Fergus will be among the stops on the 2014 Underground Railroad Music Festival tour Sept. 26 to 28.
The first two blues festivals were held in Glen Allan, which was considered a main terminus of the Underground Railroad – the term for a series of safe houses and individuals who helped black slaves reach Canada from the United States in the early 1800s.
The event was moved to Drayton’s Centennial Park for 2011 and 2012. It was originally conceived as a way to recognize the history of the Underground Railroad and the black pioneers of the Queen’s Bush settlement.
Blues performers and festival organizers Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley describe the festival as soulful and unique.
Braithwaite’s own family, on her mother’s side, came to Canada through the Underground Railroad.
“The festival is bluesy with a traditional vibe presenting individuals or groups that will touch your heart and soul with their unique history and songs,” officials state.
This year, the theme is North meets South: Old Songs For A New Day with two acts from the United States taking part in the festival: the daughter of the legendary blues artist John Lee Hooker, Zakiya Hooker, and a traditional group of eight from the Georgia Sea Islands called the Georgia Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters.
The group’s ancestors have lived in Macintosh County since coming from Africa in the 1700s and have worked hard to keep the songs, stories and healing traditions of their family alive.
Angel Brown, a Mississippi blues singer, will be a special guest at the Fergus Grand Theatre.
Eight-time blues award winning artists Braithwaite and Whiteley will also be presenting a concert at the festival.
Previously an outdoor event, this year the festival is going indoors.
Stops on the tour include:
– Sept. 26 at the Grand Theatre in Fergus;
– Sept. 27 at the First Grantham United Church, in St. Catharines; and
– Sept. 28, a matinee concert, at Hughs Room in Toronto (www.hughsroom.com).
For more information go to www.HotBlues.ca – underground, email info@hotblues.ca or phone 416-857-4951.
