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2005
Blues Festivals
For the next few months, roving reporter Sarah French will be giving us a preview of upcoming blues festivals in the region. Send info and updates to smalltimesarah@rogers.com.
Guitarslinger Chico Banks closes out the inaugural Distillery Blues Festival with a searing set at 4pm on Sunday, June 12. Chico has played with James Cotton, Otis Clay, Buddy Guy, Little Milton, Junior Wells and Mavis and Pop Staples. He plays a traditional Chicago Blues style, but often expands his horizons by adding a rocky or funky edge to a song. Also on Sunday, the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search winner will be doing a showcase set which will be recorded for future broadcast on CBC's Saturday Night Blues.
For the next few months, roving reporter Sarah French will be giving us a preview of upcoming blues festivals in the region. Send info and updates to smalltimesarah@rogers.com
Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival
June 2-5, 2005
Downtown Orangeville
The third annual Orangeville Blues and Jazz festival has expanded to 20 venues with non-stop music all day Saturday and Sunday. This free event promises to be filled with exciting music from performers such as Danny Marks, Fathead, Gary Kendall, Anderson/Sloski, Kevin Breit & The Sisters Euclid, Paul James, , Harrison Kennedy, Danny Marks and the Bluz.fm Band, Shawn Kellerman, Alan Gerber, The Tulips All Female Blues Band with Maureen Brown, Chris Whiteley, Gary Kendall Band Pappy Johns Band, Brian Blain, JW Jones and more. There will be a Sunday Gospel Show with the amazing 35-member Toronto Mass Choir, a beer garden and many wonderful craft booths and food vendors. See www.orangevillebluesandjazz.ca for full schedules and directions.
Chicago Blues Festival
Grant Park, Chicago
June 9-12, 2005
The world's largest free admission Blues festival turns twenty-two this year, and celebrates the centennials of Jimmy Walker, Meade Lux Lewis, and Big Maceo. This year also pays tribute to the British Blues invasion, and Savoy Brown's 40th Anniversary. David "HoneyBoy" Edwards will open the festival Thursday, June 9 on the Petrillo Bandshell and Robert Jr. Lockwood will play at the Gibson Guitar Crossroads on June 10. First-timers John Mayall and Eddie Kirkland will appear as well as blues icons Mavis Staples, Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy. The four-day festival offers the best in national, international and local Blues entertainment on six stages with more than 70 performers, preceded by a month of Blues activities (Blues season) throughout Chicago. www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents
Distillery Blues Festival
Distillery District, Toronto
June 10-12, 2005
The first annual Distillery Blues Festival, the only genuine Blues Festival presentation in Metro Toronto in 2005, features 5 stages of entertainment over 3 days. The Toronto Blues Society Talent Search finals and the winner's showcase are part of the festival as well as 30 other blues bands. The Main Stage has performances from Wickens-Knight, Roxanne Potvin and Juno winner, Jack de Keyzer on June 10. June 11 things get underway at noon with Neil Chapman, followed by Georgette Fry, Paul Reddick & The Sidemen, Fathead, and Jimmy Burns. Sunday's line-up has David Rotundo at noon, Bill King's Saturday Nite Fish Fry, and Chico Banks to finish off the afternoon. There are 4 other stages at the Distillery Blues Festival, featuring the best of Toronto Blues talent including Gary Kendall Band, Raoul & The Big Time, Chris Whiteley, Brian Blain, The Chain Gang with Julian Fauth & Wayne Charles and many more. www.distilleryblues.com.
TD Canada Trust Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival
June 24th-July 3rd, 2005
Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto
With plenty of Blues content to look forward to, this massive Jazz festival will take over Downtown Toronto with over 1500 performers in 30 + venues. The big blues show is Dr. John with Carlos del Junco on closing night July 3rd and midnight shows in the marquee tent with Jimmy Bowskill (June 25, Main Stage), and Rita Chiarelli (July 2, Main stage). Some familiar blues names playing in the clubs are Laura Hubert, Fathead, Pat Carey, Alberta Adams and Mark "Bird" Stafford. For the first time the after hours (1-4am) jams will take place outside the host hotel at the Rex and Sage and for the two of those nights (June 26 and 27 at the Rex), Brian Blain will be hosting an acoustic blues jam. For lovers of the B3 organ, Doug Riley holds court at the Orbit Room from June 28 to July 2 and the Mod Club presents two world-class organists, Tony Monaco (June 25, 7:30pm) and Dr. Lonnie Smith (June 26, 9:00pm). www.torontojazz.com
Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest
July 8-17, 2005
Festival Plaza, Ottawa
Canada's largest blues festival is back with a stellar line-up once again. Lots of non-blues attractions but look at some of the blues names: John Primer, Magic Slim, Ruthie Foster, Carl Weathersby, Harlem Gospel Choir, Omar & The Howlers, W.C. Clark, Walter Trout, ZZ Top, Johnny Winter, David Lindley, Campbell Brothers, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, Kenny Neal & Billy Branch, John Mayall, Kelly Joe Phelps, Sonny Landreth, Harry Manx and much, much more. www.ottawa-bluesfest.ca.
Porquis Blues Festival
July 8-10,2005
Porquis Junction
Now expanding to a full week-end, Porquis is Canada's longest continuously running bluesfest. Confirmed acts so far include David Rotundo & Enrico Crivalero, Roxanne Potvin, Julian Fauth, Shane Scott & Blues Approved, Kevin Carley, Hurting Blues Band, The Fundamentals, and The Playcats. For more info Call 705-232-4500 or visit http://www.iroquoisfalls.com/interest_items/annual_events/porquis_blues/
PartiGras
July 15th - 17th, 2005
The Distillery Historic District, Toronto
The 3rd annual Partis Gras festival, sister to the Beaches Jazz Festival, features 5 stages of entertainment, street performers and all that Jazz.
With its carnival feel, Partis Gras will have something for everyone. Line-up TBA. Visit www.torontopartigras.com for up coming announcements on this fantastic festival.
Beaches International Jazz Festival
July 21-24, 2005
Kew Gardens and Queen Street East, Toronto
With a main stage at Kew Gardens and Toronto's original and longest streetfest, the Beaches Jazz Festival caters to all fans of Jazz and Blues with an eclectic line-up of performers. Two big blues attractions will be featured on the Main Stage, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers and Curtis Salgado. Of course the Streetfest will have a blues band at every intersection.
Visit www.beachesjazz.com for announcements and details.
- Sarah French
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