In this issue…
• Blues in the Garden
• Gladstone Hotel First Thursday: Robin Banks w/Teddy Leonard (Sept 22)
• 25th Annual Women’s Blues Revue
• Maple Blues Awards – Tickets On Sale Now!
• John Prine Ticket Giveaway!
• CNE Bandshell Blues Festival – This Sunday
• Concert Notes

Blues in the Garden

This annual event will take place on Sun Sept 18, 3pm-6pm in the Artscape garden beside the TBS office at the north west corner of Crawford and Queen. Part of the Queen West Art Crawl, the event will feature a live performance by Richard Henderson (pictured), and a display of Women’s Blues Revue artwork. Food and beverages will be sold, sponsored in part by Amsterdam Brewery and Dan Aykroyd Wines.

The TBS is looking for a kind volunteer to offer a barbecue for the event. Please send an email to info@torontobluessociety.com if you are able to help.

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 (pictured) 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

25th Annual Women’s Blues Revue

The 25^th 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, Emma-Lee, Treasa Levasseur (pictured), 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).

Tickets are on sale now! If you are a Charter Member in good standing, call the TBS office to get the member presale / discount code. If you are not a member, purchase tickets at http://www.masseyhall.com/eventdetail?eventId=945

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/ 

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

John Prine Ticket Giveaway!

Due to Greg Allman’s tour cancellation, promoter Goldenvoice has offered TBS membership a chance to win a pair of tickets to see John Prine at Massey Hall on Fri Oct 21. If you are a TBS Charter member in good standing, please send an email to info@torontobluessociety.com with the subject line “John Prine at Massey Hall” for your chance to win!

CNE Bandshell Blues Festival – This Sunday

The CNE Bandshell Blues Festival returns this Sunday and is free with CNE admission. The day of performances begins at 11:30am and runs until 9pm. In order of appearance, the performers are: Dylan Wickens & the Grand Naturals, Mike Goudreau, Digging Roots (pictured), Treasa Levasseur, Steve Strongman, and JJ Grey & Mofro.

Concert Notes

Eric Sardinas – Hollywood on the Queensway – Aug 25  |  Roxanne Potvin w/Brian Blain – Nathan Phillips Square – Sept 1  |  2^nd 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 (pictured) – 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