ARTS CORNER: Bring on the Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival

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By now I am sure you have seen a poster or advertisement, heard a commercial or a friend has told you about the Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival.

Perhaps you are a regular attendee and already have your ticket. In any case, the city’s annual music event is only a few short weeks away, taking to the stage Aug. 11 at Deer Lake Park, with headliners the Indigo Girls and Jimmie Vaughan.

Each annual event brings a mix of top-rated local, regional, national and international professional and emerging musicians to the park. Last year the 12th annual Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival featured headliner k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang, which was an incredible show. There have been other great shows over the years featuring artists Buddy Guy, the Neville Brothers, Joe Louis Walker, Koko Taylor, Steve Riley, the Holmes Brothers, Smokey Robinson, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Johnny Lang, Taj Mahal, John Mayall, and local favourites Colin James and Jim Byrnes.

We are proud to promote Canadian established and emerging artists as part of the festival. This year’s Canadian talent includes three artists which are sure to delight with their mix of blues, roots and bluegrass notes—The Washboard Union and No Sinner, both Vancouver based, and the Saskatoon-based band The Deep Dark Woods.

You can definitely anticipate a great festival experience this Aug. 11!  It’s really the combination of the performances of the artists and the interaction with the audience that really make the day—and the weather certainly helps as well.

If you are interested in music, like to stay close to home and want a truly unique Burnaby experience consider the festival. It is a great outing for the family or a group of friends. While you can bring your own food to the site, there are a variety of food and beverage options, shopping opportunities in the Artisan Village and art activities for the kids.  Children under 12 are free and the four-pack ticket option is the best festival value at $200. For tickets, further information and to plan out your day visit burnabybluesfestival.com or call 604-205-3000.

See you there!

• Geraldine Parent is the arts services manager at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.