The Show Must Go On — The West Island Blues Festival

Opening to the music of Australian guitarist, singer, and songwriter Walter Druce, the West Island's annual Blues Festival took place on Sunday, September 8th, after being rescheduled due to rain.

Now in its 21st year of bringing music to the West Island, this year’s free series of concerts kicked off in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, followed by its first-ever appearance held in the City of Dorval, and closed with its final set of performances in Pointe-Claire.

Having donated nearly half a million dollars to non-profit organizations since its inception, this year’s West Island Blues Festival set out to raise funds for Accompagnement Bénévole de l’Ouest / Volunteer Accompaniment Service (ABOVAS), Literacy Unlimited, the Centre Bienvenue, a mental health support resource, the West Island Women's Shelter, and the West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA).

The unseasonably cold and cloudy day didn't dampen spirits as peo ple turned out in droves to come out and support these local community organizations while taking in some fabulous musical talent.

The mayors and councillors from the cities of Pointe-Claire, Pierrefonds, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, and Dorval, along with Lac Saint-Louis MP Francis Scarpaleggia, were all on hand to take in the music and show their support to these agencies and talented musicians.

Working tirelessly into the night, co-founders Errol Johnson, councillor from Dollard-des-Ormeaux’s District 2, and Mayor Jim Beis of the Montreal borough of Pierrefonds, came together with Pointe-Claire mayor Tim Thomas to make sure the show ran without a hitch, making sure that the crowd stayed energized and dancing until the late hours of the evening.

Mich and the Blues Bastards kept the crowd moving with their rocking act.

Sylvie DesGroseilliers and her incredible soulful voice closed out the evening.

To learn more about the West Island Blues Festival visit their website at https://www.westislandbluesfestival.com, and be sure to check out their Facebook page!

By Deborah Ancel