It’s a musical weekend in Saugeen Shores.
The 15th annual Canadian Big Band Celebration begins tonight and continues tomorrow and Sunday.
Celebration Chair Charlie Bell says this is the largest Canadian big band festival in Canada.
Bell says five bands will be featured Saturday afternoon and again Saturday evening at the CAW Family Education Centre, including the host Stardust Big Band led by Bell.
Bell says the musicians love to come to this event because it affords them the opportunity to hear other musicians and to network with them as well.
Committee member Terry Mills says they can only accomodate so many bands and there is a waiting list.
He says there have been bands from Europe wanting to take part in the event.
Tonight is Friday Night Jazz with eight different venues in Port Elgin and Southampton presenting all genres of jazz from standards to blues to dixieland.
For one price patrons can hit each spot and take the shuttle buses that will be travelling between Southampton and Port Elgin.
Friday night jazz begins at 8:30 PM and continues until midnight at The Queens Bar & Grill; Jangles; The Wismer House and the Royal Canadian Legion in Port Elgin and at Duffy’s Restaurant and Bar; the Walker House; the Phoenix Lounge and the Legion in Southampton.
The big weekend ends on Sunday with a Jazz Brunch in the CAW Assembly Hall.
Tickets to all events can be purchased at the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce.
The events are proudly sponsored in part by 98 the Beach and Bayshore Broadcasting.