From B.C. to Belize: Salmon Arm Roots and Blues fest is a global affair

SALMON ARM – From its humble beginnings in the Gleneden Community Hall to luring dozens of musicians and thousands of music fans to the Shuswap, the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival has a lot to celebrate its 27th year.

Along with over 40 musical acts, playing on four stages throughout the fairgrounds, Aug. 15 to 18, the festival also offers musical workshops, jam sessions, and even a circus performance to the family-friendly festival.

Roots and Blues artistic director Peter North said the festival features an eclectic array of musicians from Canada, the U.S. and as far afield as West Africa and South America. Over a dozen B.C. bands will also take to the various stages.

Headliners include the Jim Cuddy Band of Blue Rodeo fame, Texan blues and soul singer Ruthie Foster, and longstanding Jamaica reggae band Third World, celebrating their 45th-anniversary tour.

North describes the U.K.'s Devish as "arguably one of the three best Celtic bands on the planet," and Niger's Tal National as "West African music (mixed) with vintage rock and roll."

Along with the dozens of acts taking to the festivals four stages, a series of musical workshops will also take place, pairing musicians with other performers they have not played with before.

"You get some pretty interesting and at times magical moments between artists that have never worked before. You never know what is going to happen but you always hope you pick the right combinations of people," North said.

North expects crowds of around 7,500 to 8,500 people to attend the festival and tickets are still available and can be purchased for individual days or the entire weekend.

The festival starts Aug. 15 evening and runs to Aug. 18. There will also be a selection of musical acts playing at various Salmon Arm venues throughout the weekend. For more information go here.

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