10 November 2008

Ottawa Blues This Week - 10 November 2008

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MAPLE BLUES AWARDS – PLEASE VOTE

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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. The winners of the Twelfth Annual Maple Blues Awards will be announced at the Annual Maple Blues Awards Gala in Toronto, on January 19, 2009. This very special evening is Canada's national annual celebration of homegrown blues talent. It's also a night of great music by the Maple Blues Band, comprised entirely of Maple Blues Awards winners and nominees.

The Maple Blues voting website is now available at www.mapleblues.ca Follow the instructions on the website to register (you must have a valid email address) and you will receive your password and a link to the voting website. Voting ends at 11:59 pm (Pacific time) on Saturday, December 6, 2008.

Ottawa nominees include:

MonkeyJunk – for New Artist/Group of the Year

JW-Jones – for Electric Act of the Year & Guitarist of the Year

Steve Marriner – for Harmonica Player of the Year

A full list of nominees appears on the Maple Blues website at http://www.mapleblues.ca/nominees.aspx

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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK

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Tony D Band

With Zeek Gross

Rainbow, 76 Murray Street

Saturday, November 15 @ 9:30 pm

A rare appearance by Tony D and his band, including the awesome Zeek Gross on saxophone – their first Ottawa gig since Bluesfest. ‘MonkeyJunk’ takes up a lot of Tony’s time these days, so don’t miss this chance to see him with his own band and to catch some of Ottawa’s famous Tony D blues.

www.tonydband.com

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SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK

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Fathead

Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street

Saturday, November 15 @ 9:15 pm

With a second Juno Award to add to their mantle this year, Electro-Fi Recording Artists Fathead swing thru Ottawa to perform at Tucson’s on Saturday. The band has been turning heads and gaining new fans playing major festivals and concert halls across the country for the past several months. More touring is scheduled for late winter into the fall. This is a rare chance to catch them up close and personal in an intimate setting. They are currently nominated for two Maple Blues Awards including ‘Best Male Vocalist’.

(Thanks to Rico Ferrara for this info.)

www.fathead.biz

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Serena Ryder

Zaphod Beeblebrox,

Monday, November 17; tickets $20

Though she’s only 25, Toronto-based songstress Serena Ryder is already a world-traveled artist. Now the singer/songwriter is poised to release “Is it O.K.” which highlights her powerful range, which veers from tough to tender, often in a single verse, and distinctive, classically romantic songwriting.

Ryder grew up in Millbrook, a rural/suburban town in eastern Ontario. Her mother a singing go-go dancer and biological father a Trinidadian-born Caribbean-folk musician, formed the origins of a truly eclectic spirit whose passion for music spans a wide array of styles, from folk and country to jazz, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll.

A naturalistic approach helps to define Serena Ryder, from her frank and direct personality to the warmth and wisdom of her lyrics. She views herself as part of a long musical continuum, a participant and player in the centuries-old saga of the song. That sense of history, of belonging to something greater than the moment, simultaneously roots Ryder in a glorious tradition, while also setting her apart from most of her modern musical peers.

www.serenaryder.com

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AREA HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
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The 8th edition of Virée Blues Boréale presents

Andrée Dupre & Jean Millaire

Café Le Troquet, 41 Laval Street, in the Old Hull sector, Gatineau QC

Wednesday, November 12 @ 8 pm

It’s an honour for Virée Blues Boréale’s management to celebrate the 40-year career of this Blues mainstay of Québec and, indeed, of the whole francophone music scene. He’s one of those composers with the magic capable of touching us with his melodies. His guitar solos very often lay out melodies that we keep on singing for long and, he lets the notes communicate. Success on various radios, so many shows on major stages, at major musical events – this is what we will celebrate with Jean Millaire, a major composer and a great performer.

Andrée Dupre discovered the Blues a little late, at 25 and started writing her first album, “Enchanteuse” in 2003. Since she met Jean Millaire, in 2005, they’ve been presenting a rocky Blues show, together with Christian Morrissette on drums and Daniel Godro on keyboard. And they are working on their next album, expected soon.

So, come and join the celebration on Wednesday, November 12.

http://pages.videotron.com/millaire/

http://www.myspace.com/andreedupre

http://www.myspace.com/vireeblues

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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS EVERY WEEK

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Blues Jam – live with Barry Buse

and the Mississippi Blues Society

Elmdale House Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street

Every Tuesday, 8:30 pm – 12:30 am; no cover

www.elmdaletavern.com

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Irene’s Blues Jam

Irene’s Pub, 885 Bank Street

Thursdays, 9 pm – 1 am

The Stellar Cast Blues Jam is a bonafide grass roots event that has grown out of the very floorboards of Irene’s Pub and has become a real crowd pleaser for musicians and music lovers alike. The Stellar Cast features Mike Ktenas (bass) and Corky Kealey (drums) as the foundation, and is filled out by a host of great local players who rotate according to availability. Each week the cast is topped up with a guest host who steers the song selections in whatever way they're inspired and the jamming begins. It's a great concept and the proof is in the popularity the night has garnered over the years.

Guest hosts coming up:

Nov 13 – Ball & Chain
Nov 20 – Chris McCann

Nov 27 – Elyssa Mahoney with Lucas Haneman

http://bacton.smugmug.com/share/cFoCZfrollzaE

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Sunday Blues, 5-8 pm

Atomic Rooster, 303 Bank Street (at MacLaren)

November 9 & December 21, 2008; February 1, 2009

Zydeco Loco www.zydecoloco.ca

December 7, 2008; January 18th & March 1, 2009

Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo www.mumbojumbo.ca

Other bands & dates to be confirmed; check out their new website

www.atomicrooster.ca

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LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS ONCE A MONTH

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Ball and Chain and the Wreckers

Honky Tonk Saturday Night

Elmdale House Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street

First Saturday each month; $5 at the door


Featured guest each month.

www.myspace.com/jodybenjamin

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BLUES IN KINGSTON

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Kingston Blues Society Monthly Jam 2nd Anniversary Show

With host band Mojo Shooter

RCHA Club, 193 Ontario St. (big blue door), Kingston ON

Saturday, November 22, 9 ‘til midnight; $3 at the door

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE –

From 3rd Saturday of month to 4th Saturday – due to Bob Dylan show

Come out and see Mojo Shooter (one of Kingston’s best bands) rev it up. Then watch and dance as Mojo Shooter and some of Kingston’s best musicians get together and jam the night away.

Watch for our 2nd anniversary special guest announcement.

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Weekly events

Georgette Fry

Brandees, 178A Ontario Street, Kingston

Every Thursday night at 8:30 pm (new start time)

The Ones

Monte’s in the Prince George Hotel, 200 Ontario Street, Kingston

Every Thursday night at 9 pm

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For more, please contact Kingston Blues Society

www.kingstonbluessociety.ca

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INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION

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The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has extended its submission deadline until December 1, 2008. ISC will continue to take online, mail-in, and MySpace entries until this date. All entries must be postmarked or uploaded online on or before December 1, 2008. So, if you have not already entered ISC and wish to do so, you still have time to enter.

ISC gives away over $150,000 in cash and prizes to 62 winners in 20 categories. The Overall Grand Prize includes $25,000 (US) in cash – the largest cash Grand Prize of any songwriting competition in the world. ISC is open to all levels of amateur and professional songwriters throughout the world.

For more information and an entry form, go to www.songwritingcompetition.com

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SPECIAL EVENTS THIS MONTH

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Roxanne Potvin

National Arts Centre Studio, 53 Elgin Street

Tuesday, November 18 @ 8 pm; tickets $39.50

Raised in Quebec, resident in Ontario, and now a performer with an international reputation, Roxanne Potvin will release her third CD next week. Intriguingly named “No Love for the Poisonous”, the collection of original new songs on the Alert Music label resonates deeply with the experiences of the 26-year-old artist’s generation.

Produced by Fembots leader Dave MacKinnon, “No Love for the Poisonous” outlines a new musical vision for the artist. While the passion and heart of the blues remain an integral part of her music, there’s a wider musical vocabulary at work. Funky New Orleans grooves fit perfectly with soul swagger, happy old-school pop, and introspective moments. Her earliest musical influences (and her family background) still resonate, and the CD contains a song in French, and another – like the singer herself – which is perfectly bilingual.

Roxanne comes ‘home’ for a CD release event at the NAC Studio on Tuesday, November 18.

www.roxannepotvin.com

(Info from Richard Flohil)

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Blues on the Rideau

Presents

Steve Strongman Band

The Cove, Westport ON

Friday, November 21

Steve Strongman was nominated for the 2007 Maple Blues Award for Best New Artist of the Year although at age 37 with a long career playing blues, rock & country he is no newbie. Born in Hamilton – the home of many great Canadian blues artists including Richard Newell ‘King Biscuit Boy’, Daniel Lanois, Rita Chiarelli, Harrison Kennedy and many more – Steve started his career at age 16 playing around southern Ontario where he caught the eye of legendary Mississippi blues guitarist Mel Brown (Mel has played BOTR twice delivering dynamite shows as many will remember).

Mel tutored and encouraged Steve, introducing him to many of the blues greats. In 2007 Steve recorded his CD “Honey” which immediately got everyone’s attention, including mine! His LIVE shows are known for their high energy, great guitar and vocals. His band includes one of Canada’s best bass players Alec Fraser and Dave King (King Biscuit Boy, T-Bone Burnett) on drums. Mark ‘Bird’ Stafford who is in town doing his Harmonica Blues in the Schools presentation for the kids at Rideau Vista and St. Edward’s will get up on stage for a few songs with the band as well – an added bonus.

$55 per person includes dinner, show & dancing (taxes and donation to charity included). Call The Cove for tickets (613) 273-3636 or 1-888-268-3466.

Accommodation at The Cove and nearby B&Bs is available at very reasonable rates. If you live out of town this is a great way to enjoy BOTR – no driving home after a few drinks, you can relax and enjoy and as an added bonus – you get to meet and talk with the artists the next day at breakfast! It’s a perfect mini-getaway. Book well in advance though – rooms fill up fast. Call The Cove and they will make the arrangements for you.

Visit www.bluesontherideau.ca for more information

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Ricky Paquette

Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street

Friday & Saturday, November 21-22 @ 9:15 pm

This young prodigy is now taking on the Blues/Rock music scene with reckless abandon. Winner of the ‘Upcoming artist’ title at the Lys Blues award in 2006, nominated at the Maple Blues Awards in 2006, and winner of 2 Lys Blues awards in 2007, nominated in three different categories at the Quebec Lys Blues Awards for 2008. Come see why this excellent young player continues to impress!

www.rickypaquette.com

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Robert Farrell

Rainbow, 76 Murray Street

Friday, November 28 @ 9 pm; cover $8 or 2 for $10

Saturday Night Blues (http://www.cbc.ca/snb/) has acquired robert farrell band’s CBC performance last February at the Rainbow. Robert is back to play, so come out and find out what all the fuss is about.

www.robertfarrell.com

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Terry Gillespie

Tucson’s, 2440 Bank Street

Saturday, November 29 @ 9:15 pm

Sue Foley says: Terry Gillespie is one of the most sincerely talented musicians in Canada. He’s a bluesman to the core, but not in the traditional sense for he has range and influences that take it to a whole new level. His blues is the truth and it comes through with every word and melody he wraps his soulful voice around. This is real.”

See if you agree … catch Terry at Tucson’s on November 29.

www.terrygillespie.ca

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David Rotundo Band

Draft Horse Microbrewery, O’Meara’s Pub, 3495 Trim Road, Navan ON

Saturday, November 29

David Rotundo is a superb blues harmonica player and singer. He won the 2007 Maple Blues Award for Harmonica Player of the Year and is described as “one of the top 10 blues performers in Canada” by Real Blues Magazine. He and his great band already have a strong following in this part of the world – last February they sold out two Shows at Blues On The Rideau at The Cove with performances that literally blew people away. It promises to be the same kind of night at The Draft Horse.

Proceeds will go to support CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) – a world-class children’s hospital (affiliated with the University of Ottawa) with a 30-year history of quality care, research and teaching.

O’Meara’s Pub is named after the founder of this beautiful small town, Michael O’Meara who emigrated from Ireland in 1841. Located in a converted 120 year old Grist Mill, The Draft Horse, adjacent to O’Meara’s, is one of only a few microbreweries in eastern Ontario and it boasts 5 naturally brewed house beers. The room holds 150 people with good acoustics and a nice sized dance floor.

Tickets for the Dinner & Show are only $49 per person (tax and donation to CHEO included). A full buffet including dessert and coffee will be served. Buffet starts at 7 pm, Show at 9 pm. Advance reservations are required. Call or visit O’Meara’s Pub (613) 835-9883 and book now

If the November 29th Show is well supported, watch for more Blues at the Draft Horse Dinner & Show nights starting in January.
www.choosetheblues.ca
www.drafthorsebrewery.com

www.omearasinnavan.ca

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BLUES ON THE RIDEAU – 2008/2009

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Choose The Blues Productions and The Cove Inn, Westport have decided to revert to Friday Night Only Shows for the remainder of the 2008/09 Season of Blues on the Rideau @ thje Cove, instead of the double Friday & Saturday Shows as originally planned. A second Show on Saturday will only be added if advance demand warrants it and will be subject to the artists’ availability. lease check www.bluesontherideau.ca and watch for Email Blasts as we get closer to each Show for updates.

Reason for the change? Advance ticket sales this year, although good, are not as much as we had hoped for. The current economic climate – far different from what it was when we planned the Series last spring – is no doubt a factor and, with hindsight, we were probably overly ambitious in moving from single to double Shows for every weekend all in one year. In addition ticket purchases to date are more or less evenly split between the two nights which means – with double the expenses – that we are at risk of having two half-full Shows instead of one full one. If that were to happen over time the losses would be substantial and the Series would be at risk of not continuing. Nobody wants that!

We ask that if you have booked for a Saturday Show this season please contact The Cove at (613) 273-3636 or 1-888-COVE-INN and let them know whether you want to move to the Friday or cancel. When you book would you also please tell us if you would prefer the Saturday night *if it is added* and we will contact you to offer first choice of seats if that occurs.

Our sincere apologies to those who have booked for the Saturday nights – and to the artists – for the inconvenience this change may have caused.

The revised 2008/09 Schedule for Blues on the Rideau @ The Cove:

November 21 – STEVE STRONGMAN BAND

Proceeds to Blues in the Schools with Mark ‘Bird’ Stafford & David McCarthy Scholarship

January 16 – ROXANNE POTVIN BLUES BAND

Proceeds to Westport Area Food Bank & Lions Club Mobility Van

February 20 – FATHEAD

Proceeds to Friends of Foley Mountain & Rideau District Museum

March 20 – RICK FINES & SUZIE VINNICK w. BAND

Proceeds to Juvenile Diabetes Association of Ontario & Gilda’s Club for Cancer Families

April 17 – PAUL REDDICK & THE SIDEMEN

Proceeds to Rideau Waterway Land Trust & Westport in Bloom

May 15 – DANNY BROOKS & THE MEMPHIS BROTHERS

Proceeds to Compassion Canada Sponsor a Child & Habitat for Humanity

June 19 – STEPHEN BARRY BAND with

Special Guest MICHAEL JEROME BROWNE

Proceeds to Lucy Drysdale Memorial Scholarship & Westport Library

Accommodation at The Cove and nearby B&Bs is available at very reasonable rates. If you live out of town this is a great way to enjoy BOTR – no driving home after a few drinks, you can relax and enjoy and as an added bonus – you get to meet and talk with the artists the next day at breakfast! It’s a perfect mini-getaway. Book well in advance though – rooms fill up fast. Call The Cove and they will make the arrangements for you.

Artists may change - check the web site or call The Cove for updates.

Visit www.bluesontherideau.ca for more information

See you at The Cove!

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BLUES ON THE RADIO

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On CKCU-FM 93.1

The Mighty 93.1

www.ckcufm.com

Community Radio serving the Ottawa Carleton Region

Sundays: 9-11 pm

Black and Blues

with John Tackaberry

The show features a heavy dose of electric blues and rhythm and blues, with the occasional selection of sixties soul. The first hour is dedicated to artist profiles and reviews of recordings on particular labels. In the second hour there is a blues calendar, a rundown of events in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, and interviews with “new and reissued blues and rhythm and blues tracks on wax” alternating with “live blues and R&B for a Sunday night” in the last half hour of the show. On the last Sunday of every month, the show goes “down in the delta” for a selection of acoustic blues tracks in the final half hour of the program.

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Wednesdays: 3:30-4:30 pm

Iron Maidens

with Diane Wells (D.D. Rocker)

Where female musicians of steely determination dare to challenge their male peers in the wide, wonderful world of music. From roots to heavy metal, she’ll cover it all. To the women of the world, let your voices and instruments be heard!

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Wednesdays: 9-11 pm

In A Mellow Tone

with Ron Sweetman

Jazz from every era & every style – from 1917 to 2008. Each program features an artist, group, instrument, event, city or record label. Check out Ron’s website www.inamellowtone.com for info on upcoming shows and playlists (current show is posted several days in advance and past shows are archived). Ron is always happy to hear from listeners at ronsweetman@kalixo.com

This week, November 12 – The Vice-President: As the American election results come in, jazz fans already know that the Vice-Pres (or Vice-Prez) was named years ago, because of Paul Quinichette’s stylistic resemblance to the Prez – Lester Young.

Next week, November 19 – Sheila Jordan: The great lady of jazz singing will celebrate her 80th birthday on October 18. We’ll celebrate her long and distinguished recording career with her recordings from 1962 to 2004 with George Russell, Roswell Rudd, Aki Takase, Jane Bunnett, the Vienna Art Orchestra and many fine accompanists.

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Monthly, every 4th Saturday, 9-9:30 am:

Honky Tonk Saturday Morning

with Ball and Chain

This 12-part series features Michael Ball and Jody Benjamin performing live on radio. Each month will have a different theme like classic country, bluegrass, old time, drinking, cheating and yodelling.

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On CBC Radio One 91.5 FM

Saturdays: 10 pm – midnight

Saturday Night Blues

www.cbc.ca/snb

Host Holger Petersen has been a broadcaster, record producer, album collector, and serious blues fan for over 30 years. His collection of blues records numbers in the thousands. On Saturday Night Blues each week you’ll hear a mix of classic blues from the ‘Petersen Vaults’, concerts, interviews, artist features, new releases, plus anything that boogies, jumps, or swings, plus your requests from the Bluesline.

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On CHEZ106 FM

Sundays: 6-7 pm

House of Blues Hour

The House of Blues Radio hour, hosted by Dan Aykroyd aka Elwood Blues, features an hour of rockin’ blues from a wide variety of performers ranging from traditional to contemporary. The show is the most widely syndicated radio program dedicated to the blues in North America, and has been running on stations across the continent for over ten years.

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WEEKLY EVENTS ON THE SMALL SCREEN

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ALWAYS check local listings to confirm.

On BRAVO – www.bravo.ca

Tuesday, November 11 @ 7 am – Talkin’ Blues

Hands Across the Table (2005): Series exploring the world of contemporary blues music. In this episode, artist Dania Madera-Lerman discusses her paintings that capture the blues and its musicians; a video from Sugar Ray and the Bluetones; a profile of Zac Harmon.

Saturday, November 15 – Long John Baldry: In the Shadow of the Blues (2006)
The life and legacy of guitarist and singer Long John Baldry is examined in this one-hour documentary. Baldry played a key role in the growth of the British rhythm and blues movement, and led bands in the mid-1960s that featured Rod Stewart and Elton John, both of whom are interviewed in the documentary. In the `80s, Baldry emigrated to Canada, living first in Toronto and then in Vancouver, where he died in 2005.

Tuesday, November 18 @ 7 am & 5:30 pm – Talkin’ Blues

Dis, Dat or D’Udda (2005): Series exploring the world of contemporary blues music. This episode features the legendary Dr. John, the singer/songwriter whose blend of African, American-Indian and Creole influences has made him one of New Orleans's most distinctive voices.

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WEEKLY EVENTS EVERY MONTH

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Tuesdays: Jam hosted by Barry Buse (1st Tuesday with special guest host)

@ Elmdale House, 8:30-11:30 pm

Wednesdays: Dr Dave Revue @ the Rainbow, 5-8 pm

Wednesdays: Brian Downey @ The Avant-Garde Bar, 8:30 pm

Wednesdays: Acoustic music with Jeff Rogers @ Tucson’s, 7:30-11 pm

Wednesdays: Open Jam @ the New Bayou, 9 pm

Thursdays: Acoustic blues with Al Tambay & friends @ Tucson’s, 7:30-11 pm

Thursdays: Mike Ktenas hosts the Blues Jam @ Irene’s, 9 pm to closing

Saturday afternoons: Guy del Villano @ Royal Oak, 318 Bank Street, 2-6 pm

Sunday afternoons: Blues jam @ the Rainbow, 3-7 pm

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LOCALS LOOK AHEAD

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Wednesday, November 19

Elyssa Mahoney & Lucas Haneman @ Greenfield’s Pub

Friday, November 21

JW-Jones @ the Rainbow, 9:30 pm

Friday, November 28

The FunKtion @ Tucson’s, 9:15 pm

Robert Farrell @ the Rainbow, 9:30 pm

Saturday, November 29

Terry Gillespie @ Tucson’s, 9:15 pm

Thursday, December 4

Robert Farrell @ the Elmdale House Tavern, 9 pm

Friday, December 5

Wicked Grin @ Tucson’s, 9:15 pm

Saturday, December 6

Ottawa Blues Society Christmas Party & AGM with

MonkeyJunk @ Tucson’s

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