SATURDAY: TBS Talent Search Finals at Monarchs Pub!

After months of searching, the Toronto Blues Society has selected six finalists for this year’s TBS Talent Search! The Talent Search Finals will be held this Saturday, July 5 at Monarchs Pub, starting at 9pm! The finalists will present a jam-packed evening of music before an audience of blues lovers and industry representatives. Event details include:

Host: Julie Hill (Radio Regent)

Judges: Jamie MacDonald (Aurora Winter Blues Festival), Chris Antonik (Artist), Lori Murray (Music By The Bay Live), Rick Fenton (Music Ontario)

Schedule:

9:00pm – The Oh Chays
9:40pm – Angelique Francis (Pictured)
10:20pm – The Conor Gains Band
11:00pm – Tobin Spring
11:40pm – Wicked Grin
12:20am – The Ria Reece Band

For more information on the artists, eligibility and prizing, click here. 

TBS Summer Blues Festival Guide

Blues festival season is almost here! Check out the TBS Summer Blues Festival Guide for a list of not-to-be-missed blues festivals and dates, as well as links to each festival’s website where you can find further details on venues and performers!  |  Blues Festival Guide  |

Tomorrow: TURF Kickoff and TBS Discount!

The Toronto Urban Roots Festival (TURF) launches July 4-6 at the Fort York Garrison Commons (100 Garrison Rd). Black Joe Lewis will kick off the festivaltomorrow, July 3, at The Horseshoe Tavern with Willie Nile and The London Souls. Blues highlights of the festival include Gary Clark Jr (pictured), Black Joe Lewis and The Weeks.

TBS Charter Members can take advantage of exclusivediscounted TURF tickets and all-day passes! To access the TBS TURF discount, email the TBS office or call us at 416-538-3885 to retrieve the promo code.  |  More Info

Third Thursday: The Sinners Choir

The Toronto Blues Society continues its monthly blues series showcasing the best in blues talent. Hosted by Dominion On Queen (500 Queen Street East), performances are FREE to the public and feature a wide spectrum of talented blues artists.

The Sinners Choir (pictured) takes the stage Thursday, July 17 at 9:30pm! Check out our event page on Facebook and let us know you’re coming!  |  More Info

Upcoming Third Thursday Shows: Thursday, August 21 – Carlos del Junco and Jimmy Bowskill

18th Annual Maple Blues Awards Tix On Sale Now!

Tickets for the 18th Annual Maple Blues Awards, which will be held January 19, 2015, are now being sold through the Koerner Hall Box Office. TBS Charter members can purchase the best available tickets for only $28! To take advantage of this discount, please contact the TBS Office at 416-538-3885 or [email protected] to retrieve the special discount code.

The Maple Blues Awards is Canada’s national blues awards program. Its goal is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field.  |  More Info  |  Purchase Tickets

Blues Summit 7 Registration Open!

Blues Summit is the Toronto Blues Society’s not-to-be-missed biennial conference for all members of the blues music community (including artists, presenters, agents, festival bookers, event organizers, and industry representatives of all kinds). The conference provides an opportunity for members of the community to connect as well as for artists to showcase in front of blues industry professionals.

Blues Summit 7 will take place January 16-19, 2015. Use the checklist below to make sure your Blues Summit 7 experience is complete! For more info on Blues Summit 7, click here! 

1) Register for Blues Summit 7 via Ticketpro  |  Register Now!  |  More Info

2) Purchase Maple Blues Awards Tickets through Koerner Hall  |  Purchase Tickets Now!  |  More Info

3) Reserve a room at the Eaton Chelsea, Toronto  |  Book Online Now!  |  More Info

Living Blues Awards Voting Now Open

Voting for the 2014 Living Blues Awards is now open! To vote for your favourite blues artists, go to www.livingblues.com and click the “Vote” button on the right side of the home page.

Living Blues has been one of the world’s leading blues magazine since 1970. For a glimpse of some of the great articles in this month’s issue, go to www.livingblues.com.

The deadline to vote is July 15, 2014.

Concert Notes

Blues & Roots Radio and WeeDan Music Present: Raintown – Hugh’s Room – July 3  |  Dave & Phil Alvin – Hugh’s Room – July 4  |  Gary Clark Jr. – Turf Festival – July 4  |  Harry Manx and Suzie Vinnick – Turnip the Beets Festival – July 5  | Eric Sardinas – Hugh’s Room – July 6  |  Morgan Davis – Hugh’s Room – Jul 16  |  Johnny Winter – Picton Regent Theatre – July 23  |  Fathead CD Release – Hugh’s Room – July 26  |  Soulstack – The Cadillac Lounge – July 26  |  Matt Andersen – Echo Beach – July 31  |  Texassippi Soul Man Danny Brooks – Hugh’s Room – August 27  |  Pharis and Jason Romero – Hugh’s Room – September 30th  |  The MacKenzie Blues Band CD Release – Hugh’s Room – Sept 19  |  Rita Chiarelli – Hugh’s Room – Sept 20  |  Chris Smither – Hugh’s Room – Sept 26  |  Guy Davis – Hugh’s Room – October 2  |  Naughty Women In Blues Featuring: Sabrina Weeks, Cheryl Lescom, Carolyn Fe, Lori Yates, Heather Katz – Hugh’s Room – October 4  |   The Silver Hearts – Hugh’s Room – Oct 25  |  Women’s Blues Revue – Massey Hall – Nov 22  |  18th Annual Maple Blues Awards – Koerner Hall – Jan 19, 2015  |

Pictured: Soulstack make a rare appearance in Toronto this month at The Cadillac Lounge on July 26.  |  More Info