11 Stations

Remember that song “This Land is Your Land”?  Well if you do, then you may also know that the hero of folk troubadours who came up with that ditty is none other than Woody Guthrie. For the more alternative politicos amongst you, you may also know him as the man whose guitar prominently displayed a sign that said: “This Machine Kills Fascists”. Continue reading →

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It was another banner year for the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival that just passed its 13th year anniversary last Saturday at Deer Lake Park. The day was met with gorgeous sunny weather, perfect for festival enjoyment. As ever, the day was filled with an abundance of fun activities and a variety of the best blues, roots and folk music acts in North America. Continue reading →

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Two stages.  Eight remarkable performances. Seven hours of rhythm and blues.

Get comfortable.

The 13^th Annual Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival (BBRF) hits Deer Lake Park this Saturday, which brings some incredible, world-renowned musicians and performers right to our own backyard (so to speak).

With past headlining acts that include impressive performances by k.d. lang, Remy Shand and Serena Ryder, the festival has earned a solid reputation for bringing some of the best musicians to Burnaby year-after-year.  And 2012 is no exception.  Here are the top three headlining acts that I’m most looking forward to seeing (and hearing) LIVE this weekend: Continue reading →

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If there is any assumption that a day-long music festival boasting some of the world’s best known blues and roots performers would not necessarily be an appropriate or entertaining or fun event for children… well, that assumption would be wrong.  Plus, you know what they say about people who assume, right?

With just days before our stunning Deer Lake Park plays host to globally renowned and respected musicians such as the Indigo Girls, Meshell Ndegeocello and musical legend Jimmie Vaughan (with the Tilt-A-Whirl Band featuring Lou Ann Barton) and others, here’s my rundown of our top three favourite kids’ activities: Continue reading →

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Living in Metro Vancouver, our streets are rife and bustling with diverse, mouth-watering culinary options.  In the mood for African?  El Salvadoran?  Malaysian?  No problem.  And our sophisticated multicultural palates expect no less anywhere else – including our local events and festivals, such as the upcoming, soul-satisfying Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival in beautiful Deer Lake Park.

With so many dining options at the festival, I’m offering up (for what it’s worth) my picks for the top three eats: Continue reading →

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One of the best things about music festivals is discovering bands you’d never heard of (and maybe later bragging to your friends that you saw them before they ‘made it big’). Hitting Deer Lake Park on August 13^th, The Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival is one of these chances. Below are my Top 3 “Glad I saw them” bands from previous BBRFs. Continue reading →

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k.d. lang.  For many, the promise of hearing this iconic artist sing live and in person is enough of a draw.  But, as usual (and for the past 11 years), the Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival offers so much more.  Though k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang was the headlining act at this year’s Blues Festival, lang was joined by some of the world’s most talented blues and roots musicians from around the world.
Continue reading →

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Dressed in rain gear and armed with umbrellas, an estimated 3,000 concert-goers came out to the Symphony in the Park on Sunday night.

“It’s a sea of umbrellas,” said Surrey resident Ingrid McKeown when arriving at the event. She has been going to see the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra perform at Deer Lake for the past eight years with her family. Continue reading →

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There’s something to be said for a rock band that gets you so excited to see them, you don’t mind standing out in the rain just to sing along with their music in person. The Tragically Hip is one such band. But they’re so much more, they’re a Canadian institution of music unto themselves, and that’s why hordes of people raced to Deer Lake Park last Friday night to watch the legends in action. Continue reading →

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Musician Randy Ponzio and Canadian pop legend Odds rocked the house on Friday night for the Shadbolt Centre’s third annual Live at the ‘Bolt event.  More than an event, Live at the ‘Bolt was a concert – a party, really – that commemorated another successful year of live theatre, music and dance performances at the city’s premier, award-winning arts and cultural centre. Continue reading →

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