Uncle Wiggly & The Smokin' Hot Toasters Dance Party

Big Hank Lionhart, also known as Uncle Wiggly This year marks Hank’s 61st year in the music business—a career that began in Edmonton during high school and continued in Seattle while attending art school.

He played in several notable bands in Edmonton before moving to Victoria in 1978, where he formed Uncle Wiggly’s Hot Shoes Blues Band. The band was signed to RCA Records and opened shows for legends such as Muddy Waters, Joe Cocker, and George Thorogood. They represented British Columbia at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee

In 1985, Hank moved to Vancouver, where he met Steve Cross. Together, they founded The Toasters, becoming a mainstay in Vancouver’s vibrant Blues & R&B scene during the 1980s. The Toasters opened for the Neville Brothers, Koko Taylor, and John Mayall. Later, Jack Lavin joined the band, and they became The Kingpins, recording two albums featuring original songs penned by Jack.

After The Kingpins, Hank returned to Edmonton and formed Big Hank & A Fist Full of Blues, a group that lasted nine years and recorded two albums of original material. During this time, Hank met his wife, Kim and in 2014, they relocated to Victoria, where Hank reformed the original Uncle Wiggly’s Hot Shoes Blues Band. The band achieved recognition by winning the right to represent British Columbia at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

As some members of Uncle Wiggly’s retired, Hank retired the band and reformed The Toasters, later renamed The Smokin’ Hot Toasters. Hank also performs with the Blue Heart Folk Blues Trio, alongside Mark Comerford from Uncle Wiggly’s and Mick Woodhouse from The Toasters. Hank continues to enjoy singing and performing live.

They play a Smokin’ Hot collection of great dance tunes a mix of R&B, Rocking Blues and Swing.

The band features Big Hank (Uncle Wiggly) Lionhart - (lead vocals), Stewart McLellan - (guitar & vocals), Mick Woodhouse (bass & vocals), Steve Ranta (keys & vocals), James McRae (drums) and Jonnie Bridgman – sax

The Upstairs Lounge is a licensed restaurant and bar, doors open at 6 pm for dinner service, the band starts playing at 7:30 pm

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Upstairs Lounge, Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee Street, Victoria, Canada

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