Nanaimo festival promotes the blues

Two days of blues music in downtown Nanaimo raises money for next year's festival

A trimmed-down blues festival will help raise money for next year’s effort.

Nanaimo Blues Society presents two days of blues music at Maffeo Sutton Park on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 25-26), beginning at noon and concluding at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sunday.

More than 12 acts from Vancouver Island are performing, including Lazy Mike and the Rockin’ Recliners, Nanaimo Blues All-Stars, Andrea Adams, Glen Foster Group, Tidewater, Partyrock, Jayden Holman Band, Syzygy Blue and Andrea Smith, plus more.

A jam session at the Foundry Pub, across the street from the park, continues the party on Saturday night.

Closing out the event night is Uncle Wiggly’s Hot Shoes Blues Band on Sunday evening.

Food vendors and artisans will be on site throughout the day. The event will happen rain or shine.

Summertime Blues in 2011 featured three days of blues music, including David Gogo, Downchild Blues Band and Jim Byrnes, but the costs involved only allowed the society to break even.

In the spring, the society’s board of directors decided to forgoe a festival in 2012 and to raise money to hopefully present a larger spectacle in 2013.

Tickets $20/day; $30/weekend; free/children under 12 with a paying adult. Tickets are available at Fascinating Rhythm, Pipers Meats and at the gate.

For more information, please visit www.nanaimoblues.com.

Nanaimo News Bulletin