World Class Blues in Saskatoon
This year, instead of hibernating at home, why don’t you turn the February winter blues into a celebration? Help us “Celebrate a Decade of the Blues” at the tenth annual Saskatoon Blues Festival February 23 to 26. Our two Festival Venues - the newly renovated Odeon Electric Blues room, and the Hilton Garden Acoustic Blues room - will feature world class Blues musicians.
The celebration starts at the Odeon on Thursday, opening night, with four very different and talented Blues bands. A $20 ticket entitles you to a seat, but we guarantee you won’t be sitting in it for much of the evening! You will be treated to Texas Blues, Chicago Blues, traditional Delta Blues, Rockin Blues , ( by Jimmy
D. Lane), and the Blues Festival debut of Nigel Mack’s “Blues Attack Large Band”. The party continues at the Odeon on Friday night with Boogie Patrol, considered to be the youthful future of the Blues in Canada; Elmer Ferrer, a Cuban Canadian who mixes Cuban Jazz with
Electric Blues; and Tracy Nelson, “the voice” of the Blues.
Saturday’s Odeon Cabaret includes the low down dirty Blues
sound of JP Soars and the Red Hots; the Alternative Blues sound of the Kirby Sewell Band; and the hottest southpaw of the Blues, Coco Montoya.
The Hilton Garden Acoustic Blues Room offers an intimate setting, ideal for people who like roots and acoustic Blues styles.
On Friday night, Rita Chiarelli, the “Goddess of the Blues” will thrill audience attendees with her three octave range voice. On Sat
urday night, Steve Strongman, 2011 Maple Blues Guitarist of the Year, and David Gogo, Nanaimo’s “Gift to the Blues” will provide an acoustic treat.
In addition to the spectacular 2012 Festival line-up, several other events take place. The Sasktel Blues in Schools program will begin the week prior to the festival. Artists in Residence Wes Mackay and Nigel Mack will teach Blues 101 in 18 local schools to 4000+ students.
Rita Chiarelli’s Music from the Big House documentary will be shown at the Roxy Theatre, on Wednesday, February 22nd at 7:30 pm. Following the film, there will be a question and answer period with blues artist Rita Chiarrelli. Tickets are $5 with all proceeds going to Saskatoon’s Interval House.
The Affinity Credit Union Blues Outreach is all about taking Blues to various participating care homes and public facilities. Sixteen free artist concert presentations take place between February 10th and 21st.
The Blues Lounge Series runs from 5 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday February 15th, 16th and 17th. Participating Lounges include the Factory Tap Lounge at Earls, 6Twelve at the Sheraton Cavalier and the Spadina Free House.
The Affinity Credit Union Blues Camp will be held at Walter Murray Collegiate from February 21st to 24th; registration is limited to 30 students. Blues Camp graduates will showcase their talent, at the Cosmo Seniors Centre Saturday afternoon Bluesday on Broadway.
The all-ages, family oriented Bluesday on Broadway will be held at the Cosmo Seniors Centre on Saturday, February 25th. The musicians’ swap meet begins at 10 am, with music workshops at noon, 1 pm and 2 pm. Registration for the workshops is not necessary - show up with your instrument for instruction from the pros!
“Did you know that Saskatoon Blues Festival is 100% volunteer operated, organized and driven? Special thanks to the dedicated team of volunteers who will make this 2012 event “sparkle” and to the sponsors whose invaluable support ensures that Festival ticket prices continue to be affordable and that excellent Blues music is made available to all through Festival outreach programming,” said Festival Chair Susan Scharf. “We invite you to come out and help us Celebrate a Decade of the Blues, in Saskatoon!
For detailed information about the artists, event schedule, ticket prices and outlets visit www.saskatoonbluessociety.ca