History of the Niagara Falls Blues Festival
In the 1970's the seeds were planted for Blues in Niagara Falls, NY. Our founder, Toby Rotella, created the Imperial Garage nightclub on Third Street. The 'who's who of Blues' passed through the doors, and it was there that the original concept for the Niagara Falls Blues Festival was born. Toby refers to the Imperial Garage as the mother and father of the Niagara Falls Blues Festival. In June of 1984, Toby held his very first Niagara Falls Blues Festival on the grounds of the old Niagara Falls Convention Center, now the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.
In the summer of 2008, Toby and a group of friends got together with the City of Niagara Falls to present his next Niagara Falls Blues Festival. The one day event, held on Third Street, was a huge success despite an all day rainstorm. In 2009, the Niagara Festival & Entertainment Group was formed by Toby as a non-profit organization to operate the Niagara Falls Blues Festival. The stated goal of the Niagara Festival & Entertainment Group is to preserve the Blues, a true American art form, through community education and free music festivals. With community support and generous sponsorships we've been able to achieve this goal.
The festival has grown larger each year, attracting fans from around the world as well as loyal local and regional fans, ultimately supporting the Niagara Falls economy. Our festival has a reputation for high standards of excellence and quality entertainment. Everyone involved with the production of the Niagara Falls Blues Festival is a volunteer. We depend entirely on sponsors and fundraising to keep the festival a free event for the public. From humble beginnings, the Niagara Falls Blues Festival has grown into one of the Northeast's premier Blues Festivals, and we thank all the volunteers, sponsors and our Blues loving audiences.
Niagara Gazette article, October 16, 1980, Imperial Garage Nightclub
Niagara Gazette article, Imperial Garage Nightclub
Vintage calendar - Imperial Garage-May 1981
Vintage Calendar - Imperial Garage-July 1981 (BBKing)
Vintage Calendar - Imperial Garage-April 1982
Vintage Calendar - Imperial Garage-April 1983
In the summer of 2008, Toby and a group of friends got together with the City of Niagara Falls to present his next Niagara Falls Blues Festival. The one day event, held on Third Street, was a huge success despite an all day rainstorm. In 2009, the Niagara Festival & Entertainment Group was formed by Toby as a non-profit organization to operate the Niagara Falls Blues Festival. The stated goal of the Niagara Festival & Entertainment Group is to preserve the Blues, a true American art form, through community education and free music festivals. With community support and generous sponsorships we've been able to achieve this goal.
The festival has grown larger each year, attracting fans from around the world as well as loyal local and regional fans, ultimately supporting the Niagara Falls economy. Our festival has a reputation for high standards of excellence and quality entertainment. Everyone involved with the production of the Niagara Falls Blues Festival is a volunteer. We depend entirely on sponsors and fundraising to keep the festival a free event for the public. From humble beginnings, the Niagara Falls Blues Festival has grown into one of the Northeast's premier Blues Festivals, and we thank all the volunteers, sponsors and our Blues loving audiences.
Niagara Gazette article, October 16, 1980, Imperial Garage Nightclub
Niagara Gazette article, Imperial Garage Nightclub
Vintage calendar - Imperial Garage-May 1981
Vintage Calendar - Imperial Garage-July 1981 (BBKing)
Vintage Calendar - Imperial Garage-April 1982
Vintage Calendar - Imperial Garage-April 1983
