Where It’s At – August 19, 2010
In this issue…
- TBS Melody Bar Blues Series
- Benefit for Danny Brooks
- CNE Bandshell Blues Festival
- 12th Annual Southside Shuffle Festival
- Summer Blues Festivals
- Concert Notes
- Call for Artist Submissions to OCFF, Blues Summit Five, and IBC
- Call for Volunteers
- Basic Blues Harmonica Course
TBS Melody Bar Blues Series
The Toronto Blues Society will be presenting the best in local blues talent the first Thursday of each month, beginning in September at The Melody Bar in The Gladstone Hotel. There will be no cover charge and each performance will begin at 8pm. The series will include performances by Suzie Vinnick (Sept 2, pictured), Jack de Keyzer (Oct 7), Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley (Nov 4), and Harrison Kennedy (Dec 2).
Benefit for Danny Brooks
A second benefit for Danny Brooks will take place at The Silver Dollar Room on Tuesday August 24 to help support him during the time he needs to take off for surgery. The night will feature performances by Jack de Keyzer, Danny Marks, Steve Strongman, and The Rockin’ Revelators featuring John Mays, Amoy Levy, Ciceal Levy, Steve Ambrose, Ken Whiteley, and Hiram Joseph and more. Minimum $20 donation. Show at 8pm.
CNE Bandshell Blues Festival
The CNE Bandshell Blues Festival will take place on Sat Aug 21 and will run from 11am-5:30pm. The performance running order is The Johnny Max Big Band, The Rick Fines & Suzie Vinnick Big Band, Paul Reddick, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, and wraps up with The Maple Blues Revue with guests Chuck Jackson, John Mays, Chris Whiteley (pictured) & Diana Braithwaite, and Duke Robillard. www.theex.com/concerts-events/concerts/
12th Annual Southside Shuffle Festival
The Southside Shuffle Festival will take place Sept 10-12 in Port Credit. The main stage will feature performances by Johnny Winter, Ronnie Hawkins, Downchild, Raoul & The Big Time, Watermelon Slim (pictured), Dr. Hook, Elvin Bishop, MonkeyJunk, Mark Hummel, and Mark Stafford. Additional performances by TBS Talent Search winners The 24th Street Wailers, Cheryl Lescom, Loco Zydeco, Danny Brooks, Harrison Kennedy, The Gary Kendall Band, Danny Marks, David Rotundo, Johnny Max, FATHEAD, Paul Reddick, Jerome Godboo, Robin Banks, The Meteors, The Homeless Band, Julian Fauth & Bob Vespaziani, Sean Pinchin, James Anthony, Jack de Keyzer, and more! www.southsideshuffle.com
Summer Blues Festivals
Limestone City Blues Festival featuring Bryan Lee (pictured) Aug 26-29 www.kingstonblues.com
West Coast Bluesfest Sept 3-4 www.westcoastblues.ca
Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival Sept 14-19 www.harvestjazzandblues.com
Concert Notes
FATHEAD – August 20 – Hugh’s Room | Paul James – August 26-29 & September 2-6 – CNE Bandshell | Digging Roots – August 27 – Yonge-Dundas Square | Treasa Levasseur (pictured) – August 28 – The Silver Dollar Room | Sojourners – September 1 – Hugh’s Room | Suzie Vinnick – September 2 – The Gladstone Hotel | Concert for Peace – September 5 – Crystal Beach | Johnny Winter w/Jimmy Bowskill – September 11 – Brockville Arts Centre | Treasa Levasseur, Charlie A’Court and Chris Kirby – September 13 – Hugh’s Room | Rita Chiarelli – September 18 – Hugh’s Room | John Primer & his Chicago Blues Band – October 1 – Regent Picton | John Primer & his Chicago Blues Band – October 2 – Cobourg | Jack de Keyzer – October 7 – The Gladstone Hotel | Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley – November 4 – The Gladstone Hotel | Leon Redbone – November 7 – Hugh’s Room | BB King – November 20 & 21 – Casino Rama | Women’s Blues Revue – November 27 – Massey Hall | Harrison Kennedy – November 2 – The Gladstone Hotel | James Cotton & his Chicago Blues Band – December 10 – Regent Picton | Blues Summit Five – January 15-17 – Delta Chelsea Hotel | Maple Blues Awards – January 17 – Koerner Hall
Call for Artist Submissions to OCFF, Blues Summit Five, and IBC
Attention Blues Performers! Are you interested in showcase opportunities at upcoming music industry events? Please contact the office if you would like to invest time into a showcase at the OCFF Conference in Ottawa, the Blues Summit Five showcase program in Toronto, or the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
info@torontobluessociety.com or 416-538-3885
Call for Volunteers
The TBS is looking for help!
Can you legally pour drinks? TBS needs a Smartserve qualified bartender for the Blues in the Garden event on Sept 19, as well as someone to lend a BBQ!
The TBS is often needing volunteers beyond our public events. Have you previously been in touch about volunteering and not heard back from us? We’d still like to stay in touch so please contact the office with your availability. We currently need assistance with newsletter distribution and data entry (thanks to those who recently stepped up!). Do you like to write? Organize sponsorships? Organize fund raising events?
Please email info@torontobluessociety.com for more information.
Sign up for the Toronto Blues Society or renew your TBS Membership today! Contact the TBS Office today or sign up online
Basic Blues Harmonica Course
Instructor Greg (Dunk) Duncan will be teaching a basic blues harmonica course at Georgian College in Barrie Sept 28-Nov 2 (7pm-9pm). This is the 10th Anniversary of Canada’s first complete blues harmonica course covering the fundamentals of playing blues harp from beginning foundations to advanced techniques. Students are required to bring a diatonic harmonica in the key of “C”. No formal music education is required. All notes and audio lesson examples will be provided. For course descriptions, other information, and to register,
call Georgian College, Barrie Campus at: 705-728-1968 or go to www.georgianc.on.ca
See you at the shows!
Jordan Safer
Toronto Blues Society
Office Manager / Event Coordinator
416-538-3885
The Toronto Blues Society is supported by FACTOR and the Government, of Canada through the Canada Music Fund, Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Trillium Foundation, SOCAN, SOCAN Foundation, and the Toronto Arts Council