If you want the latest updates on what's happening about the Blues in Nanaimo, sign up for our e-mail information list by sending an e-mail to Nanaimo Blues Society Secretary Ed Poli at info@nanaimoblues.com   and asking to be put on the list. Also if you have information to share on upcoming Blues events please send it to Ed at the same address.

Randy Cormier - Drums Workshop - Randy will be presenting a Drums Workshop (how to be a great rock drummer) at the Blues Underground on Saturday May 3rd at 1:00 pm.  The cost is $30 per person and to register you can sign up at the Blues Underground at the Tuesday or Thursday James or contact Tom Dodge at 751-1516 or Tony Bridge at Tony Bridge@shaw.ca or 247-9929, evenings only.  Payment can be made on the day in cash or by cheque payable to the Nanaimo Blues Society.  If you wish to pay by credit card, please call Ed Poli at 716-1277 after you have registered for the workshop.

Live Recording Session with Slim & the Deuces (Dave Harris, John Hunter and Greg Kennedy  - will be held at the Blues Underground at 10 Lois Lane Saturday, May 3.  Slim and the Deuces play classic blues.  Doors open at 7:30 pm and the session starts at 8:00 pm.  Admission by donation.

Renovation Blues Band  play at the Craig Street Brew Pub in Duncan on Wednesday, May 7 at 7:00pm.

Tatt and the Sly Dawg Blues Band - 3rd in our series of live recording sessions at the Blues Underground at 10 Lois Lane on Saturday, April 26.  Doors open at 7:30.  Session starts at 8 pm.  Admission by donation.

Live from the Blues Underground - Thursday April 26,  Billie Boy Lucas will be broadcasting his Blues Show "Blue Plate Special" live from weekly Blues Jam at the Blues Underground from 8:00 to 10:00 pm.  Get down to the Underground at 10 Lois Lane or catch it live on CHLY 101.7 FM or listen on line at http://www.chly.ca/.  This is the first live broadcast  from the Blues Underground.                                                       

Summer & The Sinners - May 17 - Tania's, Nanaimo

Thor and the Thundercats - play the Harewood Arms Pub at 9:pm on Saturday, May 24.

Live Recording Session with Gerry Barnum - The 4th in our series of live recording sessions will be held at the Blues Underground at 10 Lois Lane on Saturday, May 10 and will feature Gerry Barnum.  Doors open at 7:30 pm and the session starts at 8:00 pm.  Admission by donation.  Note - This event will mark the 1st anniversary of the Blues Underground.

             WANTED:  ROCKERS, MUSICIANS & VOCALISTS

For the ultimate "Rock & Blues" School right here in

                                  Join the "SIDEWALK ALL-STARS"

This is a unique rockin' opportunity you don't want to miss.  Realize your true potential as an artist/musician and learn how to rock in a band.  Learn the right way from highly experienced and working musicians from the Vancouver Island area.  As a rocker in training you will learn essential life skills:  how to work together, improvise, prepare new material, create promo such as demos, learn the basic of sound engineering, stage set up/tech and perform live in front of an audience.

At the Blues Underground, (10 Lois Lane) you will participate in group lessons, experiment in workshops, work with guest bands, use state of the art equipment and gear, have access to a rehearsal space and hold open jam sessions.  This is a great way to meet other people interested in rock and blues music, hone new skills, build technique and learn how to rock in a structured environment.

Each student and formed band will participate in a minimal of 2 hrs of structured band rehearsal along with 1.5 hr of group instrument classes weekly.  Our objective is to have you and your band performance ready for the Nanaimo Blues Society's SUMMERTIME BLUES FESTIVAL in August.  All students will perform live for an audience at least once at the Blues Underground and will audition for a gig at the Nanaimo Blues Society's - "SUMMERTIME BLUES" having the opportunity to pen for ultimate headliner acts.

We have hired only the best "Rock & Blues" working Musicians to teach everything you need to know.  This program is open to all kinds of musical styles, not only limited to Rock and Blues.  This is your chance to gain the knowledge you desire to become a successful rocker.  This program will get you out of the garage and rocking with a like people who all want to grow, expand and be in a band.   This program is designed to save you time in your musical career and get you out there doing what you love.  :Rockin' Out!'  You will gain confidence and be challenged like never before.  Rehearsals will be on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays.

Some of your Rockin' Mentors will be:

Jerry Paquette from Raincoast Studio - teaching tech & sound engineering, Gerry Barnum teaching guitar and harp.  Todd Sacerty from Wunderbread & the Thieves on Bass, James Mcrea, Jazz drummer extraordinaire, Summer Hay leading vocals plus many more.  These instructors will teach you secrets and important lessons you will never forget.  You will have a wide variety of teachers and guest bands during this process.  This is truly a great opportunity to challenge yourself, step-up to the place and learn what you really want to know about music.  Trust us, this is no boring music lesson.  We'll even pay your tuition.  If you want to do this there is no reason you can't.

All participation students will audition for program entry as well as a gig at the Nanaimo Blues Society's SUMMERTIME BLUES Festival 2008.  Program fees apply, Scholarships and paid tuition available.  This program is open to students age 13 - 23, BANDS WELCOME!!.  Bass, Guitar, Keys, Drums, Vocals, Harmonica and Horns will be taught and accepted.

Contact 751-1516 or 616-6242 for more information.  E: skyhighproductions@live.ca for registration documents, technical requirements and scholarship forms.  You can also register at the Blues Underground on Tuesday & Thursday nights between 7-10 pm, ask for Tom.

Auditions for Program Entry

March 24th & 26th, 2008 @ the Blues Underground, 10 Lois Lane (under the China Steps).

This program is brought to you in partnership with Skyhigh Productions and the Nanaimo Blues Society.  We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through Cultural Capitol of Canada, a program of the Department of Canadian Heritage.