In this issue…
• TBS Christmas Party and Annual General Meeting / Free Admission
• A Toronto Blues Society Membership is the Perfect Holiday Gift
• Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar Blues / Free Admission
• New Years Blues
• Maple Blues Awards
• Blues Summit Five
• Concert Notes

TBS Christmas Party and Annual General Meeting / Free Admission

The Toronto Blues Society’s Christmas Party will take place at Monarchs Pub at the Delta Chelsea Hotel this Saturday December 11. Performing live at 9:30pm is Blackburn (pictured)!

For current members, the annual general meeting will take place at 7pm. Please email the office if you are planning on attending the AGM – info@torontobluessociety.com

A Toronto Blues Society Membership is the Perfect Holiday Gift

Become a member of the Toronto Blues Society! Enjoy the benefits of discounted tickets to TBS events. 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 – $45/year – Monthly Maple Blues Newsletter, membership card, discounts to TBS Events, exclusive access to special TBS events, other discounts, and voting rights./ FAMILY MEMBERSHIP – $65/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 – $30/year – Monthly Maple Blues Newsletter/STUDENT MEMBERSHIP – $20/year – Same benefits as CHARTER membership (please include student card number)

Contact the TBS office today!

Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar Blues / Free Admission

The Toronto Blues Society will be presenting the best in local blues talent the first Thursday of each month at The Melody Bar in The Gladstone Hotel. There will be no cover charge and each performance will begin at 8:30pm. The next performer will be Michael Pickett (Jan 6), more to be announced soon! http://www.gladstonehotel.com/ 

New Years Blues

Looking for a blues-filled new years? Check out these great options: Chris Whiteley (pictured) – Hugh’s Room  |  Chuck Jackson & Johnny Max – Port Credit Legion  |   Jerome Godboo & Jack De Keyzer – Monarchs Pub  |  Trouble & Strife – Fionn MacCool’s  |  The Niagara Rhythm Section w/Grisbrook & Goldberger – The Old Winery Restaurant

Maple Blues Awards

The Maple Blues Awards will take place on Monday January 17^th, 2011 at Koerner Hall. The award show recognizes the best national blues musicians who have made an impact over the last year. Toronto actor and bluesman Raoul Bhaneja is set to host the Maple Blues Awards Gala night as Emcee! There will be performances by Tom Lavin (Powder Blues), Jack De Keyzer, Shakura S’Aida, Dawn Tyler Watson, Matt Andersen in addition to the house band, The Maple Blues Band. Tickets are onsale now at the Koerner Hall box office: https://tickets.rcmusic.ca/public/hall.asp or (416)408-0208. TBS members can retrieve the member exclusive discount code by contacting the TBS office.

Last chance to vote for the Maple Blues Awards! Cast your vote at www.mapleblues.ca. Voting closes December 12.

Blues Summit Five

The Blues Summit Five will take place at the Delta Chelsea Hotel on January 15-17, 2011. The keynote speaker this year is Washington, DC’s XM Radio Broadcaster Bill Wax. Showcasing artists include The 24^th Street Wailers, catl. Johnny Max, Rick Taylor, Kat Danser, Dylan Wickens, Terry Gillespie, Layla Zoe, Philippe Lafreniere, Richard Henderson, Aaron Griggs, Robin Banks, Al Wood & The Woodsmen, Alfie Smith, and Michael Jerome Brown. Delegates will be made up of festival directors and blues delegates from Canada and around the world. Delegate passes are on sale now, and can be purchased through www.ticketpro.ca or 416-645-9090/1-888-655-9090. For member/musician discounts, please contact the office. A discount code for the Maple Blues Awards will be issued with purchase of each delegate pass (max 2 tickets).

Concert Notes

James Cotton & his Chicago Blues Band – December 10 – Regent Picton  |  TBS Christmas Party featuring Blackburn – December 11 – Delta Chelsea Monarchs Pub  |  Bobby Dean Blackburn CD Release – Orbit Room – December 12  |  Rick Taylor – Fenian Films Hamilton – December 17  |  Blues Summit Five – January 15-17 – Delta Chelsea Hotel  |  Maple Blues Awards – January 17 – Koerner Hall  |  Ruthie Foster – January 25 – Hugh’s Room  |  FATHEAD – February 3 – Hugh’s Room  |  John Hammond (pictured) – February 18 & 19 – Hugh’s Room  |  Duke Robillard – February 24 – Hugh’s Room