Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival expands

To celebrate its tenth year, the Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival has been expanded from a single to a multi-day event.  The festival, which now takes place Friday August 7 to Sunday, August 9, will span ten different venues and 19 separate performances across the city, with the two main stages at Deer Lake Park. Other venues include Earls Restaurant (Kingsway and Bridge Park locations), Crystal Bar and Grille, EBO Restaurant, Metropolis at Metrotown, Marine Pub and more.

The Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival was started in 2000 as a way to introduce an artistic mix into the City of Burnaby's cultural fabric. Since its humble beginnings with a 1,500-sized crowd, it has grown to a highly anticipated annual event. This year is expected to draw more than 6,500 people - the largest Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival yet. As evidence of this growth and tremendous success, this year the festival welcomes the legendary Smokey Robinson as its headlining act.

"We have seen the popularity of this event grow year over year and we are so excited to be able to now welcome guests for a full weekend of outstanding musical performances throughout Burnaby including local favourites like Kenny ‘Blues Boss' Wayne and Taylor James," says Matthew Coyne, executive director for Tourism Burnaby. "Welcoming Smokey Robinson to Deer Lake this year is proof we have a world-class event."

The city is pleased to welcome to Deer Lake Park nearly a dozen other musical acts including Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings; Keb Mo and Band; David Lindley; JJ Grey; Mofro; Raul Malo; Tinsley Ellis; Oh Susanna and Rich Hope

Over the years, the city has invested in a number of changes to make Deer Lake Park the ideal venue for the festival and others like it. They have worked to improve drainage for the grounds and revamped the tiered lawn for more comfortable seating. In just the last 12 months alone, the city has allocated a $500,000 provincial grant and $1.2 million in city gaming funds to upgrade the site.

"We have the perfect setting at Deer Lake Park for this type of event and the city has worked tirelessly to invest in that atmosphere," says Denis Nokony, assistant director of cultural services for the City of Burnaby. "We are confident this year's festival will be the best Burnaby has ever hosted and festival-goers will have the experience of a lifetime.

An extended weekend schedule can be found online at http://www.burnabybluesfestival.com.

Tickets for the festival are available through Livenation.com, The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Highlife Records, www.ticketmaster.com and by calling 604-280-4444.

If purchased prior to the festival weekend, tickets are $45 plus service charges. At-the-gate purchases are $55 plus service charges. All tickets are for general admission.