The Nanaimo Blues Society (the Society) is a BC registered non-profit society that was founded in October 2004 and is led by a committed volunteer board with a passion for Blues music and a desire to add to the culture and vitality of Nanaimo.

The Society's aims are to:

• Establish, promote and maintain Summertime Blues! an annual world class Blues Festival in downtown Nanaimo, BC drawing from the wealth of fine blues musicians in BC, across the country and around the world;
• Develop and present other musical events that will provide enjoyment for the community, showcase Nanaimo and area musical talent, build understanding of and appreciation for the Blues and stimulate the local economy;
• Develop ways to engage youth in music, and provide youth with opportunities for musical education and development;
• Foster and encourage mentorship among musicians and create opportunities (workshops, jams etc) for education, networking and exchange of knowledge; and
• Build lasting partnerships with Nanaimo area businesses and organizations in support of the Society's objectives.

"Bringing the Blues to Nanaimo" is the tag line used by the Society on all of its promotional material and membership literature. It’s our mantra and our primary reason for existence. The Society's aims are directed at developing ways to ensure that the history, nature and practice of the Blues is accessible to as wide an audience as possible

The Society has organized and presented three highly successful, annual Summertime Blues! festivals in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and is hard at work planning Summertime Blues! 2008. These are free outdoor Blues festivals held in downtown Nanaimo featuring local, provincial, national and internationally renowned Blues musicians. While the Festivals are free events it is important to note that the caliber of the festivals is the same or higher than many ticketed events and that all artists are professionally treated and very well paid – this is evidenced by the strong desire of artists who have played the festival to return and the high volume of requests from artists nationally and internationally to play at the festival. While the majority of festival performers are from BC the festival is national in scope and regularly includes performers from at least 3 other provinces in addition to BC. Funding for the festival comes from corporate sponsorships from businesses and business associations, private donations and municipal and federal grants

In addition, the Society has established the Blues Underground, a workshop venue which has been instrumental in the Society being able to create opportunities for education, networking, exchanging knowledge and mentorship about the Blues and Blues music. The Blues Underground is located at 10 Lois Lane in the China Steps in downtown Nanaimo.

The Society also organizes and participates in a numerous community activities such as dances, charity fundraisers, parades and trade shows. In December 2007, the Society held its second annual Gospel concert as a fundraiser for St Andrews United Church's Renovation Fund. In addition, creating the Blues Underground has enabled the Society to form its own band: the "Nanaimo Blues Society All Stars" who made their debut opening for the Summertime Blues! 2007 and have also performed, for free, at a number of community events since then.

The Society currently has no paid staff. Work is performed by the 10 member volunteer Board and a core of volunteers from among the Society's 251 paid members.

For more information and/or you are interested in joining The Nanaimo Blues Society please
email us at: info@nanaimobluesfestival.com.