Now in its ninth year, the Pender Harbour Blues Festival opens its doors at many different venues June 1 to 3 for a line-up of gospel shows, free concerts, dinner events and entertainment in the pubs and dance halls.
The Garden Bay Pub is where it all began when owner and blues fan Ron Johnston hoped to kick start the summer music scene in early June.
The Friday evening festival opener with guitar virtuoso Russell Marsland will be at the pub, but indoor seating is already sold out. There's still room on the deck, if you get your tickets soon. Marsland has been a headliner for the Vancouver International Jazz Festival for years.
The Saturday evening headliner at the pub is the vibrant, genuine and soulful Dawn Pemberton singing gospel, soul, jazz, funk and world music. Her powerful voice dominated last year's gospel show and organizers liked her so much they brought her back for her own show. Joining her will be Sojourner member Will Sanders.
If you want to dance the night away, be at the Pender Harbour Community Hall on Saturday night. International sax player and 2012 Blues Music Award nominee Terry Hanck's hard-blowing sax and vocals will keep you on your feet. As sax player for Elvin Bishop for years, Hanck will be serving up his New Orleans gumbo, West Coast jump and East Bay funk, backed by a full band.
At last year's Blues Fest, the Sunday gospel show knocked the audience's spiritual socks off. Back by popular demand at the School of Music, this year's gospel concert includes recent Maple Blues Award for best piano player of the year nominee, John Lee Sanders. He will be joined by Pemberton and Will Sanders (no relation).
Enjoy fine dining along with very fine music at The Painted Boat Restaurant in Madeira Park when they present 2012 Juno Award nominee Murray Porter on Friday and Saturday nights. Porter spent the last 30 years playing the blues throughout the world, spreading his unique style of foot-stomping and hand-clapping, native blues piano. There's no cover charge for the music but you will want to make reservations because space is limited.
The Garden Bay Restaurant will also be offering dinner shows on Friday and Saturday presenting the multi-talented Brandon Isaak. Also known as Yukon Slim, Isaak is a top ranked, versatile musician and master storyteller.
Feeling short of cash? Go on Saturday afternoon from noon to 4 p.m. for free concerts. Dr. Fun and Yukon Slim will be in Madeira Park, Joe Stanton plays at John Henry's Marina and another local band will play at the Crossroads Grill.
The All-star Jam on Sunday afternoon at the Garden Bay Pub is hosted by Tim Hearsey, an exceptional guitar player and showman. Hearsey is also part of the Pub's house band along with musical director Chris Nordquist and newest band member, Karen Graves. Get your tickets early as the Jam is a sold out show every year. John Lee Sanders will be closing the weekend on Sunday night with his musical gumbo of boogie piano, tenor sax and a soulful voice of spiritual range.
For more info and on-line ticket sales, see www.penderharbourbluesfestival.com.
