ROCKY’S BEST BETS
Swing jazz singer Alex Pangman and her Alley Cats perform at the Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., on Thursday, Oct. 26, 8 p.m. as part of the Steel City Jazz festival. Pangman will be joined by Peter Hill (piano), Chris Banks (double bass) and John MacLeod (cornet). Admission $15 or $10 for students. 905-543-8512. For more festival information, visit steelcityjazzfest.com. Toronto’s Scott Helman joins up-and-coming Halifax pop star Ria Mae on a high-energy double bill Friday, Oct. 27, in The Studio at Hamilton Place. Helman is best known for his platinum single “Bungalows” and Mae for her hit “Clothes Off.” Jonathan Roy is also on the bill. Tickets are $20 plus fees through Ticketmaster. General admission standing. Classically trained cabaret singer Patricia O’Callaghan sings the songs of Leonard Cohen Friday, Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m., at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The Canadian soprano first recorded Cohen’s “Hallelujah” in 1999, following it up in 2012 with “Matador: The Songs of Leonard Cohen.” Tickets are $45. Call the box office at 905-681-6000. A new season of concerts at Ancaster’s Old Firehall opens Saturday, Oct. 28, with a performance of “The Piano Men” by multiple-Juno nominee Jim Witter. The show is a nostalgic trip through the ’70s featuring the music of Billy Joel and Elton John. 334 Wilson St. E., Ancaster. Tickets are $35, available online at Hamiltonallstarjazz.org, or by phone at 905-966-3853. Hamilton hard-rock freaks Sumo Cyco are hosting Club Absinthe’s (38 King William St.) second annual Halloween Ball Saturday, Oct. 28. Fronted by the dynamic Skye Sweetnam and guitarist Matt Drake, Sumo Cyco offers a unique mix of punk attitude and metal riffs. Party starts 8 p.m. with Sumo Cyco on at 10:15 p.m. All ages. $10.