Friday 27 June - Sunday 29 June

Now going into its 14th year, the Dundee Blues Bonanza can now be truly said to have put Dundee on the International music scene. Visitors now talk of Dundee as the ‘Blues capital of Scotland’.

All the artists and visitors who come to the Bonanza comment on the friendliness that they find in the city. International star Lil’ Jimmy Reed from Alabama, who returned last year to thrill his fans again, now fondly calls Dundee his second home.

This year’s Bonanza will see musicians coming from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Holland, Germany, Belgium, USA and every part of the UK. This is matched by the enthusiastic throngs of fans who are now flocking to the City of Discovery to participate and enjoy the legendary feel good atmosphere and Blues buzz!

The Blues Bonanza is a street level free festival of Blues music held in 33 city centre venues, all within easy access and walking distance of each other. With well over 135 acts of both new and old favourites, it will run continuously through the weekend of Friday 27th to Sunday 29th June.

Starting with the now traditional International Artists Promotional event of Friday 27th June in the nightclub Deja Vu on Cowgate and the Bonanza ends with the glorious Big Blues Bonanza party on the evening of Sunday 29th June in Fat Sams Nightclub on South Ward Road.

This year The Dundee Blues Bonanza are pleased to announce sponsorship from Mansell in Tayside whose donation to the Dundee Blues Bonanza will help develop this enjoyable local event.

The sponsorship coincides with Mansell’s Centenary fundraising initiative, ‘Constructing Communities’ which aims to raise £1 million throughout the UK for a variety of charities specific to each of the local areas. The Tayside team have chosen to support Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre in Dundee and their association and fundraising efforts during the Dundee Blues Bonanza will help Mansell to realise their vision. www.constructingcommunities.com

Also watch out for the Blues Bonanza raffle with tickets on sale at the various venus taking part in the Bonanza weekend with a chance to win guitars signed by Blues legends Johnny Winter and Buddy Guy donated by Soundhire Scotland Guitars and the original Blues Bonanza artwork by Gillian Sutherland.

Junior Bonanza
For a second year The Bonanza is pleased to include, once again, the Jnr Bonanza for people under 18. Workshops will be held this year at Riptide Studios, Blinshall Street and feature Krissy Matthews who impressed audiences at last year’s event. Krissy has played all over the world in his school holidays and intends to turn professional on his 16th birthday! Youngsters can only be inspired by his enterprise.

International Nights
The International night on Friday 27th June will be held in Deja Vu nightclub in Cowgate and the Blues Bonanza Sunday party 29th June will held in Fat Sams nightclub on South Ward Road.

These events will feature a wealth of International Artists including Rattlesnakin’ Daddies (Norway) Black River Blues Man & the Croaking Lizard (Finland) Werner Lindner & the Flaming Stratmen (Germany), from Texas, Saxophone Player Eric Demmer (Gatemouth Brown, Santana fame), and Dr Bendix from Norway among many others, with whom negotiations are still under way.

Photo Exhibition
Following the success of a superb photo exhibition at last year’s Bonanza by internationally renowned photographer Dave Peabody. Sponsored and scheduled to be held in Dexters, Castle Street, Dave’s theme will be festivals around the world and will include many photographs taken at last year’s Bonanza in Dundee.

Acoustic Summit
New for this year and due to popular demand there will be an ‘Acoustic Summit’ venue where all Acoustic Blues players can meet and play together. The venue for the Summit is Malones in North Lindsay Street.

Workshop
Our very successful Blues workshop which always features our International friends and Headliners will be held in the ample facilities of Dexters this year. Again, it takes place early on Saturday 28th June at 11am. This is always well attended by the international artists visiting Dundee.

Electric Jam
The electric jamming event is scheduled for Sunday 29th June with the venue being the Doghouse, Brown Street where PA & Backline will be provided. Final details will be seen in the Bonanza programme and flyers.