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Festival Roundup
Here's your guide to upcoming (an in this online version, past) blues festivals or blues-friendly events within easy driving distance of Toronto, and some much further away, too. If you know of any other blues festivals, please send the info to editor@torontobluessociety.com. Compiled and collected by Andrea Cranfield.
At left: FATHEAD heads west, playing in British Columbia, at the Summertime
Blues, Naniamo Blues Fest and Salmon Arm Roots &
Blues Fest.
|
Take Me To The Shuffle There will be over 130 acts, some of which are the Canadian music scene’s elite, performing at this year’s Southside Shuffle on September 7, 8 and 9. The Re/Max Mainstage and Sick Kids South Stage are booked with multiple Grammy and Juno Award winners all weekend long. The Shuffle will be headlining legendary Blues guitarist and five time Grammy Award winner, Buddy Guy on the Re/Max Mainstage, Saturday, September 8th. Friday, the Powder Blues Band and Downchild ignite the festival with their high octane Rhythm and Blues. Sunday there are the dominators of the 70s Canadian pop music scene, Lighthouse, will show us to the end of the Re/Max Mainstage Musical marathon. Back in the newly renovated Memorial Park, the new Sick Kids South Stage is boasting an award-winning line up as well. Starting at noon on Saturday, they kick off an incredible afternoon of talented Canadian blues and folk musicians. A tribute to Bob Wills with The Bebop Cowboys, folk icon Valdy and Lunch At Allen’s featuring Cindy Church, Marc Jordan, Ian Thomas and Murray McLaughlan. For the young, aspiring Blues enthusiast, Sunday, they feature the Junior Jam and Harps for Kids hosted by Mark “Bird” Stafford. Lakeshore Road is closed from Hurontario west to Stavebank from 3 – 7 pm on Saturday, September 8 for the Fram Slokker Street Shuffle . Some new faces and some of the favourites you’ve come to know and love throughout the Shuffle years will be appearing. Visit the website at www.southsideshuffle.com for a complete list of artists and venues. Wednesday, Sept 5th is the 2007 New Orleans Gala, a fundraising partnership with Tim Peterson and The Southside Shuffle that has raised over $120,000 since its inception. Thursday, September 6th, The Beggar’s Blues Banquet, Singin’ for Sick Kids held at the Port Credit Legion. Another fundraising event where 100% proceeds benefit the Hospital for Sick Kids. The ninth annual Southside Shuffle, Port Credit’s Blues and Jazz Festival, September 7-9th, 2007. |
May 18-21, 2007
Twisted Pines Music and Arts Festival,
Penetanguishene-Midland
North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre, 527 Len
Self Boulevard, Midland, Ont.
Weekend Pass $65, Day Pass $35, Weekend Youth Pass
$30, Day Youth Pass $23. Advance Tickets Available @
705-526-4770. TBS members save $20 on week-end pass when
you purchase online at www.twistedpines.com (use
the discount code "0407tbs") Downchild Blues Band,
Madagascar Slim & Ndidi Onukwulu, Ken Whiteley's Gospel
Review, "Colorblind" Brian & The New Blainettes, Anderson
Sloski, Wayne Buttery and The Groove Project, Fathead,
Ndidi Onukwulu, Porkbelly Futures, Digging Roots, Hey
Stella!,
Treasa Lavasseur, and much, much more
twistedpinesmusic@gmail.com
May 19-21
Barrie Waterfront Festival, Barrie Ontario
Philosopher Kings, Groove Corporation, The
Cobra Kings
www.barriewaterfront.ca
May 19 1pm Groove Corporation
May 20 (2pm) Son Roberts Band
May 20 4-6PM The Johnny Max Band
May 19-20
Blues Brews & Barbeque Festival
Blue Mountain Resort, Collingwood Ontario
Trouble & Strife play at 3:00 PM Sunday
May 26
Brampton Rotary Rib'n'Roll
Gage Park, Brampton
May 26 (2pm) The Johnny Max Band
June 22-July 2
TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, Toronto Ontario
www.torontojazz.com
Blues diva Mavis Staples appears on July 1 with the wonderful Rebirth
Brass Band opening; The Derek Trucks Band plays on June 30 with opener
Jackie Greene. Clubs and stages around town will feature David "Fathead"
Newman, The Hogtown Syncopaters, and many local favourites including Mike
McKenna, Tony Springer, Chuck Jackson, Donné Roberts with Julian Fauth and
James Thomson, The Michael O'Grady Blues Band, Laura Hubert, Rita di Ghent
and The Nationals. Of special interest to Toronto Blues Society members will
be the finals of the TBS Talent Search finals on Thursday, June 28 at 3pm
and performances at the Greektown Stage (Danforth & Logan) by Women's
Blues Revue star Margaret Stowe and Colorblind Brian and the New Blainettes
fronted by MapleBlues editor Brian Blain. In addition, there will be a special
pre-festival kick-off concert at the Phoenix on June 20 with one of the hottest
acts on the blues scene today, James Hunter.
July 5-15
Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa Ontario
Van Morrison, George Clinton & The P-Funk All Stars, Moe, Steve
Miller Band, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, The White Stripes, Sharon
Jones & The Daptones, Xavier Rudd, Femi Kuti, Buddy Guy
and much much more
www.ottawa-bluesfest.ca
July 6 - 8
Porquis Blues Festival, Iroquois Falls Ontario
Ontario's longest consistent running blues fest (now in its 10th year) features
Jack de Keyzer, Garrett Mason, Fathead, Sab and The Family Band, The
Shaftmen, Hurtin Blues Band, Jen Plummer. Soul Doubt, Brian Blain, Little Lisa
Gibson, Bob Wills and The Groove. Sunday morning "coming down" Jam hosted
By Sab himself.
www.iroquoisfalls.com/interest_items/annual_events/porquis_blues
July 6-8
Northern Lights Festival Boreal, Sudbury Ontario
www.nlfbsudbury.com
July 7-9
Mansion House Blues Festival, Sutton Ontario
July 12-15
Bluesfest International Windsor, Windsor Ontario
www.thebluesfest.ca
Los Lobos, Watermelon Slim, Robert Cray, Sonny Rhodes, Dave
Mason, Steve Payne, Walter Trout
July 13-15
The Escarpment Blues Festival, Country Heritage Park, Milton, ON
www.escarpmentblues.ca
Here's an exciting new festival with a great line-up. Take the QEW west to
the Highway 25 exit; go north to Hwy 5; turn left and travel about 1.5 km
to Tremaine Road (three way intersection); turn right and travel about 15 km
(past Derry Road and Steeles Avenue). The Park is on the left, below the 401.
Friday: Danny Marks, SAB and The Family Band with Chuck Jackson,
David Wilcox, Dave Mason
Saturday: Doc MacLean, Walter Trout, Carlos del Junco, Brown,
Watermelon Slim & The Workers, Colin James.
Sunday: Mighty Inspirations, James Anthony, Alberta Adams & RJ's
Rhythm Rockers, Sonny Rhodes & The Blues Disciples, Ten Years After, Jeff Healey
July 13-15
Bluesfest International London, London Ontario
www.thebluesfest.ca
Los Lobos, Garrett Mason, Robert Cray, Sonny Rhodes, Dave Mason,
Steve Payne, Chris Chown, more
July 13-15
Markham Ribfest & Music Festival, Markham Ontario
Gord Bamford, Kim Mitchell, Jack de Keyzer, JW-Jones Blues Band,
Mark Bird Stafford, The Tone Dogs, Steelback 2-4, The Mississippi Hippies,
Danny Marks, Chuck Jackson & The All Stars, Donna Lynn Kay
www.markhamribfest.com
July 15
The Savannah Festival of Rhythm, Brampton Ontario
July 16-18
Heritage River Music Festival, Burk's Falls Ontario
www.mmage.com/almaguinmusicfestival/performers.htm
July 20-22
Partigras, Toronto Ontario
Elmer Ferrer Band, Groove Corporation, RJ's Rhythm Rockers, Dr.
Draw, Mississippi Hippies, Deanna Bogart, Rick Fines & Suzie Vinnick, Tom
Wilson, Mojo Grande, Toronto All-Star big Band.
www.torontopartigras.com
July 20-22
Home County Folk Festival, London Ontario
A blues-friendly (free) folk festival with Blackie and The Rodeo Kings,
Andrea Koziol, Treasa Levasseur, Mitch Lewis, Manitoba Hal, Jowi Taylor and the
Six String Nation Guitar and blues legend Jackie Washington
www.homecounty.ca
July 20-22
Burlington Jazz and Blues Festival, Burlington Ontario
Jack de Keyzer, Danny Marks, Kevin Breit, Tony
Monaco, www.burlingtonjazzbluesfestival.com
July 20-29
Beaches International Jazz Festival, Toronto Ontario
Always a great blues band on the main stage and great local blues bands
on the street. This year, it's Carl Weathersby, Sugar Ray & The BlueTones,
Darrell Nulisch, David Rotundo, Groove Corporation, Johnny Rawls, Lil'
Dave Thompson, Danny Brooks & The Memphis Brothers, Shakura S'Aida,
Treasa Levasseur, Shawn Kellerman, Julian Fauth, John Findlay, Erin McCallum
& Roadtrip, Johnny Max, Gary Kendall Band, Hot Tamales, Full Count
Blues Band and many more www.beachesjazz.com
July 28
The Second Annual West Coast Blues
Festival, Goderich Ontario
Mel Brown, Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang, the Paul James Band,
Suzie Vinnick, Alex Tintelli Band www.westcoastblues.ca
August 6-11
The Oshawa Jazz & Blues Festival
Simcoe Street - Downtown Oshawa, Ont
1 877 365 9555 www.oshawajazzandbluesfestival.com
Aug 10
Jazz and Blues Crawl
Aug 11 (11 a.m. - 11 p.m.) Memorial Park,
9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. – Blues Revue with
Danny Marks, Jack de Keyzer, Big Daddy G
Steve’s Music Side Stage featuring local artists and children’s performance.
Aug. 12 Horizons of Oshawa - Live Blues Showcase
August 4
Emancipation Festival - Owen
Sound, ON
7:30pm Lance Anderson
August 4
Jazz at Blue Festival
Village of Blue Mountain, Collingwood ON
12 noon Anderson/Sloski
August 1-5
Maximum Blues International,
Carleton-Saint-Omer, Quebec
www.maximumblues.net
Duke Robillard, Shemekia Copeland, Theresa Malenfant
August 9-12
FestiBlues International, Montreal
www.festiblues.com
August 10
The
Lakeshore Mardi Gras Festival,
Col. Samuel Smith Park, Etobicoke
www.lakeshoremardigras.ca
6-8PM The Johnny Max Band
August 10-12
Kitchener Blues Festival, Kitchener Ontario
www.kitchenerbluesfestival.com
August 10-12
Festival of Beer, Toronto Ontario
www.beerfestival.ca
Gary Kendall, David Owen, Danny Marks & more
August 11
The Cowpie Blues Festival,
Caledonia Michigan
www.cowpiebluesfestival.com
C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisana Band, Motorcity Josh, The Detroit Women with
The Motorcity Express, The Joanna Connor Band, Blue Lunch, The Jimmie Stagger
Band, Those Delta Rhythm Kings
August 11
Maple Ridge Jazz & Blues Festival, Maple Ridge British Columbia
www.jazzblues.ca
August 13
Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival, BC
www.burnabybluesfestival.com
August 16-19
Prince Edward County Jazz Festival,
Picton
www.pec.on.cajazzfest/07/index.php
August 17-19
Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival
Salmon Arm BC www.rootsandblues.ca
FATHEAD
August 17-26
Naniamo Blues Fest, Summertime Blues,
Nanaimo British Columbia
www.nanaimobluesfestival.com
Aug. 19 FATHEAD
August 18 - 19
2007
Niagara Jazz and Blues Festival
Henley Island, Port Dalhousie, St. Catharines
www.niagarajazzbluesfest.com
August 18
Festival of The Islands, Gananoque
The Elyssa Mahoney and Lucas Haneman Band opening for Jeff Healey Blues Band
August 19
Reds Whites And Blues Festival, Sparta Ontario
Jack de Keyzer Band, Curly Bridges, Maria Auregema Band, Da Blooze Brothers Show
August 23-26
Limestone City Blues Festival, Kingston Ontario
www.kingstonblues.com
Suzie McNeil, The Bobby Rush Soul Blues Revue, David Gogo, Coco Montoya, Janiva
Magness, Garrett Mason, Ila Vann Band, Garrett Mason, David Gogo, Tony D, Sol
Blues Revue, The Geoff Hinch Trio, The Lonnie Aarssen Blues Band, Jack de Keyzer
August 23 - 26
Calgary Jazz & Blues Festival, Calgary, AB
Sun Aug 26 Jack de Keyzer
August 24-26
Wasaga Beach Bluesfest, Wasaga Beach Ontario
www.wasagabeachfest.com
Aug 25 1:00 p.m. Erin McCallum & Roadtrip
September 1
Coal Flats Blues Festival, Port Burwell Ontario
www.coalflatsblues.com
September 1-2
Burlington Ribfest, Burlington
www.canadaslargestribfest.com
Groove Corporation and more
September 7-9
Southside Shuffle
Mississauga www.southsideshuffle.com
Buddy Guy, Downchild Blues Band, Detroit Women, Lighthouse, Powder Blues Band
September 8-10
Blues in the Park, Niagara Falls
www.bluesinthepark.com
September 11-16
Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, Fredericton New Brunswick
www.harvestjazzandblues.com
20 stages, 4 city blocks, 30 acts from across the Maritimes, 6 days in historic
downtown Fredericton with Dr. John, Shemekia Copeland, The Lee Boys, Watermelon
Slim & Workers, The Detroit Women, Lil Bryan & the Zydeco Traveller, Rev Robert
Jones, Hot Toddy, Molly Johnson, John Campelljohn, Ndidi Onukwulu, Mark “Bird”
Stafford, Rowdy Blues from Nfld., Matchstick Mike and the Chain Smokin’ Alter
Boys, Matt Anderson, Jenn Grant, plus A Harvest Dutch Mason Tribute with Matt
Minglewood, Garret Mason, Theresa Malenfant, the debut of Thom Swift from Hot
Toddy’s solo project
October 19-21
Canal Bank Shuffle, Thorold Ontario
www.canalbankshuffle.com
November 4
Blues on the East Side Festival
Kitchener Ontario
www.bluesontheeastside.com
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