About Us
The Grand River Blues Society (GRBS) was founded in 2003 to serve the Grand River region of south central Ontario, encompassing the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge, Brantford and surrounding areas. The Society is dedicated to the preservation of the Blues music tradition and advancement of this unique art form of international appeal.
The GRBS is managed on behalf of its members by a volunteer board of directors. The members of the board for 2019 - 20 are: Claude Cloutier, Bruce Hall, Gareth Jones, Neil Tarswell, Fiona McFarlane, Brenda O'Connor, Mike Carson, Chris Arsenault, Tony Pemberton, Margot Vanderlaan, and John Jackson.
There are currently positions vacant on the board. We encourage Society members with experience or interest in finance, publicity, social media, or board governance to consider running for the board. If you are a GRBS member interested in becoming a Director, get two other members to nominate you and submit your completed nomination form to the chair of the nomination committee at least 48 hours before the meeting. The meeting date is April 26, 2020.
Please email info@grandriverblues.org for more information
OBJECTIVES
The Grand River Blues Society is committed to enhancing the appreciation of the Blues music culture and heritage, in its varied and diverse forms, through the following:
1) ARTIST SUPPORT
Provide fundraising and endorsement for local and regional artists, wishing to participate in the International Blues Challenge.
Not a member yet? (Or time to renew your membership?)
Join the Grand River Blues Society.
Artists: are you looking for blues-friendly venues in the Grand River Region for your next tour? Do you need help selling merch at local shows? Our volunteers might be able to help.
Contact the Grand River Blues Society.
The GRBS is managed on behalf of its members by a volunteer board of directors. The members of the board for 2019 - 20 are: Claude Cloutier, Bruce Hall, Gareth Jones, Neil Tarswell, Fiona McFarlane, Brenda O'Connor, Mike Carson, Chris Arsenault, Tony Pemberton, Margot Vanderlaan, and John Jackson.
There are currently positions vacant on the board. We encourage Society members with experience or interest in finance, publicity, social media, or board governance to consider running for the board. If you are a GRBS member interested in becoming a Director, get two other members to nominate you and submit your completed nomination form to the chair of the nomination committee at least 48 hours before the meeting. The meeting date is April 26, 2020.
Please email info@grandriverblues.org for more information
OBJECTIVES
The Grand River Blues Society is committed to enhancing the appreciation of the Blues music culture and heritage, in its varied and diverse forms, through the following:
1) ARTIST SUPPORT
Provide fundraising and endorsement for local and regional artists, wishing to participate in the International Blues Challenge.
- Record and distribute the music of local and regional artists, to increase artist exposure outside the Grand River Region.
- Showcase local, regional and international artists at special events, tributes, fundraisers, festivals and the Society’s annual “Blues Camp” and “Blues in the Schools” programs.
- Co-conduct an annual Youth Legacy Competition with The Kitchener Blues Community Inc., to inspire the careers of young musicians, under the age of twenty, with the winner having the opportunity to play at a local major Blues festival.
- Organize and run an annual Blues Camp, for musicians up to 19 years of age, under the teaching and nurturing of local professional musicians. All campers get to appear on stage at a local major Blues festival.
- Support youth friendly Blues jams.
- Partner with the Kitchener Blues Community Inc., in an annual “Blues in the Schools” program, specifically geared to grade school students.
- Communicate ongoing event and artist information to Society members and the general public, by means of our website, a bi-monthly newsletter and weekly e-mail Blues Blasts.
- Work in conjunction with Blues club owners and other businesses to encourage the exposure of Blues music and musicians.
- Encourage Blues lovers in the Grand River region, to enjoy the benefits of Society membership and to actively participate in attaining our goals, through support for events and volunteering.
- Ensure the efficient and responsible use of financial resources, generated by the Society and its members.
- Conduct and support artist tribute shows, workshops and fundraisers of historical significance, to better inform Society members and the public, of the Blues legacy.
Not a member yet? (Or time to renew your membership?)
Join the Grand River Blues Society.
Artists: are you looking for blues-friendly venues in the Grand River Region for your next tour? Do you need help selling merch at local shows? Our volunteers might be able to help.
Contact the Grand River Blues Society.