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Festival
Express
Congratulations to FATHEAD who brought home the JUNO Award for best Blues Album. They will be appearing at The Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival, Waterfront Blues in Toronto, Wasaga Beach Blues Festival and the Mississauga Rotary Ribfest.
The Festival Express will be making its way through Ontario this summer with stops at major centres and a few out-of-the-way whistle stops. Following on the next few pages is a current listing of blues festivals or other festivals in our area that have a significant blues content to keep your weekends soundly uplifted with the music that we honour and which brings us together. Jazz, folk and community festivals also feature blues music so be sure to check the websites for detailed schedule information. If there is a festival within driving distance of Toronto that you would like to have listed, please send the information to volnoir@hotmail.com for inclusion in the next MapleBlues:
The festival season traditionally kicks off on the first long week-end in May and The Twisted Pines Music and Arts Festival is being held May 9 - 19 in the heart of cottage country, amongst Penetanguishene and Midland on the shores of Georgian Bay. This eclectic roots and blues event reflects the area's marine heritage in song. This year's theme is Music in Movies - a combination of film screenings and live music. There will be at least 25 performers, with artists such as Garth Hudson of The Band, Maud Hudson, Brian Blain, Noah Zacharin, Manitoba Hal and many more!
Closing ceremonies on May 19th will be held at the King's Wharf Theatre. There will be a live CD recording, to be released later this year by Preservation Records, of the Maple Blues Revue featuring the Maple Blues Band w/Chuck Jackson, John Mays and Dawn Tyler Watson. Tickets for May 9-19 full passport: $74 Tickets for May 9-16 only: $42 Tickets for closing weekend only May16-19 $43 Individual day passes are also available. Please check the website for the schedule and costs at www.twistedpines.com
Little
G Weevil (left) now living in England will be making his Canadian
debut at The Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival on Sunday June 8th 2008. His band
will include harmonica ace Billy
Gibson from Memphis Tennessee and
Mike Fitzpatrick, Gary Kendall
and Michael Fonfara
from Downchild backing him up. With an average of 200 national and international
club/festival venues a year, Little G. is definitely one of the busiest blues
musicians on the scene today. In April 2007 he signed up with the Atlanta,
Georgia based King Mojo Records.
The Barrie Waterfront Festival (May 17-19) hosts entertainment for all ages on Victoria Day weekend. With two stages and a streetfest, buskers, midway rides and street vendors, it's a great way for the whole family to enjoy a Canadian holiday. Come celebrate with Curley Bridges, Johnny Max, Erin McCallum, Corey Heuvel, Groove Corporation and many more. www.barriewaterfront.ca
The weekend of June 5 - 8 brings the blues front and centre in Toronto, north from there to Orillia and northwest from Toronto to Orangeville.
The Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival, in it's sixth year, will be held June 5 - 8. This year will feature expanded free programming on three festival stages, the TD Canada Trust Tent and the addition of a Streetfest! Artists from as far away as Nova Scotia, Tennessee and London, England will perform on the Main Stage in Alexandra Park located behind the historic Town Hall. There will be a kick-off concert on Saturday, May 31 featuring The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Special guests are 2007 Indie Award winners, Trouble & Strife. The concert will take place at the Alder Street Recreation Centre in Orangeville. Doors open at 7:15pm
Headlining the Main Stage on Saturday, June 7 - Garrett Mason. On the same day Treasa Levasseur, John Campbelljohn and Orangeville's own, Trouble & Strife! Headlining Sunday, June 8, the premier Canadian performance and only appearance in Canada this year, Little G Weevil & Billy Gibson. Danny Brooks, Saturday Night Fish Fry w/Shakura S'Aida and Jerome Godboo will also be Main Stage on Sunday. The Mill Street Stage will run from early afternoon 'til 11pm on Saturday. Headlining the stage, the voice of the blues on bluz.fm, Danny Marks. Earlier in the day, Steve Strongman, Sab & The Family Band, The Bluesers w/Chris Cotton, Elyssa Mahoney, and more!
There
will be music in sixteen clubs, pubs and restaurants in and around the area with
Juno Award Winners - Fathead. Jack de Keyzer, Paul Reddick, Johnny Max, Chris
Whiteley & Diana Braithwaite, Layla Zoe, Paul James, Erin McCallum, Brian Blain,
Noah Zacharin, Julian Fauth, Douglas Watson, Maureen Brown! Visit the many
wonderful shops and cafes along Broadway and enjoy the newly added Streetfest
with artists such as Son Roberts, The Homeless and Daddy Long Legs. In between,
do check out the free slide guitar, sax, harmonica, percussion, and songwriting
workshops. Enjoy the licensed beer garden in the Main Stage area and partake in
the food, crafts and farmer’s market and pancake breakfast.
Erin McCallum (right) continues to make an impression on blues fans and can be seen at Barrie Waterfront, Orangeville Blues & Jazz, Wasaga Beach Fest and Blues at Blue.
This year the Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival has more than 50 acts and 200 artists! For a complete schedule of performances and venues along with information regarding the kick-off concert with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, opening night gala on June 5 featuring Bluesafire w/Mojo Willie and closing party on June 8 featuring Sab & Chuck Jackson please visit www.orangevillebluesandjazz.ca
With a new location in east-end Toronto, a new name (formerly The Distillery Blues) and the same high standards of acts and talents, The Waterfront Blues, from June 6 - 8 hosts The Bandshell Line-up of, Steve Strongman, Root Doctor, Ginia Sicilia, Fathead, Sharrie Williams, and Duke Robillard. The NorthernBlues Music Showcase brings Paul Reddick & The Sidemen and Watermelon Slim & The Workers. Be sure to check the website for details and when you do, take a look at the 'Don't Lose the Blues Contest'. Fill out a ballot for only a toonie and be elligible to win a Metallic Blue 56 Pro Danelectro Guitar courtesy of NorthernBlues Music! www.waterfrontblues.ca
After a one year hiatus, The Orillia Spring Blues Festival, returns and will be held June 6 - 7. Key organizers Joe Fecht and musician, producer, arranger Lance Anderson, both Blues Festival veterans, have corralled some new community partners and created some fresh new ideas! New to the festival this year is an outdoor Main Stage on Saturday, June 7, with licensed area. Headlining is Matt Minglewood. Shakura S'Aida, Blackburn, Johnny Max, Wayne Buttery and the Groove Project will also take the stage. $10 will get you the entire day of concerts which takes place from 2:00pm - 10:00 pm. The website continues to update with participating venues with artists such as Danny Marks, Mel Brown, Jake & The Fundamentals, Ronnie Douglas; so be sure to check in at www.orilliaspringblues.com
And the list goes on. All aboard the Festival Express!
June
12-15
Sound of Music Festival-Burlington
Over 70 musical acts, grand festival parade, Streetfest, carnival and much
more. Line-up to be announced.
www.soundofmusic.on.ca
June 12-23
Barrie Blues & Jazz Festival-Barrie
Please check the website for information as it appears at
www.barriejazzbluesfest.com
June 14
Brian's Not Just Blues Festival-Young's
Point
This one-day celebration takes place from noon-5pm on the grounds of Young's
Point General Store, a stone's throw from the Trent-Severn Waterway. Enjoy five
hours of non-stop music, along with the eclectic selection of specialty foods,
fresh fudge and fresh bakery products provided by the General Store. Five hours
of entertainment provided by Kevin Carley, Rich & The Poor Boys, Johnny Max and
Sab & The Family Band. For directions
www.youngspointgeneralstore.com
June 20-22
Wasaga Beach Fest-Wasaga
Beach
Wasaga blues fans can look forward to a festival this summer with roving
buskers, clowns and special guest appearances from local and well known
out-of-town celebrities! The Beach Stage hosts Fathead, Erin McCallum, Johnny
Max, Groove Corporation and David Rotundo
www.wasagabeachfest.com
June 20-22
Blues at Blue Festival-Collingwood
Downchild Blues Band, Dawn Tyler Watson, Shakura S’Aida, Harrison Kennedy,
Wayne Buttery and Groove Project, Erin McCallum, Jumpin’ Dunkin Band, The
Bearcats, Mati Haskell & J.K. Gulley, Ronnie Douglas Band, The Gators
www.villageatblue.com
June 20-29
Toronto Jazz Festival-Toronto
Blues highlights at Toronto Jazz Festival will include Al Green (June 19 at the
Sony Centre-formerly the Hummingbird), Dr. John (June 20), Maceo Parker (June 20
at the Sound Academy-formerly The Docks), Susan Tedeschi and The John Hammond
Quartet (June 21), James Hunter (June 24), Blind Boys of Alabama (June 25) all
at the Main Stage in Nathan Phillips Square. Bill King’s Saturday Night Fish Fry
does a free show in Nathan Phillips Square at 5pm on the 27th and local
favourite Roxanne Potvin plays The Pilot on the last day of the festival, Sunday
June 29. The Silver Dollar will present Finis Tasby on June 21 and a special
10th Anniversary party for Raoul and the Big Time on June 28. More blues in the
clubs with Mike McKenna, The Nationals, Blues Butcher, Havana Blues, Chuck
Jackson, Brokenjoe, Mr. Rick & The Biscuits, Betty Jackson and B-3 player Tony
Monaco. www.torontojazz.com
Taj
Mahal (right) celebrates his 40th Anniversary as a festival favourite and will
be doing the rounds in Canada with appearances at The Montreal Jazz Festival
(July 4), Bluesfest International in Windsor (July 10-11), Ottawa Bluesfest
(July 3) and up the road in Orillia on July 5th where he headlines the Mariposa
Folk Festival.
JULY
July 3-13
Cisco Bluesfest-Ottawa
This multi-staged, 11-day music showcase features some of the best blues talent
on the planet and continues to increase it's diversity and programming scope.
Currently, the festival is the largest music festival in the Ottawa area and is
the biggest blues festival in Canada as well as one of the most popular in North
America. Here's a sample from this year's line-up: Allen Toussaint, Anson
Funderburgh & The Rockets, Dr. John, Debbie Davies, Harrison Kennedy, Harry Manx
w/Kevin Breit, Jack de Keyzer, Johnny Winter, JW-Jones Band, Keb' Mo, L'il Ed &
The Blues Imperials, L'il Dave Thompson, L'il Brian Terry & The Zydeco
Travelers, Michael Jerome Brown, Otis Taylor, Blind Boys of Alabama, Porkbelly
Futures, Robert Randolph, Taj Mahal, Steve Marriner, Walter Trout and much, much
more. www.ottawa-bluesfest.ca
July 4-6
Porquis Blues Festival-Iroquois
Falls
Please check the website for information as it appears at
www.porquois.ca
July 10-13
Bluesfest International-Windsor
Headlining the Thursday night opening is Taj Mahal. Other headliners throughout
the festival are Rick Derringer and David Wilcox Also see Richie Havens, Frank
Marino & Mahagony Rush, Motor City Women, John Nemeth, Steve Burnside and the
Marquis and more. Your 4-day passport to the blues: $50. Daily prices
available. www.thebluesfest.ca
July 11-13
Bluesfest International-London
Taj Mahal makes his way top London to open the London edition of Bluesfest
International on the Friday night. Other headliners throughout the festival are
Colin James, Rick Derringer and David Wilcox, Richie Havens, Frank Marino &
Mahogany Rush, Motor City Women, Roomful of Blues, Steve Burnside & The Marquis,
Rusty Wright Bant, Stu Heydon and more. Your 3-day passport to the blues: $50
Daily prices available.
www.thebluesfest.ca
July 11-12
Founders' Fair-Orangeville
Celebrate summer and the founding of Orangeville with Downtown Orangeville's
39th annual Founders' Fair! Broadway comes alive with buskers, craft kiosks,
farmer's market and a Main Stage all amongst the historic downtown area. There
will be two stages of entertainment. The Main Stage will feature Danny Marks on
July 11 and Brokenjoe w/Jerome Godboo, Alec Fraser and Joe Toole on July 12.
Both performances begin at 7:00 pm
www.discoverbroadway.ca
July 11-13
Markham Rotary Ribfest and Music Festival-Markham
In its sixth year this festival is proud to present top-notch musicians as well
as providing enjoyment for the entire family. This year's Main Stage artists
include, Colin James, JW Jones, Jack de Keyzer, Danny Marks, Mark 'Bird'
Stafford, Chuck Jackson, Johnny Max, Tonedogs, Sourpuss, Royal Crowns, Mr. Rick
& The Biscuits and starting it all off on Friday will be James Anthony.
www.markhamribfest.com
July 18-20
Mississauga Rotary Ribfest-Mississauga
With proceeds going to support the community, this free festival is held at the
great open plaza in front of Mississauga City Town Hall. The Main Stage has
something for every musical taste and the show begins at noon and runs to 11pm
Friday and Saturday. Noon until 6 on Sunday. Fathead, Chuck Jackson, Johnny
Max, Julian Fauth, Frank Cosentino Band, The Bluesual Suspects, Loco Zydeco
www.mississaugarotaryribfest.com
July 18-20
Burlington Jazz & Blues Festival-Burlington
This summer event has a growing reputation as one of Canada's best Jazz & Blues
festivals. The spectacular waterfront at Spencer Smith Park and the views of
majestic Lake Ontario offer an amazing backdrop to the festival. The entire
weekend provides a wide variety of musical and cultural experiences for all.
The festival features an international foods fair promoting healthy,
environmentally aware vegetarian cuisine. Artists to be announced.
www.burlingtonjazzbluesfestival.com
July 18-27
Beaches International Jazz Festival-Toronto
The summer's favourite crowd pleaser celebrates a milestone 20th anniversary
with a 10-day musical extravaganza which kicks off with concerts at a new venue,
Woodbine Park at the foot of Coxwell Ave. Feature performers include Chicago'
soul singer, Lou Pride and Roxanne Potvin with more to be announced. The New
Generation Stage will promote and introduce young artists who are making an
impact on the Canadian music scene such as 13 year old jazz piano sensation,
Matt Wigler. The Beaches Streetfest is bigger and better! with over 100
performers. The street is a 3 day celebration from 7pm-11pm, July 24-26 with
melodies of calypso, new age, jazz, fusion, Latin, blues and Cajun. Artists to
be announced very soon. The Alex Christie Bandshell at Kew Gardens offers a
weekend of more awesome entertainment with artists such as Tab Benoit, Tad
Robinson Band featuring Alex Schultz, Jamaica to Toronto Revue w/Jay Douglas &
The Mighty Popo and popular jazz pianist Bill King's Rhythm Express featuring
The Young Divas. With so much to see, hear and do at this extravaganza and many
more artists to be announced, keep an eye on the website at
www.beachesjazz.com
The
Blind Boys of Alabama
(left) will be lifting the spirits of festival goers at the Toronto Jazz
Festival (June 25) and the Ottawa Bluesfest (July 3).
AUGUST
Aug 4-10
Oshawa Jazz & Blues Festival-Oshawa
Now in its seventh year, this festival features some of the best of Canadian
jazz and blues performers, local artisans, children's entertainment, food
vendors and much more! It's not too soon to mark the date on your calendar.
www.oshawajazzandbluesfestival.com
Aug 7-10
Toronto Festival of Beer-Toronto
A celebration of Canada's rich brewing history, hosted by experts of the brewing
craft from around the country. More than 200 brands of beer on-site for a
Canadian premier celebration of the golden beverage. This festival is more than
beer tasting; with blues, jazz, country and R&B performers.
www.beerfestival.ca
Aug 8-10
Kitchener Blues Festival-Kitchener
All blues, all free, all the time. Robert Cray Band, Fabulous Thunderbirds,
Mavis Staples, Downchild Blues Band, Mel Brown, Rita Chiarelli, Commander Cody,
Daddy Long Legs, Maureen Brown & Big Hand, Big Jack Johnson & The Oilers, Big
James & The Chicago Playboys, Chuckee Zehr & The Craw Daddies, Slick Ballinger,
Mason Rack Band.
www.kitchenerbluesfestival.ca
Aug 15-17
Summerfolk-Owen
Sound
Summerfolk has become a perennial favourite with performers as well as patrons
because of its intimate atmosphere located at the beautiful Kelso Beach Park on
the shores of Georgian Bay. Digging Roots, The BeBop Cowboys, Harry Manx,
Little Miss Higgins, Eve Goldberg, Sheesham & Lotus and Toby Walker are
featured artists. For a complete listing and ticket prices
www.summerfolk.org
Aug 21-24
Limestone City Blues Festival-Kingston
It's early so keep an eye for artist schedule for the 12th annual at
www.kingstonblues.com
SEPT/OCT
Sept 5-7
Southside Shuffle-Port
Credit
It's the 10th anniversary for this much anticipated blues and jazz festival.
Mississauga's musical Mardi-Gras! Headliners include, Average White Band, Pat
Travers Band, The Funk Brothers, Charlie Musselwhite, Homemade Jamz and The
Downchild Blues Band.
www.southsideshuffle.com
Oct 23-25
Canal Bank Shuffle-Thorold
www.canalbankshuffle.com
A LITTLE FURTHER AFIELD
June 5-8
Chicago Blues Festival-Grant
Park, Chicago
Johnny Winter, James Cotton, Koko Taylor, Eddy 'The Chief' Clearwater, Buckwheat
Zydeco, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, B.B. King!
www.chicagobluesfestival.org
June 30-July 6
Festival International de Jazz de Montreal-Montreal,
Que.
www.montrealjazzfest.com
July 4-6
Thunder Bay Blues Festival-Thunder
Bay
Roomful of Blues, Jimmy Bowskill, Jason Ricci & New Blood, Ana Popovic, Tracy K,
David Rotundo, Walter Trout, The Fabulous Thunderbirds
www.tbayblues.ca
July 4-13
Festival International du Blues de Tremblant-Mont-Tremblant,
Que.
Johnny Winter, John Hammond, Keb' Mo, Ana Popovic, Sonny Landreth
www.tremblant.ca/blues
Aug 6-10
Maximum Blues International-Carleton-Saint-Omer,
Que.
www.maximumblues.net
Aug 7-10
FestiBlues International de Montreal-Montreal,
Que.
www.festiblues.com
Aug 8-9
Cowpie Blues Festival-Caledonia,
Michigan
The Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings, Biscuit Miller & The Mix, Motorcity Josh & The
Big 3, Mem Shannon & The Membership, Those Delta Rhythm Kings, The Jimmie
Stagger Band, Vincent Hayes Project, The Alligators.
www.cowpiebluesfestival.com
Aug 14-17
Donnacona au Rythme du Blues-Donnacona,
Que.
www.donnaconablues.com
Aug 22-23
Hot Aug Blues Festival-Hardin,
Kentucky
Shawn Kellerman and more!
www.hotAugbluesfestival.com
Aug 22-24
Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival -
Edmonton, Alta.
The James Cotton Band w/Pinetop Perkins & Hubert Sumlin, Downchild Blues Band,
Charlie Musselwhite, Janiva Magness, Marcia Ball, L’il Ed & The Blues Imperials
and more! For schedule and ticket information:
www.bluesinternationalltd.com
Sept 9-14
Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival-Fredericton,
N.B.
Bonerama, Buddy Guy, Champion, Homemade Jamz, Sarah Jane Morris, Slick Ballinger
and more to be announced!
www.harvestjazzandblues.com
Sept 19-21
Great
Atlantic Blues & Beyond Festival
-
Halifax, N.S.
Johnny Winter, John Hammond, Charlie Musselwhite, Bettye Lavette and many more
international artists.
www.atlanticbluesfest.com
Oct 2008-June 2009
Blues on the Rideau-Westport
This is a Dinner & Show Series featuring some of Canada's best blues artists.
The new season of artists will be announced in June. In the meantime, two shows
remain in the 2007/2008 series. May 16-Julian Fauth Band, June 20-Finis Tasby
www.choosetheblues.ca
- Sharon Grace
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