Celebrate summer’s end on a high note by grooving to live blues, R&B, and more at the 26th annual Vancouver Island Blues Bash at the Outdoor Stage at Ship Point (in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, 900 block of Wharf St) and at Hermann’s Upstairs (751 View St, above Hermann’s Jazz Club) this Labour Day Weekend! ¬¬ Featured Ticketed Shows at Ship Point (on sale now!): Mike Farris & The Fortunate Few Saturday, August 31 – 7:30pm ~ $32 (tax incl.) “There aren’t many current male singers who use their voices to soar, float and deliver material with the spiritual commitment of Mike Farris.” – Hal Horowitz, American Songwriter Magazine From Nashville, Tennessee, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Mike Farris blends blues, gospel and Stax-style soul. A musical renaissance man, Farris toured as lead singer for rock band Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies and, for a time, fronted blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble. After his 2015 Grammy win, “Best Roots Gospel Album” for Shine For All The People, Farris maintains a distinct blues-rock, soul-tinged flavour with his 2018 record Silver & Stone. Farris won the prestigious Americana Music Award for “Best New Emerging Artist”, a Dove Award for “Best Traditional Gospel Album of the Year”, and was featured with Lauryn Hill, Chaka Khan, Cissy Houston, and Ronald Isley at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 16th Annual American Masters concert honoring Aretha Franklin. Mike Farris and the Fortunate Few played Victoria in September 2018 and now return to rock the Blues Bash outdoor stage. Kevin Burt and Big Medicine Sunday, September 1 – 7:30pm ~ $32 (tax incl.) “Burt is a serious songwriter who knows how to craft music to fit his personality, and no one delivers this brand of music better than he does…this guy is a real winner.”– Living Blues For more than 25 years, the harmonica wizard from Coralville, Iowa, Kevin “B.F.” Burt, has been electrifying audiences throughout the Midwest. His soul-inspired stage presence and ability to build an audience rapport consistently gets him likened to artists such as Bill Withers, Aaron Neville, and B.B. King. This self-taught master of vocals, harmonica, and guitar provides smooth, blues-rich vocals to an audience that always cheers for more. Burt was named one of the top 25 unsigned blues bands in the world by the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, which he won for “Best Solo/Duo,” “Solo/Duo Guitar,” and “Harmonica” in 2018. His 2018 album Heartland And Soul was nominated for a 2019 Blues Music Award for “Best Emerging Artist Album.” Don’t miss the Victoria debut of this rising star, whose sheer feel for the blues guarantees to captivate crowds from all walks of life. Ticket Combo: *Save big on ticketed evening performances with a Ticket Combo for only $49! Includes one ticket to Mike Farris & The Fortunate Few and one ticket to Kevin Burt and Big Medicine. Featured Ticketed Show at Hermann’s Upstairs (on sale now!): Lindsay Beaver plus Blue Moon Marquee Saturday, August 31 – 10:00pm ~ $18 (tax incl.) Former co-leader of the 24th St. Wailers blues-rocking, soul-singing stand-up drummer Lindsay Beaver ascends to staggering heights with her first CD under her own name, Tough As Love, with the prestigious blues record label, Alligator Records. This 2018 album was nominated for the 2019 Blues Music Award “Best Emerging Artist Album.” Beaver has exceeded the expectations of the blues world by melding both striking originals with impeccably selected covers. Though drawing inspiration from Amy Winehouse to Little Richard to The Ramones, from Billie Holiday to Nick Curran, her style is solely limited by her boundless confidence and originality. She last played Victoria in October 2018. Opening for this blues-infused evening is the Blue Moon Marquee duo. Ticket Outlets: Victoria Jazz Society (250-388-4423 or 977 Alston St) and the Royal & McPherson Box Office (250-386-6121 or online at rmts.bc.ca). No service charges at the VJS office! Free Afternoon Performance Series (Noon to 5PM): The following bands will perform at Ship Point starting at noon each day during the Vancouver Island Blues Bash: Saturday, August 31: Mark Crissinger • Blue Moon Marquee Band • Mystery Train w. Wayne Berezan • Bill Johnson Blues Band Sunday, September 1: Checo & The Sweet Soul Choir • Kelly Fawcett & The Maladies • Little Marty & The Juke Joint • David Vest Monday, September 2: Blue Dog Ramble • The Kingpins • Brett Smith-Daniels • Soul Shakers