SHAKURA S'AIDA and her superb band from Toronto kicked off the 2010/11 BLUES ON THE RIDEAU Dinner & Show Fundraiser Series at THE COVE INN, WESTPORT ON in grand style last Friday, October 22 playing to a enthusiastic Sold Out house. No surprise - Shakura is a multiple Maple Blues Award nominee, the 2nd place winner at the 2008 International Blues Competition in Memphis, tours regularly in Europe and this year is up for three Maple Blues Awards (Entertainer Of The Year, Female Vocalist Of The Year and her great new CD "Brown Sugar" is up for Album Of The Year). Band member Lance Anderson is also up for Keyboard Player Of The Year again. This is Grade A+ Canadian Blues talent at its best.

"The band was great! We were in Memphis in January and this group was comparable to what we heard at BB King's on Beale St. 10 out of 10 for the venue, food, service, band the and sound." JD, Chaffey's Lock

"Wow! This woman is an amazing entertainer and what a voice. She really involved the audience and made everyone feel special. And her guitarist! - Great things come in small packages" DB, Westport

"Best entertainment value in Ontario" AW, Ottawa

$687.50 was raised for the LUCY DRYSDALE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND - awarded to a worthy Westport student each year in honour of a well loved resident of the town who passed away.