If you were a child passing through Toronto since the early 1970s, there's a good chance you may have eaten at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Kitschy antique decor, the pots of whipped garlic butter that arrived with the loaf of bread and a family-friendly atmosphere have kept the crowds coming for nearly four decades. The Old Spaghetti Factory opened its first location in Portland, Oregon in 1969, a period when themed sit-down restaurant chains......

If you're interested in learning more about what the future holds for you, but feel that clairvoyance is not something to be attempted on an empty stomach, Psychic Brunch may be just what you’ve been looking for. Psychic Brunch first took place in 2003. Since then, it's become a twice monthly event where what the Psychic Brunch MySpace calls "a small but seasoned, dedicated team of psychics and healers" gather to help clients "mold happier......

Contests! Glorious contests! Yet another one for all of you - this one's for two pairs of tickets to see The Constantines with Lullabye Arkestra and Shotgun & Jaybird at Lee's Palace on Friday December 1, 2006. The show's 19+, and tickets would normally put you out $17.50. To win, send an e-mail to contests@torontoist.com before midnight next Wednesday, November 29, and tell us three "The" bands that you think should exist (like, say,......

Earlier this week in the concert listings, we briefly told you of the upcoming free shows that the Toronto Public Library were holding. Now that the full details have been released, here's the low-down. To celebrate the recent acquisition of a new local music collection, the Toronto Public Library is throwing two live shows in October. The hope is that this initiative will engage young people into using library services. Judging by the diverse......

This fall is shaping up to be a busy one, as everyone and their dog seems to be touring right now. If you haven't spent all of your OSAP money yet, might want to stash away a few pennies for some concert tix. However, if you've already blown your student loan on cheap beer and (even cheaper) Ikea furniture, take comfort in the fact that you can visit your local public library to catch......

Looking to check out some live music this week? Here's your listing of what's happening around the city between July 31 and August 6. In addition, we are now including recently announced shows, so you have no excuse about missing out on ticket opportunities. If you know of any good shows this week that we missed below, let us know in the comments. Feel free to also let us know about upcoming shows that......

Ever since the 1950’s, rock’n’roll and meat have become one in the same. They ceased to be distinct entities with the advent of Americana diners and the popularity of rotund musicians like Fats Domino and later Elvis, and haven't separated themselves since. By the 1970’s, rock’n’roll actually became a meal. "What do you want for dinner tonight, sugar-face?" "Let’s have ourselves a little rock’n’roll, cowboy!" And there’s at least one 8-piece retro-psych ensemble band......

Tyler Clarke Burke, Toronto's much-loved art-music-fashion icon, has recruited local collective-ish The Old Soul for her monthly Santa Cruz party tonight tomorrow night at Lee's Palace. For $8, you're basically paying a dollar per band member. Listen to a song from the Old Soul's album here. Also on the TCB front, buy the new Oneida CD in Canada (through Three Gut) and you can check her cover art. And, while on the Three Gut tip,......

Of all the shows that have opened in Toronto in the past week or so (Bea’s Niece, Little Dragon, Swimming in the Shallows), none have received as consistently good notices as Trout Stanley, the new play by Claudia Dey on at Factory Theatre. "It's like meeting a spellbinding person at a party and finding that you can't get them out of your mind the next day," writes Richard Ouzounian in the Star. (And that’s one......

Please excuse the shorter mixtape this week - a certain university is trying to ruin my life (rhymes with Dyerson). 1. The Old Soul - Holding Weapons A Toronto band repeatedly compared with the surreal pop of Brian Wilson. 2. Babyshambles - Killamangiro Babyshambles is led by the former drug addict from the Libertines. In RealPlayer. Also check the Libs live-in-studio session at CBC3. 3. The White Stripes - Jolene From Under Blackpool Lights Live......