2008 FESTIVAL Full Schedule (all stages) Memorial Park Maps/Directions SHUFFLE STUFF Photo Galleries Retrospective Stan Street | Artist Merchandise COMMUNITY Friends of the Festival Volunteers Charities Press CORPORATE Sponsorship Hospitality Vendors Proudly presenting the sensational "New Orleans Riverboat Gala", the prelude celebration to the 10th anniversary of The Southside Shuffle, Port Credit's Blues and Jazz Festival, Mississauga's Musical Mardi Gras. The "New Orleans Riverboat Gala" features the atmosphere and charisma of an old Mississippi riverboat, complete with music, costumes, food and dance. Hosted by the elegant Oasis Convention Centre located at 1036 Lakeshore Road East, you will be gallantly entertained by local and international Blues and Jazz performers. The award winning Maple Blues Band is back for yet another encore performance. Along with, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Johnny Pennino, Diana Braithwaite, Ken Whiteley, Krista Blondin and Mississippi's youngest blues band, Homemade Jamz. These three young siblings, all under the age of 16, have been featured on The Oprah Show and the CBS Morning Show. What's a Riverboat party without food? Dining on the "Taste of New Orleans'" cuisine served up by some of the finest chefs Mississauga has to offer. Delightfully enjoying the selections from the Martini Bar and tantalizing your taste buds with the wine tasting, it truly is our Mississauga Musical Mardi Gras. Hosted by none other than Ron "Maverick" Lenyk, The New Orleans Riverboat Gala is a fundraising endeavour to support non for profit organizations like The Southside Shuffle. In addition to, this year's selected charitable partners; The Distress Centre of Peel and the City of Mississauga's Youth Outreach Program. Sponsorship support contributes to the sustainability of our festival and our local charitable organizations. The New Orleans Riverboat Gala sponsorship program is also available at a cost of $5000. For that, not only will you feel good about helping your community, you will receive a table for you and nine of your friends, peers and/or clients; business promotions in all of our printed, advertising material, as well as your company logo displayed here on our highly visited website. Join us for The Southside Shuffle 10th Anniversary kick off and help support one of the many wonderful events that make Mississauga one of the greatest cities to live and enjoy. 6:30pm Dinny's Dixieland Jazz Band welcomes you at the Entrance! 6:30 - 7:30pm Martini Tasting in the Reception Hall with entertainment from the Lance Anderson Trio 7:00pm A Taste of New Orleans begins in the Main Banquet Hall 8:00pm The Maple Blues Band with Special Guests: Diana Braithwaite, Johnny Pennino, Clarence 'Frogman' Henry, Ken Whiteley, Krista Blondin & more! The Maple Blues Band left to right-Chris Murphy baritone & tenor sax, Pat Carey tenor sax, Gary Kendall bass, Tom Bona drums, Michael Fonfara keyboards, Chris Whiteley trumpet, harmonica & guitar, Teddy Leonard guitar, Al Lerman harmonica & tenor sax The Maple Blues Band was formed in 1999 to be the house band at the annual Maple Blues Awards Ceremony in Toronto, Ontario. In association with The Toronto Blues Society and under the guidance of Musical Director/Band Leader/Bassist, Gary Kendall, the band was put together by choosing musicians from Southern Ontarios "cream of the crop", the best players that regions Blues Scene had to offer. All members are multiple Maple Blues Award winners and nominees. As well as providing the awards ceremony`s musical background and theme, The Maple Blues Band has backed all the special guests who have performed as part of that special night. Sue Foley, Big Dave MacLean, Steve Hill, Harry Manx, Kevin Breit, Dawn Tyler Watson, Colin James, Jackie Richardson, Paul Reddick, Jackie Washington, Ken Whiteley, Mel Brown, Jim Byrnes, Suzie Vinnick, Rick Fines, John Campbell, Diana Braithwaite, Duke Robillard, Colin Linden, Roxanne Potvin, Garrett Mason, Dave Hoerl, Ndidi Onukwulu and Madagasgar Slim, have all appeared with the The Maple Blues Band at The Maple Blues Awards. The Maple Blues Band began to stretch out by playing a few select shows a year (under the name Maple Blues Revue www.maplebluesrevue.com ) besides the annual Maple Blues Awards ceremony. In 2003 and 2004 they closed Port Credits Southside Shuffle by the hosting The Super Jam that featured Jeff Healey, Kim Simmonds, Murray Porter, Faron Johns, Michael Pickett, Jimmy Bowskill, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Donnie "Mr. Downchild" Walsh, Chuck Jackson, John Mays and Dawn Tyler Watson. In 2004 The Maple Blues Band formed a permanent union with three of Canada's best blues singers to form The Maple Blues Revue. MBR has performed at The Ottawa Blues Fest, The Wasaga Beach Blues Fest, The Southside Shuffle's Gala, The Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival and The Toronto Blues Society's 20th Anniversary Celebration. Download the Gala Sponsorship Form Click here to visit our 2008 SPONSORS