'Goddess of Canadian blues' opens Algoma Fall Festival (6 photos)

Rita Chiarelli and her all-girl band Sweet Loretta opened the 2016 Algoma Fall Festival with an evening of blues at the Water Tower Inn Saturday night.

The talented vocalist, guitar player and songwriter, dubbed the “goddess of Canadian blues" by CBC Radio's Shelagh Rogers, has earned an impressive list of awards throughout her career.

They include multiple Maple Blues awards, a Juno Award, CBCs Great Canadian Blues Award, and the Hamilton Blues Society's Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2010, Chiarelli was the honoured recipient of the Blues With A Feeling Award, the Maple Blues Awards’ version of a lifetime achievement award.

The Algoma Fall Festival continues with events and performances throughout October, including Buffy Sainte-Marie on Oct. 4, Whitehorse on Oct. 14, A Necessary Discussion featuring Algoma University Chancellor Shirley Horn on Oct. 21, and Coig on Oct. 28.

For ticket information and a complete festival schedule, please click here.