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Move over, Janis. Here comes Val (10 photos)

The opening night of the 1st annual Sault Ste.

The opening night of the 1st annual Sault Ste. Marie Blues Festival hosted last evening at the Water Tower Pub by the Sault Blues Society may have been billed as an evening with Rusty McCarthy and the Dirty River Band, but it was Val Powley (pictured) that owned the stage.

One third of the Sault's Ladies Sing the Blues - with Lynne Reville and Shirley Kominos - Powley told the audience: "I'm about to sing a song that's impossible for me to do" just before knocking Janis Joplin's Move Over out of the park.

You couldn't have been more wrong, Miss Powley.

The Sault Ste. Marie Blues Festival continues tonight at the Water Tower Pub with a free performance from The Bebop Blues and Jazz Band featuring Jeff Holmes, Martin Virta, Josh Norling, Ed Young, Rusty McCarthy and a few local surprise guests.

The music is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 p.m.

Featured on Friday night during the Blues Festival is Chicago and delta blues guitarist, Steve Strongman, who was recently honoured with the 2011 Maple Blues Award for best blues guitarist of the year.

Saturday night wraps up the festival with a special performance from award-winning harmonica player, David Rotundo, with special guest, Juno Award-winning blues keyboard player, Julian Fauth.

Tickets to these performances are $20 each ($15 for Blues Society members) and may be purchased at Algoma's Water Tower Inn and Suites front desk.

For more information about this event and other Sault Blues Society initiatives, please click here


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Donna Hopper

About the Author: Donna Hopper

Donna Hopper has been a photojournalist with SooToday since 2007, and her passion for music motivates her to focus on area arts, entertainment and community events.
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