Mimi O’Bonsawin (Pronounced: MEE-MEE O-BON-SA-WIN) is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter born in Northeastern Ontario. She is  French Canadian & W8banaki (Abénaki), a member of the Odanak First Nation. Through her rhythm and story-driven songs, Mimi’s music embraces the beauty of the land. The ethereal quality of her music whisks you away with uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics that weave pop sensibilities with acoustic instrumentation. Layers of percussion and unexpected harmonies make you feel the music rather than just hear it.
 
As both artist and gardener, Mimi draws a deep connection between the two practices: “Making music and growing food are very much the same. They both start with a seed and, with proper care, can grow into a beautiful garden that we all can share. I put intention and love into every seed and every note.”
 
In May 2025, Mimi was awarded Solo Artist of the Year at the Trille Or Awards. Earlier in the year, she toured Australia with performances at the Woodford and Cygnet Folk Festivals. While hard at work on her next album, she’ll also hit the road for a cross-Canada tour this summer.
 Mimi performs as a duo with her husband, Ryan Schurman, on drums and percussion, creating an intimate yet uplifting experience. Together, they invite audiences into their universe with a full-band sound that inspires dancing, singing and joy.
 
In spring 2024, during her second tour in France, Mimi released Live In Concert, her first-ever live album, capturing favourite moments from one of her Willow album release shows. 
 
Released in March 2023, Willow is a collection of 14 songs that marked a turning point in her creative journey. “This album sounds like the music I have always heard in my heart,” Mimi says. “It is honest, it is real, and it is full of life. I have never felt more alive.”
 Late that year, on September 29, 2023, she released her first full-length French album, Boréale, an intimate reflection of her roots, also recorded with Ryan in their log home studio.
 
2024 brought incredible opportunities, with performances at festivals and arts centres across Canada. Mimi opened for JUNO-award winning artists including Aysanabee, Good Lovelies, The East Pointers, and DJ Shub, as well as Beverly Glenn-Copeland at Montreal’s Rialto Theatre.
 
The 2023/2024 season was marked by acclaim, with nominations at the Folk Music Ontario Awards, Capital Music Awards, Canadian Folk Music Awards, Northern Ontario Music & Film Awards, Native American Awards, and Prix Trille Or. Her albums Willow and Live In Concert were also considered at the GRAMMYs. In 2019, Mimi won Best Pop Album at the Indigenous Music Awards.
 
Reaching new audiences at home and abroad, Mimi stays true to this statement:
“I want to invite audiences into my world because, for me, music is medicine. It’s not mine, it’s not yours, music is something we all share. It is our garden.”
 

Red Bird

Mimi O'Bonsawin

General Admission

Maggies Wake Live in the Green Sanderson Hall at Hugh's Room, 296 Broadview AvenueShow at 8pm, Doors at 7pm$30+ in advance, $37+at the door
Maggie’s Wake is a dynamic and refreshing band from Southwestern Ontario, Canada, blending the timeless roots of traditional folk with the energy of varied music styles, including jazz, Americana, and classic country. Drawing on their heritage while forging new ground, their sound is both deeply rooted and wholly original. With a passion for celebrating the rich history of folk music in a modern voice, Maggie’s Wake seeks to inspire, uplift, and bring joy to audiences everywhere.
At the heart of the band are two award-winning musical powerhouses: songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tara Dunphy (The Rizdales, Luther Wright and the Wrongs), whose soulful lead vocals and mastery of tin whistle, flute, and fiddle shine through every performance, and Lindsay Schindler (Rant Maggie Rant, Trent Severn), an internationally recognized fiddler, composer and author whose artistry is known for entrancing audiences. Together, they create a harmony-rich interplay that is the band’s signature. Rounding out the lineup is a group of equally celebrated musicians: Andrew Kosty on upright and electric bass, and Ken Palmer on acoustic and electric guitar. 
Since their debut, Maggie’s Wake has lit up sold-out theatres and concert halls, steadily building anticipation for their self-titled debut album, Maggie's Wake, which was released worldwide on March 17, 2024, to critical acclaim. Their artistry has also been recognized with multiple awards, including a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best New/Emerging Artist which they proudly accepted in April 2025.
​With their passion, precision, and originality, Maggie’s Wake continues to carve out an inspiring space in the contemporary folk music landscape. Sunday October 25.
296 Broadview is not yet a fully wheelchair accessible venue, with stairs between all levels. Our goal is to fix that, and we need your support to do so - please consider making a donation towards our goals to make HRL the best listening room in Toronto!

Hugh's Room

Maggies Wake

Student / Arts Worker / Underemployed

Hugh's Room Live

Maria Doyle Kennedy

Polymath Maria Doyle Kennedy has sustained a varied and eclectic career in the Arts for more than 3 decades .     
Maria set up her own record label in 2000 and has released 11 solo albums to date. Maria’s most recent album “Fire on the roof of Eden”  was listed in their albums of the year by the Irish Times and Hot Press described her as “ one of Ireland’s most accomplished vocalists and a national treasure”. She collaborates in almost all her work with her husband Kieran Kennedy (her partner in life, music and many crimes) and together they are raising 4 sons. Their recent compositional work includes the theme tune for children’s programme “Dizzy Deliveries” and 2 soundtrack contributions for Acorn TV’s “Recipes for Love and Murder”. 
Musical collaborations include Duets with Damien Rice, John Prine, Paul Brady and Donal Lunny on her Album “Sing” released in 2012.    
In 2017 Maria appeared in the Video for “Century” with Leslie Feist and Jarvis Cocker. TV appearances include “The Tudors”, “Orphan Black”, “Outlander”, “Wheel of Time” and most recently “Lost Boys and Faeries” for BBC and “Kin” for Netflix. Maria is currently filming Season 2 of “Recipes for Love and Murder” in South Africa. Maria has directed two festival winning short films and has her first full length feature currently in development.
Awards and Nominations:
Maria has won 4 Irish Film and television awards and been nominated a further 3 times, she is the recipient of a Canadian Screen award and a Gemini award and has been nominated for a further CSA, a SAG award, and twice as the Irish female performer of the year.

Maria Doyle Kennedy Live in the Green Sanderson Hall at Hugh's Room, 296 Broadview Avenue
Show at 8pm, Doors at 7pm$40+ in advance, $47+at the door
Maria Doyle Kennedy is best known internationally as an actress and beloved in Ireland as a singer-songwriter. Accompanied by her husband, multi-instrumentalist Kieran Kennedy, Maria brings a storytelling style that combines her rich voice with Kieran’s musical skill, crafting a deeply intimate experience. Their collaboration creates an evening filled with songs that explore love, life and reflection, and does so with elegance and emotion, all framed by Maria’s captivating stage presence. Saturday September 12.
296 Broadview is not yet a fully wheelchair accessible venue, with stairs between all levels. Our goal is to fix that, and we need your support to do so - please consider making a donation towards our goals to make HRL the best listening room in Toronto!

Students / Arts worker / Underemployed

Mayme de Joach was Merce Cunningham’s mommy in band form no joke. Grumpy swampy Lumpy Mecredi Horny. Cots is Steph Yates of Guelph sweet neat (gulp) can’t be beat!
https://www.instagram.com/svwhyhttps://www.instagram.com/mr.jo.bangles

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