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Published December 29, 2011 in Loose Blues News, News

January 2012 – Vol. 28, No. 1

WBR on the Air: 25th Annual Women’s Blues Revue on CBC: Highlights from the 25th Annual Toronto Blues Society Women’s Blues Revue at Massey Hall are streaming right now on CBC Radio 2’s Concerts on Demand: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20111126women! Relive this historic night featuring performances by Kat Danser, Ada Lee, Emma-Lee, Treasa Levasseur, Shakura S’Aida, and Suzie Vinnick! Tune in for the radio broadcasts – January 12 at 7pm on CBC Radio 2 (94.1 FM), and January 13 at 2pm on CBC Radio 1 (99.1 FM).

Au Tour De La Guitare: Alliance Francaise de Toronto (24 Spadina Rd) presents Au Tour de le Guitare, featuring stories and performances from three of the top world blues guitarists on Friday February 10, 7:30pm. Admission is $15 ($10 for TBS members). Don’t miss this special evening featuring Malagasy-born Madagascar Slim, Parisian born Philippe Flahaut, and Philippe Lafreniere. With Au tour de la guitare, the most democratic of instruments finally takes centre stage as part of the Alliance Française’s celebrated cabaret-chanson series! Coming from different horizons and each approaching the instrument in his own way, Malagasy virtuoso Madagascar Slim, Parisian bluesman Philippe Flahaut and world funkmeister Philippe Lafrenière will swap six-string stories, while exploring a bunch of tunes (in French, English, Portuguese and Malagasy) in which the guitar is both the protagonist and the means of expression. A true summit meeting, yet as casual as a jam session between buddies. Now that’s guitar heaven!

Blues on the Greens: Chuck Jackson is host of the International Golf & Blues Experience, sponsored by Mississippi Tourism, which takes place twice a year in Mississippi in Biloxi from April 15th – 21st and in Tunica from October 7th – 13th. With the combination of Chuck’s love of golf, his many trips to Mississippi and close association with artist/musician, Stan Street who now resides in Clarksdale, it seemed a natural integration of blues and greens with the “Mississauga Delta” (home of the Southside Shuffle) meeting the Mississippi Delta. The “Experience” packages are open to everyone; golfers and non-golfers alike.  “Along with the golf experience there are more activities, such as cruises, blues museums, casinos for gambling and of course, live music, dancing and great food!  The musicians are from Mississippi and Tennessee and I will be there as host and jammer.  The weather and southern hospitality are great too!  The people who attend are from all walks of life, from all over the world, who all love the Blues!” exclaims Chuck. For more information on the Experience, testimonials from previous visitors, TBS group rates and registration for 2012, see the website at http://golfandblues.net.

First Annual Aurora Winter Blues Festival: The Inaugural Aurora Winter Blues Festival kicks off at Theatre Aurora on Saturday February 25 featuring performances by Michael Pickett, Shawn Kellerman, and MonkeyJunk! http://www.aurorawinterbluesfestival.ca

Learning the Blues: After Brad Wheeler’s mention of blues harmonica lessons from Mark Stafford in the “Blues Lovers’s Gift Guide” last TBS issue, Carlos del Junco harp maestro wanted to let folks know he has been actively teaching too – on Skype – from his living room in Port Hope, ON. He presently has students in the US, England, Sweden, Italy, Australia and New Zealand. Remarkable what technology has allowed us to do. A good quality high speed internet connection and decent quality USB video cam are all that is required – beside a keen will to learn a few new harmonica licks! Send Carlos an email at [email protected] for more info.

Two-time JUNO nominee and multi award winner Michael Pickett is now offering a masterclass in acoustic blues guitar (beginner to intermediate). His teaching approach is organic, entertaining, and deeply enriching. You can study with Michael in person at his home in Crystal Beach (in a lush and relaxing atmosphere) or via Skype.Call for details at 289.876.9202 or email [email protected]. TBS Musician Advisory Committee members Al Lerman and Mark Stafford teach blues harp privately and in the school system and local guitarists Kevin Higgins (www.KevinHigginsGuitarist.com) and Darcy Wickham (www.darcywickham.com) have been teaching for a long time. And if you hear someone playing what you want to play, just ask if they would give you a lesson. Most would be happy to oblige.

Blues Radio Update: CKLN’s web broadcasting ended on December 26 and most of their programming will be transferred to the new Regent Radio (www.radioregent.com).  Blues Doctor Julie Hill will resume broadcasting on January 11th. Regrettably,  broadcaster Paul Corby will not be taking his show to the new station. Also on the radio front, the brand new G 98.7 aka CKFG, launched by Fitzroy Gordon mixes soul, gospel, r&b with hiphop, caribbean and world music.  More info at www.g987fm.com

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The Toronto Blues Society acknowledges the annual support of the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council and the Department of Canadian Heritage, and project support from FACTOR< and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Broadcasters, The Canada Council for the Arts, the SOCAN Foundation, SOCAN, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.