ALEKSANDR MIKITENKO

5.30

Aleksandr Mikitenko is an indie-underground singer-songwriter, musician and translator from Odessa, Ukraine, who became a refugee along with his family because of the Russian-Ukrainian war and eventually settled in Toronto, Canada. He was a member of a huge Russian-speaking underground punk-rock community and best known as a leader of Istok, a band, that for decades has been playing music influenced by forceful alternative rock, impassioned punk and lyrically searching, singer-songwriter folk. He is also a co-founder of a lo-fi/post-punk duo Libertango along with his wife Marina Polianskaia, who were true followers of the All Wave Philosophy.

HONEY LOCUST
8.00

Honey Locust is an exciting 4-piece musical group based in Toronto (vocal/guitar, bass, drums, sax). They met at a local Open mic in the Fall of 2023, and after realizing the similarities of their musical past and future goals, they felt it was only natural to form a band. With all four members driven by Folk Rock, Funk, and Blues, they are able to create an engaging and dynamic musical experience, highlighted by captivating lyrics and story lines. Honey Locust incorporates tight grooves with background vocals and percussion elements in a push for creativity and presence that can fill any stage.

KEN YOSHIOKA & JULIAN FAUTH
11.00

Julian Fauth and Ken Yoshioka have been friends and frequent musical collaborators since meeting in Toronto’s Kensington Market in the mid 1990s. They combine original song-writing with creative arrangements and covers of traditional blues, jazz and gospel songs. Julian plays piano influenced by barrelhouse blues, accompanying himself with his foot, as well as an idiosyncratic guitar style; Ken is a virtuoso on the harmonica, as well as a fine blues guitarist. Both are soulful vocalists. Julian Fauth’s album Ramblin’ Son (Electro-Fi) won a JUNO Award for best blues album in 2009.