Saturday, January 31, 2026

Black History Month Videos ft John Ellison, Jackie Washington, Sharon Musgrave, Viola Desmond

Update of 2021 Post

Historical Bits

  • John Ellison is the writer of the world-famous song Some Kind of Wonderful which he first recorded as part of the Soul Brothers Six.
  • John moved from the States to Canada. He became a Canadian citizen in 2006.
  • He currently resides in Dundas.

Links: John EllisonMore John Ellison StoriesVideo above courtesy of John Ellison - Topic

Historical Bits:

  • Jackie spent most of his life in Hamilton, Ontario.
  • In 1948, Jackie became the first Canadian black disc jockey when he was hired by Hamilton's CHML
  • Jackie was a major force in the Canadian blues scene for decades.
  • He passed away in 2009.

Links: Jackie WashingtonMore Jackie Washington StoriesVideo above courtesy of Jackie Washington - Topic


Historical Bits:



Previous (Automobile Day Videos)

Music Listings: February 1-5, 2026

February 1-5, 2026

We try our best to make sure these listings are as accurate as possible. If you spot any errors or omissions, please email us at blueshamilton@gmail.com.


Feb 1-5 / Feb 6-8


Sunday, February 1  (Black History Month Begins)

---- Before 3:00pm ----

Hamilton Winterfest (Jan 31-Feb 16)

Niagara Icewine Festival (Jan 16-Feb 1)


10am-5pm: Hillside Inside (Guelph) (Jan 30-Feb 1)


11:30am: Beatles Brunch ft Andrew McTaggart @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)




1:30pm: Boom X (Musical) @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) (Jan 21-Feb 7)

1:30-4:30pm: Irish Jam Sesssions @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls) (Weekly)



2-5pm: Lionel Bernard @ Battlefield Legion (Stoney Creek) $10

2-5pm: Open Mic Hosted by SnowHeel Slim @ Checkered Flag  (Hamilton) (Bi-Weekly






2-5pm: Pat Matthews Duo @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

2-5pm: Josh Edwards @ Olde Angel Inn (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

2-4:30pm: The Tonewheels @ The Boathouse (Kitchener) (Weekly in February)


---- After 3:00pm ----

3pm: Innisfree @ Cat & Fiddle (Hamilton) 


3-6pm: Open Stage with Hellion Ton @ Cornerstone (Guelph) (Weekly



4pm: Glenn Groves @ Black Bull (Burlington) (Weekly)

7pm: Jam @ Henry's on James (Hamilton) (Weekly)


7:30pm: Open Mic @ Golden Brothers (Welland) (Weekly)


8pm: Melissa Dutch @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $10

Monday, February 2 (Groundhog Day)



6-8pm: Youth Jam with Iain Leslie @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $5 (Weekly)


6:30pm: Thomas Nelson Band @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Bi-Weekly

7-11pm: Acoustic Open Mic with Sean Fuller @ Pub 36 (Hamilton) (Weekly)

7:30-10:30pm: Open Mic Night @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)



8pm: Open Jam with Iain Leslie @ Moonshine Cafe (Oakville) $5 (Weekly) 

Tuesday, February 3 (The Day the Music Died)






6:30-8:30pm: Irish Music Jam Session @ Corktown Pub, Downstairs (Hamilton) (Weekly)

7-10pm: Open Mic with Brennagh Burns @ Lukaya Cafe (Hamilton) (Weekly)



7-10pm: The John McKinley Jam @ The Huether Hotel Jazz Room (Waterloo) (Bi-weekly) 

7pm: Felicia McMinn @ Capitol 33 (Delhi) (Weekly) 

7:30pm: Christopher Clause @ Thirsty Cactus (Dundas) (Weekly)

8-11pm: Open Jam with the Boom Babiez @ Ale House (Hamilton) (Weekly) 



8-11:30pm: Open Mic @ Which Craft (Guelph) (Weekly)

8:30-11:30pm: Open Mic/Jam @ Barton Touchdown Pub (Hamilton) (Weekly)

Wednesday, February 4 




6:30-8:30pm: Open Mic Jazz @ Corktown Pub, Downstairs (Hamilton) (Weekly)



7pm: Perry and Mark @ Royal Electric (Guelph) (Weekly) 

7-10pm: Open Mic @ The Bullring (Guelph) (Weekly)

7:30pm: Boom X (Musical) @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) (Jan 21-Feb 7)

7:30pm: Adam Ostrosser @ Thirsty Cactus (Dundas) (Bi-Weekly)



8-12pm: Open Jam @ Frankie's (Brantford) (Weekly) 

8pm: Felicia McMinn @ 211Main (Port Dover) (Weekly)


Thursday, February 5

---- Before 7:00pm ----




5:30-6:30pm: Bal Folk Music Workshop @ Guelph Arts Council PWYC/$10 suggested


6-9pm: Open Mic @ Crystal Chandelier (Crystal Beach) (Weekly

6-8pm: Ed Pizzo on the Baby Grand Piano @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Weekly)

6-9pm: Lucas Stagg @ Aging Oak (Cambridge) (Weekly)




6:30-9:30pm: James Ferris with Fried Balogna @ The Corktown Pub (Hamilton)(Weekly)



6:30-8:30pm: Kim Koren @ Shawn & Ed Brewing Co (Dundas) 


---- After 7:00pm ----


7-11pm: Andrew Irving @ Squire's Gastropub (Burlington) 


7-10pm: Josh Coulter @ Judge & Jester (Grimsby) (Weekly)

7-9pm: Matt Vandersluys @ Doc Magilligan's (Niagara Falls)

7-10pm: Duncan Wilson @ Manhattans (Guelph) 

7:30pm: Boom X (Musical) @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) (Jan 21-Feb 7)

7:30-10:30pm: Open Mic with Victor Morgado @ Your Neighbourhood Pizza Co (Beamsville)  (Weekly

7:30-10:30pm: Evan Rotella @ Irish Harp (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

7:30pm: Lighthouse @ River Run Centre (Guelph) $59+


8-11pm: Open Mic Night + Jam @ Temple Bar (Oakville) (Weekly)


8-10pm: Dragan on the Sax @ Spirit in Niagara (Niagara-on-the-Lake) (Weekly)


8:30pm: Open Mic @ Coach & Lantern (Ancaster) (Weekly


COMING SOON!


January 21-February 7: Boom X (Musical) @ Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton)


January 31-February 16: Hamilton Winterfest 



February 6, 8pm: Shad with Noah23 @ Sonic Hall (Guelph) $28.69 #


February 7, 8pm: Shad with Danny Miles + Jaye Woods @ Bridgeworks (Hamilton) $28.69 #

February 8, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5

February 9, 6:30-8pm: Open Mic & Workshop with Victor Morgado @ Smoke and Moonshine (Beamsville) (Bi-weekly

February 10, 7-10pm: The John McKinley Jam @ The Huether Hotel Jazz Room (Waterloo) (Bi-weekly)

February 11, 7:30pm: Who It Is + Sean Jones @ Coach & Lantern (Hamilton) $40


February 12, 7:30pm: Live Jam & Open Mic Hosted by Sessionista @ The Barber Towne Pub (Georgetown) (2nd & 4th Thu)



February 13: Word Radio Day

February 13, 5pm: Artcrawl @ James Street North (Hamilton)

February 13, 7:30pm: Gowan @ Burlington Performing Arts Centre $79.50

February 14: Valentine's Day


February 14, 7:30pm: Kellylee Evans @ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Partridge Hall (St. Catharines) $24+ 

February 14, 8pm: Sam Roberts Band @ FirstOntario Arts Centre (Milton) $120

February 14, 8pm: Gowan @ Centre in the Square (Kitchener) $?



February 16: Family Day



February 17, 8pm: Sam Roberts Band @ Sanderson Centre (Brantford) $60+

February 18, 8pm: Josh Ross @ FirstOntario Concert Hall (Hamilton) $?

February 18, 7-11pm: Dundas Music Club @ Oddfellows Hall (Dundas) (3rd Wed)



February 19-March 15: Taste of Oakville (some live music)

February 19, 8pm: Matt Andersen w/ Mariel Buckley @ Centre In The Square (Kitchener) $? 

February 19, 8:30pm: KC & The Sunshine Band @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $? 



February 20, 7:30pm: Bruce Cockburn @ Fallsview Casino Resort, OLG Stage (Niagara Falls) $?

February 20, 8pm: Jully Black @ Maxwell's Concerts & Events (Waterloo) $?



February 21, 8pm: Wide Mouth Mason @ Warehouse Concert Hall (St. Catharines) $36.10

February 21, 8pm: Sam Roberts Band @ River Run Centre (Guelph) $109

February 21, 8-11pm: Blackburn Brothers @ The Busholme (Erin) $35


February 22, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5

February 24, Soupfest @ Convention Centre (Hamilton)


February 25, March 5: Roots En Route Arts Festival @ Music Hall (Hamilton) $? 

February 26, 7pm: Sounds Gay! Open Mic @ Mosaic (Hamilton) (4th Thu)

February 27-March 8: Frost Bites (Hamilton)

February 27-28: Because Brrr Craft Beer Sessions @ Bridgeworks (Hamilton) $?

February 27, 7pm: Jack de Keyzer @ Shawn & Ed Brewing Company (Dundas) $37.61



February 28, 7:30pm: Portage @ Wesley United Church (Cambridge) $20 #

February 28, 7pm: Ja Rule & Trina @ Kitchener Auditorium $78.65+ #

March


February 25, March 5: Roots En Route Arts Festival @ Music Hall (Hamilton) $?


March 8, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5






March 19, 7:30pm: Irish Rovers @ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Partridge Hall (St. Catharines) $33+ *

March 20, 8pm: Sloan @ Maxwell's Concerts & Events (Waterloo) $? 

March 22, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5


March 24, 8pm: Tenille Townes @ Sanderson Centre (Brantford) $55+

March 27-28, 8pm: Alfie Zappacosta @ Tabone Academy of Music (Hamilton) $55 

March 28, 8-11pm: Jack de Keyzer @ Registry Theatre (Kitchener) $40

March 29, 8pm: Old Man Luedecke @ Mills Hardware (Hamilton) $25.33

March 30, 8pm: Old Man Luedecke @ Sonic Hall (Guelph) $26.33

April



April 2, 8pm:  Grand River Blues Society Presents Grand Thursday ft David Gogo, Jesse O'Brien & Steve Marriner @ Polish Hall (Brantford) $25 adv/$30 door ($5 for Blues Society members) *

April 5, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5

April 15-May 3: Finding Neverland (Musical) @ Hamilton Family Theatre (Cambridge) $62 #

April 19, 2-5pm: Brantford Open Stage @ Best Western (Bi-Weekly) $5


May


May 12, 7:30pm: Ian Thomas... Not Gone Yet @ Sanderson Centre (Brantford) $83

May 15, 8pm: Lowest of the Low @ Bridgeworks (Hamilton) $? (on sale Jan 22) 

Feb 1-5 / Feb 6-8



Sunday, January 25, 2026

Please Support Local Charities




Please Support Local Charities


The Brian Lee Griffith Guitar Bursary is intended to support a different, talented, deserving guitar student each year. In honour of the late, great Hamilton guitarist Brian Griffith.

The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week.  HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.



Thursday, January 22, 2026

Smyle Bassist Peter Rhibany Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of bassist Peter Rhibany.  He was best known as the bassist for Burlington's Smyle. Peter passed away on December 24, 2025. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

From his obituary:

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Peter O'Neill Joseph Rihbany. Peter passed away surrounded by his family at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton on December 24, 2025, at the age of 76.

Peter will be missed by his sister, Margo, brother, David, brother-in-law, Greg, niece, Devon, and nephew, Jordan.

Peter lived in Hamilton for most of his adult life. He was passionate about music and played in many bands throughout his career. The band he was best for was Smyle, with whom he recorded an album and had a song on the CHUM charts.

Peter was also a substitute teacher at various schools throughout Hamilton and had a passion for history.

Peter loved his cats; Sam, Dave, Bill and Tommie, and if desired memorial donations can be made to the Hamilton Burlington SPCA.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, BURLINGTON, 905-632-3333 www.smithsfh.com

 

Video above courtesy of emBLICko


Previous (Throwback Thursday: McMaster U Honours Bruce Cockburn) - - - Next (Robbie Burns Day Videos)

Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors




Please Support Our Wonderful Sponsors



Ken Wallis is an amazing local music supporter. He has a great radio show

Tuesdays: 4-5:30pm: Blues Source Canada w Ken Wallis @ INDI 101.5 FM 





Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Throwback Thursday: McMaster Honours Bruce Cockburn & Juno Sculptor Shirley Elford (2009)

Original Post (part of June 6, 2009 post)

Updated Post: January 22, 2026

Canadian folk legend, Bruce Cockburn (currently signed to Waterdown's True North Records) was recognized by Hamilton's own McMaster University on June 8, 2009.

Cockburn joined local glass sculptor (she designed Juno award statuettes) Shirley Elford at the ceremony, where she also received the same honour.

Below is the Spectator article fron June 9, 2009. Click the picture to make it bigger.




Previous (2026 International Blues Challenge) - - - Next (Smyle Bassist Peter Rhibany Dies)

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Support Local Charities


From their siteOur goal is not only to help meet the needs of our clients in the short term, but also to help clients become self-sufficient and gain and maintain self-worth / esteem to eventually stand on their own with little or no help.

The Hamilton Blues Lovers (HBL) want to showcase a deserving local charity every week.  HBL is not affiliated with these charities nor does it fund raise for them.