15th Winter Carnival BLues Festival

The 2026 Winter Carnival Blues Festival, our 15th, boasts an incredible line of Okanagan musicians.  Join us on Saturday February 14th, it all takes place in the heart of Vernon, BC at the ANAF club - 2500 46th ave. Two stages (and 2 dances floors) of non-stop music start hopping when the doors open at 6pm.  Tickets for all 4 acts are only $40 (with 15% going directly to the Vernon Winter Carnival) and available at many outlets:

Winter Carnival Office - https://vernonwintercarnival.com/ , Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-winter-carnival-blues-festival-tickets-1676624271329?aff=oddtdtcreator , ANAF 2500 46th ave Vernon, or via e-transfer at itssippytime@gmail.com

Les Copeland, born on August 7, 1959, in Kelowna, B.C., Canada,  currently lives in the picturesque town of Vernon, B.C., with his wife  and children. A gifted Roots and Blues musician, Les has collaborated  with the renowned blues artist David Honeyboy Edwards since their  initial meeting in 1997. In 2009, he toured across England, Wales,  Italy, and Austria as part of the Honeyboy Edwards Trio, where he played  second guitar, with a standout moment being his performance at Venice’s  53rd Biennale Contemporary Music Festival. Additionally, Les has  organized concerts throughout western Canada and has shared the stage  with notable artists such as the late Jimmie Lee Robinson, Louisiana  Red, Jimmy D. Lane, Dennis Binder, and Sonny Rhodes. In May 2010, he  released the album "Don’t Let The Devil In" under the Earwig Music  label, which quickly ascended to the top of the Canadian Roots Radio  Airplay Chart and maintained a strong presence in Canada. The album also  achieved #3 on the global Top 20 Roots Blues Radio Airplay Chart. In  April 2011, Les Copeland Band had the honor of opening for blues legend  Buddy Guy in Kelowna, B.C.

From the picturesque setting of Vernon, British Columbia, emerges a  blues band that captures the raw essence and energy of the genre: The  Bagdaddies. This dynamic four-piece group comprises guitar, drums, bass,  harmonica, and vocals, creating a sound that is both authentic and  invigorating.

The Bagdaddies have carved out a reputation for themselves by breathing  new life into the classics. Their repertoire includes unique renditions  of songs by legendary artists such as Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy  Williamson, and The Rolling Stones. While they honor these musical  giants, The Bagdaddies infuse each performance with their own  distinctive style, ensuring that their interpretations are both  respectful and refreshingly original.

Cat Wells Blues Band, a Canadian ensemble, showcases the powerful and  gritty vocals of Cat Wells, whose singing has drawn comparisons to  renowned artists like Susan Tedeschi, Beth Hart, and Janis Joplin. The  band embraces a funky blues style, infusing their music with an  energetic and danceable rhythm. They have graced the stages of various  Blues Festivals, including the White Rock Blues Festival in British  Columbia, the Rendezvous Blues Festival in Oroville, Washington, and the  Beaches Blues Festival in Toronto, among others. Recently, they were  honored with an invitation to perform at the Women in Blues Showcase  during the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Career highlights  for the band include sharing the stage with notable acts such as Jeff  Healey, Harpdog Brown, and ZZ Top. In December 2025, they released their  CD "Brand New Shoes," featuring collaborations with artists like Jason  Buie, Johnny Ferreira from Colin James' band, and the late Sonny Rhodes.  The album's tracks "Wild Women Never Get the Blues" and "Feel Like  Dyin'" both reached the top spot on the Canadian Blues Charts, while the  title track earned a nomination for Best Blues Song at the  Intercontinental Music Awards. The band is currently in the process of  working on their next release.

The Blueshounds are a dynamic four-member band based in the Okanagan, celebrated for their distinctive "rocking boogie blues" style. The ensemble includes Gerry Pearson on blues harmonica, Ian “Lefty” Stewart who plays guitar, pedal steel guitar, bass, keyboards, and provides vocals, Cliffe Fraser on drums, and Rob Robertson, who contributes vocals, songwriting, and plays multiple instruments. They have  captivated audiences across the Okanagan, performing at notable venues  such as Dirty Laundry Winery, Summerland Estate Winery, The Dream Cafe, and  festivals like the Copper Valley Music Festival in Princeton and the Lake Country Winter Blues Festival. Their high-energy live shows feature  a mix of original compositions and covers of blues icons, including  James Cotton, the Allman Brothers, Charlie Musselwhite, and Kirk  Fletcher, among others.