Throwback Thursday - Festival of Friends 2009

Original Posts: August 9, 10, 14, 2009

Merged Post: August 13, 2026

Here's a look at the 2009 Festival of Friends.

August 8, 2009

Lovers & Other Strangers Workshop

• Lowest Lanes (ft Mark McNeil) - Jolene
• Alfie Smith - Buckshot Blues
• Carly-Jo - Booty Call
• Carly Jo & Friends - The Truth No. 2

Good Lovin' Gone Bad Workshop

• Jace Martin
• Steven Elmo Murphy Band
• Steve Sinnicks
• Top Dead Centre
• Everyone - Some Kinda Wonderful

Guinness Book of World Records Attempt

Guitars were raised high after a performance of Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water at the Festival of Friends on August 8, 2009. Hamilton musician Christopher Charles and his band were joined by a legion of guitarists scattered across Gage Park.

This was an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for most guitars in a jam performance.

According to the Spectator, the record wasn't broken (we were 77 short) but we did beat Toronto's recent attempt)

Below is a video of the event. We apologize for the extreme close-ups (the camera was stuck on zoom)

Links: Deep Purple, More Deep Purple Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers

August 9, 2009 

Memories of Jackie Washington Workshop

• Alfie Smith - God Bless the Child
• Brenda Lewis - Honeysuckle Rose
• Donna Creighton - Sweet Cheeks
• Paul Langille - Smile
• Joan Crabtree - Put Me First
• Brian Blain - St. James Infirmary
• Dave Kidney - Jackie Washington

Leon Redbone Videos From mumblemod

Music Listings: August 12-13, 2026

August 12-13, 2026

We try our best to make sure these listings are as accurate as possible. If you spot any errors or omissions, please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com.

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Aug 12-13 / Aug 14-16 / Aug 17-23

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Wednesday, August 12

10am-4pm: Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music (Exhibit) @ Visitor Experience Centre (Hamilton) (Jan 27-Dec 31, Tue-Sat)

12-2pm: Terry Rhodes (Fly by Night) @ Jackson Square, Rooftop (Hamilton) (Aug 10-14)

2pm: Sorry...I'm Not Sorry (Musical) @ Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre (St. Jacobs) $? (Jun 3-Aug 22)

2pm: Disney's Frozen (Musical) @ Huron Country Playhouse (Grand Bend) $? (Aug 5-30)

4-7pm: Open Mic Hosted by Victor Morgadoo @ Ridgeway Legion (Weekly)

6-9pm: Concerts in the Park ft The Vaudevillian with Sleepy Jean @ Montebello Park (St. Catharines)

6-8pm: Kendra Gabrielle @ Burnin' Kiln Winery (Norfolk)

6:30-8:30pm: Open Mic Jazz @ Corktown Pub, Downstairs (Hamilton) (Weekly)

6:30-8pm: Welland Supper Market ft The Uncle Jesses @ Market Square

6:30-9:30pm: Fewings with The Happy Few @ Homegrown Hideaway (Port Dover) $?

7-10pm: Greg Brisco & Dan Thomas @ East End Social (Hamilton) (Weekly)

7-8:30pm: Access Storage Concerts presents Dixieland Plus @ Central Park Bandshell (Burlington) 

7-10pm: Gasline Band @ Donnelly's Pub (Thorold) 

7pm: Song Circle @ ANAF Club (Guelph) (2nd & 4th Wed) PWYC

7pm: Perry and Mark @ Royal Electric (Guelph) (Weekly) 

7-10pm: Open Mic @ The Bullring (Guelph) (Weekly)

7-9pm: Lady Mondegreen @ Twilight at Templin (Fergus)

7:30pm: Bonnie Raitt @ FirstOntario Concert Hall (Hamilton) $?

7:30pm: Chris Chambers @ Thirsty Cactus (Dundas) (Bi-Weekly) 

7:30-10:30pm: Doppelganger @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

8-11pm: Open Mic @ The Block Co (Burlington) (Weekly)

8pm: Mimico Bill's Open Jam @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $5

8-11pm: Open Mic with Mike Shotton (Pop Machine) @ Gingerman (Oakville) (Weekly)

8-12pm: Open Jam @ Frankie's (Brantford) (Weekly) 

8pm: Riff Raff @ Room 47 (Kitchener) 

8-11pm: Blues Review ft Jon Knight & Friend @ White Rabbitt (Waterloo) (Weekly)

8pm: Felicia McMinn @ 211Main (Port Dover) (Weekly)

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Thursday, August 13

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

10am-4pm: Punching In: The Work of Hamilton Music (Exhibit) @ Visitor Experience Centre (Hamilton) (Jan 27-Dec 31, Tue-Sat) 

10am-12pm: Breakfast of Champions (Radio Show) w Paul Panchezak (Trickbag) @ 93.3 CFMU or cfmu.ca (Weekly) 

12-2pm: Terry Rhodes (Fly by Night) @ Jackson Square, Rooftop (Hamilton) (Aug 10-14)

12:30pm: Open Ukulele Session @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $5 (Weekly)

1:30-2pm: Ensemble! TV Show Hosted by Dave Rave & Starring Rob & Zander Lamothe + Lily Sazz, Recorded at Clifford Brewing @ Cable 14 (Hamilton) or live stream on Cable14.com

2pm: Sorry...I'm Not Sorry (Musical) @ Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre (St. Jacobs) $? (Jun 3-Aug 22)

2pm: Disney's Frozen (Musical) @ Huron Country Playhouse (Grand Bend) $? (Aug 5-30)

2pm: Nashville Music City @ Hamilton Family Theatre (Cambridge) $? (Aug 13-30)

5-8pm: Tin Roof  13th Street Winery (St. Catharines)

5:30pm: Jamie Petrie @ Forge BBQ (Ancaster) (Weekly)

5:30-6:30pm: Mason & Priyanka@ Fonthill Bandshell 

5:30-9pm: Waterfront Market ft Maple Jam @ Crystal Beach

6pm: Chris Chambers @ East End Social (Hamilton) 

6pm: Alfie Smith @ Henry’s on James (Hamilton)

6-9pm: Open Mic @ Crystal Chandelier (Crystal Beach) (Weekly) 

6-8pm: Music @ 2 Rivers (Paris) 

6-9pm: Lucas Stagg @ Aging Oak (Cambridge) (Weekly)

6pm: Music @ Strykerz Kitchen & Bar (Kitchener) 

6-8pm: Turk & The Hobbit (Juneyt & Derek) @ Molly Blooms (Waterloo) (Weekly)

6:30-8:30pm: Music on the Waterfront ft Guitar of Fire @ Pier 8 (Hamilton) FREE 

6:30-9:30pm: James Ferris with Fried Balogna @ The Corktown Pub (Hamilton)(Weekly)

6:30-8:30pm: Mattie Leon @ Shawn & Ed Brewing Co (Dundas) FREE 

6:30-9:30pm: Matt Hinojosa @ BLK Swan, Brant St. (Burlington)

6:30-9:30pm: James Anthony with Steve Grisbrook @ Ned Devine's (Milton)

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

7-9pm: Music @ Squires Pub on Locke (Hamilton) 

7pm: Classic Country Open Mic with the Country Ramblers @ 447 Wing (Hamilton) (Weekly) 

7pm: Lake Notes ft The Blackboard Blues Band @ Bronte Park (Oakville) FREE 

7-10pm: Starla Silvestri @ Teddy's (Grimsby)

7-10pm: Josh Coulter @ Judge & Jester (Grimsby) (Weekly)

7-10pm: Patio Party with Rock of 80's Duo @ Cat's Caboose (St. Catharines) 

7-9pm: Boomerang @ Fonthill Bandshell

7pm: Blues in the Park ft Twelve Mile @ Fireman's Park (Niagara Falls) 

7-9pm: Matt Miani @  Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls)

7-10pm: Stan Change @ Manhattans (Guelph) 

7pm: Open Mic @ The Falls Road on Victoria (Kitchener) (Weekly)

7pm: Summer Sunset Sounds ft Brothers Wilde + Adam Cousins @ Grand Bend Beach

7-8:30pm: Thom Adkins + Chris & Claire  @ Old Town Hall (Waterford)

7:30pm: Orchestral Fireworks @ FirstOntario Concert Hall (Hamilton) $?

7:30pm?: Just Amsterdam Farewell Show @ The Block Co, Edison Room (Burlington) 

7:30pm: Live Jam & Open Mic Hosted by Sessionista @ The Barber Towne Pub (Georgetown) (2nd & 4th Thu) 

7:30-10:30pm: Open Mic with Victor Morgado @ Your Neighbourhood Pizza Co (Beamsville)  (Weekly) 

7:30-10:30pm: Paddyman @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

7:30pm: Sorry...I'm Not Sorry (Musical) @ Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre (St. Jacobs) $? (Jun 3-Aug 22)

7:30pm: Disney's Frozen (Musical) @ Huron Country Playhouse (Grand Bend) $? (Aug 5-30)

7:30pm: Nashville Music City @ Hamilton Family Theatre (Cambridge) $? (Aug 13-30)

---- After 8:00pm ----

8pm: Oceanique with Minuscule @ Mills Hardware (Hamilton) $20

8-11pm: Music @ Southcote 53 (Ancaster) 

8pm: Music in the Garden ft The Sheepdogs + Chloe Doucet @ Royal Botanical Gardens (Burlington) $?

8pm: Music @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $?

8-11pm: Open Mic Night + Jam @ Temple Bar (Oakville) (Weekly) 

8-11pm: Evan Rotella Duo @ Utopia Lounge and Vintage Shoppe (Crystal Beach)

8-10pm: Dragan on the Sax @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Weekly)

8pm: Rock & Roll Heaven @ Yuk Yuk's (Niagara Falls)

8-11:30pm: Open Mic with Nora Crete and Derek Bowers @ Elora Legion (Weekly)

8pm: Four Eyed Muscle Man | No More New | Nitro Girl @ Room 47 (Kitchener) $15 adv/$20 door

8-11pm: Acoustic Melodies ft Lor & Friends @ White Rabbitt (Waterloo) (Weekly)

8:30pm: Open Mic @ Coach & Lantern (Ancaster) (Weekly) 

9pm: Paige Armstrong @ Fallsview Casino Resort, Lucky's Restaurant (Niagara Falls) 

9:30pm-1am: A Simple Gesture @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake) 

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Aug 11-13 / Aug 14-16 / Aug 17-23

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Please Support Local Charities

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Please Support Local Charities

From their website: Our objective is to accumulate capital, earn investment income and use this income to make charitable donations in Norfolk County.

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.

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Winners of the 2026 Forest City London Music Awards

The 2026 Forest City London Music Awards were handed out as part of London Music Week - June 6 to 14.

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Below is a complete list of winners. Click the name to see the award announcement.

• PRODUCER/ENGINEER:  Iain McNally, Producer/Engineer: Chris Strei (Brantford) - One Day at a Time
  
  
  
  Links: Chris Strei, More Chris Strei Stories, Video above courtesy of Chris Strei
  
  
• LONDON MUSIC HALL OF FAME: Teddy Leonard (of Niagara's Mighty Duck Blues Band, Hogtown AllStars, Fathead)
• AFRO CARIBIANNA: King Willie
• BLUES: Smokes Like Lightning
• CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL (GROUP): Brass Roots New Horizons Band
• CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL (SOLO): Yanet Campbell-Secades, Violin
• CLASSICAL VOCAL (SOLO): Felix Stueckmann
• CLASSICAL VOCAL (CHOIR OR GROUP): London Gospel Collective
• CLUB DJ: DJ Calderon
• CONTEMPORARY SINGER SONGWRITER: Anne Moniz
• CONTRIBUTOR: Jeff Bailkowski (Community Builder)
• COUNTRY: Tyler DeLargie
• COVER BAND: The Strands
• ELECTRONIC: Mat Lunnen
• FAN FAVOURITE: Lindsey & The Lonelies
• FANTASY BAND: Vocals – Amanda Movio, Bass – Ryan Spong, Guitar – Randy Hicks, Drums – Cameron Hand, Horns – Alexa Brown, Strings – Tara Dunphy, Keyboards – Nathan Nykor
• FOLK ROOTS: Jesse Grandmont & Brian Barber
• HIPHOP: Cronica
• JAZZ VOCAL (SOLO or GROUP): Nicole Tan
• JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL (SOLO or GROUP): Seth McNall Sextet
• LATIN: Sofi R
• LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Jones Family, Fred Smith
• LIVE MUSIC VENUE: The Bunker Performance Lounge (Stratford)
• METAL: Crowning Kings
• MUSIC VIDEO: Sophia Korz - Pretty People
  
  
  
  Links: Sophia Korz, Video above courtesy of Sophia Korz
  
  
• ONTARIO INDIE RECORDING ARTIST: Lorraine Klaasen
• POP: Justin Maki
• PUNK: Full Throttle
• ROCK: Texas King
• SUPER FAN: Brenda Heywood
• TRIBUTE ARTIST: AXL/DC: Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC
• WORLD MUSIC: Rachel McGarry
• YOUTH AWARD: Can’t Drive Yet - H.B. Beal Secondary School

Links: London Music Awards, More London Music Awards Stories

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Previous  (Cat Day Videos)

International Cat Day Videos by Trevor Strong & the Arrogant Worms

Links: Arrogant Worms, More Arrogant Worms Stories, Video above courtesy of Arrogant Worms - Topic

Links: Trevor Strong, Album above courtesy of Trevor Strong - Topic

More Cat Day Videos

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Previous  (New Rob Lamothe Live Album) - - - Next (Winners of the London Music Awards)

Rob Lamothe's Unforgettable Voice & Inspired Songwriting Take Centre Stage on New Live Album

Mini-Review: I've you've had the pleasure of listening to the incredible local singer/songwriter Rob Lamothe, you know about his unforgettable voice and inspired songwriting. His recent album, Live at St. Pancras Old Church lays everything bare. With mainly his voice and an acoustic guitar, Rob's vocals and lyrics take centre stage and have room to breathe. His daughter Rose Lamothe also lends her equally unique voice to two tracks. 

Available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music

Links: Album above courtesy of Bandcamp

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Previous (Throwback Thursday - Acoustics Album Get Noticed) - - - Next (Cat Day Videos)

Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors

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Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors

They sell instruments, do repairs and offer lessons. 

This wonderful store does a lot to help to local music community.

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Throwback Thursday - The Acoustics 'Forever and a Day' Gets Noticed (2009)

Original post: January 24, 2009

Updated: August 6, 2026

Forever and a Day, the instrumental album by Hamilton folk/roots group, the Acoustics, got a bit of notice in 2009

From their blog entry:

It is with great pride and joy to share the news that The Acoustics have just been nominated for a JPF Music Award for World Album of the year 2009, for our CD, 

JPF (Just Plain Folks Music Organization) is a community of over 51,500 Songwriters, Recording Artists and Music Industry Professionals — and host to the world's largest independent music awards

The Acoustics, the only Canadian artists to be nominated in this category. Not bad, eh!!!

Hoping for the best!

Ciao for now

Alfonso

Update from their Myspace Blog

Unfortunately we did not win the award for World Album of the year. However for what it’s worth we came in 2nd place! Second out of ten nominees is not bad.

Links: Acoustics, More Acoustics Stories, Album above courtesy of The Acoustics - Topic

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Previous (Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day Videos) - - - Next (New Rob Lamothe Live Album)

Please Support Local Charities

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Please Support Local Charities

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.

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Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day Videos by the Vaudevillian

Update of 2020 Post 

Every July 31, we celebrate Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day.









Links: The Vaudevillian, More Vaudevillian Stories, Videos above courtesy of The Vaudevillian

Click here for more Uncommon Instrument Videos

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