In this issue…
• Digital Dollars: Let’s Get Video – This Saturday
• Gladstone Series: Morgan Davis
• Talent Search Submissions
• Mississippi Tourism: Golf & Blues Experience
• TBS 27th Birthday Party
• Waterfront Blues Festival
• Summer Blues Festivals
• SAVE MONEY on TBS events
• Concert Notes

Digital Dollars: Let’s Get Video – This Saturday

The fourth Digital Dollars seminar “Let’s Get Video” will take place atLula Lounge (1585 Dundas St W, M6K 1T9) on Saturday April 21, 1pm-4pm. This session will feature David Newland (Roots Music Canada, host), Eric Alper (eOne Music), Joel Goldberg (Joel Goldberg Productions) and Tiffany Ferguson (MuchFACT). The monthly seminar series features leading thinkers on the new digital music landscape. Check out the first three sessions at www.livestream.com/torontobluessociety. The FREE ADMISSION series is being presented by the Toronto Blues Society, Batuki Music, OCFF and Lula Lounge, and is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Mark your calendar for the final session “Let’s Get Music Fans” on Sat May 26 featuring Johan Hultqvist (Pinwheel Music), Kevin LeFlar (Official Community), Reginald Ray (Small World Music), Dmitri Vietze (Rock Paper Scissors) and Allison Saretsky (Luminato). http://digitaldollars2012.com/

Gladstone Series: Morgan Davis

The Toronto Blues Society presents the best in blues talent the first Thursday of each month at the recently renovated Melody Bar in The Gladstone Hotel. Performances are free to the public and begin at9pm. Morgan Davis will play a solo show on May 3!http://www.gladstonehotel.com

Talent Search Submissions

Attention emerging Canadian blues artists…The Toronto Blues Society Talent Search is back! Six finalists will be chosen to perform at the finals taking place atNathan Phillips Square during City of Toronto’s Tasty Thursdays on Thursday August 16, noon-2pm. The finalists will compete for a grand prize which includes a showcase at the Blues Summit Six, a performance at the Southside Shuffle Festival, a show at The Delta Chelsea Monarchs Pub, a photo shoot with Bill King, recording/mixing time at Revolution Studios, and consultations with industry professionals!

Submissions are open now, and close on Friday June 15 at 5pm. You may submit through Sonicbidshttp://www.sonicbids.com/Opportunity/OpportunityView.aspx?opportunity_id=106751 or send a physical package to the TBS office (Talent Search Submission, 910 Queen Street West, Suite B04, Toronto, ON, M6J 1G6) with a CD, one sheet, and a cheque for $15. Eligibility is limited to acts who are not on a major label, do not have a major distribution deal (i.e. not distributed to retail stores) and have not been chosen as a finalist in a past edition of the talent search.

Mississippi Tourism: Golf & Blues Experience

Love Golf? Love Blues? Get the best of both worlds with the Mississippi Tourism’s International Golf & Blues Experience! Hosted by Chuck Jackson, the next trip takes Oct 7-13 in Tunica, MS. To learn more, find out about TBS group rates and to book your trip, go to http://www.golfandblues.net/?refid=torontobluessociety

TBS 27th Birthday Party

Mark your calendar, the Toronto Blues Society is celebrating 27 years of promoting and preserving blues in Toronto! The Delta Chelsea Monarchs Pub will host the FREE event featuring a performance byMorgan Davis on Thursday May 24 starting at 9pm and cake will be served! The night will be emceed by Blues Doctor Julie Hill. Come join the celebration and bring a friend!

Waterfront Blues Festival

The Waterfront Blues Festival returns to Woodbine Park on June 1-3with a terrific line-up! Performing live will be Tad Robinson (pictured), John Primer, The Lionel Young Band, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Dylan Wickens & The Grand Naturals, Shakura S’Aida, MonkeyJunk, Chris Antonik, Johnny Max, and Erin McCallum. What a way to kick off the blues festival season, eh?

Summer Blues Festivals

Summer is almost here! Check out these blues festivals and start planning for the warm weather!

Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival – June 1-3 http://objf.org/ Featuring David Wilcox, Dylan Wickens (pictured), Larry Kurtz, Harpdog Brown, Douglas Watson, Little G Weevil and more!
Waterfront Blues Festival – June 1-3 http://www.waterfrontblues.ca/Featuring Dylan Wickens, Shakura S’Aida, Chris Antonik, Tad Robinson, John Primer, Johnny Max, Erin McCallum, MonkeyJunk, Eugene Hideaway Bridges and more!
Powell River Blues Festival – June 1-3 http://powellriverblues2012.com/Featuring David Gogo, Mitch Woods & his Rocket 88s, and more!
Orillia Spring Blues Festival – June 8-10 http://www.orilliaspringblues.com Featuring Booker T. Jones, Jordan John & The Blues Angels, Mike McKenna/Lance Anderson, Curley Bridges, Chuck Jackson & The Big Bad Blues Band, Morgan Davis, Paul James Band and more!
Chicago Blues Festival – June 8-10 http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/special_events/mose/chicago_blues_festival.html Featuring Mavis Staples, L’il Ed & The Blues Imperials, Billy Branch and more!
TD Toronto Jazz Festival – June 22-July 1 http://torontojazz.com/ Featuring Tedeschi Trucks Band and more!
Montreal Jazz Festival – June 28-July 7 http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/ Featuring George Thorogood & The Destroyers, JJ Grey & Mofro and more!
Ottawa Bluesfest – July 4-15 http://www.ottawabluesfest.ca/
Porquis Blues Festival – July 6-8 http://www.porquis.ca/ Featuring Robin Banks, Pappy John’s Band, Erin McCAllum and more!
Thunder Bay Blues Festival – July 6-8 http://www.tbayblues.ca Featuring Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jonny Lang, .38 Special, Sonny Landreth, Scrapomatic, Joe Louis Walker, Sass Jordan, MonkeyJunk and more!
Tremblant International Blues Festival – July 6-15 http://www.tremblantblues.com
Blue Mountain Ribfest – July 13-15  http://www.bluemountainschiliribfest.ca/
London International Bluesfest – July 13-15 http://www.thebluesfest.com/ Featuring Reverend Peyton’s Big Damned Band, Smokin’ Joe Kubek & Bnois King, Johnny Max, Steven Page and more!
Windsor International Bluesfest– July 13-15 http://www.thebluesfest.com/ Featuring Edgar Winter, Sugar Ray, Big Brother & the Holding Company, Jimmy Bowskill and more!
Frankford Island Blues Festival July 13-15 http://www.loyalblues.ca/festival.htm
Beaches International Jazz Festival – July 20-29 http://www.beachesjazz.com/
Underground Railroad Music Festival – August 18 http://www.braithwaiteandwhiteley.com/music-festival.html Featuring Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley, Curley Bridges, Blackburn, Harrison Kennedy and more!
Donnacona Blues Festival – Aug 7-12 http://www.donnaconablues.com/
Kitchener Blues Festival – August 9-12 http://www.kitchenerbluesfestival.com Featuring Colin James, Los Lobos, The Twisters, David Rotundo, John Finley, Douglas Watson, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Alfie Smith, Carlos del Junco, Ken Whiteley, Harry Manx, Pappy John’s Band, Marcia Ball, Shane Murphy, Treasa Levasseur, Joe Louis Walker, Cheryl Lescom, James Anthony, Taj Mahal, John Knight and more!
Festiblues – August 10-14 http://www.festiblues.com/ Featuring Anthony Gomes, The 24th Street Wailers, Blues Bound, Pamela, Patrick Lehman and more!
Calabogie Blues Festival – August 17-19 http://calabogieblues.com
Southside Shuffle – September 7-9 http://www.southsideshuffle.com/ Featuring the 2012 TBS Talent Search Winner and more!
Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival – September 11-16 http://www.harvestjazzandblues.com Featuring Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Maceo Parker, Charles Bradley, John Mayall, Oli Brown and more!

SAVE MONEY on TBS events

Become a TBS Member Today! Have the Maple Blues Magazine delivered right to your door each month. Meet like-minded blues lovers and help keep the blues alive in Toronto. The Toronto Blues Society offers several different membership options:

CHARTER MEMBERSHIP – $50/year – Monthly Maple Blues Newsletter, membership card, DISCOUNTS to TBS Events, exclusive access to special TBS events, other discounts, and voting rights.

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP – $70/year – Same privileges as Charter membership for a maximum of two adults and two children under 19.

INSTITUTIONAL or BENEFACTOR MEMBERSHIP – $125/year – Same privileges as Charter membership, plus more – Please inquire.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP – $35/year – Monthly Maple Blues Newsletter sent in fourth class mail

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP – $20/year – Same benefits as CHARTER membership (please include student card number)

Contact the TBS office today!

Concert Notes

James Hunter – Sean O’Sullivan Theatre – April 19  | Colin James – Massey Hall – April 20  |  Jimmy Bowskill Band CD Release – Regent Theatre Picton – April 20  |  Ken Yoshioka CD Release – Aquila – April 21  |  Mike Stevens & Guest CD Release – Hugh’s Room – April 21  |  Ray Beadle (pictured) – Horseshoe Tavern – April 24  |  Lee Oskar, David Rotundo,Enrico Crivellaro – Hugh’s Room – April 25  |  Kellylee Evans – Glenn Gould Studio – April 27  | Morgan Davis – Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar – May 3  |  Susie Arioli CD Release – Hugh’s Room – May 9  |  The 24^th Street Wailers CD Release – Delta Chelsea Monarchs Pub – May 10  |  Steve Strongman CD Release – Delta  Chelsea Monarchs Pub – May 12  |  Shakura S’Aida Electric CD Release – Revival – May 17  | Shakura S’Aida Acoustic CD Release – Hugh’s Room – May 18  |  Jay Douglas – Glenn Gould Studio – May 18  |  BB King – Casino Rama – May 24/25  |  TBS Birthday Party w/Morgan Davis – Delta Chelsea Monarchs Pub – May 24  |  Bonnie Raitt – Massey Hall – May 26  |  Kelly Joe Phelps – Hugh’s Room – June 1  |  George Thorogood & The Destroyers – Massey Hall – June 2  |  Sonny Landreth CD Release – Hugh’s Room – June 6  |  JW Jones CD Release – Hugh’s Room – June 7  |  Tribute to Buddy Guy & Junior Wells w/Danny Marks, David Rotundo, Dylan Wickens, Douglas Watson – Hugh’s Room – June 21  |  Tedeschi Trucks Band – Toronto Jazz Festival – June 29  |  Danny Brooks – Hugh’s Room – July 18  |  The Black Keys – Molson Amphitheatre – Aug 4  |  Toronto Blues Society Talent Search Finals – Nathan Phillips Square – Aug 16  |  26^th Toronto Blues Society Women’s Blues Revue – Massey Hall – Nov 24