Ottawa (Ontario), Canada - Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest (July
7th-July 16th)announced a new
site configuration for staging this year’s event. The Main Stage will remain in
Festival Plaza and the Black Sheep Stage remains south of City Hall, but
increased popularity of the side stages has led organizers to work out a deal
with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board that sees the soccer field at
neighboring Lisgar Collegiate being added to the mix.
By moving the MBNA stage from last year’s location in the south-east corner of City Hall to the Lisgar Field, the capacity will increase from 3,000 to at least 4,000. Considering the outstanding programming slated for the MBNA stage this year, fans should appreciate not only the increased size but also the improved site lines. The Field is adjacent to the Q.E. Driveway, bordered by the Rideau Canal.
In response to the success of last year’s Acoustic Days/Cuban Nights concept, Bluesfest will improve on the location of the ADCN stage and give it a new name—look for the Blues ‘til Dusk Stage where last year’s MBNA Stage was located and expect an impressive array of blues performers. The stage will also feature, a nightly ‘Power Hour’.
Each evening, beginning at 7:30, a jam session will be hosted by Tony D and Kaz Kazanoff with his Texas Horns. “It’s the first time we’ve ever done something like this on-site,” says Bluesfest’s executive director, Mark Monahan. “This will give visiting artists an opportunity to jam with some of Ottawa’s finest talent.”
Over 1,000 musicians will be invited to
Ottawa during the 10 days the ‘fest is in town, so some great friendships will
be made and some spirited entertainment should unfold. “We know the musicians
are looking forward to it; our hope is the fans will never forget it,” says
Monahan, adding that the Cuban flavor will remain on the Blues ‘til Dusk Stage
with each weekend’s program culminating with a Cuban dance party featuring the
best available talent Havana has to offer.
Bluesfest also announced a new sponsor for their Gold Circle area,
The Métropolitain Brasserie has signed on as title sponsor. This means for every
purchase of a Métropolitain Gold Circle pass, patrons will receive a $50 credit
to the Métropolitain Brasserie.
The Empire Grill Clubhouse pass, which includes Gold Circle-like features at all
four stages will again come with a $50 credit to the Empire Grill. This item was
so popular last year that it sold out on the first day.
Another new ticket item this year is a ‘Reserved Seating’ opportunity. Four
hundred designated seats will be sold near the Main Stage for both Saturdays of
the festival. These will be offered on a first come first served basis. The
price for these reserved seats is $53.50 (GST included). These go on sale
Saturday, April 29, when all other tickets become available.
Main Stage Performers
(All show times are to be determined and all acts are subject to change; refer
to the Bluesfest website for most up-to-date scheduling)
Great Big Sea; Corb Lund; Bonnie Raitt; Keb’ Mo’; Sherman Robertson; Walter
Trout & the Radicals; Michael Franti; Ani DiFranco; Chris Smither; Sam Roberts;
Matt Mays; Blue Rodeo; David Knopler; The McGillicuddy Sisters; Nelly Furtado;
Etta James; Jully Black; John Lee Hooker Jr.; Alanna Stuart; Metric; Wilco;
Rosanne Cash ; Junior Brown; Chicago Blues Reunion; KC’s Boogie Blast featuring
Gloria Gaynor, KC & the Sunshine Band, Sister Sledge, Tavares; The Kentucky
Headhunters; School of Rock All-Stars; Sue Foley
MBNA Stage Performers
Broken Social Scene; Malajube; Anathallo; Feist; Matt Costa; Black Merda; Dead
String Brothers; Solomon Burke; Thornetta Davis; Detroit Women; Jamie Lidell;
Rickie Lee Jones; Mia Dyson; Be Good Tanyas; Dickie Betts & Great Southern; The
Hackensaw Boys; Casey Comeau; The Road Hammers; Fiftymen; Elliott Brood;
Kathleen Edwards; Danny Michel; Jim Bryson; Cadence Weapon; Hawthorne Heights;
Story of the Year; Anberlin; The New Amsterdams; Hamell on Trial; Trevor Hall;
Dave Alvin & The Guilty Men; Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Boys; The Iguanas; Eric
Lindell; Roxanne Potvin
Black Sheep Stage Performers
N.B: Bluesfest’s Black Sheep Stage is located on the grounds of City Hall
Calexico; Seu Jorge; The Bell Orchestre; Torngat; The Acorn; Kelly Joe Phelps;
Amadou & Miriam; K’Naan; Joe Grass; Jake Shimabukuru; Indio Saravanja; Alpha Ya
Ya Diallo; Los de Abajo; Son Volt; Mark Kozelek (of Sun Kil Moon and Red House
Painters); The Grande Mothers; Dan Bern; Hilotrons; Konono No. 1; Tomi Swick;
Alejandro Escovedo; Luke Doucet; Kevin Hearn; Papa San; T-Bone; Malcolm Williams
& Great Faith; Dickson Guillaume & the New York Haitian Interdenominational Mass
Choir; Prosper & God’s Plan Ministry; Kay Morris & The Jewels; Voices of Praise;
The New Pornographers; Controller Controller, Natalia Zukerman; Hamell on Trial
Blues ‘til Dusk Stage Performers
Maraca; Power Hour; Otis Taylor; Thornetta Davis; Texas Horns; Malted Milk; Wayne Baker Brooks; Mem Shannon; Slick Ballinger; Eddie Turner; Chris Duarte Group; Terrance Simien; Edesio Alejandro; Blues Berry Jam; Curly Bridges; Mel Brown; Julian Fauth; Finis Tasby; Roxanne Genest; Chicago Blues Reunion
[Photo: Keb Mo].
World Music Central
http://worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20060529151910934