Errol Johnson

West Island Blues Fest turns up the volume on giving back

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The West Island Blues Festival marked its 22nd year with a lively celebration at Dollard-des-Ormeaux Park, transforming the grounds in front of City Hall into a gathering spot for music lovers, local leaders, and the organizations they support.

Among the elected officials present were MNAs Brigitte Garceau (Robert-Baldwin) and Monsef Derraji (Nelligan); Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis and Dorval Mayor Marc Doret; Dollard-des-Ormeaux city councillors Anastasia Assimakopoulos, Ryan Brown, Errol Johnson, and Tanya Toledano; Benoit Langevin and Louise Leroux from Pierrefonds-Roxboro; Cynthia Homan representing Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas; as well as representatives for Greg Kelley and Francis Scarpaleggia.

Drawn by the thump of sound checks, attendees began to arrive in the early afternoon. A packed lineup featuring local favourites entertained the fluctuating crowd as the afternoon unfolded. By day’s end, nearly 1,500 people had come through, including families, longtime supporters, and a full roster of elected officials. The festival, which started as a small event in DDO, now rotates among three West Island municipalities — Dorval and Pointe-Claire included.

Entertainment rolled out in waves: Badass Diva opened the afternoon, followed by Fired Up Band, The Ramblers, and Mich and the Blues Bastards. Between sets, dignitaries and sponsors were recognized, and the crowd was reminded why the festival matters — not just for the music, but for the causes it uplifts. The night belonged to the Freddie James Project, whose headliner set had festival-goers dancing until well after dark.

On stage in between sets, the festival’s co-founders — DDO City Councillor Errol Johnson, also standing in for Mayor Alex Bottausci, joined by Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis — served as the event’s masters of ceremonies. “In these 22 years we have raised over $500,000 to support local organizations who in turn support our community,” Beis said, pausing to thank the committee, sponsors, and volunteers. “It’s a privilege to see all the cities working together for something that matters.”

The list of sponsors included TD Bank, Royal Bank, Audi West Island, Allstate, Fairstone Financial, Cadillac Fairview, Baylis Med Tech, Steve’s Music, and more. PME MTL added its support, underscoring the community-first spirit that’s carried the festival through more than two decades.

West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA) President Joan Lee took to the microphone to thank festival-goers for their continued support, highlighting the organization’s award-winning robotics club. “We’re especially proud to see our youth recognized for their achievements,” she said, gesturing toward a knot of club members near the stage.

The day’s beneficiaries — WIBCA, West Island Women’s Shelter, West Island Mission, ABOVAS, and Literacy Unlimited each had a presence, mingling with guests and speaking about the impact of the funds raised.

“It really does take a village,” Brigitte Garceau, MNA for Robert-Baldwin, said, echoing a sentiment shared by many on stage. “Everyone here is supporting key organizations that make our community stronger.”

Monsef Derraji, MNA for Nelligan, added, “The strength of the West Island is its community, supported by so many dedicated non-profits. That’s what makes days like this so special.”

As the last chords faded and families drifted home, organizers already seemed to have next year in mind. “It just keeps getting better,” Johnson smiled, waving to the crowd, as another successful edition of the West Island Blues Festival came to a close. n

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DDO seniors club celebrates 25th Anniversary

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO) Seniors Club marked its 25th anniversary with a Gala that was held at the banquet hall located in the DDO Civic Centre last week.

The celebratory event was attended by more than 160 members and volunteers. Elected officials in attendance were DDO Mayor Alex Bottausci, MNA for Robert Baldwin Brigitte Garceau along with DDO City Councillors Errol Johnson, Mickey Guttman, Tanya Toledano, Morris Vesely and Anastasia Assimakopoulos.

Founded in 1999, the DDO Seniors Club has been a cornerstone for seniors in the community, offering a welcoming space for social connection, personal growth, and well-being. Over the past 25 years, the club has grown to serve more than 800 members annually, providing a wide range of physical and social activities, and opportunities for seniors to stay engaged and connected.

During the event, special recognition was given to the club’s founding president, Joyce Sweeney, for her visionary leadership, and the current president, Francine Lamotte, highlighted the dedication of the board, volunteers, and members who continue to sustain the club’s success. “I want to pay tribute to all those who have passed through the club, who have evolved with it and who have enabled its sustainability and achievements over all these years. I am talking here about each of you, the members, all the volunteers, the boards of directors and employees as well as our partners, the main one of which is the city of Dollard-des-Ormeaux,” Lamotte stated.

As the club enters its next chapter, it remains committed to its mission of providing a space for seniors to thrive, build friendships, and stay active. With the ongoing support of the City of DDO and valued sponsors, the DDO Seniors Club looks forward to many more years of making a positive difference in the lives of its members. n

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A rainbow of joy at West Island Blues Fest

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The West Island Blues Festival took place in Dollard-des-Ormeaux last Saturday with its first free outdoor event for 2024. Tone 11 kicked off the festivities while the BBQ’s were fired up at 3 p.m. Attendees “trickled in”, the term WIBF co-founder DDO Councillor Errol Johnson used to describe the first hours of the event to The Suburban. “I just love this part, watching everyone come in as we greet them at the entrance.” With a smile on throughout the entire day, side by side with WIBF co-founder Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis, each attendee was given a warm welcome. “We are excited to be back here again this year where it all started,” Beis told The Suburban. DDO park was the first location at the launch of the WIBF 21 years ago. “When we started, we did not even have a stage, but we had fun and it just keeps getting better and better,” Johnson explained.

Local talent, Rachel Dara performed several songs in between band set-ups. Fans were drawn in by her guitar and vocal solo performance. Later in the afternoon, Salah & Family Steel Pan Band rocked the dance floor while the smell of jerk chicken and Caribbean spices breezed through the park. “This is a family affair. My father figured, ‘how do you keep six kids busy?’, so we started a band,” Rachel Wilson, the eldest sibling and member of the band told The Suburban. In total, twenty-two family members belonging to four generations have joined the band intermittently over the years.

Inus Aso Raggae Band kept the party going strong with upbeat, downbeat and side-beat tunes through the suppertime hours. A rainbow came across the sky for the last thirty minutes of their performance creating a picturesque scene that generated a sense of awe for attendees.The Mike Goudreau Band took over the early evening performance slot at sundown followed by Jack De Keyzer.

The 2024 beneficiary representatives came on stage and included Denise Hupé for ABOVAS, Jacquie McGowan for the West Island Woman’s shelter, Joan Lee for the West Island Community Black Association, Leslie Carr for Literacy Unlimited and Christian Dubé for Centre Bienvenue. “It is such a privilege to be counted for the first time this year as one for the beneficiaries for this awesome festival,” Hupé told The Suburban. n

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Fourth municipality joins WI Blues Fest

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The 21st edition of the West Island Blues Fest is preparing to launch with spectacular performances lined up and a fourth location added to the mix this year.

Dorval is the most recent city to join in on hosting this West-Island-wide summer favourite, along with Dollard-des-Ormeaux (DDO), Pierrefonds-Roxboro and Pointe-Claire. Pierrefonds-Roxboro will kick off with the annual VIP night on May 30, followed by the free concerts in Dorval on August 10 and the season finale Pointe-Claire on September 7.

West Islanders and WI Blues Fest fans are invited to enjoy some of their favourite blues, jazz and reggae artists including Sylvie Desgroseilliers, Jewel McKenzie, the Old Soul Band, Dwane Dixon, Inus Aso reggae band, Dawn Taylor Watson, Justin Saladino, The Contractors, Uprising Reggae Band, the Freddie James Project and The Stone Doctors.

The West Island community organizations that will benefit from the funds to be raised at this year’s concert are West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped, the West Island Black Community Association, the West Island Women’s Shelter, Literacy Unlimited, AJOI, the West Island Palliative Care, Portage and ABOVAS.

“Not only are we expanding the festival to respond to the signature event that we created 21 years ago, but we also added a new beneficiary, ABOVAS, which is an association that caters to the seniors community; an important fraction of our community, who were particularly brought to the forefront of our attention throughout the pandemic,” WI Blues Fest co-founder and Pierrefonds-Roxboro mayor Jim Beis told The Suburban.

Co-founder and DDO City Councillor Errol Johnson reminds that the WI Blues Fest was originally intended to benefit WIBCA, which has since grown and is currently renovating to accommodate its steady expansion. As the Blues Fest has grown, it has extended its support to various community organizations. “The event really benefits the community and it extends itself as seniors are involved, young kids and young families are involved, everybody is involved and we love that,” Johnson told The Suburban. Johnson’s perspective was put on perfect display as gospel singer Sylvie DeGroseilliers took to the stage following the Blues Fest announcement with her son on guitar and grandson on her hip, as she performed Aretha Franklin’s Chain of Fools.

WI Blues Fest host and board director Daniel Khoury told The Suburban that he is excited to see the growth to neighbouring City’s n

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