The 16th annual Limestone City Blues Festival is fast approaching, and if you’re anything like me, you likely have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this massive weekend celebrating blues music and southern-inspired food. We love our local Blues Fest because we can enjoy four days of lively performances by world-class and local talents for a tremendously affordable $10.  On the flip side, the festival also marks the near end of Summer, which will undoubtedly put many of us in the mood to sing the blues and weep along with a libation or two.  With this year’s festival headliners including: Roxanne Potvin, Curtis Salgado, Steve Strongman, Ruthie Foster, David Gogo and Rhythm Haints, as well as local favorites (of mine) including: MoJo Shooter and Agent Blue, the 2012 festival is not to be missed.

Thursday Aug 23rd

2:00pm: Hard Pushin’ Papa in Confederation Park
3:00pm: Sonny Slide Maddams in Confederation Park
4:00pm: Rhythm Haints in Confederation Park
5:00pm: Dan Delauriers in Confederation Park
6:00pm: 24th Street Wailers in Confederation Park
7:00pm: Roxanne Potvin in Confederation Park
Start/End times for evening club shows vary. Check venues for details.
River City Junction at Brandees
Rhythm Haints at The Queen’s Inn
24th Street Wailers at The RCHA Club
Kevin Head Blues Jam at The Royal Tavern

Friday Aug 24th

12:00pm: Kevin Head with Rubbaboo in Confederation Park
1:00pm: Ila Vann Band in Confederation Park
2:00pm: Shaun Riley and the Chrome Hearts in Confederation Park
3:00pm: Little Bobby & the Jumpstarts in Confederation Park
4:00pm: Whiskey River Band in Confederation Park
5:00pm: Jeff J Gaulton Trio in Confederation Park
6:00pm: Blues Highway in Confederation Park
7:00pm: Curtis Salgado with opening act Steve Strongman at the Princess Street Stage
Start/End times for evening club shows vary. Check venues for details.
Bedeviled Blues at Amadeus Café
Steve Strongman at Brandees
Ila Vann Band at Megalo’s
Roxanne Potvin at The Merchant Tap House
The Doghouse Kings at The Queen’s Inn
MoJo Shooter Open Jam at The RCHA Club
Linda Lawrance, Kevin Head & the Sour Ice Cubes at The Royal Tavern
Shaun Riley & the Chrome Hearts at Tir Nan Og
Little Bobby & the Jumpstarts at Toucan
Agent Blue at Zappa’s

Saturday Aug 25th

11:30am-2:00pm: Le Chien Noir Allstars at Le Chien Noir
12:00pm: Double Double in Confederation Park
1:00pm: Loyal Blues in Confederation Park
2:00pm: The Doghouse Kings in Confederation Park
3:00pm: Geoff Hinch Boogie & Blues Band in Confederation Park
3:00pm – 7:00pm: Linzy McMurter Trio at The RCHA Club (with bbq)
4:00pm: Agent Blue in Confederation Park
4:00-7:00pm: Peggy Voigt & Ken McColm and Shawn Dore at Pasta Shelf
5:00pm The Killing Floor in Confederation Park
6:00pm Big Mo and the Blues Mission in Confederation Park
7:00pm Ruthie Foster with opening acts David Gogo and Rhythm Haints at Market Square Stage
Start/End times for evening club shows vary. Check venues for details.
Bedeviled Blues at Amadeus Café
Geoff Hinch Boogie & Blues Band at Aroma
Steve Strongman at Brandees
Ila Vann Band at Megalo’s
Garrett Mason & Keith Hallett The Merchant Tap House
Double Double at The Queen’s Inn
(evening) MoJo Shooter Open Jam at The RCHA Club
Agent Blue at The Royal Tavern
Shaun Riley & the Chrome Hearts at Tir Nan Og
Little Bobby & the Jumpstarts at Toucan
Filet of Soul at Zappa’s

Sunday Aug 26th

11:30am-2:00pm: Le Chien Noir Allstars at Le Chien Noir
12:00pm: MoJo Shooter in Confederation Park
1:00pm: The Roosevelts in Confederation Park
2:00pm: Irene Torres &The Sugar Devils in Confederation Park
3:00pm: Wicked Grin in Confederation Park
4:00pm: Bluestone in Confederation Park
7:00-10:00pm: End of Festival Jam with Irene Torres &The Sugar Devils at The RCHA Club

In addition to all the great music, during the 2012 Blues Fest, eleven of downtown Kingston’s best restaurants will highlighting the flavours of Kingston’s countryside in special southern-style dinner menus. From pulled pork to smoked ribs and fresh local grilled corn, southern comfort food will also vie for the spotlight during this year’s four day festival. Hosted by the Local Food Local Chefs Initiative, Homegrown Bluesfood will showcase the quality of food produced by the region’s farmers and the high calibre talent of Kingston Chefs. Prices vary depending on the restaurant, while participating venues are as follows: Amadeus Café, Aqua Terra Restaubistro, Atomica, Harper’s Burger Bar, King Street Sizzle, Le Chien Noir, Olivea, Red House, Sir John’s Public House, Tango and Windmills.

Thanks to La Tête Krançien, Bengt Nyman and Blind Hen ? Blind Höna for the photos used in the above composition.