Fall Festivals:  The festival season is winding down but not over.  Wasaga, Durham Fest, Belleville and Southside Shuffle are all upon us for September.  See the festival guide on our website for dates and links.  It’s not over ‘till it’s over.

Blues Dancing: East Side 6 Dance is hosting a three-hour blues dance workshop at The Redwood Studio on September 21 (12 noon start), followed by a two-hour social with Paul Reddick and Kyle Ferguson. All levels and blues lovers welcome. No partner necessary.  www.eastside6dance.com 

New Blues Series: Glenn Marais and the Mojo Train are starting a monthy gig,  “Blues on Queen” on the first Wednesdays of the month. Mojo Train with guests will play on the first Wednesday of the month through the fall. The first show is Wednesday September 4 with Little Magic Sam and Danny Boy Phelan at The Horseshoe Tavern.

Blues Films:  TBS is presenting a “movie night” at Hugh’s Room on October 2.  We will be showing a new documentary on the legendary LeadBelly with commentary and performance from ethnomusicologist (and wicked guitarist) Mike Daley. https://torontobluessociety.com/tbs-movie-night-lead-belly/ 

Meanwhile there is a new documentary on the life of Jackie Shane, which reveals a lot more about this ground-breaking artist/activist/trans pioneer. “Once you’ve heard Jackie Shane sing, you’ll never forget it. Yet, after shattering barriers as one of pop music’s first Black trans performers, this trail-blazing icon vanished from the spotlight at the height of her fame. From modest beginnings in Nashville, Shane soon recognized her talents and, in her late teens, made her way to Boston and Montreal, working the nightclub circuit while taking the stage with Frank Motley, a musician known for playing two trumpets at once. Her arrival in Toronto during its 1960s music explosion made her a highly sought-after headlining act who seemed destined to take her place among the R&B stars of the era. Blending her music with never-released phone conversations and soulful animated re-enactments, Any Other Way:The Jackie Shane Story brings Shane back to life in her own words, finally providing the recognition she so rightly deserves and introducing her to a generation fighting for their right to be their true selves.” It’s playing in theatres August 16 to September 20.

Hugh’s Bonds: The new Hugh’s Room has been a great home for the blues in Toronto (they were packed to the rafters for Harry Manx last weekend) but there’s a big mortgage payment due and a September 30 deadline so lovers of blues and roots music can help now by purchasing a community bond which will pay 4% interest.  For those who can help, go to www.hughsroomlive.com

And for something completely different: It’s a stretch to consider John Prine a bluesman, but he sure sang about the blues and his songs resonate long after his passing. A group of talented songwriters are touring a show called “In Spite of Ourselves – An Evening of John Prine” and if Johnny Max is there, it’s blues enough for us. – He will be joined by Blair Packham, Bill Craig and Kirsten Jones to perform their favourite and quirky John Prine Songs.  See listings for a show near you or go to www.johnnymaxband.com