Kootenay Blues Society hosts Society Benefit Saturday at Finley’s
By Contributor
The Kootenay Blues Society of Nelson, is proud to be sponsoring it’s second official event, the Kootenay Blues Society Benefit, at Finley’s Pub & Grill on Saturday, May 26th.
The show will feature a full evening of local blues performances including Flaming Ardvark Trio, White Lightening Blues Band, Jon Burden Band, and Baker Street Blues.
The society originally began back in Feb., 2016, with a FaceBook page created by local veteran blues musicians Stelio Calagias with his brother-in-law Phil Wilson-Birks. An outreach from the very rich cultural community of Nelson then started with the help of local veteran blues promoter Richard Metzner from Kootenay Co-op Radio, ‘Make Room for the Blues’.
Joining the ranks were veteran blues musicians Frank Brooke, Jon Burden, and Gerek Blues Cat, among others, and the society had it’s first public meeting on May 7, 2017. With subsequent monthly meetings, local support continued to grow, as did memberships, and on Dec., 16, 2017, KBS became officially registered as a non-profit society.
“The history of the blues in this wonderful community is as deeply rooted as the music itself.” says treasurer Stelio Calagias. “What an amazing thing to see people coming together and celebrate the music they love, inspired by this amazing place each of us call home!”
Kootenay Blues Society ~ Board of Directors, President, Frank Brooke, Vice-President, Judy Brown, Secretary, Stelio Calagias, Treasurer, Richard Metzner, Phil Wilson-Birks, Dan Obradovic, Gerek Blues Cat, Steven Wasilenkoff, Steve Fountain, and Jon Burden.
Kootenay Blues Society is a promotional network for blues musicians, events, activities, and blues lovers! We are dedicated to preserving the blues culture, heritage, and tradition through public awareness, education, & development for local and regional blues artists.
