Sudbury's downtown to welcome back Blues for Food in 2026
An undated promotional photo of the The Whiskey River Blues Band. (Source: Downtown Sudbury/Facebook)
Downtown Sudbury will host a free street concert Saturday to celebrate a major announcement: the return of the beloved Blues for Food festival in summer 2026.
The event, part of the 'Live and Outside' summer music series, will include a performance by The Whiskey River Blues Band and introduce key figures involved in the festival's revival.
Paul Lowenberg, former artistic director of Northern Lights Festival Boréal, will help guide the festival's artistic direction, supported by the Downtown Sudbury Business Improvement Area (BIA). Chas Anselmo, son of the late Tony Anselmo – a former BIA chair and owner of Records on Wheels – will speak about the festival's significance to the city's music scene.
'Bringing back Blues for Food is a massive step towards our vision of Downtown Sudbury as the undisputed cultural hub of northern Ontario,' said the BIA's current executive director Jeff MacIntyre, in a news release.
'This isn't just about a concert; it's about reviving a cherished community tradition that brings people together, supports our local businesses, and creates the vibrant street atmosphere that defines a thriving city centre.'
Lowenberg expressed enthusiasm for the project.
'I am incredibly excited to be part of the team breathing new life into Blues for Food,' he said.
'This festival holds a special place in Sudbury's heart, and I look forward to working with the BIA and local artists to build an event that is musically rich, diverse, and continues the wonderful tradition of supporting our community.'
Anselmo reflected on his father's legacy.
'My father believed in the power of music to build community in our downtown,' he said. 'To see Blues for Food return, an event he was so passionate about, is incredibly meaningful. It's a testament to the enduring spirit of our city centre.'
The revived festival aims to honour its roots while expanding its scope. Saturday's free concert begins at 3 p.m. on Durham Street outside the YMCA.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Art show features work by Calgary's marginalized and vulnerable
There's an art show that's taking place this weekend where all the work is from Calgary's vulnerable population. It's hosted by the My Friend Dave project. Calgarians are invited to an art show this weekend in the community of Glenbrook showcasing projects created by members of My Friend Dave. My Friend Dave is a local program that gives a voice to vulnerable and marginalized Calgarians through writing, art and documentary filmmaking. The group is made up of more than two-dozen people who gather at a park in Glenbrook every Monday. In most cases, they're people who've slipped through society's cracks. 'We're supporting them and telling their stories through creative expression,' said My Friend Dave co-founder Jennifer Seniuk. 'It's not just one kind of art; we have someone that's coming out who's cooking for his creative expression, we have people that are creating music for their creative expression, then there's sculptures and paintings.' Seniuk started My Friend Dave last May with and Dave Lanza. Seniuk is an art therapist, and Lanza was unhoused and wanted a way to share his story. The two quickly formed a bond, and with Lanza's outgoing personality, the project quickly grew with others who wanted an opportunity to share their stories as well. 'They are marginalized folks, vulnerable folks,' she said. 'So they could have just been incarcerated, they could be living rough, living outside, they could be moving through sobriety and trying to get their life back on track – anyone and everyone that identifies as marginalized and vulnerable.' Lanza died May 5, a tragedy that hit those involved in the project hard. To celebrate his life, the art show will feature a memorial space looking at the legacy he's left behind. 'We'll talk about Dave and how this project has taken on a new meaning,' Seniuk said. 'He was really sick for a long time, and he didn't let anyone know what was going on because I don't think he wanted anyone to know and [treat him] differently.' My Friend Dave The My Friend Dave art show takes place at 4053-4065 Glenpark Cres. S.W. on Saturday, June 14 from 12 to 4 p.m. Brothers Steve and Dennis Dionne, both of whom are unhouse, have been regulars at the Monday meetings for four months now. They were long-time friends of Lanza, and referred to him as 'super Dave.' 'He had the kindest heart, you know, he was a beautiful man. He didn't have much, but he always gave what he had,' Dennis said. 'People say the homeless are more giving than the people that have money,' Steve added. 'Because we take care of ourselves, we're family together.' My Friend Dave Participants of the 'My Friend Dave' project work to set up walls where their art will be displayed for the group's first art show. Jay Blondeau spent time on the streets and is now living in an unfinished basement. He's helping set everything up for the art show, and says he enjoys being part of this community. 'I started coming to these and meeting all the homeless people, they're not as far off as what people think you know, they're actually quite nice people,' he said. 'Each has their own little story like everybody else and for some reason they're here, there and everywhere.' My Friend Dave Jason Laplante has his own home now, but says he spent time in jail and lived on the streets. Lanza got him involved in the project because he has a car and could drive some of the others around when they needed a ride. 'I have these guys who are like family to me,' he said. 'My family disowned me when I was 15 years old, I grew up in foster care, in group homes.' Laplante is showing some of the sketches he made while being incarcerated. 'I'm having a lot of anxiety about that because I know there's going to be criticism and that I'm going to be judged on my work,' he said. 'Half the reason I'm doing this art show is Dave, and the other half with my ex-wife telling me to put my art out there because she even says I'm pretty good.' The art show takes place at the Glendale Crescent park, located at 4053-4065 Glenpark Cres. S.W., on Saturday, June 14 from 12 to 4 p.m. 'We've got lots of food vendors,' said Seniuk. 'Who doesn't want to eat some food and look at art on a Saturday afternoon?'
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Calgary rapper K-Riz has details about Black Music Month
Calgary Watch Black Music Month is being recognized with a special event at the National Music Centre. Ian While speaks with Calgary rapper K-Riz about it.
CBC
6 hours ago
- CBC
He's learning to dance powwow and it led to much more
CBC Indigenous reporter Stefan Richard gets ready to dance in his first powwow, Manito Ahbee, in Winnipeg.
