ROCKY’S BEST BETS
BURN THE LOUVRE
Burn the Louvre is a young new band from Hamilton fronted by Jordan Speare (above) with a nerdy punk spirit and a yen for simpler times before they had to go out and find jobs. Check out the new single “Simpler Places.” The band is releasing its second EP “We’ll Be Just Fine” Friday, July 28, at Club Absinthe, 38 King William, with Silvertone Hills, and Parts and Service. Doors open at 9 p.m. $10 or $15 including EP.
BAD REED
Bad Reed is a Paris, Ont.,-based rock foursome fronted by a singer named Sydney Sollazzo (above) who packs a serious punch. Dark in scope and loud in texture. Bad Reed performs Friday, July 28, at This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., with The DoneFors and The Full Pamela. $10 admission. Doors open at 9 p.m.
SHANIKA MARIA
Shanika Maria’s rich and soulful voice adds power to the well-crafted songs on her new EP “Childish Games,” à la Tracy Chapman or Cold Specks. The talented Hamilton singer-songwriter debuts the new EP and a new “Childish Games” video Saturday, July 29, at HAVN, 26 Barton St. E., 7 to 10 p.m. with Toronto’s Jordan Alexander opening. $10 admission.
ALEX PANGMAN
Juno-nominated singer Alex Pangman is billed as “Canada’s Sweetheart of Swing,” breathing new life into classic jazz standards. Her Alley Cats band includes John MacMurchy on tenor sax and clarinet, Brigham Phillips on trumpet and flugelhorn, Peter Hill on piano, Glenn Anderson on drums, and Christopher banks on bass. They perform July 30, 7 p.m., at the bandshell behind Ancaster’s Fieldcote Museum, 64 Sulphur Springs Rd. Admission is free (donations encouraged).
GENEVIEVE MARENTETTE
Genevieve Marentette has lived in Hong Kong and Europe, but has returned to her hometown of Toronto where she has become an in-demand jazz singer, working duets with David Clayton-Thomas and releasing her own record “Gigi.” Marentette performs Wednesday, Aug. 2, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Hendrie Park in the Royal Botanical Gardens. Admission is free to RBG members. For more information, call 905-527-1158.