OVERVIEW 2009 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 PRESS The 2007 Southside Shuffle was most successful ever from the Port Credit Village Times Now wasn't that a party? The 2007 Southside Shuffle was by far the biggest, most successful in the festival's nine year history. Not a hotel room to be found, the overflowing venues and music loving people on every corner, that's the Southside Shuffle. On Saturday, thanks once again to Mother Nature, an estimated 25,000 flocked to Port Credit to attend the Fram Slokker Street Shuffle. Cheryl Lescom of the Detroit Women brought the crowd to tears and the 71-year-old Buddy Guy proved once again why he is the best blues guitar player in the world as he played to a sold-out audience at Memorial Park. Despite the cloudy skies, Sunday's Re/Max Mainstage lineup provided an afternoon of simply incredible music. All the bands were on their game and Lighthouse lit up the stage and took us back to the seventies playing all the hits we know and love. Hundreds of fans welcomed the newest addition to the Southside Shuffle, the Sick Kids Southstage. Valdy received a standing ovation for his set of classic folk tunes. Lunch at Allen's captivated its audience with its laid-back attitude, comical story telling and incredible harmonies while the Junior Jam gave us a snippet of the young talent we're sure to see on the mainstage in years to come. Southside Shuffle's partnership with Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada raised over $40,000 for Sick Kids Hospital and as of press time, the numbers are yet to be tallied from the New Orleans Gala 2007 for funds raised for Mississauga South charities. Thousands of people from around the globe visit the city of Mississauga during this festival, generating an estimated economic impact of over two million dollars. A tremendous thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors and fans that make the Southside Shuffle one of the most anticipated and beloved festivals in Southern Ontario. Province supports Shuffle Mississauga News Ð Monday, September 3rd 2007 The upcoming Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival is farther ahead today after a provincial grant of $53,750 was recently handed over to the event's organizers. The ninth annual Southside Shuffle unfolds Wednesday in Port Credit Memorial Park. It runs through the weekend. "Festivals and events like the Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival increase tourism, bringing new visitors to communities across Ontario, and contribute to a strong and prosperous economy," Tourism Minister Jim Bradley said Friday. Festival director Bruce Forth said the cash will be used to present a second free stage in Memorial Park this year. Forth said a host of of Canadian performers including Valdy, Murray McLaughlin, Ian Thomas, Marc Jordan and Cindy Church will be featured on the second stage. "We anticipate this will greatly increase attendance by drawing visitors from all over Ontario, Canada and the United States," said Forth. The funds come from the $4 million Celebrate Ontario program that supports the growth of 57 existing festivals and events by funding new marketing and programming enhancements. "Our government is pleased to support festivals, events and attractions that boost tourism all year long," said Bradley. "Supporting such events give a substantial economic boost to local communities and a memorable experience for our visitors." R&B singer's career going south By: John Stewart, Mississauga News September 6, 2007 - Danny Brooks has a new CD, a big-time US record label and a new lease on life. The veteran rhythm and blues performer, who lived in Mississauga for several years before moving to Milton, is launching his new CD tonight at Hugh's Room in Toronto. He revisits his Mississauga street roots tomorrow and Saturday nights, when he performs outside the Second Cup at 91 Lakeshore Rd. E. from 8 p.m. to midnight during the Southside Shuffle. He's been a regular performer at the Port Credit blues festival for some time. The title of his new record Ñ cut in Alabama by legendary American producer Johnny Sandlin and the cream of the crop of southern session musicians Ñ could also be the story of his life. It's called No Easy Way Out. Brooks has been a legend in the clubs and on live stages because of his dynamic delivery and soulful voice, but he has never been able to break through into the American market, despite numerous attempts. He sought a well-documented battle with alcohol and drugs, which he eventually conquered through his new-found belief in religion and gospel music. His experiences in rehab and jail will be recounted in his forthcoming biography, to be titled Breakfast Of Miracles. In an interview with Greg Quill of The Toronto Star, Brooks tells the story of how he froze outside the studio door when it came time to play with the big boys on No Easy Way Out. "I'd driven for a couple of days straight to get there," said Brooks, "and I almost turned around and drove away. Inside that room were musicians who'd played on 50 No.1 songs Ð more. I felt like the new kid on the block, like a novice, and I stood outside the door, unable to move." But after the band started rehearsing something he recognized well, one of his own numbers, he began to relax. "I started singing and when the song was done, David Hood looked over and said, 'Hey, man, you could have been born down here.' That made me feel right at home." The record has been so well-received so far since its American release in August that Brooks is thinking of relocating his family south of the border to build on its success. Folk foursome still packs pop star punch By: Mike Beggs, Mississauga News September 5, 2007 - Those who think they're unfamiliar with the folk supergroup Lunch At Allen's will almost surely know its members Ñ Marc Jordan, Ian Thomas, Murray McLauchlan and Cindy Church. Or, they'll know their sizable number of hits, both domestic and international Ñ Rhythm Of My Heart, Marina Del Ray, Painted Ladies, Liar, Farmer's Song, Down By The Henry Moore, etc., etc. They're at the annual Southside Shuffle this Saturday, on the Sick Kids South Stage in Port Credit Memorial Park. As usual, they will be sitting down, strumming on acoustic guitars, joking, harmonizing and, ultimately, warming hearts. "The idea of pickin' and grinnin' was a bit of a no-brainer," says Thomas, of this collective of longtime friends. Its roots date back to when he, Jordan and Tom Cochrane arrived at a Toronto hospital one Christmas to do some caroling for McLauchlan, who was recovering from a heart attack. A few lunches at Allen's later Ñ and with the recruitment of Church, whom Thomas deems "the best harmony singer on the planet" Ñ and you have a band that sells out softseaters across the country. "There really is a great (rapport between us)," says Church, also a member of the successful folk side project, Quartette. "It just went so well and everyone had so much fun, it became a band. It continues to be as much fun four years later. "Certainly, people love the resonance (of these songs). Music is very much time and place." Indeed, a whole generation of boomers grew up on these tunes. And according to Jordan, while the band members may take their songwriting a bit for granted at this stage, it's not that way with their fans."There's a real audience to hear original songs (from the horse's mouth)," he says. In the case of Rhythm Of My Heart (a No. 1 worldwide hit for Rod Stewart), Jordan plays it on piano, with McLauchlan adding haunting harmonica. Released in February, their second CD, Catch The Moon, is a winning collection of folk/pop, reflecting the talent and friendship levels at work here Ñ and the fact they self-produced it on their own indie record label. Music legends bring the blues to Port Credit By: Mike Beggs, Mississauga News September 5, 2007 - The ninth annual Southside Shuffle Port Credit Blues & Jazz Festival, which hits town this weekend, features both Juno Award and Grammy Award winners. It starts with headliner Buddy Guy, who has no less than five Grammys to his credit. The Chicago blues legend will be bending out his searing guitar lines on the Re/Max Main Stage this Saturday at 10 p.m. at Port Credit Memorial Park. Then you have Juno Award winners Downchild Blues Band (Friday, 8:30 p.m., Main Stage), Powder Blues Band (Friday, 10 p.m., Main Stage), Lighthouse (Sunday, 7 p.m., Main Stage), Lunch At Allen's (Saturday, 5:30 p.m., Sick Kids South Stage), Valdy (Saturday, 4 p.m., Sick Kids South Stage), and Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne (Friday, 7 p.m., Sick Kids South Stage). "We're talking world-class entertainment here," says Chuck Jackson, the festival's artistic director, and lead singer of Downchild Blues. "People from all over North America will be coming to it." Beyond that, the music in the park spans everything from an homage to country/swing great Bob Wills (hosted by Bebop Cowboys) to Krista Blondin's popular Janis Joplin tribute, to Steely Dan clones Pretzel Logic. "The Main Stage stuff is fabulous," Jackson continues. "And the (new) Sick Kids South Stage is completely free." Also free is the always-invigorating Fram Slokker Street Shuffle, from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, when fans can walk the closed-down Lakeshore and sample outdoor music at 25 venues. That ranges from the rootsy Mr. Rick & The Biscuits at Higher Groundz CafŽ, to the Toronto All-Star Big Band at Elmwood Plaza, to Gatorbait at Port Credit Lighthouse. And this year's Southside Shuffle, presented by Tim Hortons Mississauga, receives a further boost with its return to the new and improved Memorial Park after a two-year hiatus. Beyond the bands, you can browse the Vendor Village, or grab some grub at the Louisiana Food Court. "We're really building up great excitement," Jackson says. "There's just talk all over the place." And that extends beyond Mississauga. "I was just playing in Victoria with Downchild, and a lady stopped me and said, 'I'll see you next Saturday at the Southside Shuffle,' " he adds. Mississauga's Musical Mardi Gras, Port Credit's Blues and Jazz Festival. The 9th Annual Southside Shuffle September 7th, 8th and 9th, 2007. Here we grow again! Back where we belong, in the newly renovated, picturesque Memorial Park along the banks of the Credit River. Space to accommodate new vendors, restaurants, beverage gardens and our best investment, you, the fans. The new Re/Max Mainstage is filled with multiple Grammy and Juno Award winners all weekend long. Igniting the stage Friday evening is two of Canada's favourite Blues bands, The Powder Blues Band and Downchild Blues Band. Saturday night we proudly present five-time Grammy Winner and Rock n Roll Hall of Famer, Buddy Guy. These ladies tore up the stage and brought the crowd to their feet last year with their superbly energetic performance, The Detroit Women are back and we can't wait. Lighthouse, Canadian Pop music icons of the 70's is the Sunday finale. Proudly announcing our new Sick Kids South Stage with an astounding line up of Canadian Folk icons and the best part? It's free! The musical experience of Lunch At Allen's which features internationally renowned artists, Murray McLaughlin, Ian Thomas, Mark Jordan and Cindy Church. Folksinger, music producer and composer, Valdy brings his distinguished voice to our exciting new Sick Kids South Stage. Must not forget our Blues contribution to the Sick Kids South Stage. Eugene Smith, Michael Pickett, Kenny "Blues Boss' Wayne, Paul Reddick and David Gogo are all scheduled to perform. A crowd favourite, the Southside Shuffle Fram Slokker Street Shuffle Saturday, September 8th, from 3 to 7 pm. Over thirty bands take over Lakeshore Road from Hurontario west to Stavebank. Some of the acts proudly presented: from Gatineau, Quebec, the sensational guitarist, young Ricky Paquette; Ottawa's little Blues Lady, Elyssa Mahoney; Broken Joe and of course, The David Rotundo Band. Continuing with the tradition of encouraging young talent and interest in Rhythm and Blues, once again, along with Mark "Bird" Stafford, we present the Sick Kids Jam Stage and Harps for Kids workshop. We are really excited to have both of these wonderfully fun events at Memorial Park at the Sick Kids South Stage Sunday afternoon. If you have or know of an inspiring Blues musician who may wish to take part in either of these programs, please email, birdstafford@sympatico.ca. There are over 130 bands scheduled to perform throughout the village of Port Credit during the Southside Shuffle. With a line up this grand, take a moment to visit the freshly redesigned, easy to navigate website for a complete list of stage schedules; www.southsideshuffle.com. Don't forget, The Southside Shuffle pre-festival fundraising events with the return of The New Orleans Gala 2007, Wednesday, September 5th. A very successful partnership of MPP Tim Peterson and The Southside Shuffle, raising over $80,000 in 2006 for six local Mississauga Charities. The New Orleans Gala will be held at the Oasis Convention Centre; 1036 Lakeshore Rd. E. Mississauga. Another community spirited event is the Beggar's Blues Banquet, Thursday, September 6th at The Port Credit Royal Canadian Legion, 35 Front St. N. in Port Credit. The Hospital for Sick Kids is the benefactor for a Blues Jam kind of evening. Over the years, tens of thousands of dollars have been raised for The Kids. Whether you come by plane, train, boat or automobile, there is a little something for everyone at this year's Southside Shuffle. Remember to mark your calendars, call your friends and find your fedora for The Southside Shuffle, Port Credit's Blues and Jazz Festival, September 7th, 8th & 9th, 2007. From Jazz Elements - June 10, 2007 9th Annual Port Credit Blues & Jazz Festival Roster Written by Cindy Mcleod, Jazz & Blues Festivals, Canada Guitarist Buddy Guy Headlines Southside Shuffle Mississauga, Ontario will play host to the 9th Annual Port Credit Blues & Jazz Festival, 'The Southside Shuffle', September 7 to 9. With a great lineup of international and local acts, there's an abundance of top-drawer blues, rock, folk, and more scheduled over the three days. Among the mainstage headline acts are 5 time Grammy award-winning guitarist Buddy Guy, the ten-piece pop-rockers Lighthouse, and Kate Hart's vocal revue Detroit Women of Soul. Organizers have also announced the addition of a second stage to the event, which will run simultaneous to the mainstage. The South Side Sick Kids Stage will feature such names as folk legend Valdy, blues guitarist David Gogo, and Juno award winning pianist Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne. Kicking off the festival week is the September 5th New Orleans Gala, featuring the Maple Blues Band. Other notable events include the Beggars Banquet on September 6th, with 'Singing For Sick Kids' starring Johnny Max and Chuck Jackson, The Three Tenors, and the Beggars Blues Jam. Friday & Saturday September 7 & 8 there will be jams at the Royal Canadian Legion with the Johnny Max Band featuring Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne and Johnny Pennino. Click here to visit our 2008 SPONSORS