Just one month after the sounds of reggae and calypso music filled the air, the Downtown District will again be filled with live music, but this time of another genre.
The Belleville Downtown Blues Festival will be back on Friday night and Saturday, September 11 and 12.
And Juno Award winner Angelique Francis will be the feature performer in this, the fourth edition of the
festival.
Francis leads the Angelique Francis Trio and plays various instruments as the group performs mostly original material.
Bridge Street between and Front and Pinnacle Streets will be closed for the festival on Saturday and restaurants in the immediate area (Dinkel’s, Kafana, The Lark, Bourbon Pizza) will be offering specials for the event. Those can be seen on the festival website (link is below in the article).
Carol Feeney, along with local musician Tony Vani, are the main organizers of the festival and Feeney says that along with live music, there will be live workshops as well, featuring professional musicians
providing demonstrations, tips and information – current and historical – about the blues music scene.
Children’s activities will also be offered.
There is no admission charge to the festival but as always, donations in the form of cash and/or non-perishable foods for Gleaners Food Bank are encouraged and food bank volunteers will be on site throughout the event.
Jodie Jenkins, representing Gleaners, said the Blues Festival has been a welcome fundraiser, stressing that thousands of residents use Gleaners regularly and the demand keeps growing. The fundraising goal is $10,000.
Bay of Quinte riding MPP Tyler Allsopp and Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis thanked the volunteers who make the festival possible, stressing it’s these events that bring people to the downtown and boost the local economy.
Opening night Sept 11 Market Square:
The Fabulous Tonemasters 7 to 9 p.m.
September 12;
MainStage on Bridge Street closed between Pinnacle and Front.
Sweet Pete and the Heat from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The Blues Harvest Band 2:30 p.m. t0 4 p.m.
Jay Blues Trio 5 p.m.to 6:30 p.m.
Juno Award Winner Angelique Francis 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Workshops at The Kafana:
Kenny Pauze at 2 p.m.: The History of National Guitars
Zebulum Barnow and Graham Flett: The role of drums and piano in blues
Belleville Club 2 – 3:30 p.m. Tim Cambell
Kids Activities 1 to 4 p.m.: balloon artist Chrisopher the Twistopher and face painting by Carol Bauer
Best Western offers a Downtown Blues two-day stay package for visitors. Check out downtownblues.ca. For more info contact Carol Feeney carol.feeneyhg@gmail.com or 613-885-8314.
Carol Feeney, who along with local musician Tony Vani, organized the festival. (Photo: Quinte News)
