Where It’s At! – Aug 11, 2011
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Talent Search Finals – Next ThursdayCongrats to the finalists: Nicole Christian (pictured) – http://www.nicolechristian.org Emceed by CKLN radio personality Blues Doctor Julie Hill, The Toronto Blues Society will host performances from the six finalists at Nathan Phillips Square on Thurs Aug 18, noon- 2pm during City of Toronto’s Tasty Thursday series. Stop by on your lunch break and catch the best in emerging blues talent. The finalists have been selected to perform before a panel of judges (Julie Hill, Richard Flohil, Rico Ferrara, Paul Sanderson) where one artist will win a professional development package that includes showcase opportunities at the Blues Summit Six, the South Side Shuffle Festival and the Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival, a photo shoot with Bill King, a performance at The Delta Chelsea Hotel Monarchs Pub, and mentorship sessions with industry professionals. http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/thursdays/2011/index.htm |
25th Annual Women’s Blues RevueThe 25th annual Toronto Blues Society Women’s Blues Revue will take place at the historic Massey Hall on Saturday November 26. The featured artists this year are: Kat Danser, Ada Lee (pictured), Emma-Lee, Treasa Levasseur, Shakura S’Aida, and Suzie Vinnick! The band will feature band leader Donna Grantis (guitar), Lily Sazz (keyboards), Brandi Disterheft (bass), Lindsay Beaver (drums), Colleen Allen (sax), Carrie Chesnutt (sax) and Rebecca Hennessy (trumpet). The TBS member pre-sale begins Aug 10, public on sale is Aug 15. If you are a Charter Member in good standing, call the TBS office to get the member presale / discount code. http://www.katdanser.com/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lee, http://www.emma-lee.com/, http://www.treasalevasseur.com/, http://www.shakurasaida.com/, http://www.suzievinnick.com/ If you are not a member, purchase tickets at http://www.masseyhall.com/eventdetail?eventId=945 |
Maple Blues Awards – Tickets On Sale Now!For a third consecutive year, the Toronto Blues Society Maple Blues Awards take place in Koerner Hall on Monday, January 16, 2012. The 15th anniversary of the annual gala event celebrating Canadian blues features the finest musicians and special guests from across Canada, all backed by the Maple Blues Band. Tickets are on sale now! If you are a Charter Member in good standing, please call the TBS office to obtain the special discount code. If you are not a member, purchase tickets at http://performance.rcmusic.ca/event/toronto-blues-society-maple-blues-awards |
Gladstone Hotel First Thursday: Robin Banks w/Teddy Leonard (Sept 22)
The Toronto Blues Society presents the best in blues talent the first Thursday of each month at The Melody Bar in The Gladstone Hotel. There is no cover charge and each performance begins at 9pm. The next performance is on Thurs Sept 22, featuring Women’s Blues Revue alumni Robin Banks with FATHEAD’s Teddy Leonard on guitar. Please note that this is not a first Thursday and is part of The Gladstone Hotel’s re-launch week after renovations in Aug/Sept. Mark your calendars for the fall lineup: Jimmy Bowskill solo (Oct 6), Michael Jerome Browne CD Release (Nov 3), and Doc MacLean (Dec 1). http://www.gladstonehotel.com/food |
Gregg Allman Tour CancelledUpon his doctor’s orders, Gregg Allman is canceling his August 26 through September 15 concert dates. Allman had to cancel four dates at the end of his four week European tour in June due to an upper respiratory condition. His doctor hoped that with rest, he’d get better, but unfortunately the issue has persisted. Treatment is going to involve several days of hospitalization and 4 – 6 weeks of bed rest at home. Gregg Allman continues to recover from his successful liver transplant and expects to return to touring in support of his recently released acclaimed “Low Country Blues” album in the late fall. On the eve of the national Hepatitis Awareness Day, Allman, a spokesperson for the Tune in to Hep-C campaign hosted a benefit at the Beacon Theatre (7-27-11). The event starred The Allman Brothers Band and featured guests including fellow spokesperson Natalie Cole, Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), David Crosby & Graham Nash. They were all joined on the finale, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” by ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons as the entire show was simulcast on Sirius/XM Radio. The event raised over a quarter million dollars to promote Hepatitis Awareness. |
Summer Blues FestivalsUnderground Railroad Music Festival featuring Curley Bridges (pictured) – August 13 http://www.braithwaiteandwhiteley.com/music-festival.html For more information on blues, roots, and jazz festivals, check out https://torontobluessociety.com/2011/05/summer-blues-festivals/, as well as http://bluesfestivalguide.com/, http://www.ocff.ca/, http://www.jazzfestivalscanada.ca/ |
Concert NotesWillie “Big Eyes” Smith – Peter’s Players – Aug 11 | FATHEAD (pictured) – Hugh’s Room – Aug 12 | Dr. John – Rose Theatre – Aug 12 | Suzie Vinnick – Mel Lastman Square – Aug 12 | Kelly Joe Phelps – Hugh’s Room – Aug 16 | Gary Clark Jr – Peter’s Players – Aug 18 | Eric Sardinas – Hollywood on the Queensway – Aug 25 | 2nd Annual Tribute to The Beatles featuring Nicole Christian & Alfie Smith, Saidah Baba Talibah & Donna Grantis – Hugh’s Room – Sept 2 | Rita Chiarelli – Hugh’s Room – Sept 17 | Robin Banks w/Teddy Leonard – Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar – Sept 22 | Paul James, Jack de Keyzer & Danny Marks – Hugh’s Room – Sept 28 | Boubacar Traore – Hugh’s Room – Oct 3 | Jimmy Bowskill solo – Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar – Oct 6 | Jeff Beck – Massey Hall – Oct 18 | Matt Andersen – Winter Garden Theatre – Oct 22 | Bill Bourne & The Free Radio Band CD Release w/Madigascar Slim – Hugh’s Room – Nov 2 | Michael Jerome Browne – Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar – Nov 3 | Anthony Gomes Blues Band – Hugh’s Room – Nov 3 | Sharon Robinson – Hugh’s Room – Nov 11 | Toronto Blues Society Women’s Blues Revue – Massey Hall – Nov 26 | John Mayall w/Harrison Kennedy – Brock University Centre for the Arts – Dec 1 | Doc MacLean – Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar – Dec 1 | Maple Blues Awards – Koerner Hall – Jan 16 | Mavis Staples – Koerner Hall – Jan 29 | Sweet Honey in the Rock – Koerner Hall – Feb 10 | Brandi Disterheft – Glenn Gould Studio – Feb 21 | Buddy Guy – Massey Hall – April 13 | Colin James – Massey Hall – April 20 | Kellylee Evans – Glenn Gould Studio – April 27 | George Thorogood & The Destroyers – Massey Hall – June 2 |