Largest blues and jazz festival in Mississauga announces lineup

One of the largest music festivals in Mississauga has announced its lineup of performers.

The 26th Annual Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival returns Sept. 6 to 8 for a jam-packed weekend of music in Port Credit.

Headliners include Independent Blues and Maple Blues award-winning band Bywater Call on Friday and the Jim Cuddy Band on Saturday night.

“We’ve secured an exceptional lineup to play our Brightwater Mainstage that includes Canada’s Jim Cuddy Band, CJ Chenier & The Red-Hot Louisiana Band, Sue Foley, Marriner & Bowskill, The Legendary Downchild Blues Band, Bywater Call, Philip Sayce, Matt Minglewood, The Blackburn Brothers, Durham County Poets, and The Ladies of Sweet Soul Music,” said festival artistic director and founder Chuck Jackson.

The three-day outdoor festival is on three stages in Port Credit.

Free stage performances include The Tonewheels featuring Matt Weidinger, Glen Marais and Mojo Train, Cheryl Lescom and the Tucson Choir Boys, Blues Etc., Big Dan Jeffares, Dwayne Laforme, The Whiskey River Blues featuring Annie Q, Ragwax Quartet, Doc McLean, Lance Anderson, Crossfield Bend, Al Lerman, Penny Skolski and many more.

The Mississauga Music Walk of Fame will also return on Sunday, honouring local musicians who have made a significant impact on the city.

Here is the lineup:

Friday, Sept. 6
Ticketed Brightwater Mainstage opens at 5:30 p.m.
Free stages and Artesian Market area open at 5:30 p.m.
7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Durham County Poets
8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Bywater Call
10:15 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. Sue Foley

Saturday, Sept. 7
Ticketed Brightwater Mainstage opens at 3:30 p.m.
Free stages and Artesian Market area open at 12 p.m.
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Philip Sayce
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Marriner & Bowskill
8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Jim Cuddy Band
10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band

Sunday, Sept. 8
Ticketed Brightwater Mainstage opens at 12 p.m.
Free stages and Artesian Market area open at 12 p.m.
1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Ladies of Sweet Soul Music
2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. Blackburn Brothers
4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Matt Minglewood
6:15  p.m. to 7:45 p.m. The Legendary Downchild Blues Band

The festival also includes a free Saturday afternoon street party in Port Credit from 1 to 5 p.m.

New this year, the Southside Shuffle has partnered with Metalworks Studios, Long & McQuade, and the Mississauga Arts Council to launch the Youth Band Challenge, offering an opportunity for local youth.

Participants aged 12-18 can submit their band applications between May 1 and Aug. 2 to be chosen as one of the 10 bands to compete in the competition and perform on the festival’s Gazebo Stage.

Bands also have the chance to win studio recording time and musical instruments. Plus, all entrants will receive a free subscription to SoundsUnite, a new music education, creativity, collaboration and wellness platform.

Tickets for the main stage concerts are $30 on Friday, $40 on Saturday, and $30 on Sunday. Weekend passes are $80.

For more information and to get tickets, see the website here.

Lead photo of Jim Cuddy: Christopher Gentile