Friday, July 22, 2011

Beaches International Jazz Festival

Queen street was the place to be last night!  The Streetsfest section of the Beaches International Jazz Festival got off to a great start last night.  Despite the extreme heat, people from all over Toronto (and outside GTA) flocked to the beaches of Queen Street for some amazing performances by 50+ artists and bands.

 (Crowd gathering round MBBJE)

Everyone from the community took part in event, with restaurants offering great deals on food and drink, some even setting up tents on Queen Street for promotion and exposure.  The bars and patios were alive and kicking with beer moving as fast as Dr. Draw's violin work!

 (Queen Street packed during the Jazz Festival)

A lot of different styles of music all came together last night.  From jazz, to blues, rock, celtic, folk, big band, etc.  All of which had great response with couples dancing the heat wave away.  I myself started to find my hips moving without even knowing it.  The music honestly gets to you!


So in turn, I invite anyone with the weekend off to hit up this amazing annual event for a great festival.  With more food, drink, smiles, company and music than you can shake a drumstick at, its a great time for anyone to get some GTA culture!


Bands taking part in the weekend festivities are:

1899 Queen St. E. (Brigitta’s) Dr. Draw
1910 Queen St. E. (Ci Vediamo) Ninja Funk Orchestra
1921 Queen St. E. (Syllogy) Sultans of String
1930 Queen St. E. (Ends) Go Freddie Go
1938 Queen St. E. John Dickie & Steve Hunter/Two Men from Earth
1945 Queen St. E. (Incurable Collector) Elmer Ferrer
1943 Queen St. E. (The Gull & The Firkin) Jason Wilson
1958 Queen St. E. (Lion on the Beach) David Rotundo
1961 Queen St. E. (Whitlock's) Yiannis Kapoulas
1970 Queen St. E. (Bow Thai) Puente del Diablo
1972 Queen St. E. (Seagulls) Seagull All-Stars
1982 Queen St. E. (Starbuck's) God Made Me Funky

-Fire Hall-Northwest Driveway Blackboard Blues Band
-Beach United Church (Main Entrance) Tokyo Giants (Friday & Saturday night)
-Beach United Church (Queen St. Entrance) Mississauga Big Band (Fri& Sat night) Advocats (Thurs night)
-KEW Gardens (West Entrance) Brian Rose Little Big Band
-Beach Public Library Gardens (East Entrance) The Lost Fingers

2018 Queen St. E. (Bagel World) Scott McCord & The Bonafide Truth
2169 Queen St. E. (Coles) Downtown Dixieland Band
2175 Queen St. E. (RBC) Fathead
2185 Queen St. E. (LCBO) KC Roberts
2193 Queen St. E. (The Beauty Supply Outlet) Mae Cromwell
2076 Queen St. E. (Gabby's / Scotia Bank) Johnny Max Band
2090 Queen St. E. (Hair Dynamix) Cache
2233 Queen St. E. (Fine Car Lot) Neil Chapman
2114 Queen St. E. (First Choice Hair Cutters) Phillips Westin Orchestra

-Corner of Queen St. E. & Hammersmith Ave. Paul Reddick

2253 Queen St. E. (Starbucks Coffee) Rob Christian
2259 Queen St. E. (Sleep Country) Quincy Bullen
2142 Queen St. E. (Wild Earth Café) Brownman Electryc Trio
2271 Queen St. E. (Totto Salon & Spa) Johannes Linstead
2148 Queen St. E. (Swiss Chalet) Toronto All Star Big Band
2301 Queen St. E. (Royal LePage) Project Phoenix
2305 Queen St. E. (The Pie Shack) Maya Chilton
2152 Queen St. E. (Real Estate Homeward) Blue Room
2186 Queen St. E. (Lens Factory) La-Nai Gabriel’s Free People
2196 Queen St. E. (Beach Mac) Not Affiliated Big Band
2198 Queen St. E. (Arts on Queen) Erin McCallum
2206 Queen St. E. (Healthy Earth School) Jeanine Mackie
2210 Queen St. E. (Pet Valu) Michael Pickett
2216 Queen St. E. (Intelligent Creatures) Big Rude Jake
2232 Queen St. E. (Quigley's) Best of Quigley's
2373 Queen St. E. (Suzuki Shiatsu) Imbayakunas

-Balmy Beach Club (foot of Beach Ave.) Groove Corporation

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