September 15 – 17, 2023
Presented by REGENT THEATRE and DURHAM BLUES FESTIVAL INC.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Durham Blues Festival will take place over four nights/three days from Thursday, September 14 through Sunday September 17, 2023
The daytime part of the event is FREE to the public, and will take place outdoors on the Victoria St Parkette, adjacent to the Regent Theatre in Oshawa, Ontario. Multiple bands will be performing along with food vendors and a licensed concession (cash only). Entertainers and guests will be comfortably hosted under a large tent, so the event is guaranteed to proceed rain or shine.
The festival will also feature headlining concerts taking place each evening in the Regent Theatre. Start times and ticket prices will be on a per event basis. See below for more details.
NO SMOKING/NO VAPING. No Pets.
Concession/Vendors are CASH only. (ATM onsite)
Washrooms are located in the Regent Theatre lobby.
FREE OUTDOOR EVENT
Victoria St Parkette
Over a three-day period, from Friday Sep. 15 to Sunday Sep. 17, join us as we showcase local bands and performers under a big tent, immediately adjacent to the Regent Theatre. Attendees will be assured of a great event rain or shine! The outdoor Blues Festival will be free to the public, but voluntary donations will be happily accepted.
Join us in the ‘Big Tent’ for live performances, absolutely free to the public! The dates, times and list of performers and approximate start times are listed below. There will be a stage at the north end of the tent on Victoria St. with lighting and professional sound production, and a seating area so you can relax and stay all day. There will also be food & merchandise vendors, plus a full-service concession at the south end (cash only).
FEATURED VENDORS
Simcoe Jazz & Blues Restaurant
Costco Oshawa
Pop’s Cannabis
Another Spin Records
NOTE: The Durham Blues Festival is a NO SMOKING/NO VAPING venue. No pets will be permitted. Washrooms will be available in the Regent Theatre lobby.
Friday, September 15, 2023 – 4pm to 8pm
Start times are approximate due to the unpredictability of festival scheduling. Please arrive early to see your favorite bands. Click on the link below for more information.
**The first 100 people to arrive in time for the opening ceremonies at 3:30pm receive 4 free Classic Movie Night passes.**
3:30 pm – Opening Ceremonies (Door Prizes)
4:00 pm – Tin Pan Alley
5:30 pm – Hard Soda
7:00 pm – Andy Earle and The Bandits
Saturday, September 16, 2023 – 1pm to 8pm
Start times are approximate due to the unpredictability of festival scheduling. Please arrive early to see your favorite bands. Click on the link below for more information.
1:00 pm – CHERYN LYN AND THE CATALYSTS
2:30 pm – Cold Shot
4:00 pm – The Blues Junkies
5:30 pm – The Nemoniks
7:00 pm – The Fabulous Tonemasters
Sunday, September 17, 2023 – 1pm to 7pm
Start times are approximate due to the unpredictability of festival scheduling. Please arrive early to see your favorite bands. Click on the link below for more information.
1:00 pm – Broke Fuse
2:30 pm – Emerson Ireland Band
4:00 pm – James Anthony
5:30 pm – OTIS WONDER AND THE HUSTLE
EVENING HEADLINER CONCERTS
Regent Theatre
In addition to the free afternoon performances outside, we are also hosting ‘headliner’ artists in the theatre every evening starting on Thursday, Sep. 14, through to Sunday, Sep. 17. We have put together a varied list of headliners in order to appeal to all tastes. See the descriptions below for more information.
Thursday, September 14 8:00PM
Epic Eagles
Canada’s Definitive Eagles Tribute Band brings you back to the golden days of the legendary band the Eagles, all the way through to the present. Five musicians who feel privileged to perform the timeless music of the Eagles and Don Henley (Solo). Featuring the voice of Dean Young at the helm as ‘Henley‘ (former lead vocalist and drummer of the Eagles Tribute Hotel California) alongside lead/backing vocalists and multi-instrumentalists Mike Alonzo, Jeff Salem, Dan Bohemier and some of Canada’s most in demand musicians covering Glenn Frey | Timothy B Schmit | Randy Meisner | Joe Walsh.
Friday, September 15 9:00PM
The Maple Blues Band
Founded by and featuring key members of the ever-popular Downchild Blues Band!
At inception twenty-four years ago, Kendall knew the ball was in his hands and that he had to make it good; really good. He wanted a big band that could play all the blues styles, Delta Blues, Southside Chicago Blues, New Orleans Funk, Uptown Blues, Zydeco, Blues Rock and most of all Canadian Blues. Over the years the musicians that have contributed to making this dream possible all rose to the occasion lending their talent, support and high level of musicianship.
Saturday, September 16 9:00PM
BLUES BROTHERS REVUE
The Official Blues Brothers Revue combines the comedy, music and mayhem from the original movie,as well as songs from the five popular albums released by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Join us for a faithful recreation oh the characters Jake and Elwood, and a spectacular tribute to Chicago’s rich history of Blues, R&B and traditional soul music.
This is the only Blues Brothers Show sanctioned by Dan Aykoyd and the Belushi Estate. For anyone who missed a chance to see Aykroyd and Belushi as alter egos Elwood and Jake Blues, The Official Blues Brothers Revue has more than enough of the charisma, mock-straight, button-down humour, and great music to do the trick.
Sunday, September 17 8:00PM
SWEET SOUL MUSIC
Sweet Soul Music, a tribute to the Soul music of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
With an all-star group of musicians and vocalists, you will enjoy the timeless classics from Sam Cooke, Arthur Conley, Otis Redding, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Solomon Burke and more music from the powerhouses of soul.
This show will have you moving your lips and hips as the band faithfully performs one timeless hit after another. Songs like ‘Respect’, ‘Midnight Hour’, ‘Knock on Wood’, ‘Natural Woman’, ‘Aint’ No Stopping Us’, ‘I’m Coming Out’ and ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’. We challenge you to sit still in your seats.