2nd Annual Bluesfest

Our 2nd Annual Bluesfest brings the stage outside for an open air Blues concert in our parking lot with seating for 360 people. Enjoy local performers all evening from 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Just after 9:00 PM Canada Blues Queen, Rita Chiarelli, takes the stage with her band The Sweet Lorettas for some gritty, down and dirty blues.

Our lineup for the Bluesfest includes:

• Kevin Robert Walsh & The Blues Machine (4:00 PM - 4:45 PM) - Kevin Robert Walsh, Ryan Walsh, Lisa Gibson-Nickle, Caley Campbell and Jaye Kift. Kevin will give us a taste of the world of blues from the many styles it encompasses.

• Friends of Jim Harney (5:00PM - 5:45PM) - Peter Cliche, Bob Wills, Danny Colomby and Rob Joanisse will do a heart-felt tribute to their friend and local blues legend Jim Harney whom we lost this past April. The spirit of Jim will live on through his music.

• Paul Pruneau and the Journeymen (6:00PM - 6:45PM) - Local blues frontman Paul Pruneau (vocals, harmonica and percussion) has a new band with some familiar faces. Colin Norwood (guitar and vocals), Romeo Raymond (bass guitar and vocals), Mike Foisy (drums and vocals.)

• T.S. Harpoon and the Blue Whalers (7:00PM - 7:45PM) - Native to Northern Ontario, T.S. Harpoon has remained loyal to blues fans from back home with the help of The Whalers. Since 1997, T.S. Harpoon & The Blue Whalers has been synonymous with the Nations capital Ottawa Blues scene. Ottawa-based T.S. Harpoon & the Blue Whalers earned their respective place within the Ottawa blues scene.

• Connor Gains (8:00PM - 9:00PM) - Conor gains is a shooting star on the blues horizon. "Blues" in Gains world is not only a music form in and of itself but also continues to be a springboard for his excursions into related idioms. And Gains fits that bill as a 22 year old if you consider that he started playing guitar when he was 8 years old, played with the renowned Les Paul at the age of 15, and headlined The Montreal Jazz Festival at 17. Recent additions to these accomplishments include winning the 2014 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search, competing in the Memphis International Blues Competition, and a head turning showcase at the 2015 Blues Summit.

• Rita Chiarelli & The Sweet Lorettas (9:15PM - 11:00PM) - Juno winning Canadian music icon Rita Chiarelli is famous for thrilling audiences across the world as Canadas Blues Queen. Chiarellis latest concert show has her wowing audiences with her all-star female bluesy R&B band, Sweet Loretta. Together, Rita Chiarelli and Sweet Loretta have brought the crowds to their feet with an exciting stage show and stellar musicianship. Its a show not to miss!

After 11:00 PM: Elijah & The Backburners at The Raven & Republic After Party – Walk down to The Raven after Rita is finished and experience Elijah’s slick multi-instrumentalist blues skills. He’s not to be missed.

Bring your own lawn chair • Ages 19+ • No Outside Drinks