The Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society (CVCAS) is excited to bring two multiple-award-winning blues artists to Chemainus early next month.
Chris Whitely and Diana Braithwaite will be performing at St. Michael’s Hall in Chemainus Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m.
“This will be a great opportunity to see a performance by these two renowned blues artists during their tour of Western Canada,” the CVCAS states in a press release. “Bass player Rick Ryce and drummer Taylor Allum will be joining Chris and Diana for this memorable event. The Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society has invested in this hall, with some amazing improvements to the acoustics. With the recent completion of this work, the sound will be really outstanding.”
Braithwaite is a descendant of the Wellington County pioneers in Canada. With roots in Florida, Braithwaite’s ancestors escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad and lived for four generations in Wellington County, the first African-Canadian pioneer settlement in Ontario. “Braithwaite combines elements from Nina Simone, Esther Phillips, Lil Green and others to create her own unique authentic blues style,” according to her biography. “She is known as a forceful presence recognized on the Canadian and American blues scene as an artist with a unique sound who is keeping the authentic traditional blues sound alive in the contemporary blues scene today.”
Whiteley, who was born in Kansas, is a multi-instrumentalist who has performed on more than 200 recordings with the likes of Leon Redbone and Blind John Davis.
In Canada, Whiteley has received the Blues with a Feeling Award for lifetime achievement in the blues. In January 2014, Whiteley won the Maple Blues Award for the top blues horn player in Canada for the seventh time.
Braithwaite and Whiteley have toured all over North America, the U.K. and Europe together, winning numerous awards for their songwriting and the albums they have created.
Tickets for this concert are $15 each and are available now at Chemainus Foods. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the concert, provided the show is not sold out.
St. Michael’s Hall is beside the Anglican church at the corner of Willow Street and Mill Street and is opposite the post office parking lot on Mill Street.
CVCAS is organizing more performances at St. Michael’s Hall, including The Konsorados (Donna and Bill) on Friday, March 13, when the admission will be by donation. The regular Open Mic will take place Saturday, March 21 and on the third Saturday of every month.