Blues Summit III, an industry conference bringing together blues festivals, societies, labels, media, musicians and fans, takes place from Saturday January 13th through Monday January 15th at the Delta Chelsea Hotel (33 Gerrard St. West) in downtown Toronto. Blues Summit III will feature panel discussions with industry experts on topics ranging from Blues Festival and Society Roundtable discussions, Blues in the Schools, professional development opportunities for artists, and Blues in the Digital World. Representatives from across Canada, the United States, and Europe will be in attendance. Discount hotel rates are available until December 22nd. Registration and hotel package information is now posted at www.torontobluessociety.com.
This year’s keynote speech will be given by renowned Los Angeles author and musician Elijah Wald. Wald has written more than a thousand articles, mostly about folk, roots and international music for various magazines and newspapers, including over ten years as “world music” writer for the Boston Globe. He has won numerous awards, including a 2002 Grammy for the liner notes to the Arhoolie Records 40th Anniversary Box and the 2001 Best Performing Arts Book award from the Independent Publishers association for Josh White: Society Blues. Wald currently teaches blues history at UCLA and is working on an alternative history of American popular music.
The public is invited to attend Blues Summit showcases that will take place throughout the weekend and featuring the best in Canadian Blues. Showcases are PWYC and will take place at Healey’s Roadhouse, the Silver Dollar Room, and in the Delta Chelsea Hotel. At the conference, SOCAN will also be presenting their “Songs and Stories” session featuring Harry Manx, Kyle Riabko, Treassa Levasseur, and Chris Kirby. The Blues Summit culminates on Monday, January 15 with the 10th Annual Maple Blues Awards, Canada’s national celebration of home grown blues talent. Final programme announcements will be made in late December.
What: Blues Summit III
Where: The Delta Chelsea Hotel (33 Gerrard St. West) in downtown Toronto
When: January 13-15
The Maple Blues Awards and Blues Summit III are supported by FACTOR, The Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Government of Canada through the Canadian Music Fund, GALAXIE – CBC’s Continuous Music Network, the SOCAN Foundation, SOCAN, the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, KMP Designs Inc., Makeitreal Records, Stony Plain Records, Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Sam the Record Man, Steve’s Music Store/Pearl Drums, Lee Oskar Harmonicas, Fusion 3 Distribution/Justin Time Records, CBC Radio 99.1, Saturday Night Blues, and St. John’s Music/Yamaha Music Canada.
Media Contact:
Toronto Blues Society
416-538-3885
info@torontobluessociety.com