Coming Home! Julian Fauth will be resuming a couple of his regular house gigs that were a main staple and even a tourist destination in our town. East-enders will enjoy seeing Julian Tuesdays at 6:30 pm at Sauce on Danforth (1376 Danforth Ave.) and at the West End on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm at La Revolucion (a.k.a. La Rev, 2848 Dundas St. West) in the Junction. Julian also passed along that starting in October, the legendary Krewe de Bleu with Dave McManus, George Baumann and Cleve Anderson will resume its Humpnights on Wednesdays at La Rev as well, starting at 8 pm. And Julian reminds that because of Covid-19 safety protocols, capacity is limited, so you might want to call ahead.

International Blues Challenge:  Based on consultations with our Blues Society colleagues across the country, the TBS will not be producing a competition to send any artists to Memphis in January.  The event is staged in clubs up and down Beale Street and is a wonderful festival type vibe, but with covid-19 rolling a “fourth wave”, conditions are not right.  There is also uncertainty with the border given that Canadians are currently not able to drive south.  A consensus within the Canadian Blues Society community was recently achieved with email contact from coast to coast.  We wish all the success to the Blues Foundation organizers and look forward to returning with all our friends from around the world.

More Cancellations: We had just reported last month that the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival would be happening (albeit later than usual – and including a Rolling Stones play). That’s all off now. 

And closer to home, Choose The Blues Productions has had to cancel the planned Fall 2021 Series of Blues On The Rideau at The Cove. Inn, Westport ON.  Promoter James Doran wrote, “I do this with a heavy heart after 16 consecutive years (and 120 shows) of producing BOTR but I believe it’s the right decision.  I was trying to find a way to make it work but the uncertainly and restrictions caused by COVID (especially the half-capacity limits) have made this necessary. “ Jamie says he may bring back the series, “ but only when/if COVID gets under control enough to safely allow for full capacity audiences with full bands, dancing and buffet dinners again.” 

Layla Merch: Canadian expat (now living in Europe) still has a lot of fans in Canada and they can show their love by purchasing one of the new t-shirts are now on sale at www.layla.ca/shop  (and going fast, says Layla).  And if you happen to be in the Netherlands, Layla is looking for female volunteers to be in a new music video which will be shot in Nijmegen, Netherlands on October 16th. Apply at  [email protected] 

Arhoolie unveils archives: Starting this month, the venerable Arhoolie label (Happy 90^th Birthday to founder Chris Strachwicz!) has a new initiative to share pieces of the Arhoolie Foundation collections. This month they take a Deep Dive into the Ann Savoy Collection of interviews with Louisiana musicians over the past 45 years.  Ann says the interviews are “a portrait of a past world that in part no longer exists.” She brings you directly into the room to hear the stories from the musicians that have made outstanding Cajun music. Enjoy pieces of the interviews, photos, and music. Check back each month as we dive into other parts of our collection of photos, posters, interviews, and music from the last 60 years. https://arhoolie.org/