Victoria Blues Society

Celebrate New Year's Eve with the Arsen Shomakhov band food drinks and fun at the Chief and Petty Officer's Mess in Esquimalt.

VBS' annual fundraiser for the Mustard Seed Food Bank. $20 admission goes directly to the Mustard Seed, no food donations please. In return you get a great night of blues with 5 Victoria bands. Helen Davies Band Gary Preston Blues Band RattleShake Jack Lavin’s Rhythm Train Auntie Kate and the Uncles of Funk

Exciting News!!! Sunday Blues Services with the Deb Rhymer Band is moving effective March 17th 2024 to Wicket Hall at the Strathcona Hotel. We will still have our next two jams (March 3 and 10) at Hermann’s Upstairs but starting March 17 our new home will be Wicket Hall, Strathcona Hotel. What you need to know!!! Same incredible blues jam from 4 to 730 pm. Doors still open at 3 pm. Still $5.00 cover and free for jammers. Still FREE parking in the City Parking lot next to the hotel, enter the parkade behind the Strathcona Hotel on Broughton or Courtenay St. Same 50/50 draw at 6 pm every week. Some changes to note: There is an elevator for those who have mobility challenges. There will be drink specials and a food menu available every week. There will be TWO dance floors. The venue is much larger so we can accommodate more people.

Victoria Blues Society Scholarship Program for the Hornby Island Blues Camp The Victoria Blues Society (VBS) offers an annual scholarship to the Hornby Island Blues Camp through the John Fisher Memorial Fund. The 2025 Hornby Island Blues Camp runs May 4-9 To be eligible for this program you must be: Available during the camp dates May 4-9, 2025 19 years of age or older Live in the Greater Victoria region Have not received a VBS scholarship previously Are an aspiring blues musician, singer or songwriter Although having access to a vehicle is preferable, it is possible to attend the camp without one. You will be responsible for getting to and from Hornby Island. The classes are held at various locations throughout the island, it is not possible to walk or bike and get to the locations on time, and get back to the Seabreeze lodge for meals. For students without a car however, in the past other students have given each other rides to and from locations, and it has not been an issue. The website for the camp is: www.hornby-blues.bc.ca Information on the instructors and course outlines can be found there, as well as the link for registering. You will not be able to register until the specified date. There is also a link to accommodations on Hornby Island. Students are expected to choose one instructor for their “major” class in the morning, but afternoon “minor” classes can be any of the other instructors, and minor classes can be changed with instructors approval once camp has started. Instruments covered are: guitar, both electric and acoustic, bass, drums, piano, harmonica, vocals and songwriting. The VBS scholarship includes the cost of tuition and an additional amount to assist with accommodation. Accommodation is NOT pre-arranged, and students must make their own arrangements. Students are responsible for any additional accommodation costs, and incidental expenses, such as drinks at concerts. Tuition includes, daily instruction, lunch and dinner, and evening concerts. VBS scholarships are financial only, and VBS is not responsible for any other aspects of the camp. Hornby Island Blues Society are the operators of the camp. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for transportation to Hornby Island, supply themselves with instrument(s) and practice amplifier if needed. If this is of interest to you, please provide VBS with your full name, address, age and contact information, what instrument(s) you play and a brief note why you want to attend the camp. Please email victoriabluessociety@gmail.com . The camp fills up quickly, so do not delay if interested. Deadline for applications will be January 5, 2025.

VBS Board Member Ruth Chan has archived a huge collection of videos from blues jams gone by. Check out her youtube channel.