Shake off your winter blues during the Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest, running February 22 - 27.
 
The festival showcases acts like Grammy award-winner Alvin Youngblood Hart, who performs on February 25, and offers a sneak peek at the Calgary International Blues Festival, which takes place in August.
 
The Maritime Blues Dance Party is a double header on February 26 with 19 year-old New Brunswick guitar player Keith Hallett and the Carson Downey Band from Halifax. Virtuoso Sonny Landreth plays a sold-out show of blues, zydeco and funky rhythms on February 27.
 
“The Carson Downey Band packs a powerful, up-tempo punch. They're one of Canada’s best dance bands,” says Maurice Ginzer, Festival Producer. "Don't miss them." 
 
The festival also offers free workshops including the Singing the Blues vocal camp on February 22. In this master voice class, students perform in front of a live audience and a panel of experts who offer constructive advice. Acoustic Blues in Two Languages is held in both English and French at the Alliance Francaise on February 23. Both workshops are followed by performances by workshop leads.
 
On February 24, the 3rd Annual Calgary Blues Music Association Hall of Fame Awards honour local and regional artists who have dedicated their careers to blues music. Winners in each category were chosen by the public in an online vote that took place earlier this year.
 
For more information, visit CalgaryBluesFest.com.
 
Read the full news release.