Loose Blues News
15th Annual Blues Bash: The Markham Jazz Festival is organizing their 15th Annual Blues Bash Thursday August 16th at 8:00PM. The event takes place at the Flato Markham Theatre 171 Town Center Blvd. in Markham, Ontario. This year’s line-up is a who’s who of great Canadian blues talent featuring the music of Treasa Levasseur, Harrison Kennedy, Monkey Junk, Fathead and Shakura S’Aida. Doors to the theatre open at 7:00PM. Tickets for the show run $55.00 or $45.00 if you’re a Friends of Festivals cardholder … contact 905-305-SHOW (7469) / 1-866-768-8801 or www.Markhamjazzfestival.com for tickets.
More Stages at Beaches Jazz: The Beaches International Jazz Festival has three stages down by the boardwalk starting Friday July 27th and finishing on Sunday July 29th.
The Latin Stage is at the Leuty Lifeguard Station, The Big Band Stage is west of Lee Avenue and the all new World Beat Stage is east of the Boardwalk Cafe. Most stages start at noon and feature mostly local artists until 8 or 9. The new “world” stage offering is described as … “a uniquely Toronto global perspective, adding a lively mix of indigenous sounds and stirring in some contemporary music.” As part of the program a Latin Percussion – Rumba Workshop presenting concepts of the Cuban music through rhythm and movement as well as basic instruction on hand drums led by Joaquin Hidalgo will be offered.
The 24th Annual Beaches International Jazz Festival runs from July 20th to July 29th. Information can be found at www.beachesjazz.com .
CMW Showcases: Canadian Music Fest 2013 is now accepting showcase submissions. If you are an artist or band ready, willing, and able to play March 19-24, 2013 in Toronto during Canada’s largest new music festival, now is your chance to submit. Submit by June 27th and pay $20 (half the usual submission fee) Go to sonicbids.com/canadianmusicfest2013
Radio News: Diane Wells is now programming/hosting “Rockin’ the Blues from Canada” (folk/rock/blues & fusions) on Saturdays from 8-10 AM and “Iron Maidens” (multi-genre women’s music) on Thursdays, from 2-4 PM, at CHMR 93.5 FM (www.mun.ca/chmr) in St. John’s, NL. Submissions for the show can be sent to Diane at mistyblue1955@hotmail.com or shared via Dropbox.
Blues Around the World: Gustavo Rozenberg is hosting two hours of the best of blues and jazz music every Saturday in Buenos Aires Argentina. The Good Times Blues Radio Program streams online at 93.1 FM http://radioradio7.com/radio/Argentina-Riel-FM-931.html. Arinfo’ website can be found at http://www.arinfo.com.ar/notix/ which also streams the stations programs.
European Blues News: The European Blues Union has confirmed their next EBC Challenge will take place in Toulouse, France in collaboration with the France Blues organization. The events will take place on March 8-9, 2013. Last year’s contest took place in Berlin where TBS prez Derek Andrews was one of the judges. The European Blues Challenge will take place at “La Halle Aux Grains”, in the heart of the city. It is a famous concert hall, known for its acoustics and classical music concerts but also used actively for jazz, theater, etc. Some videos from last year’s competition can be viewed at www.bluesyou.com/es_home.html
– Christopher Darton, Brian Blain