Standout Release - 'Dinner With The Lord' - The Latest Release for AV & The Inner City From Their Recent Self Titled EP.

 

 

You may recall AV & The Inner City from their self-titled debut EP last month - the powerhouse Canadian vocal ensemble whose blend of gospel-rooted harmonies and lived experience captured national attention. Now, the group is releasing their brand new single, “Dinner With The Lord,” on Friday, November 21. The release follows the early success of their debut self-titled EP, which debuted at #7 on the CKUA Radio Top 30 and continues to gain traction across Canada.

The striking acapella single was recorded live around one microphone, with no edits and no production tricks. The track showcases the powerhouse collective of community voices, featuring Indigenous, Black, Filipino, LGBTQ, and immigrant vocalists leaning into pure harmony and lived experience to offer a communal reflection on where we turn when we feel we’re running out of places to go. 

 

A few highlights about the group: 

Photo LuLuBee Photography

 

• Their debut EP just hit #7 on the CKUA Radio Top 30.
• Support from CBC, SiriusXM, Edify, and Porter Airlines Magazine, plus 20K+ streams on early releases.
• Winners of the Edmonton Folk Festival Emerging Artist Award.
• Acclaimed festival performances at Calgary Folk Festival, Vancouver Island Music Festival, and more.
• A powerhouse all-female ensemble featuring Indigenous, Black, Filipino, LGBTQ, and immigrant voices.
• Known for goosebump-level acapella moments and a compelling live presence that has drawn praise from industry veterans (including a glowing review from former Nickelodeon promoter Vic Bell).

AV & The Inner City, One of Canada’s Most Compelling Vocal Ensembles, Reflect on Where We Turn in Hard Times with Brand New Single, “Dinner With The Lord”

Blending gospel-rooted harmony with lived experience, the group offers an acapella reflection on where we turn in moments of uncertainty

AV & The Inner City’s Debut Self-Titled EP is now #7 on the CKUA Radio Top 30!

Release Date: Friday, November 21 2025

 

One of the most exciting new forces in Canadian Roots and Soul, AV & The Inner City are a powerhouse vocal collective born on a front porch in Edmonton’s inner city during the COVID-19 lock-down. What started as weekly outdoor singalongs to keep neighbors connected has evolved into a nationally recognized ensemble whose music focuses on the universal aspect of lived experience: resilience, displacement, joy, grief, belonging, and survival. Their debut self-titled EP is already making a statement, currently charting at #7 on the CKUA Radio Top 30, with additional support from CBC, SiriusXM, Edify, and Porter Airlines Magazine. The group’s all female lineup reflects the fabric of Canadian society, featuring Indigenous, Black, Filipino, LGBTQ, immigrant, and working-class voices. The result is a sound that is both communal, relatable, and thought-provoking. Their new single, “Dinner With The Lord” (out November 21), pushes that ethos forward. A fully acapella interpretation of a song written by fellow porch-concert musician Alin Rogoz, and the first song the group recorded that was not written by AV, the track was recorded live around a single microphone, with no edits, no isolation, and no safety net. The track explores what we reach for when we feel we are running out of places to turn: faith, community, memory, music, and one another.

 

 

 

Blending non-religious Gospel, Soul, and Roots influences with their signature community spirit, AV & The Inner City’s “Dinner With The Lord” is a stirring, fully acapella interpretation of a song written by fellow porch-concert musician, Alin Rogoz. Recorded live around a single microphone, the track highlights the group’s unmistakable vocal blend, relying on precision, trust, and shared intuition rather than production. With tender vulnerability and a hint of wry honesty, the group explores the universal search for comfort in moments of loneliness and uncertainty. Rather than offering answers, the song creates a space for listeners to consider where they turn when connection feels out of reach; whether toward faith, community, memory, or simply the hope of being seen. Both earnest and tongue-in-cheek, “Dinner With The Lord” invites reflection on the timeless need to belong, honouring the shared hunger for understanding that first brought this ensemble together on AV’s front porch. As the closing track of their debut, self-titled EP, “Dinner With The Lord” is a triumphant and natural bookend to the project, bringing the collection of songs to a close with a track that completes the project’s full-circle arc, echoing the communal porch-singing roots that first brought these voices together.

"‘Dinner With The Lord’ is about searching for comfort and belonging when you feel like you’re running out of places to turn. We didn’t write it, but we related to it more and more by singing it together, which reflects exactly how this group was born: through community.” - AV (Ann Vriend)

 

AV & the Inner City is a Soul/Roots group that formed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Edmonton’s inner city. In just three years, they completed their first summer tour, playing major festivals like Vancouver Island, Calgary Folk Festival, and Edmonton Folk Festival, where they received the Emerging Artist Award. At the Calgary Folk Festival, former Nickelodeon promoter Vic Bell praised their set by saying: “Soul and gospel singing ruled… This was an act that could have closed the Main Stage any night.” The group of all female vocalists grew out of AV’s weekly “porch concerts” - nearly 60 free shows held from 2020 to 2021 in Edmonton’s McCauley neighborhood, offering live music and connection during the pandemic. By summer 2021, the vocalists had become a polished ensemble, performing AV’s originals in rich, soul/gospel harmonies. Their first releases have already garnered over 20,000 Spotify streams. Their self-titled debut EP, released in October 2025  has continued that momentum, debuting on the CKUA Radio Top 30 and just one week later reaching #7. Featuring members from Indigenous, Black, Filipino, LGBTQ, immigrant, and working-class backgrounds, the group’s sound is shaped by lived experience and a shared commitment to community. Known for their powerful acapella moments, emotional depth, and commanding live presence, AV & the Inner City have quickly become one of the most compelling and authentic new voices in Canada’s Roots and Soul landscape.

Connect with AV & The Inner City:

https://annvriend.com/pages/av-and-the-inner-city-1

 

https://www.instagram.com/avinnercity/?hl=en

 

https://www.facebook.com/p/AV-The-Inner-City-100094092821676/?paipv=0&eav=AfaCDaHeWLDauO4eYeypLsgMNLZAZrhjkGGDSHYDX-SGCHTF_o5tU3zxqp12N0sqvaQ&_rdr

 

https://www.youtube.com/@AVandTheInnerCity?reload=9&app=desktop 

 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5UBKW4TzZRZO2bWuLtD2sb 

 

 

'Another Christmas Day' Holiday Album That Keeps on Giving for Alex Bird & The Jazz Mavericks.

  

Alex Bird & The Jazz Mavericks with the Holiday Album That Keeps on Giving ‘Another Christmas Day’

 

https://www.youtube.com/c/AlexBird

https://open.spotify.com/album/0kpeMHNQuWcorjyD2SEaPM?si=pmCVVrCGSOiDgpmIR_xohA&nd=1&dlsi=777ca8edeb794e9d

https://alexbird.net/

https://alexbird.bandcamp.com/album/another-christmas-day

https://www.facebook.com/AlexBirdMusic/

https://www.instagram.com/alexbird007/

https://www.tiktok.com/@abird007 

Acclaimed Canadian vocalist and songwriter Alex Bird, together with his band The Jazz Mavericks, is proud to announce the release of their new holiday album ‘Another Christmas Day’. Recorded live off the floor in Toronto at Canterbury Music Company, the album brings ten original songs into the rich tradition of holiday jazz with warmth, artistry, and timeless appeal.

 

The album, originally released on November 1, 2024, marks the fourth full-length project from Bird and longtime collaborator, musical director, and arranger Ewen Farncombe. Joining them are Jacob Gorzhaltsan (sax & clarinet), Julian Anderson-Bowes (bass), and Norbert Botos (drums & jingle bells). The collection showcases the group’s seamless chemistry, capturing the intimacy and joy of live performance.

 

‘Another Christmas Day’ highlights Bird’s ability to craft new standards for the season, songs that balance festive cheer with heartfelt emotion. Tracks like “Ho Ho Hold Me Close” and “Christmas in the City” invite listeners to share in the joy of togetherness, while “Every Time This Year” and the title track reflect on those who are alone during the holiday season. The result is an album that feels both classic and fresh.

 

“We wanted to create a holiday record that honors tradition but also brings something new to the table,” says Bird. “Recording live, without headphones, allowed us to truly listen to one another in the room. It brought out the honesty and magic that the music and audience deserves.”

 

The lyrics carry a distinctly personal touch, with vivid imagery that evokes all aspects of the season. In “Prelude to Christmas,” Bird sings: *“The snow is falling, the fire is calling / The faces you love are by your side.”* In the introspective “Everytime This Year” Christmas past is reflected in the fragments of a snowglobe, ”Fallen from the fireplace, shattered memories in the glass.” And in “It’s December,” the refrain rings out: “It’s December, and it’s Christmas everywhere.”

 

Throughout his career, Bird has become one of the most exciting voices in Canadian jazz. His sophomore album ‘You Are the Light and the Way’ was nominated for Best Vocal Jazz Album at the 2022 JUNO Awards, a recognition that placed him firmly among the country’s leading vocalists. His surprise 2023 release ‘Songwriter’ was again nominated for a JUNO in 2024, cementing his reputation as a versatile and visionary artist. And in 2025 Bird and Farncombe released an original bossa nova EP in collaboration with Latin Grammy Award winner, Cheo, ‘Casanova, Bossa Nova, Lover Man’.

 

Beyond the accolades, Bird has become a fixture on stages across the country, headlining the Sudbury Jazz Festival and appearing at The Markham Jazz Festival, The Kensington Market Jazz Festival, and The Niagara Jazz Festival, alongside performances at The Jazz Bistro, Upstairs Jazz, and The Old Mill.

 

Industry peers and press have hailed ‘Another Christmas Day’ as an inventive and enduring addition to the holiday canon. Metronome Magazine praised the album as “a modern-day holiday jazz masterpiece,” while Jazz Weekly called Bird “the freshest singer around” whose songs “swing the jingle bells.”

 

bird  Farncombe reflected on the project: “Holiday music has always been about connection. We wanted to write songs that could bring people together now and for years to come. There’s joy, but also space for reflection—because that’s what the season is really about.”

 

As the holiday season approaches, Alex Bird & The Jazz Mavericks invite audiences everywhere to discover ‘Another Christmas Day’. With its blend of swing, sentiment, and originality, the album promises to become a beloved companion for many winters ahead.

 

Upcoming Tour Dates

November 28 – Upstairs Jazz, Montreal, QC

December 5 – The Classic Theatre, Cobalt, ON

 

Desiree Dorion - New Single: 'Red Wine' for JUNO Nominated Canadian Singer-Songwriter.

by  Dave Swiewicki

Fresh off of two new major wins at the Manitoba Country Music Awards (November 2025) for Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter Desiree Dorion returns with her clever and timeless new single, “Red Wine” featuring Catie St. Germain, and Diana Desjardins, which was just released on Friday, November 14.

With warm, intimate vocals and a touch of humour, “Red Wine” is a love song to a supportive friend who just happens to be a drink. The track features fellow Manitoban artists Catie St. Germain and Diana Desjardins, blending classic Country instrumentation including steel guitar, fiddle, and rich harmonies with Desiree’s trademark storytelling charm. The artists and musicians on the song also continues Dorion’s commitment to representation in her work, with five of the seven musicians on the recording identifying as Indigenous - an act of equity and visibility still rare in the Country music genre and industry as a whole.

 by Renata Bardelli 

Desiree's music has earned national recognition from The Morning Show, eTalk, CTV, APTN, CBC, and SiriusXM, alongside multiple Top 100 chart entries and #1 spots on the Indigenous Music Countdown. A defining voice in Canadian Country and Roots, Desiree continues to bring honesty, warmth, and representation to the genre.

JUNO Nominated Canadian Singer-Songwriter, Desiree Dorion, Announces New Classic Country Single, “Red Wine”

Bringing home two additional Manitoba Country Music Awards in November 2025 for Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, Dorion is joined by fellow Manitoban artists Catie St. Germain and Diana Desjardins

With warm, intimate vocals, the cleverly written and instantly memorable, “Red Wine” is a love song to a supportive friend, who just happens to be a drink. “Red Wine” is now available as of Friday, November 14 2025

JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter Desiree Dorion continues her evolution as one of Canada’s most compelling voices with the release of her new single “Red Wine”. Offering a glimpse into her forthcoming eighth studio album set for release in 2026, Dorion’s latest release is a cleverly written, classic Country love song with a twist. Following the success of her seventh studio album Remember Your Name (2024), which marked a bold shift into the rich and soulful worlds of Roots/Americana, Dorion once again blends vulnerability, strength, and lived experience into her songwriting, this time, bringing to life a song from her vault. Her storytelling has earned national acclaim, with features on The Morning Show, Breakfast Television, eTalk, Global News Toronto, APTN, and CTV News, and her music continues to resonate across CBC Radio, SiriusXM, and Canada’s National Campus and Community Radio Charts, where Remember Your Name spent 11 weeks, reaching multiple #1 spots. With songs landing in the Canadian Country Top 100 (TRAX) and at #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown, Dorion has cemented her place as a defining voice in Canadian Country and Roots music. In November 2025, Dorion became a seven-time Manitoba Country Music Award winner with fourteen career nominations, Her music has surpassed 500,000 streams and her album That’s How I Know debuted at #3 on iTunes Canada. Beyond the studio and stage, Dorion is a mother, lawyer, and advocate for Indigenous communities. She has lent her voice to national conversations on representation in Country music, contributed to CBC’s cross-Canada panel on the subject, served as an ambassador for the Downie Wenjack Foundation, participated in the Achimotak series with the CCMA, and mentors emerging artists through the National Music Centre’s OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator Program.

 

 "Red Wine”:

Putting her clever wit and exceptional songwriting skills on full display, Red Wine is a classic Country, cheeky love song dedicated to the glass that kept Dorion company through the quiet, lonely nights of the pandemic. Written during COVID alongside longtime collaborator Chris Burke-Gaffney, the track was inspired by Dorion's many evenings spent alone at the kitchen table, realizing that she was spending more time with red wine than her family and friends. Rooted in classic country influences like Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn, the track features the warmth of both the steel guitar and fiddle performed by Brenton Thorvaldson, adding an authentically traditional feel. A song from Dorion’s vault, the track never fit the cookie-cutter mold of mainstream Country. Featuring fellow Manitoban artists Catie St. Germain on the first verse and Diana Desjardins on the second, both artists join in the chorus. Its unvarnished honesty is reflected in the recording itself, where the trio of voices come together in the chorus in a way that feels communal and lived-in. The artists and musicians on the song also continues Dorion’s commitment to representation in her work, with five of the seven musicians on the recording identifying as Indigenous - an act of equity and visibility still rare in the Country music genre and industry as a whole. Warm, witty, and unmistakably classic, “Red Wine” raises a glass to the comfort that sees us through the hardest nights.

 “‘Red Wine” is a love song to wine being my best friend during COVID, and the boring lonely nights red wine got me through. It’s a classic Country song, shaped by the influence of the legendary Country greats like Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton.”- Desiree Dorion

Desiree Dorion grew up a mile and a half from the grounds of Dauphin's Countryfest - the longest country music festival in Canada. As a little girl, she would ride her bike to the festival site, when it wasn't on, climb up onto the stage, and pretend to play to thousands of fans that come to watch big country music acts. In 2014, her dream of playing the Main Stage came true when she shared the stage with The Band Perry.

This JUNO Nominee has had multiple songs chart in the Top 100 on the Canadian Country music charts, along with numerous songs reaching the top spot on the Indigenous Music Countdown. She released her seventh studio album, "Remember Your Name," on September 20th, 2024, which peaked at #9 on iTunes Canada in its first week of release and has amassed over 100,000 global streams to date. The album also charted in the Top 10 on the national Earshot charts across all genres and #3 in the folk/roots/blues category. Desiree is a proud member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. She serves as a Board member of the Indigenous Music Office and is an artist ambassador for the Donnie Wenjack Foundation.

Connect with Desiree Dorion:

https://www.desireedorion.com/

https://www.facebook.com/desdorion/

https://www.instagram.com/desireedorion/

https://www.youtube.com/desireedorion

https://open.spotify.com/artist/55UmkurlIybCNAvlPQGY7l?si=2iCUxTSSQcOInlZQn7geIg&nd=1&dlsi=c3940d6ba74e479a

https://www.tiktok.com/@thedesireedorion

UK Calling is shaking up the tribute scene with a bold, alternative 80s explosion that’s part nostalgia, part revolution.

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uk-calling-live-in-peterborough-tickets-1735882624659?aff=oddtdtcreator

UK Calling is shaking up the tribute scene with a bold, alternative 80s explosion that’s part nostalgia, part revolution. Think The Clash meets The Cure with a dash of ska-fueled swagger. Led by Peter James Fox and Jarrod Ross, the Toronto-based band turns classic anthems into living, breathing celebrations of rebellion, rhythm, and connection. With every show, they’re rewriting music history with heart, horns, and high-voltage energy.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZYDDP3yNb4

They’ll be performing at the Gordon Best Theatre on November 15 

UK Calling Redefines the Tribute Landscape with Bold Alternative 80s Experience and National Tour

 https://www.ukcalling.ca/ 

https://www.instagram.com/ukcallingband/

https://www.facebook.com/ukcallingband 

https://www.youtube.com/@ukcallingband/videos

With entertainment dollars stretched thin and audiences seeking authentic connections, UK Calling is emerging as a forward-looking force. The Toronto-based collective continues to ignite sold-out rooms across Ontario, delivering the songs and spirit of a generation with a modern vision of what cover and tribute artistry can be.

 

From CFNY-inspired anthems to underground club classics, UK Calling has become Canada’s premier Alternative 80s live experience. Their momentum reflects not nostalgia, but a cultural renewal: an exploration of New Wave, post-punk, and 2Tone ska that resonates with both longtime fans and first-time listeners.

 

Born from the shared vision of Dublin-raised frontman Peter James Fox and Melbourne-born bassist Jarrod Ross, the band sidestepped the predictable canon. “What if we did a British tribute — but skipped The Beatles and Zeppelin? No stadium rock — just the music that shaped who we are, what we believe, and how we live,” recalls Fox. That idea sparked UK Calling — an ensemble featuring some of Toronto’s most respected professional musicians: Kevin Howley (drums, vocals), Neil Whitford (guitar), Jordan Quinn (keyboards), Andrew Moljgun (sax), and Emily Ferrell (trombone).

 

Together, the band delivers a meticulously curated repertoire that captures the politics of The Specials, the poetry of The Cure, and the passion of The Clash. Every note underscores their commitment to keeping the energy of late ’70s and ’80s Britain alive for today’s audiences.

“In every city we play, the energy is undeniable,” says Fox. “People aren’t just hearing these songs again — they’re feeling them as part of their own story. That’s what drives us forward.”

 

Ross adds: “This isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about bringing the rawness and urgency of that era into today’s world. We see fans from every generation finding something real in this music, and that connection keeps growing.”

 

Recent performances have showcased the band’s evolution through carefully chosen lyrics that speak across decades. Echoing Joy Division’s haunting declaration, “Love will tear us apart again,” and The Clash’s eternal call, “London calling to the faraway towns,” UK Calling crafts nights that feel both familiar and fiercely alive.

 

Their upcoming fall 2025 tour cements that vision, with a slate of shows across Ontario:

Oct 11 — Oshawa/Durham, Biltmore Theatre

Nov 7 — Parry Sound, Stockey Centre

Nov 15 — Peterborough, Gordon Best Theatre

Nov 21 — Port Dover, Lighthouse Theatre

Nov 29 — Owen Sound, Heartwood Hall

Dec 20 — Toronto, The Great Hall

 

As UK Calling looks to 2026 and beyond, their vision remains clear: to expand the conversation around tribute performance and reimagine it as cultural preservation. In an industry where competition for attention is fierce, the band gives audiences precisely what they crave — music with purpose, energy, and connection.
 

Based in Toronto, UK Calling is Canada’s premier Alternative 80s Experience. Formed by Peter James Fox and Jarrod Ross, the band re-imagines the underground sound of late ’70s and ’80s Britain through electrifying live performances. With a lineup of acclaimed Canadian musicians, UK Calling celebrates the songs and spirit of a transformative era while building a future-focused model of tribute artistry. 

 

Black Umfolosi Brings Their Acclaimed Fusion of Traditional Southern African Harmonies on Tour 2025.

 

Black Umfolosi International will bring their acclaimed fusion of traditional Southern African harmonies and dance to St. Paul’s United Church in Toronto on November 15. Audiences can expect an evening of rich vocals, mesmerizing choreography, and heartfelt storytelling that celebrate the strength and spirit of Southern African culture. 

Black Umfolosi International Brings the Spirit of Southern Africa to Canada with 2025 National Tour.

Website  

https://buimusiq.com/

YouTube  

https://www.youtube.com/@BlackUmfolosiMusic  

Spotify

 https://open.spotify.com/artist/6TXl7ZELeKBvagGtgEKS9V?si=5048a8d1c36f4794

Black Umfolosi International (BUI), the Canadian-based Imbube and A cappella ensemble rooted in the rich musical traditions of Southern Africa, is set to embark on a cross-country Canadian tour this fall, sharing their mesmerizing harmonies and vibrant dances with audiences from coast to coast.

Originally founded in Zimbabwe in 1982 and reformed in 2023, BUI has performed in over 30 countries worldwide, earning international acclaim for their captivating performances sung in Ndebele and Zulu. Their distinctive sound features rhythmic tongue clicks, rolling harmonies, and intricate choreography that celebrates the beauty, strength, and spirit of Southern African culture.

Each performance blends song, storytelling, and traditional dance to create an uplifting experience that embodies gratitude, endurance, and joy. Guided by artistic director and founder Thomeki Dube (Nduna), BUI’s mission is to promote, preserve, and showcase Southern African traditional music and dance while fostering global cultural understanding.

The ensemble’s six core objectives include creating opportunities for artists, mentoring youth, promoting inclusivity, and using the arts to uplift and heal communities.

Black Umfolosi International 2025 Canadian Tour Dates:

  *  Oct 30 – Chester Playhouse, Chester, NS

  *  Oct 31 – Mark Lescarbot Theatre, Comeauville, NS

  *  Nov 1 – Evergreen Theatre, Margaretsville, NS

  *  Nov 4 – The Carleton, Halifax, NS

  *  Nov 5 – The Astor Theatre, Liverpool, NS

  *  Nov 6 – Decoste Centre, Pictou, NS

  *  Nov 7 – Lunenburg Opera House, Lunenburg, NS

  *  Nov 8 – Harbourfront Theatre, Summerside, PE

  *  Nov 9 – Immaculata Auditorium, Antigonish, NS

  *  Nov 11 – Chalet Bellevue, Morin Heights, QC

  *  Nov 12 – The OP Theatre, Deep River, ON

  *  Nov 13 – Westdale Theatre, Hamilton, ON

  *  Nov 15 – St. Paul’s United Church, Scarborough, ON

  *  Nov 16 – The Red Bird, Ottawa, ON

  *  Nov 18 – The Basement, Saskatoon, SK

  *  Nov 19 – Private Show, Medicine Hat, AB

  *  Nov 20 – Key City Centre, Cranbrook, BC

  *  Nov 21 – St. Basil’s Church Centre, Edmonton, AB

  *  Nov 23 – Studio Bell Theatre, Calgary, AB

  *  Nov 26 – Belfry Theatre, Victoria, BC

  *  Nov 27 – St. James Hall, Vancouver, BC

  *  Nov 28 – Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre, BC

  *

About Black Umfolosi International:

Founded in 1982 in Zimbabwe and now based in Canada, Black Umfolosi International carries forward the legacy of its original ensemble with a renewed vision of connection, creativity, and cultural pride. Their performances unite audiences through song and movement, embodying the universal power of rhythm and harmony.