls, A Little Night Music. Some other credits include: Miss Saigon, The Who’s Tommy and Rent (Mirvish), Cabaret (Theatre Calgary), Evita (Theatre Calgary/Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre) and The Drowsy Chaperone (The Citadel, National Arts Centre, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre). DIRECTING: Rent, Norther Tracks: A Canadian Mixtape, Up Close and Musical, You Can’t Stop The Beat (Stratford Festival), Million Dollar Quartet (Theatre Calgary),Seussical; Mary Poppins (Young People’s Theatre); TV/Film: Coroner, Canada’s Drag Race, Frankie Drake Mysteries, Hudson & Rex, Murdoch Mysteries, Kim’s Convenience. UPCOMING: La Cage Aux Folles (Stratford Festival)
Suzy Wilde is an award-winning musical theatre composer, songwriter, arranger, and performer. She grew up singing funny songs with her mom, Nancy White, and has since performed with many local bands including Flashlight Radio, Stonefox, Dirty Dishes, and Wannabe, A Spice Girls Tribute ( in her spot-on portrayal of “Posh Spice”).
Fergus is a versatile singer, songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist prominent in the folk, pop and reggae fields for over fifty years. Forty of those spent with legendary Jamaican musician Jo Jo Bennett as the core members of the popular reggae band The Sattalites, earning 6 studio albums, two Juno Awards and a host of national and international awards. Five of the original members continue to play since the passing of Jo Jo in 2021. Fergus has released several albums over his career including his latest Neighbourhoods; Jazz Lovers Society- Vol. 2; and A Better Tomorrow.
Kathryn Rose
As a singer songwriter with five solo albums and multiple single releases, Kathryn Rose is known for her artful brand of cinematic pop. She’s sung on over 100 albums for countless other artists. In the studio and live, she’s worked with Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Ian Thomas, Patti Labelle, Sir Tom Jones, Ron Sexsmith, Anne Murray, Martin Fry of ABC, Susan Aglukark, and more. The video for Kathryn’s 2023 original single “Getting Along”, a pandemic duet featuring Julian Taylor, did very well on the film festival circuit, winning international Music Video Awards. From her start as a teen actor in TV, film, and stage, to her long music career, Kathryn Rose is an all-around music industry vet. With covers of her songs by other artists, song placements in film and TV, performing with symphonies across North America, backup and session singing to the stars, voiceover, vocal coaching, and single motherhood thrown in the mix, her long artistic career has been an exercise in reinvention, and resilience.
Isey Schaffer-Hooper is a dancer and performance artist based in Tkaronto, Treaty 13 Territory. Her post-secondary studies began with Anthropology at Concordia University, before pursuing professional dance training at École de Danse Contemporaine de Montréal, and finishing her training at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, now Dance Arts Institute of Canada. She is deeply interested in somatic healing and therapy, and is currently exploring the relationship between musicians and dancers. During her training, she performed works by Peggy Baker, Tilman O’Donnell, Mateo Galindo Torres, and Tia Kushniruk. She has been nominated for the Hnatyshyn Foundation Developing artist Grant, as well as the Winchester Prize of the School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Since her graduation in May 2023, she has worked as a life and movement model for the 3D design students at Seneca College, and performed in collaboration with sound artist and sculptor Shemona.
Sing Along Tim is delighted to be making his Riverdale Share debut. He will be performing a song from his most recent album “Brand New World of Pants”, which was released earlier this year. He will be joined on stage with bandmate from The Pacifiers, Lori Nancy Kalamanski and friend Suzy Wilde. He has toured Canada and played at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK. His “Booger Song” was a winner in the International Songwriting Competition and Folkmusic Ontario’s Stingray Songs From The Heart. During the pandemic, Sing Along Tim and Lori Nancy Kalamanski created “Sing Along Tim’s Home-made House Concerts”. This thrice weekly, live-streamed shows that brought music, arts, games and fun to young families around the world. It was featured by the Social Distancing Festival and Toronto’s East End Arts. Career highlight to date, was sharing songs and a stage with Bram Morrison of Sharon, Lois & Bram at Mariposa Folk Festival.
Tim Bovaconti has been a fixture on the Canadian music scene for decades as a side man, recording artist and producer. He is a multi-instrumentalist but first and foremost known as a guitarist/vocalist. His home studio Tim’s Garage operates in the Toronto area. He has performed and recorded with artists such as Ron Semsmith, Andy Kim and many more. Tim has also backed up artists as diverse as Rodriguez and Leonard Cohen and currently plays lead and rhythm guitar with former Guess Who singer Burton Cummings. He has a new self produced album about to be released titled “Again”.
Patrick is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter who has been playing and recording music since the 1980s. Over the years he’s contributed to a number of compilation and tribute albums and has written an original score for an award-winning documentary. Currently, Patrick can be seen and heard on Toronto stages with the Tim Bovaconti Band and is also planning a special showcase performance of songs from his most recent release, ‘Where I Used To Be’.
Will Meadows was a child prodigy and has been performing since the age of six. Raised in a musical family, his parents were friendly with some of Canada’s finest, and he was able to soak up the influence of such acts as Prairie Oyster, Pat Temple and Willie P. Bennett from a very young age. A member of the Canadian Bluegrass Hall of Fame, he is highly proficient on mandolin, guitar, banjo, bass and pedal steel.
The Bain and Bernard Players are a rotating crew full of whimsy and fun. Today you might have the pleasure of seeing Katie, Mike, Rylan, Andrew, Nick, Lindsay, and/or Pickering’s own Jeremy Lapalme! This is a favourite gig of the Bain and Bernard Players and they look forward to it yearly. A special shout out to their pals, mentors, and guiding lights Bain & Bernard who coincidently wrote this fabulous bio.
Deanna Petcoff is a Toronto-based musician and songwriter that has been on the scene for almost a decade. She describes her music as “happy songs about sad things”, and prides herself on honest lyricism, and emotionally connected performances. Influenced by artists like Patti Smith, Feist, The Cure and Brittany Howard, she pulls from many genres and actively fights against writing music in a genre-specific way, the goal always being that the music must organically fit the emotional content of the lyrics.
Cape Breton born and raised, Michael Brennan is considered the voice of REAL country music in Toronto. Possessing a deep, rich voice that’s been compared to Waylon Jennings and Roy Orbison, Brennan writes honest, working man songs full of characters who’ve loved and lost more often than they’ve won. A Music Nova Scotia Award nominee, two of Brennan’s albums have been named as one of the top 10 albums of the year by Country Music News. He has toured from Ontario to the Maritimes with his bandmate and Riverdale neighbour Steve Briggs. His Sunday matinee at the Artful Dodger with Steve, John Adames and John Switzer has been running for 23 years, one of the longest running matinees in Toronto.
Duncan Briggs is a local musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has played with acts such as Fade Awaays, Cosmic Pawn, Sugar Glass, BBQ Pope, Deanna Petcoff, Mute Choir, Jay Feelbender and more! Not to mention a long time Riverdale Share Go-er! Duncan has been gigging across Canada from coast to coast since his final years of high school
Dirty Dishes is a boot-stomping’, harmony-driven roots-trio featuring Suzy Wilde, Lisa Olafson and Alison Porter. They’ve got mud on their boots and cowgirl crinolines, with a little bit of charm and a whole lotta sass. For over a decade, they’ve been breaking hearts and soothing souls at clubs, fairs, festivals and events across Canada. They are currently at home in Toronto recording their fourth album at Canterbury Studios.
Shella with Tim Bovaconti
The duo behind the band, Stella Panacci and Shelley Hamilton, blend country, roots, psychedelic pop and soul, with gorgeous vocal harmonies and melodies that pleasingly linger in the mind. In collaboration with one consummate guitar player, producer and fellow east ender, Tim Bovaconti, they recently released their debut album with an impressive kick-off party at The Hideout here in Toronto.
Shakura S'Aida
Shakura S’Aida has performed at festivals in Dubai, Australia, Rwanda, and Russia, and acted in TV shows such as Schitt’s Creek and Lost Girl. This consummate entertainer has been thrilling audiences for years with her scorching vocal style and uncanny ability to deliver powerful original songs. Shakura richly demonstrates the multiculturalism that Canada prides itself on.
Tim Bovaconti with Patrick Allcock
Tim is a multi-instrumentalist performer, producer, and musical director with Toronto studio Tim’s Garage. He has been a fixture on the Canadian music scene for years, having backed up artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Kim Stockwood, Leonard Cohen, Kevin Hearn (Barenaked Ladies), Ray Davies, Rodriguez, and many more. This past summer Tim toured with Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings. He has a new album of his own coming out before the end of the year titled, “Again” @timbovaconti @timsgaragerecording
Patrick is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter who has been playing and recording music since the 1980s. Over the years he’s contributed to a number of compilation and tribute albums and has written an original score for an award-winning documentary. Currently, Patrick can be seen and heard on Toronto stages with the Tim Bovaconti Band and is also planning a special showcase performance of songs from his most recent release, ‘Where I Used To Be’.
Blair Packham
On any given day, Blair Packham could be co-writing a song for his next album, or singing songs on a ship above the Arctic Circle, or playing a show on Camden Street in Dublin, or in Toronto co-hosting his radio show on Newstalk 1010, or teaching a class in songwriting at Seneca College, or leading a session at SongStudio – his annual songwriting workshop at the Royal Conservatory of Music. In the 80s, he was best known as the lead singer for The Jitters, the power pop band that enjoyed Top Ten success in Canada. Thirty years later, Blair’s songs are still heard on the radio from coast-to-coast. He’s a natural storyteller, and like his songs, his stories are often funny, and sometimes heartbreaking. Blair treasures his time on stage, whether solo or with his acoustic trio, The Impossible Dream. Currently, Blair is planning the band’s debut album, and working on new recordings of some very interesting collaborations.
Mika Haensel
Mika is a Grade 10 student at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts. He has performed in several musicals including, Secret Garden, Newsies, Matilda, Musicman, Urinetown, SpongeBob, Legally Blonde, and is currently in rehearsal for a production of Freaky Friday, with Mainstage Theatre Company. He is thrilled to be performing alongside such amazing artists to support local charities in our community.
Arlene Bishop
Following the creation of the live album ‘Together Tonight’, performing songwriter Arlene Bishop is working on a new secret project. The beloved live album released in 2018 featured her Spirit of Adventure vorchestra of 31 live singers and a crack band. Joining her on stage for Riverdale Share are: Yawd Sylvester, Jane Harbury, Joanne Ingrassia, Beverly Kreller, Howard Druckman and Nanci Jandrisits. Arlene’s new secret project will combine her signature dark songs, funny banter, deep wit, and big heart, with the humble – yet totally attainable – goal of saving the world.
SHAK SHAK
Following the creation of the live album ‘Together Tonight’, performing songwriter Arlene Bishop is working on a new secret project. The beloved live album released in 2018 featured her Spirit of Adventure vorchestra of 31 live singers and a crack band. Joining her on stage for Riverdale Share are: Yawd Sylvester, Jane Harbury, Joanne Ingrassia, Beverly Kreller, Howard Druckman and Nanci Jandrisits. Arlene’s new secret project will combine her signature dark songs, funny banter, deep wit, and big heart, with the humble – yet totally attainable – goal of saving the world.
The Withrow Junior Choir
Comprised of 35 students from Grades 4 to 6, the Withrow Junior Choir has a long and rich history of excellence in performance at Kiwanis and the TDSB’s annual concert at Massey Hall. More importantly to us, we perform with our other school ensembles, raise money for Regent Park School of Music by participating in Music Monday, and share our music with the patients at Bridgepoint Hospital. We love to sing – we work hard – and we are devoted to giving back to our community.
The Eastview Children's Dance Group
The Eastview Children’s Dance Group was formed in 1996. Their instructor, Du Li, was a professional dancer and leading member of her troupe in her hometown (Shaanxi, China). Our young performers are between the ages of 4 and 8 and most have been training since they were 4 years old. They embody the spirit of Chinese folk dancing, captivating audiences with their traditional costumes and vibrant energy.
Torrent Productions
Torrent Productions is a professional east-end theatre company dedicated to creating, developing and producing musical theatre for the whole family. They produce a popular, annual, holiday pantomime at the Royal Canadian Legion 1/42 on Coxwell at Gerrard for their community. The 3rd Annual Panto, CINDERELLA – A Merry Magical Pantomime, is running from December 21stto 30th. #cinderellaatgerrardandcoxwella #gerrardandcoxwell #EastEndLove #Ilovepanto
Past Riverdale Share Band Members
Patrick Hornsby - Piano
.Patrick lives in Riverdale with his wife Karen and son Dexter. He works as a teacher for the TDSB and teaches private piano lessons at his home. He has performed at the Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax jazz festivals and has recorded for CBC Maritimes.
John Sheard - Piano
John Sheard is a Toronto pianist, producer and composer. He has worked with: Art Garfunkel, Rita Macneil, Ian Tyson, Dan Hill, Rita Coolidge, Olivia Newton-John, Mary-Margaret O’Hara, Celine Dion, Willie P. Bennett, David Wilcox, The Guess Who, Buster Poindexter, Rough Trade and many others. John was music director for Stuart Mclean’s Vinyl Cafe touring show from 1997- 2015.
HORNS
Scott Marshall - Saxophone
Toronto–based saxophonist, composer, and arranger Scott Marshall is highly sought-after for his skills within the jazz community, film and television world, and Toronto music scene. Scott’s compositions have been featured on his own releases: The Scott Marshall Trio Face It, The Scott Marshall Quartet Nine Moments of Time and Vignettes. He also co-produced and arranged all the music for singer Lyne Tremblay’s CD Break and Enter. In addition to recording he has performed with a lengthy and diverse list of accomplished musicians including: Norah Jones, Johnny Mathus, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Shuffle Demons, and the Juno-winning big-band NOJO, not to mention Wynton Marsalis stopping by to sit in with his quartet. scottdouglasmarshall.com
Kevin Turcotte – Trumpet
Kevin has played on more than one hundred recordings over the last twenty years. From the Barenaked Ladies, Bruce Cockburn, Mr. Something Something, Planet Earth, Great Uncles of the Revolution, Jayme Stone, The Sicilian Jazz Project and Ricochet. He is a long-time member of Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, the Barry Elmes Quintet featuring Ed Bickert and Time Warp. A past teacher of the University of Toronto Jazz Degree program he is now teaching at York University. www.canadianjazzarchive.org/en/musicians/kevin-turcotte.html
Zach Smith – Trombone
Zach Smith is a trombonist, low brass doubler and electric bassist based in Toronto. Zach studied at the University of Toronto, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Performance (honours). He now enjoys an active freelance career, in addition to being a performing member of bands Big Smoke Brass and KC Roberts & the Live Revolution. Zach also enjoys working as a music instructor, teaching students in a variety of settings.
Jonathan Marks - Violin
Jonathan Marks is a classically-trained violinist and a founding member of the Club Django Sextet of Toronto. “He’s a little young to pass for violin legend Stephane Grappelli, but Jonathan Marks has a good handle on how to swing and how to deliver sweet melodies” (Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star). Jonathan performs regularly with several groups in Toronto, playing styles which include traditional jazz, musette,and folk/roots. Today he’ll also being play with Jen Schaffer and the Shiners. jonathonmarks.com
Anne Lindsay - Violin
Award-winning violinist Anne Lindsay has established herself as one of the most engaging and versatile instrumentalists in Canada, adapting her unique violin/fiddle style to the eclectic sounds and musical languages of this country’s rich cultural texture. In addition to being an artist in her own right, she has also performed with The Chieftains, Led Zeppelin, Roger Daltry, Jim Cuddy, Dionne Warwick and Natalie McMaster among many others. She is also an accomplished composer and arranger for documentary film, stage, CDs and radio / TV.
Shelley Coppersmith - Violin
Since 1970s Shelley has toured/recorded on fiddle/violin, mandolins, guitar and vocals with such artists as Sylvia Tyson, Tamarack/Alex Sinclair, Cameron Family Singers, Donné Roberts, Kyp Harness, Mr Rick’s Tin Pan Jazz Band, Michelle Rumball among many others. She can most recently be found performing in and around the city with Chris Staig and The Marquee Players.
Aaron Dell -Violin
Aaron has been studying classical violin since the age of 10. He graduated from Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts in 2012 and was involved in the school band all four years. He has studied with the RCM up to level 9 in piano and 10 in violin. Currently Aaron is in his graduating year at Ryerson’s Theatre Performance Production program.
