Paul Quarington’s Legacy: The Quarrington Arts Society is now being run by Lakehead University in conjunction with the Leacock Museum.  Michael Burke of Cordova Bay Records, the label that released albums by Paul Quarington’s band, Pork Belly Futures, writes, “This is something Paul would have been very happy to learn. He always had a close relationship with the Leacock organization and with the senior management at Lakehead. On the financial front, all of the funds in the society have now been transferred to Lakehead University and are being used to further development of the concepts laid out in the society’s Letters Patent, with emphasis on the Quarrington Award.” One of the first undertakings by the new operators was to sponsor the Paul Quarrington Humour Showcase – July 26th as part of this weekend’s 2013 Leacock Summer Festival. There will be new announcements to follow with regard the Quarrington Award and associated work this fall. www.quarringtonartsociety.ca

Toronto Muscians Take Note: The Toronto Arts Council has introduced a new funding programme, The Music Creation & Audio Recording programme, offering grants to practicing professional artists working in any/all genres of music. There are 3 catagories and you may apply to only one. First catagory is for artists looking for funding to support the writing/composition phase of new work (max: $5,000). Second catagory is to record a demo/EP (max: $4,000). The third catagory assits in the funding of a full length audio recording (max. $10,000). The deadline for applications is September 3. For information on how to apply go to
http://www.torontoartscouncil.org/Grant-programs/Music

Electro-Fi Update: Electro-Fi Records has just signed Rip Lee Pryor, the late Snooky Pryor’s son who is a triple threat on harmonica, guitar and vocals, Rip Lee was a big hit at the recent Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, Mississippi and will be featured in an upcoming issue of Living Blues magazine. Rip Lee will be in Toronto in early September to record his Electro-Fi Records debut album at Rogue Music Lab with Alec Fraser producing and Bucky Berger on percussion.

Harrison Kennedy’s new album Soulscape will be released in September and will include Harrison’s original composition “Tragedy” which held the audience spellbound when he performed it live at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN. earlier this year. Harrison will be performing at the Pennslyvania Blues Festival this summer along with Electro-Fi label mates Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley, and solo at the Blues Heritage Festival in Wheeling, West Virginia in August.

Also due out in September is “Havin’ Nothing Don’t Worry Me” from Detroit Mojo master Harmonica Shah, the new album, his 5th for Electro-Fi features Juno winners Jack de Keyzer on Guitar and Julian Fauth on Piano. Julian continues his long but steady recovery from both whooping cough and pneumonia and hopes to be back behind the 88’s in a club near you soon. Updates are available at www.julianfauth.com

WBR Changes:  Some of the featured vocalists have been booked, including Rachelle Van Zanten pictured on this issue’s cover, and more details will be announced shortly with the complete line-up of the 27th Women’s Blues Revue at the historic Massey Hall on Saturday November 30. As always, they will be backed by an all-female band and there have been a few changes in the band. The bandleader and musical director this year is Rebecca Hennesey, who also plays trumpet in the band.  Christine Bougie will be playing guitar as our previous guitarist/bandleader, Donna Grantis is now on the road with Prince. Drummer Morgan Doctor will be handling the drum chair as Lindsay Beaver will be out of the country recording with her band, the 24th Street Wailers. More details will roll out in the coming weeks and Charter Member 20% presale/discount tickets go on sale Wednesday August 14. Contact the TBS office for your discount code. Public sale begins Monday, August 19.

Chris Antonik breaking into Europe: Chris Antonik’s March 2013 release “Better For You” has been nominated for the German Record Critics’ Award for Best Blues Album…..the Quarterly Critics’ Choice or (“Bestenliste”)…winners announced August 15!! http://www.schallplattenkritik.de/about-us

Goin’ to Kitchener? The Kitchener Blues Festival boasts an impressive list of artists performing at this year’s festival August 8-11 including Wide Mouth Mason, Murray Porter, Digging Roots, Harrison Kennedy, 2010 TBS Talent Search Winners The 24th Street Wailers, Miss Angel, Tom Lavin & Powder Blues, 2013 TBS Talent Search Winner Sugar Brown, Paul James, Scott McCord, Booker T Jones, 2012 TBS Talent Search Winners Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils, new Toronto resident from the UK Oli Brown, The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, Shemekia Copeland, Big Sugar, David Wilcox, Danny Brooks, Shawn Kellerman, TBS Women’s Blues Revue alumnae Tanika Charles and Cheryl Lescom, The Lowrider Band, Sean Pinchin, Ross Neilsen, Douglas Watson R&B Revue and more! kitchenerbluesfestival.com  Check out a full list of Canadian summer blues festivals at torontobluessociety.com/summer-blues-festivals

Branding Toronto: Thanks to the 4479 campaign, Toronto City Council has unanimously passed a motion to establish a music city alliance with Austin, Texas. The alliance is intended to drive economic and cultural development opportunities in both Toronto and Austin by sharing best practices, developing new trade and tourism initiatives, and fostering expanded collaboration between the two cities’ respective music communities. Council has directed City staff to report back to the city’s Economic Development Committee on the alliance’s terms and structure. The motion at Toronto City Hall follows the June 27, 2013 passage of a similar motion in Austin.

All artists, musicians, industry supporters and fans should should check out and link with 4479Toronto.ca, @4479Toronto, Facebook.com/4479Toronto. The 4479 brand was developed in part with support from the Ontario Government.