It is time to get dancing sandals ready for Texada Islands’ first annual Blues and Roots Festival.
Organized in replacement of the well-known Jazz on the Rocks festival, the two-day Texada Island Blues and Roots festival includes local artists, a farmers’ market, beer garden as well as food and craft vendors.
“There are a lot of people pumped about this event, everyone’s really excited to get together and have a party,” said Gerry Childress, a director at Texada Arts, Culture and Tourism (TACT) Society.
Many of the performers come from within 100 kilometres of Gillies Bay, including the Texada Boyz, Powell River’s Sam Hurrie, jazzy blues singer Joanna Finch from Courtenay and Blue Grass Fever from Chemainus. Other local artists include Blues De Fox with Dennis Fox, Luke Blu Guthrie, Ron Campbell and the Walter Martella Band.
“They’re excellent musicians,” said Childress, chairperson of the blues and roots committee. “There’s no reason why they should travel away from where they live to play.”
Singer and anti-bullying advocate Keisja Cox, now 17, who won Valley Idol in Courtenay at the age of 10, will also be performing at the festival.
Events kick off at noon at Gillies Bay Ball Park on Saturday, August 8, with Taya and Friends, led by songstress Taya Gable, and carry on well into the night with a late night jam session from 10 pm at the Texada Island Inn, one of the sponsors.
Childress said there will be a shuttle transporting festival goers around the island. “We want to get people to where they want to go and discourage drinking and driving,” he said.
Food and craft vendors will be at the ball park both days. Other features include a beer garden, farmers’ market, kids’ zone, CD tent, real estate booth and 50/50 draw. Group campsites at Shelter Point Park have been reserved for anyone looking to make a reservation through TACT www.texada.org.
“Texada is changing and we need to promote it,” Childress said. “Everyone comes here and loves it because it is a great laid back place with beautiful beaches and great people.”
Tickets are available for purchase at texadabluesfestival.com and Rockit Music at 6820 Alberni Street in Powell River. A contact form can also be found on the website, allowing readers interested in sponsoring or volunteering to ask questions or find more information.
