The Old Lady of Shuter Street, one of SlowCity.ca’s fave Toronto houses, has one great October lined up. It is a month filled with social justice advocacy; music is the great enabler of conversations around difficult subjects. But also filled with some of the world’s most creative artists who marry entertainment with intelligence (and there are always some Massey Hall co-presents at other venues around the Six.)

Oct 3 Icelanders Sigur Ros bring their mystical post-rock soundscapes to the historic hall.

Oct 14 Lampedusa: Concert for Refugees featuring Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, the Milk Carton Kids and Ron Sexsmith. The tour plays select North America, with the intent of raising awareness about the unprecedented global refugee situation.

If you can mange it also check out Lisa Leblanc at the Rivoli on the same date, stunningly fine songwriter and rocks the banjo like she’s been listening to Lemmy as much as Earl Scruggs.

Oct 21 Gord Downie continues his advocacy for First Nations with a concert at Roy Thompson Hall. The Tragically Hip’s frontman will be performing his solo album Secret Path, a concept album centred around the story of Chanie Wenjack, a twelve year-old boy who died running away from a residential school. Downie began with a book of poems about Chanie, but it grew into an album, a graphic novel and an animated film. All proceeds go towards Reconciliation.

Oct 22 the Dream Serenade returns to Massey Hall for the third year. The concert is a fundraiser for the Beverley Junior Public School and other GTA schools that help children with special needs. The shows have been organised by Hayden Dresser and his wife Christie Greyerbiehl. This year’s Serenade features a dream line-up with Broken Social Scene, Barenaked Ladies, Dan Mangan Amy Milan, Lou Canon and from Brooklyn NY, The Persuasions.