HISTORY OF THE NIAGARA FALLS BLUES FESTIVAL |
HISTORYNiagara Festival & Entertainment Group
Toby Rotella - Founder, Artistic/Entertainment Director
Sherry Kushner - Financial Director, Assistant Entertainment Director Mary Jo Zacher - Public Relations/Vendor Director Remy Orlowski - Website and Hospitality Director Dan and Gail Reinbird - Merchandise Directors Dan Cappellazzo - Media Director Pam Smith and Ann Marie Hauptner - Volunteer Directors Mike and Marie Dyer - Blues Consultants Program Design: Sherry Kushner Program Layout: Riley Watts |
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 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 Niagara Falls Convention Center, now the Seneca Niagara Casino. This year marks the 33rd year of that event.
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 fund raising to keep the festival a free event for the public. All proceeds from any event we hold are rolled right back in to the next festival. From humble beginnings the Blues Festival has grown into one of the Eastern united States' premier Blues Festivals, and we thank all the volunteers, sponsors and everyone involved especially 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
Muddy Waters at the Imperial Garage, early 1981
History of previous Festival
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In 2009, the festival was expanded to 2 days, Fri. and Sat. Sept. 11 and 12. It was moved to Old Falls Street and included the following bands:
Friday: Dave Thurman The Thurman Brothers The Electras Richard Ray Farrell Saturday: Problem Child 4 On The Floor Blues Hounds Maria Auriguma Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers The Nighthawks |
2010 Festival Tee-Shirt
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In 2010, the festival included the following bands:
Friday Night: Billy’s Blues Band ~ with a host of special guests, including Dr. Z.
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2011 Festival line up :
Friday Night: Richard Johnston, playing during set breaks Junkyard Dogs Mick Hayes Band Albert Castiglia Eddie Shaw and the Wolfgang Special guest~ Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh Saturday: Richard Johnston, playing during set breaks Tas Cru Dennis Gruenling Blues Hounds The Stevie Project with Joe Mahfoud Maria Aurigema Matt Schofield Savoy Brown Coco Montoya Sunday: Richard Johnston, playing during set breaks Loco Motion Harmonica John Shrimp Daddy Mr. Conrad 
2012 Festival Poster
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2012 Festival line up:
THURSDAY Sept. 6 Annual Pine Avenue Classic Car and Bike Cruise. A Bluesmoblie from the Blues Brothers movie will be there. Cruisers please meet at Sal Maglie Stadium, 1200 Hyde Park Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14301 at 6pm. Followed by party at Legend’s Bar and Grill with The COUPE DE VILLES, 7-9pm. FRIDAY Sept. 7 BILLY’S BLUES BAND REFLECTOR, those of you who frequented the Imperial Garage will remember them Niagara Falls Native RICHARD RAY FARRELL accompanied by The ELECTRAS and special guest Tommy Z MAC ARNOLD and the PLATE FULL O’ BLUES (possible special guest) SATURDAY Sept. 8 ROOTS PERCUSSION RICHARD RAY FARRELL with special guest SHRIMP DADDY Rochester NY’s DOUBLE TAKE BLUES BAND Buffalo’s NICKEL CITY PIMP CHOIR The Amazing Dr. Zarcon’s Breathing Machine Jug Band an old favorite from the Imperial Garage days LEERON ZYDECO from Buffalo The BRAVURAS from Buffalo From California The 44’s JOHN PRIMER Grammy nominee from Camden, MS Living Blues Legend JAMES COTTON! accompanied by THE NIGHTHAWKS and DONNIE “Mr. Downchild” WALSH Special Guest Jon Dretto, 14 year old guitar prodigy SUNDAY Sept. 9 Gospel “Brunch” with Marsha McWilson in the big tent on Old Falls. ZARK and the SHARKS JUNKYARD DOGS Rock-Ed ACES and EIGHTS SHRIMP DADDY and Mr. CONRAD and special guest Jon Dretto, 14 year old blues guitar prodigy. |
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2013 Festival Line Up:
Thursday August 29 Annual Pine Ave. Classic Car and Bike Cruise 6 pm meet at Sal Maglie Stadium 7 pm end up at Legend’s Bar with band to be announced Friday August 30 4:00 BIG TOBACCO 5:45 MARSHA McWILSON & THE SHARKS “ Etta James Tribute” 7:30 MAHAJIBEE BLUES BAND 9:30 MISSISSIPPI HEAT Saturday August 31 12:00 EASY STREET SLIDERS 1:30 FLYIN’ BLIND BLUES BAND 3:00 THE BRAVURAS with JON DRETTO 5:00 THE ELECTRAS with DR. Z & MR. CONRAD 6:45 RICHARD RAY FARRELL BAND with DONNIE “MR. DOWNCHILD” WALSH & CHERYL ARENA 9:30 EDDY “THE CHIEF” CLEARWATER Sunday September 1 10:45 GOSPEL BRUNCH 12:00 ACES & EIGHTS 1:45 POWERLINE 3:30 JUNK YARD DOGS 5:30 BILL “THE SAUCE BOSS” WHARTON |
2013 Festival Poster
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2014 Festival Line Up Included:
THURSDAY (Sept. 11)
As usual, we will still start with the evening Pine Ave. Classic Car and Bike Cruise.
~ Cruisers meet at Sal Maglie Stadium (5pm-6pm) to leave there by 6pm and then follow the route down Pine ending at Old Falls St.
~Non-cruisers meet at Old Falls St. at 6:30.
There will be a 9/11 Remembrance after the cruise.
We will have a Food Truck Rodeo.
Then playing will be:
Aces and Eights
The Thurman Brothers Band
and the evening will end with MAC ARNOLD and Plate Full O’ Blues!
FRIDAY (Sept. 12)
DAN HARPER with the Magic Show
Peter D. HARPER and Midwest Kind from Australia will be there playing a mix of original world, blues & roots music on the harmonica and didgeridoo.
(No relation to the other Harper)
Ray Fuller & the Blues Rockers
The headliner will be EDDY SHAW and the WOLFGANG! with special guest Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh!
SATURDAY (Sept. 13)
BLACK ROCK ZYDECO – excellent band local band to start the day, not to be missed!
Marsha McWilson as Etta James
Pappy John’s Blues Band
The ELECTRAS with special guests.
The PITBULL of BLUES – just won the 2015 Memphis Bound Competition for FL
The Cheryl Arena Band
The KINSEY REPORT
The Junk Yard Dogs with Jon Dretto will be performing.
SUNDAY (Sept. 14)
All bands are from Florida and the Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins home game broadcast in our beer tent in the afternoon for those of you who love the Bills and the Blues.
There will be a Key Lime Pie tasting to start the day at 9:30.
We will again have the Gospel Brunch at 10:30 with Marsha McWilson.
Noon- The Pitbull of Blues Bill
“The SAUCE BOSS” Wharton
ROCKIN JAKE
ALBERT CASTIGLIA .- Amazing guitarist, great way to end the show!
THURSDAY (Sept. 11)
As usual, we will still start with the evening Pine Ave. Classic Car and Bike Cruise.
~ Cruisers meet at Sal Maglie Stadium (5pm-6pm) to leave there by 6pm and then follow the route down Pine ending at Old Falls St.
~Non-cruisers meet at Old Falls St. at 6:30.
There will be a 9/11 Remembrance after the cruise.
We will have a Food Truck Rodeo.
Then playing will be:
Aces and Eights
The Thurman Brothers Band
and the evening will end with MAC ARNOLD and Plate Full O’ Blues!
FRIDAY (Sept. 12)
DAN HARPER with the Magic Show
Peter D. HARPER and Midwest Kind from Australia will be there playing a mix of original world, blues & roots music on the harmonica and didgeridoo.
(No relation to the other Harper)
Ray Fuller & the Blues Rockers
The headliner will be EDDY SHAW and the WOLFGANG! with special guest Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh!
SATURDAY (Sept. 13)
BLACK ROCK ZYDECO – excellent band local band to start the day, not to be missed!
Marsha McWilson as Etta James
Pappy John’s Blues Band
The ELECTRAS with special guests.
The PITBULL of BLUES – just won the 2015 Memphis Bound Competition for FL
The Cheryl Arena Band
The KINSEY REPORT
The Junk Yard Dogs with Jon Dretto will be performing.
SUNDAY (Sept. 14)
All bands are from Florida and the Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins home game broadcast in our beer tent in the afternoon for those of you who love the Bills and the Blues.
There will be a Key Lime Pie tasting to start the day at 9:30.
We will again have the Gospel Brunch at 10:30 with Marsha McWilson.
Noon- The Pitbull of Blues Bill
“The SAUCE BOSS” Wharton
ROCKIN JAKE
ALBERT CASTIGLIA .- Amazing guitarist, great way to end the show!