In this issue…
• OCFF Blues Showcase Tonight
• Toronto Blues Now CD
• Blues Summit 6
• Sleepwalk Guitar Festival
• Braithwaite & Whiteley: Blues Suite
• Blues Suite Commissioning
• JUNO Submission Deadlines
• BluesLink
• Women’s Blues Revue
• TBS Gladstone Series
• Maple Blues Awards
• Maple Blues Awards Nominating Procedure Changes
• Concert Notes
• Members Save Money on TBS Events
• Mississippi Tourism: Golf & Blues Experience
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 OCFF Blues Showcase Tonight
If you are planning on attending the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Conference at the Delta Meadowvale in Mississauga, make sure you check out the blues showcase in Club Studio 3 in the hotel. Beginning at 9:30pm, the blues showcase will feature performances by Brian Blain (host), Paul Reddick & David Baxter, The 24th Street Wailers (pictured), Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils and Nicole Christian & Alfie Smith on Thursday October 11.
*Note that Danny Marks has come down with the flu and will not be performing or hosting as previously announced |
 Toronto Blues Now CD
The Toronto Blues Society has produced a compilation that serves as a snapshot of Toronto Blues Now. The CD will first be available at the OCFF conference this weekend, but if you are not attending, you can order you copy from the TBS website starting next week! The CD features tracks from Paul Reddick, Downchild, David Wilcox, Jack de Keyzer, Suzie Vinnick, Harrison Kennedy, Treasa Levasseur, Fathead, Rita Chiarelli, Steve Strongman, Shakura S’Aida, Julian Fauth, Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley, The 24th Street Wailers and catl. |
 Blues Summit 6
Mark your calendar for the most important blues conference in Canada, Blues Summit 6. This bi-annual event brings together artists, festival directors, media, labels, managers, agents and other blues industry with both a showcase and a conference component. Blues Summit 6 takes place at The Delta Chelsea Hotel (33 Gerrard St W) January 18-21, 2013. The keynote speaker for this edition of the conference is CBC/Stony Plain’s Holger Petersen. The weekend culminates with the Maple Blues Awards on January 21, which is ticketed separately. There will be a delegate hotel code to access the room rate of $99. There will also be several price points: Deep Dish Discount – Before Dec 1 ($89 public / $69 musician), Early Bird – Before Jan 1 ($99 public / $79 musician), Regular & Walk Up ($119 public / $99 musician). Check back here next week for on sale information for the conference and for information on how to access the delegate hotel rate. For the most up to date information, keep an eye on http://torontobluessociety.com/blues-summit-6/ |
 Sleepwalk Guitar Festival
The Sleepwalk Guitar Festival returns for a second edition November 2-4 atThe Great Hall (1087 Queen St W). Once again curated by Luke Doucet, the festival features performances and workshops by Colin Linden (pictured), Colin Cripps, Cindy Cashdollar, Kevin Breit, Nels Cline, Burke Carroll, the curator himself and many more. For a full schedule, go to http://sleepwalkguitar.com/. If you’re a guitarist, make sure to also check out the Guitar Talk section of the website for informative videos from Sleepwalk alumni Duke Robillard, Christine Bougie, Amos Garrett and more. |
 Braithwaite & Whiteley: Blues Suite
On Friday October 19, Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley will perform their Blues Suite live for the first time at Glenn Gould Studio. Tickets are available through the Massey Hall box office. If you are a Charter Member, call the TBS office to get the discount code for 20% off the ticket price! Public tickets can be purchased by clicking here. |
 Blues Suite Commissioning
Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley were commissioned by the Toronto Blues Society to create the “Blues Suite” with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. This is a rare example of a non-classical piece being commissioned through this program at Canada Council and this is the live debut of the work. CBC will also be recording the show! |
 JUNO Submission Deadlines
To be considered for a JUNO nomination in the blues category, you must submit to http://www.junoawards.ca. Submission forms are available online now. The early bird deadline in October 22, and the final deadline is November 13. Artists should submit now to save money on their submissions. The 42nd JUNO Awards Show will take place on Sunday April 21 at The Brandt Centre in Regina, SK and will be broadcast live on CTV. |
 BluesLink
In support of Scarborough’s most vulnerable youth, join Alana Bridgewater(pictured), Joe Sealy and Paul Novotny as well as host Paul Bliss (CTV) for an evening of great music, food and conversation at the beautiful Scarborough Golf & Country Club Thursday, October 25, 7pm-10pm. Plus enjoy youth performances, an amazing silent auction, international food stations and door prizes! Tickets are just $65 or $100 per ticket for the VIP Package (includes VIP reception with performers). Proceeds support YouthLink, a United Way member agency offering a wide range of services that strengthen families and communities in priority neighbourhoods throughout Scarborough. Order your tickets today atwww.blueslink.ca. |
 Women’s Blues Revue
Tickets are on sale now through the Massey Hall Box Office! The Charter Member only discount is on right now, call the office to get the code! Public tickets can be purchased here.
The 26th Annual Toronto Blues Society Women’s Blues Revuefeatures Saidah Baba Talibah, Tanika Charles, Kellylee Evans, Angel Forrest, Sabrina Weeks (pictured), and Sacha Williamson! The event will take place at Massey Hall on Saturday November 24. The vocalists will be backed up by the all-female Women’s Blues Revue Band featuring Donna Grantis (Musical Director, Guitar), Suzie Vinnick (Guitar), Lily Sazz (Keys), Brandi Disterheft (Upright Bass), Lindsay Beaver (Drums), Colleen Allen (Sax), Carrie Chesnutt (Sax), and Rebecca Hennessy (Trumpet). |
 TBS Gladstone Series
The Toronto Blues Society presents the best in blues talent the first Thursday of each month at the Melody Bar in The Gladstone Hotel. Performances are free to the public and begin at 9pm. Texassippi Bluesman Danny Brooks(pictured) performs a rare Toronto show on Thursday November 1.
http://www.gladstonehotel.com |
 Maple Blues Awards
Tickets are on sale now through the RCM Koerner Hall box office! Call the TBS office for the Charter Member only discount / preferred seating code. This offer is only valid while quantities last so don’t delay, call today!
The Maple Blues Awards returns to beautiful Koerner Hall to honour the best in Canadian blues. Hosted by Raoul Bhaneja (pictured), the awards show will take place on Monday January 21, 7pm. This is the blues gathering of the year featuring live musical performances and blues dignitaries from around the world. Check back for updates on performers and other info! |
 Maple Blues Awards Nominating Procedure Changes
The nominees for the Maple Blues Awards are selected by a distinguished panel of some 50 blues experts. John Valenteyn and Brent Staeben have stepped down as co-chairs, and the new steering committee consists of Deborah Cartmer, Yves Trottier, Paul Norton, and Gord MacAulay. The panel includes radio hosts, journalists, and festival organizers regionally distributed across Canada. Members of the Nominating Panel are not eligible for any of the awards. Contact information for panelists will only be given out if that panel member has given permission for their contact info to be shared; a full contact list will not be provided by the TBS office. To see the updated list that represents all of Canada based on population by region, take a look at http://torontobluessociety.com/about-maple-blues-awards/
Winners in all categories, except the instrumental categories, will be selected by blues fans across the country. Winners in the guitar, harmonica, piano/keyboards, horn, drum, and bass categories will be determined by the Nominating Panel.
Application Process. There is no *application* for the Maple Blues Awards. Nominations are drawn from the expertise of the nominating panel suggestions. Members of the nominating panel are required to be familiar with Canadian blues artist activity and CD releases. Artists are encouraged to service CDs to all blues radio djs, journalists and industry professional to increase their national profile.
Voting opens Saturday, October 27 at midnight ADT & closes Saturday, December 8 at midnight PST. |
 Concert Notes
TBS OCFF Blues Showcase featuring Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils(pictured) and more – Delta Meadowvale – Oct 11 | Scott McCord & The Bonafide Truth CD Release w/Jerome Godboo – Lula Lounge – Oct 11 | Duke Robillard – Lions Hall Killaloe – Oct 11 | Blues Brother Revue – Rose Theatre Brampton – Oct 12 | Duke Robillard – Legion Hall Cobourg – Oct 12 | Carlos del Junco – Hugh’s Room – Oct 19 | Diana Braithwaite & Chris Whiteley – Glenn Gould Studio – Oct 19 | Colin James – Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Oct 19 | David Vest CD Release – Delta Chelsea Monarchs Pub – Oct 21 | Colin James – Rose Theatre Brampton – Oct 24 | Ken Whiteley’s Gospel Matinee – Hugh’s Room – Oct 28 | Danny Brooks CD Release – Gladstone Hotel Melody Bar – Nov 1 | Susie Arioli – Hugh’s Room – Nov 1 | Peter Karp & Sue Foley – Hugh’s Room – Nov 6 | Keb’ Mo’ – Koerner Hall – Nov 8 | Robert Randolph – Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts – Nov 13 | Joe Bonamassa – Roy Thompson Hall – Nov 17 | 26th Toronto Blues Society Women’s Blues Revue – Massey Hall – Nov 24 | Ken Whiteley’s Gospel Matinee – Hugh’s Room – Nov 25 | Leon Redbone – Hugh’s Room – Dec 4 | TBS Christmas Party & AGM – Delta Chelsea Hotel – Dec 8 | Have A Bluesy Christmas – Hugh’s Room – Dec 18 | Blues Summit Six – Delta Chelsea Hotel – Jan 18-21 | Maple Blues Awards – Koerner Hall – Jan 21 | Taj Mahal – Rose Theatre Brampton – Jan 31 | Taj Mahal – Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Feb 1 | Buddy Guy – Massey Hall – April 20 |
 Members Save Money on TBS Events
The Toronto Blues Society is now a charitable organization, so you can be issued a tax receipt for any donations made beyond membership!
Become a TBS Member Today! 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 – $50/year – Monthly Maple Blues Newsletter, membership card, DISCOUNTS to TBS Events, exclusive access to special TBS events, other discounts, and voting rights.
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP – $70/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 – $35/year – Monthly Maple Blues Newsletter sent in fourth class mail
STUDENT MEMBERSHIP – $20/year – Same benefits as CHARTER membership (please include student card number)
Contact the TBS office today! |
 Mississippi Tourism: Golf & Blues Experience
Take this quick survey and tell us what you are looking for in a blues vacation: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7FYTC8Y
Love Golf? Love Blues? Get the best of both worlds with the Mississippi Tourism’s International Golf & Blues Experience! Hosted by Chuck Jackson, the next trip takes Oct 7-13 in Tunica, MS. To learn more, find out about TBS group rates and to book your trip, go to http://www.golfandblues.net/?refid=torontobluessociety |
