News
Crystal Shawanda Returns for Blues in the Schools, Pt. 2, May 14-19, 2023
We are happy to be able to bring Crystal Shawanda back to our area to perform in front of students as part of our "Blues in the Schools" program for 2023. Crystal will be at eight different campuses, playing before a total of 10 different schools, so it's going to be a busy week! Crystal shares a bit of her personal journey from Manitoulin Island to Nashville, her music and how she creates it as well as her the challenges she has faced on that journey.
On Thursday evening, May 18, we host a special acoustic performance of Crystal at The Bruce. Opening for Crystal will be Nuclear Vibes, a local husband and wife duo from Port Elgin, starting on their own journey. Show starts at 7:30 pm, with donations at the door accepted for our "Blues in the Schools" program.
Congratulations to Two Renewing Members! April 1, 2023
We held two draws at our recent 17th Anniversary Show for New and Renewing Members! Congratulations to Gail MacKay who won two Weekend Passes to the 2023 Lighthouse Blues Festival and to Tony Doherty who won a Google Nest!
We thank everyone who joined or renewed their membership during our Annual Membership Drive (over 60 this year!). But we accept new members, (or renewals!) all year long. A Membership is important revenue for us and our Blues in the Schools program. Regretfully not all our shows make a profit so membership dues give us a bit of a cushion to carry us through the year. And of course, our Blues in the Schools program is offered entirely free to area schools.
Please keep your membership current. Contact our Membership Chair, Sherri Hilton, at sherrihilton@gmail.com or download our Membership Form from this website.
Membership Campaign a Success! March 30, 2023
Our 2023 Membership Campaign, running from January 1 through to March 26, has once again been successful. Over 60 new or renewing members will have their names in a special draw at our 17th Anniversary Party on Sunday, with first prize being two Weekend Passes to the Lighthouse Blues Festival, second prize a Google Nest.
We now have over 150 active members, hoping to reach 200 by the end of the year! If you haven't joined us yet, or your membership has expired, download our Membership Form from this site and send off to Sherri today!
Blues in the Schools, PT. 2 Coming this May. March 25, 2023
With the generous financial support of OPG, we were able to bring Crystal Shawanda to area schools last October. The response from schools was overwhelming, such that we couldn't visit as many as we would have liked. So, to get this talented performer, with her inspirational and uplifting message, in front of as many young students as possible, we're bringing Crystal back to Bruce County for another week in May. She'll do 8 school performances as well as an evening acoustic performance at The Bruce on Thursday, May 18.
17th Anniversary Show, Sunday, March 26, 2023. March 1, 2023
Join us at The Bruce on Sunday, March 26, 2023 for our 17th Anniversary! We have a lot to celebrate, "Keepin' the Blues Alive" in Bruce County all these years.
For this party we will feature LTZ, better known as Cheryl Lescom, Rick Taylor and Chuckee Zehr.
Lescom is certainly well know to Bruce County blues fans, having been a frequent performer for us, as well as the Lighthouse Blues Festival. Literally the Queen of the Blues , Lescom has been performing at major festivals and blues clubs for many years but always brings her high energy, passionate vocals to the stage everytime!
Taylor is the consummate guitar player! He made his first major appearance as a singer, songwriter and guitarist at the famed Mariposa Folk Festival in 1971 and went on to become a regular at many Canadian festivals and clubs. Blues, jazz, country, rock, roots, world, and contemporary music all influenced Taylor's early years on the club and festival circuits and he established himself firmly in the 1970’s southern Ontario roots music scene.
To say that Zehr is versatile would be an understatement. She is multi-talented, multi-genre, and a very dynamic and charismatic entertainer. Zehr is a classically trained pianist with a voice reminiscent of Janis and Etta and Aretha and delivers a song with the emotion and passion that draws her audience close and keeps them asking for more!
Over the years, Zehr has honed her arranging and recording chops, received awards for her songwriting, and acted in, co-written and scored several plays. She has collaborated with many artists both onstage and in the studio and has been nominated for and received music industry awards.
