Durham Fight Series presents Rise of the Phoenix June 3 at the TCC

By Will McGuirk

Oshawa, for all of what we do here, is a big sports town, and you know what they say if you can’t beat them, train harder . . .

The Tribute Communties Centre hosts Rise of the Phoenix, a professional mixed martial arts contest featuring James "The Suplex Kid" Clarke, Glory knockout artist Matt Embree and undefeated professional, Justin "KING" Condie. Plus other local sensations including Bubba Picard making his pro debut and Joe "All Day" Elliot.

Durham Fight Series is a local combat promotional company who started with the goal in mind to help grow the skills of local athletes and to give them a platform where they can build the skills needed to make it to the highest levels of competition like Bellator and the UFC! For the last 10 years Durham Fight Series has been showcasing its local talent to the fans through kickboxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu events across Ontario.

All proceeds from this event are going towards the Hearts For Martial Arts Foundation. A not-for profit organization whose main goal is to provide sponsorship opportunities to families who could benefit from martial arts.

What's on in the 'Shwa - May 23 to 28

By Will McGuirk

Ah, here’s one for the books - Chilliwack, who are playing at the Regent Theatre Saturday, May 27, have some of my fave songs - I mean ‘Fly At Night,’ “Four Men in a Rock ‘n’ Roll Band’ - what’s not to like! And one of my all-time fave bands is cow-punksters Jr. Gone Wild, from Edmonton. In the early 80s, I had their debut ‘Less Art More Pop’ on repeat. I only had two albums then, 5440 being the other, but really great stuff that gave me a grounding in the country roots of Canada and also here in the Region. Anyway, you’ve heard all this before, but I only found out last year that the producer of Jr Gone Wild’s ‘Too Dumb To Quit’ album, the follow-up, was Bill Henderson of the aforementioned Chilliwack. Whaaat!? On their most recent album ‘Still Got the Jacket,’ Jr. Gone Wild cover ‘Fly At Night,’ and Henderson chimes in on some guitar parts. So in all of my meanderings on Black Grass, the roots may have been in the smoky mountains of British Columbia, and that rootsy gritty country influence flew in from the West and was not blown in from the East as my research indicated. So there you go; even late in life, one can still learn a thing or two, always be open to being wrong; that's the trick.

For more see the Oshawa Tourism blog here ->

Hot Coffee and Cool Vibes at Cork and Bean

By Will McGuirk

Cork and Bean, the venerable bar/café on Simcoe Street downtown, is under new ownership. There’s lots going on at the place, so more to come on the whos and hows of it all, but music will very much still be a part of the whats.

This is excellent news, as this hub of coolness when it comes to coffees, wines, craft beers, and spirits also acts as an incubator for the arts in Oshawa.

Read more here at the Oshawa Tourism blog ->

What's on in the 'Shwa - May 1 to 7

By Will McGuirk

As well as the many music venues downtown, the Robert McLaughlin Gallery also hosts music performances. Each first Friday of the month, the Gallery presents two acts along with exhibition openings, pop-up vendors, activities, and screenings by the Durham Region International Film Festival. Events begin at 7 p.m.

This first Friday, May 5, two-time OMA award winner Delon Om will be performing. Delon, from Pickering is the real deal, a soul man who has also been nominated for three Canadian Latin Awards. His 2022 album ‘Theatre of Cruelty’ begins with recordings of news reporters announcing the discovery of residential school gravesites. This is a statement of intent and a frame for his music: R&B with generosity of spirit at the centre.

Read more at the Oshawa Tourism blog here ->

A Musical Gem in the Heart of the City

By Will McGuirk

As so many clubs closed for good during and post the Covid 19 pandemic, the Biltmore Theatre, in contrast, opened. The 536-capacity club at 39 King St. East in downtown Oshawa continues to thrive with a litany of sold-out shows, among them David Wilcox, Big Wreck, Kim Mitchell, Crown Lands, The Trews, Matthew Good, illScarlett, Sloan, and Sean McCann. The club has a seated capacity of 260.

Before we get to the history and unique decor of the theatre, one should note the one thing that really matters in a live venue is the quality of the sound, and let me tell you, the sound at the Biltmore Theatre lives up to the billing.

Read more at the Oshawa Tourism blog here ->