In this issue…
• JUNO Blues – A Benefit for MusiCounts
• Special Panel: Music Money
• Maple Blues Awards
• Blues Summit Five
• Sugar and Gold – The Story of the Underground Railroad in Canada
• Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar Blues
• 25th Anniversary Party Stage
• Canada Live Blues Concert on CBC Radio 2
• Become a Toronto Blues Society Member Today
• Concert Notes

JUNO Blues – A Benefit for MusiCounts

On Friday January 14, a benefit concert for MusiCounts, the educational arm of CARAS, will be held at Monarchs Pub in the Delta Chelsea Hotel (33 Gerrard St W, Toronto). There is a $10 cover that will go to the charity, and the show will begin at 9pm. In order of appearance: Julian Fauth, Michael Pickett, Peter Karp & Sue Foley, and FATHEAD perform live.

Special Panel: Music Money

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. Check out the promo video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wDDVzFZk9Y

Tickets are onsale now at the RCM 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.

Check out highlights from last year’s awards show hosted by Danny Marks and David Gogo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSHvXC4N5ww

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 are 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, Michael Jerome Browne and Angel Forrest. 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. The hotel group code can be acquired by contacting the office. The rate has been lowered to $99 for all delegates who book with this code!

For member/musician discounts and to sign up for the email list to get up to date information on the Summit, please contact the office. A discount code for the Maple Blues Awards will be issued with purchase of each delegate pass.

Sugar and Gold – The Story of the Underground Railroad in Canada

Presented by the Maple Blues Band featuring Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2011 at 10:30AM (10AM ARRIVAL), KOERNER HALL, TICKETS: $10
 
A very special Grade 3-8 music and learning event, just in time for Black History Month. Get a head start on preparing your students for Black History Month. This lively, interactive performance includes songs, pictures, and dialogue to tell the history of the Underground Railroad in Canada and the story of early black settlers in southern Ontario. Your students will learn about the life of these 19th-century pioneers, about human rights and compassion, and they will hear proud stories – all illustrated with song and the spoken word. Everyone will be encouraged to find the meaning in our history and its relevance to our present. Bonus: *Teacher guide included; *With a purchase of 50 seats or more, you will receive a copy of Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky, written by Faith Ringgold.
 
All interested parties should contact: Sandra Dimitri, THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY, 416.408.2824 x593 | [email protected]

Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar Blues

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 performance is The 24^th Street Wailers (pictured) CD release (Feb 3) and more to be announced soon! http://www.gladstonehotel.com/ 

25th Anniversary Party Stage

Stick around to see Curley Bridges (pictured) on the Toronto Blues Society’s 25^th Anniversary stage in the Koerner Hall lobby immediately following the awards show!

Canada Live Blues Concert on CBC Radio 2

Leading up to the Maple Blues Awards, Canada Live will be airing several blues concerts. The show airs at 7pm and the schedule is: Paul Reddick / Harrison Kennedy (Jan 14); tune in for Raoul & the Big Time and the Maple Blues Awards winners concert (Jan 17).

Become a Toronto Blues Society Member Today

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!

Concert Notes

Blues Summit Five – January 15-17 – Delta Chelsea Hotel  |  Maple Blues Awards (hosted by Raoul Bhaneja, pictured) – January 17 – Koerner Hall  |  North Mississippi Allstars – January 23 – Sony Centre  |  Ruthie Foster – January 25 – Hugh’s Room  |  FATHEAD – February 3 – Hugh’s Room  |  Robert Cray – February 13 – Capitol Theatre Port Hope  |  John Hammond – February 18 & 19 – Hugh’s Room  |  Duke Robillard – February 24 – Hugh’s Room  | Bluebird Blues Revue featuring Chris Whiteley & Diana Braithwaite  – March 20 – Hugh’s Room |  Smokin’ Joe Kubek & B’nois King – Regent Theatre Picton – May 7  |  Buddy Guy – Massey Hall – April 8