The Roots & Blues Festival gathers world class musicians together at the Salmon Arm Fair Grounds, located in the majestic Northern Okanagan region of British Columbia, for the most diversified music festival in central BC. This year, the festival is held August 17-19, 2012 and is their landmark 20th annual event. Area accommodations are filling up quickly, so now’s the time to secure your Northern Okanagan lodging at our member bed & breakfast inns.
Roots & Blues Festival Offers an Eclectic, World Class Lineup
To celebrate 20 years, the festival organizers focused on expanding the range of music genres to create the most diverse selection of performers to date.
Adham Shaikh & the Outworld OrkestraAncient meets Electronica in the music of BC’s Adham Shaikh & the Outworld Orkestra; world class World Fusion performers. |
Alex CubaBorn in Cuba and residing in Smithers, BC, Alex Cuba plays cross-cultural melodic pop-soul spiced with rock chords. |
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The Beaton SistersMabou, Cape Breton Island crowd-pleasers, The Beaton Sisters, Dawn & Margie, bring step dancing and an exciting, fresh approach to traditional Celtic music. |
Bettye LaVetteU.S. sensation Bettye LaVette has entertained audiences for over 50 years with her distinctive vocal stylings in soul, R&B, Broadway shows and more. |
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Blackie & the Rodeo KingsSince 1996, Ontario, Canada’s Blackie & the Rodeo Kings have served up world class roots music that combines groove, melodic & rhythmic-play and timbral blend. |
“Bombino” Omara Moctar“Bombino” Omara Moctar hails from Tidene, Niger and takes inspiration from the Tuareg musical style popularly known as “Ishoumar” and from the cultural identity movement of the same name. |
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Buckman CoeBC’s own Buckman Coe blends Americana, blues, folk and soul to create his own spirited, sun-kissed form of music. |
CherineA native of Jamaica, Cherine’s powerful vocals have supported and opened for international touring artists ranging from John Mayer to Counting Crows. |
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Coco MontoyaBefore starting his own band, blues guitarist Coco Montoya played guitar for John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers for 10 years. Today he leads an international touring career. |
Cold SpecksAn Ontario native, Cold Specks’ musical roots are in the deep south that evokes both the gutsiness of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the spirituality of Mahalia Jackson. |
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Cuff the DukeOntario’s alt-country troubadours, Cuff the Duke combine traditional folk & country and indie-rock to create an award-winning sound that’s all their own. |
Delhi 2 DublinGenre-blasting BC band Delhi 2 Dublin has taken the Canadian alternative music scene by storm with songs that energize and excite audiences with their diverse influences. |
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DemetraWinnipeg-based Demetra uses international inspiration in her songwriting, painting, films, yoga instruction, and the soulful vocals of her own music. |
Five Alarm FunkThe inspiring horns and percussion of BC’s Five Alarm Funk have gotten audiences on their feet at clubs and festivals all across Canada. |
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Floyd Lee BandLegendary singer and guitarist Floyd Lee hails from Mississippi, USA; birthplace of the blues. Floyd is joined by Canadian guitarist Joel Poluck and seasoned bass player Brad Vickers to form the Floyd Lee Band, which has released award winning blues that is among the top sellers in the world. |
Hazmat ModineHazmat Modine creates a unique blend of American music of the 20s through the early 60’s, including Blues, Hokum Jugband, Jamaican Rocksteady, Klezmer, New Orleans R & B, and Swing. |
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HolleradoHollerado calls tiny Manotick, Ontario home, but have earned their place as an international favorite with their guitar-based pop and releases distributed in plastic bags. |
James “Super Chikan” Johnson and the Fighting CocksDelta Blues musician and folk artist James “Super Chikan” Johnson often performs with instruments made from found materials. |
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Jayme Stone’s Room of WondersJayme Stone is influenced by the folk music of the world, including styles from Brazil, Bulgaria, Italy, North America, Norway, and Sweden, which he performs as original compositions. |
Kelly Joe PhelpsSoul and passion define the folk music work of Kelly Joe Phelps, with which he delivers unique lyrics, vocals and guitar playing. |
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Kid KoalaScratch DJ and multimedia artist extraordinaire Kid Koala has enjoyed success because he delivers the unexpected in his remixes, compositions, writings and graphic novels. |
Krar CollectiveHailing from Ethiopia, Krar Collective plays traditional Ethiopian lyre and percussion music that’s spiced with contemporary flair. |
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Robert Randolph and the Family BandRobert Randolph and the Family Band have risen to headliner status with their multicultural American funk and soul music, which explores the story of blues, gospel and rock. |
Serena RyderMillbrook, Ontario native Serena Ryder brings a tremendous vocal range to her soulful R&B performances. |
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Shuffle DemonsSaxophones, drums, upright bass and quirky lyrics collide to form the sHuFFle dEMoNs brand of fun BC/Ontario music, which often ends up being played amongst the audience. |
The TrewsHailing from Nova Scotia and Ontario, The Trews are an inspiring rock ‘n’ roll act that has opened for Guns N’ Roses, KISS, Nickelback, Robert Plant, and the Rolling Stones. |
PLUS
The Black Pioneer Heritage Singers |
Boogie Patrol |
The Boom Booms |
Declan O’Donovan |
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Hilary Grist |
Kenthen Thomas |
Kirby Sewell Band |
Markus James and The Wassonrai |
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Mortal Coil |
No Sinner |
Peter Puffin’s Whale Tales |
Raleigh |
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Septeto Santiaguero |
STORIES on WHEELS |
Taj Weekes & Adowa |
Treble Spot Jams |
Salmon Arm Location Provides Breathtaking Surroundings
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The Roots & Blues Festival will take place at the Salmon Arm Fair Grounds, located halfway between Vancouver and Calgary in the Northern Okanagan region of central British Columbia. The Fly Hills and Mount Ida offer a scenic backdrop for the festivities and easy access to recreation at Shuswap Lake and Provincial Parks of the area.
Salmon Arm Fair Ground
The Roots & Blues Festival site features six daytime and two nighttime stages, plus an artisan market, a variety of food and craft vendors, children’s activities area, beverage area, bike lock-up and more.
Learn more and purchase tickets on the Roots & Blues Festival website.
Choose Northern Okanagan Lodging as Distinctive as Roots & Blues Music
The member North Okanagan bed & breakfast inns of our association each offer a singular lodging experience to enhance your enjoyment of the Roots & Blues Festival and all the many summer adventures the North Okanagan region of British Columbia has to offer.
Enjoy a wide array of breakfast choices, homelike B&B guest rooms that provide exclusive and memorable lodging, and the personalized service and regional expertise of the innkeepers at locations all across British Columbia’s North Okanagan region.
What’s Your Roots & Blues Festival Expectation or Experience?
This is the 20th year of this Roots & Blues Festival at Salmon Arm and it has grown to become a vital musical celebration for western Canada.
Please share your plans for this 2012 event and memories of past Roots & Blues Festivals.