“We
know how established Bluesfest is on peoples' summer schedule. With our
move back to the 'Flats' we really felt we had to out-do ourselves, and
we truly believe this is a killer line-up,” says Bluesfest’s executive
and artistic director, Mark Monahan. “We’re delighted with our new
festival site and look forward to being able to comfortably accommodate
all the fans who’ve shown their support for the festival over the
years, along with all the new festival-goers.”
Bluesfest
has become a music festival with a growing reputation on the
international stage, gaining kudos for its all-inclusive,
multi-genre approach. Globe and Mail music writer Brad Wheeler had this
to say about the 2007 line-up: "A
festival schedule of main acts that includes Bob Dylan, the White
Stripes, Leo Kottke, Kanye West, Buddy Guy, Metric and Robert Cray
should at least raise an eyebrow or two, if not blow some minds out..
But not me for, because there's nothing that Ottawa Bluesfest could
present on stage anymore - short of Elvis Presley and Harry Houdini -
that could surprise me. They've raised the bar this year, and they'll
do it again next year. Bet on it.”
Expecting a multitude of fans for each of its 11 days of programming,
Bluesfest will take place at LeBreton Flats Park, the National Capital
Commission’s new festival site next to the Canadian War Museum. Five
stages will offer a wide variety of simultaneous music programming. The
site is licensed and features a broad range of food, drink, and craft
concessions.
“The
best thing about the new site is that it will allow us to have two big
stages between the museum and the Ottawa River Parkway, with a capacity
of 30,000,” says Monahan. “These stages will feature alternating acts
and allow patrons a view of both stages at the same time. This should
go over well with fans that have missed the park-like setting that we
previously offered at LeBreton Flats,” Monahan added.
Aside
from the artists mentioned above, this year's Bluesfest will feature
plenty of Ottawa talent. Over 25 Ottawa-based bands will gain exposure
in some prime slots. Tickets to the 2007 Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest go on
sale Saturday, April 28 at Capitaltickets.ca; both Compact Music
locations on Bank Street; and the Rideau Centre Kiosk. A listing of
hotels offering Bluesfest rates is available at www.ottawabluesfest.ca.
