Once on life support, things are looking up for one of Thorold’s most well-known events – the Canal Bank Shuffle Blues Festival.
The event was on shaky ground thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and the passing of founder Tim Sinnett. Things became a little more solid, however, when the torch was picked up by local blues musician Brant Parker and Donnelly’s Pub owner Joe Viele.
Continuing its post-pandemic comeback, the festival has gotten bigger for 2024 with more venues – and most notably – more bands.
“They’re all award-winning bands, too, both national and international bands,” Parker said.
The four-day event is featuring such acts as Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, the Tommy Z Band, Billy the Kid and the Regulators and local performers including the Spencer MacKenzie Band and Parker’s own band with Mark Crissinger guesting.
While there are some new faces like Jay Blues at the shuffle for 2024, there are many familiar ones as well including Wayne, Billy the Kid and Jack de Keyzer.
“He's the only one who's played every single shuffle since its inception,” Parker said. “And that’s including even the smaller one when we came back in 2022. He was there.”
This year’s festival takes place over four days, Oct. 17 to 20, at five venues – Donnelly’s, the Canadian Corps. (upstairs and downstairs), The Royal Canadian Legion, Br. 17, (upstairs and downstairs), and Club Belvedere.
Opening night of the festival features the Thomas Nelson Band at Donnelly’s from 7-10 p.m. while, at the Canadian Corps (upstairs), Billy the Kid & The Regulators take to the stage between 7:45 and 10:45 p.m. The music continues all weekend and will feature a Super Jam on Saturday night starting at 10 p.m. The festival winds up on Sunday, Oct. 20 with a performance by Janice Joplin tribute, The Krista Blondin Band from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Canadian Corps (downstairs).
Tickets are $60 for an all-access weekend pass. Individual day passes ranging in price from $20 to $30 and depending on availability will be available at individual venues.
Viele, meanwhile, is looking forward to seeing all the acts.
“Some of them I've never seen before and I would like to see them,” he said.
But there are some, he said, no matter how often they have come around, he’ll always make the time to see.
“You're going to make special time to see Jack (de Keyzer), and Spencer, Pappy Johns, those are bands that, for sure I will never miss their show.”
A complete schedule and a link to purchase tickets can be found online at a canalbankshuffle.com.
