Friday, June 9, 2023

2023 Hamilton Arts Awards Winners, Including our Founder!

The Art Gallery of Hamilton was abuzz on Thursday, June 8 thanks to the 2023 Hamilton Arts Awards ceremony. Artists from all different genres and disciplines were there to celebrate the creative side of our fair city. 

Lou, our founder and blogger took home one of the Arts Champion awards.

A word from Lou.
"It was a great honour being recognized for my work alongside other incredible art supports. Hamilton is a city jam-packed with art and it deserves to be showcased to the world."
Here is a video of Lou and the other winners getting their much-deserved awards.


Video above courtesy of Linda Luigi

Below is a complete list of the winners.

Arts Champion (non-monetary award)
Lifetime Achievement ($2,500): Judith Sandiford and Ron Weihs (Artword)

Here is the end Judith and Ron's acceptance speech



Creator Awards ($2,500 each)
CONGRATS EVERYONE! 

Nezqwik with Mother Tareka performed at the end of the ceremony. Here's a sample:





Previous (Country Music Association of Ontario Award Winners)

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Music Listings June 9-11, 2023

Friday, June 9



In the Soil Arts Festival (St. Catharines) 


Mudcat Festival (Dunnville)




---- Before 7:00pm ----

4-7pm: Michael Saracino @ Spyce Lounge (Niagara Falls) 


6-9pm: James Anthony @ Scout Cafe (Stoney Creek) (Weekly)



6-9pm: Stephanie Deshane @ Judge & Jester (Grimsby) (Weekly)




---- 7:00-7:59pm ----


7-10pm: Dueling Pianos @ Uptown Social House (Burlington) (Every Fri & Sat)



7-10pm: Friday Night Live (Open Mic) @ DeBar (Guelph) (Weekly)


7:30-11:30pm: Open Mic @ Mahtay Cafe (St. Catharines) (Weekly)


7:30pm: The Prom (Musical) @ St. Jacob's Theatre (St. Jacob's) $?


---- 8:00-8:59pm ----

8-11:30pm: Tom Gilham @ Stonewalls (Hamilton) $5

8pm: Sam Roberts Band @ Jackson-Triggs Amphitheatre (Niagara-on-the-Lake) $?



8-10:30pm: Jonathan Chapman @ Jazz Room (Waterloo) $?

8:30-11:30pm: Jamie Petrie Duo @ Pub Fiction (Ancaster)

8:30pm: Killin' Time Band @ Slye Fox (Burlington)


8:30pm-11:30pm: The Postmen @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

---- After 9:00pm ----





9pm: Fiction @ King George Pub (Hamilton)


9pm-12am: Anthony Abbruscato @ South Coast Cookhouse (Crystal Beach)

9pm-12am: Back to the 80's @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines)

9pm: Nathan Warriner @ The Local (Niagara Falls)

9pm-1am: Taylor Brown @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls)

9pm: James Blonde @ Spyce Lounge (Niagara Falls) 


9:30pm: Decent Blokes@ BLK Swan Pub (Burlington)

9:30pm-12:30am: The Uncle Jesses @ Kilt N Clover (St. Catharines)

10pm: The Hammer Tones @ Powerhouse (Stoney Creek)

10pm-2am: Whiskey Sunset @ Big Texas (Niagara Falls)


10pm: David Scott @ McCabe's Irish Pub (Guelph) (Fri + Sat)

Saturday, June 10




In the Soil Arts Festival (St. Catharines) 


Mudcat Festival (Dunnville)




---- Before 3:00pm ----



10am-6pm: Concession Streetfest (Hamilton)

11am-3pm: Mike Woods @ Puddicombe Farms (Stoney Creek) (Saturdays & Sundays in June)








2-4:30pm: Open Mic with Victor Morgado @ Smoke and Moonshine (Beamsville) (Weekly)








---- 3:00-7:59pm ----



3-6pm: Blank Expression @ Carrigan Arms (Burlington) $5

4-7pm: Jazz Express @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines) (Weekly)

4-7pm: Michael Saracino @ Spyce Lounge (Niagara Falls) 

6-9pm: 1-75 @ Crystal Chandelier (Crystal Beach)








7-10pm: Felicia McMinn @ The Saloon (Port Rowan)

7:30-10:30pm: Ryan Major @ Fionn MacCool's (Guelph)(Weekly)


7:30pm: The Prom (Musical) @ St. Jacob's Theatre (St. Jacob's) $?


---- 8:00-8:59pm ----

8:30-11:30pm: Stone the Radio @ Stonewalls (Hamilton) $10

8pm: Ellevator with Kasador @ Bridgeworks (Hamilton) $24.08


8pm: Sam Roberts Band @ Jackson-Triggs Amphitheatre (Niagara-on-the-Lake) $?




8-10pm: Junior Santos @ Jazz Room (Waterloo) $?

8:30-11:30pm: Dianne Ryder Band @ Pub Fiction (Ancaster) $5

8:30pm: Brad Sumach @ Slye Fox Pub (Burlington)

8:30-11:30pm: Patsy & the Muscle @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 


---- After 9:00pm ----



9pm-12am: Claralux @ South Coast Cookhouse (Crystal Beach)

9pm-12am: Hard Rock Hooligans @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines)

9:30pm-12:30am: Moonlight Co. @ Kilt N Clover (St. Catharines)

9-11pm: Hotel Mira + Guests @ Warehouse (St. Catharines) $?

9pm-1am: Back in the Daze @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls)

9pm: Mike Lynch @ The Local (Niagara Falls)

9pm: James Blonde @ Spyce Lounge (Niagara Falls) 

9pm-12am: Eric Mills @ Hudson Public (Brantford)

9pm: Jasmine T @ Elements Casino (Brantford)

9pm: Groove Robbers @ Ouroboros (Kitchener)


10pm: Rebel Souls @ Powerhouse (Stoney Creek)

10pm-2am: Johnson's Creek@ Big Texas (Niagara Falls)

10pm-2am: Tritch @ Manny's Place (Brantford)

10pm: David Scott @ McCabe's Irish Pub (Guelph) (Fri + Sat)

Sunday, June 11



In the Soil Arts Festival (St. Catharines) 

Mudcat Festival (Dunnville)


---- Before 3:00pm ----

11am-3pm: Mike Woods @ Puddicombe Farms (Stoney Creek) (Saturdays & Sundays in June)


11:30am: Beatles Brunch ft Andrew McTaggart @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)

1-4pm: James Anthony @ Judge & Jester (Grimsby) (Weekly)


1-5pm: Grand Porch Party (Waterloo)

2-5pm: The Shalalas @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 


2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5


2-5pm: The Divines @ Lancaster Smokehouse (Kitchener) $25 adv/$30 door

2-5pm: Almost Serious @ The Falls Road Pub (Kitchener) (Weekly)


---- After 3:00pm ----


3-7pm: Lounge Jams @ Casbah Lounge (Hamilton) (Weekly)


4pm: Madison Galloway Music & Chat (Online) Gold members only (Weekly)


4:30-8:30pm: Anthony Vaughn @ King George (Hamilton) (Weekly)

6:30-10pm: Open Jam with Detour @ Tracie's (Hamilton) (Weekly)


7-11pm: James Blonde @ Spyce Lounge (Niagara Falls) 






8:30pm-1am: Sunday Lazy Jams @ Lazy Flamingo (Weekly)

9pm-12am: Open Mic @ West End Pub (Hamilton) (Weekly)

10pm-2am: BO (Brendan O’Halloran) @ McCabe's (Guelph) (Weekly)


Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Support Local Charities

Chuck Jackson Needs A Helping Hand 



From the GoFundMe page:  
Chuck Jackson has been battling cancer since 2020.

Throughout this time he has continued with his heavy schedule of performing and festival direction. It`s time for him to take a break. He needs an indefinite period of time off dedicated to recovery, concentrating on the necessary healing needed to rebuild his energy and immune system.

He is celebrated by many as Downchild's long time lead vocalist, the artistic director of Tim Horton`s Southside Shuffle, The Hogtown Allstars frontman and leader of The Chuck Jackson Band.
It`s a well known fact that working musician`s do not have the luxury of health benefits or income supplements. When the lights go down and the stage is empty the cash flow grinds to halt.

We're calling on everyone who has benefited from Chuck Jackson's good natured performances and event organizing over the years to step up and assist us in providing the financial support he needs during this difficult time. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.

The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week.  HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.

Monday, June 5, 2023

Country Music Association of Ontario Awards Winners!

Hamilton went country last weekend during the Country Music Association of Ontario Awards celebration. The awards ceremony itself was at the Westdale Theatre on Sunday, June 4.

Below is complete list of nominees and winners. Local acts are bolded. 

Album

Compass Award
Fan's Choice
Female Artist
Francophone Artist
  • WINNER: Reney Ray
  • Gabrielle Goulet
  • Kristine St. Pierre
  • Les Rats d’Swompe
  • Vincent Bishop
Group or Duo
Impact Award
Male Artist
Music Industry Person of the Year
Music Video
Radio Station (Large Market)
Radio Station (Medium Market)
Radio Station (Small Market)
Record Producer
Rising Star
Roots Artist

Single

Songwriters

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors




Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors



Ken Wallis is an amazing local music supporter. He has a number of incredible radio shows 

Tuesdays: 4-5pm: Blues Source Canada w Ken Wallis @ INDI 101.5 FM & 5-6pm: Blues Source International w Ken Wallis @ INDI 101.5 FM




Monday, May 29, 2023

Support Local Charities


From their website: Food4Kids provides packages of healthy food for kids aged 5-14 years with limited or no access to food each weekend.

The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week.  HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.



Local Artists Honour the Legendary Tina Turner

 


The music world lost a Titan when the legendary Tina Turner passes away on May 24, 2023. Tina's career spanned decades and included the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a biopic, a musical, autobiographies as well as countless awards and hits.

The local music scene also felt the loss of this artistic giant.

Social Media Reaction

Chris Ayries

You inspired me so much. Your talent and strength to overcome so many obstacles. So powerful. So beautiful. You’re simply the BEST. R.I.P. Tina Turner 🎶💜🎤 

Felica McMinn

This one hits! 

May you RIP knowing that your music and creative abilities touched so many. Definitely this girl, right here. 

Wow 🥺

Keep on Rollin because you were absolutely, Simply The Best.

Samantha Martin

Man. Tina Turner. My heart is heavy to know she is no longer earthside. I never got the chance to see her live but she has been the single biggest influence for me musically, vocally and performance wise. I binge watch live footage regularly just hoping to feel the magic that was the Queen of Rock & Roll. RIP Tina - shine on.

Local Covers

Links: Garnetta and DagroovmastersMore Garnetta and Da Groovmasters StoriesVideo above courtesy of Vesna Trkulja-Stevens

Links: Walk Off The EarthMore WOTE Stories,   Video above courtesy of Walk Off the Earth

A song from the lady herself

Links: Tina TurnerVideo above courtesy of Tina Turner


Previous (Grand River Blues Society Turns 20) - - - Next (Throwback Thursday: Black Music Month)

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors




Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors


To enable you to make good housing decisions call us or email us: www.judymarsales.com
PROUD SUPPORTER OF HAMILTON BLUES LOVERS



Wednesday, May 24, 2023

The Grand River Blues Society Turns 20!


Today (May 25, 2023) is that day that the Grand River Blues Society turns 20 years old. We here at HBL salute this amazing organization that has helped keep the Blues alive in our area.

Here are few comments about the anniversary:

Bruce Hall (President, GRBS)
The Grand River Blues Society is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week on Thursday May 25th. We have indeed come a long way from the grass roots launch in Cambridge where in fact about 80 blues fans joined us then for a twenty dollar fee. We are proud that that annual membership is still only twenty dollars.
We would like to celebrate our success by honoring all our members, volunteers, venues, musicians and directors past and present who have helped make this feat possible. The GRBS has committed to making 2023 a year long celebration with more exciting shows and announcements to come. I invite you to check us out on Facebook and our website

Keep Shufflin'

Lou (HBL blogger and founder)

As a member and volunteer for the GRBS, I get to see first hand the dedication the board members and the volunteers have to local music. Blues is in their blood and they work hard to support local artists. Cheers!

Corey Lueck (Smoke Wagon Blues Band

Congratulations to the Grand River Blues society for turning 20! The best thing about the GRBS is the fact that it feels more like a Blues family then a society. We've been honored to represent the Grand River blues society in Memphis at the Memphis Blues challenge and to have performed at their 10th anniversary which seems like yesterday!  They are an inspiration to how a blues society should be run with genuine passion and love for preserving the Blues and we look forward to many more years of  continued success with our Blues family.

John McKinley

The GRBS has been at the forefront of creating a love & appreciation for Blues amongst the youth in our community via the Blues in the Schools program, The Grand River Blues Camp and The Youth Legacy Contest. I have personally witnessed its growth & impact over many years. 


Previous (Josie Music Awards Nominees) - - - Next (Honouring Tina Turner)

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