The landmark 30th annual International Blues Challenge is taking place in Memphis, Tennessee “the home of the blues”, and American Blues Scene will be continuing it’s annual coverage of the week’s events in their entirety. The IBC, put on by the Blues Foundation, is a battle of hundreds of blues bands and musicians from around the world who compete for cash, prizes, and industry recognition. One band and one solo/duo act each will win the top prize. Past winners include Trampled Under Foot, Selwyn Birchwood Band, Grady Champion.
Be sure to check here regularly for all of the latest International Blues Challenge coverage. And join the International Blues Challenge conversation on Twitter with #IBC2014
Friday, January 24
11:00 am – 2:15 pm – IBC Youth Act Registration at New Daisy Theater
11:00 am – 2:00 pm – Silent Auction at future site of Blues Hall of Fame at 421 South Main
11:00 am – The 2014 Keeping the Blues Alive Awards at the Doubletree Hotel, Tennessee Ballroom
11:30 am – Blind Raccoon Roots & Blues Showcase at Purple Haze Night Club
12:00 – 10:00 pm – Will Call, IBC Merchandise and CD Sales at Ugly Juanita’s
12:30 – 1:30 pm – Performance by Dani Dorchin from the Israel Blues Society at Blues City Cafe
12:30 – 1:30 pm – Performance by Pappy Johns Band from the Grand River Blues Society at Club 152
12:30 – 1:30 pm – Performance by Hubert Szczesny & Kuba Kleinschmidt from the T.B. King Blues Club at Hard Rock Cafe
12:30 – 1:30 pm – Performance by Arsen Shomakhov Band from the White Rock Blues Society at Rum Boogie Cafe
2:00 pm – Blues Foundation Board of Directors meeting at the Doubletree Hotel-DeSoto Room
2:00 – 3:00 pm – Performance by Carlos Elliot Jr. & Cornlickers from the Colombian Blues Society at Blues City Cafe
2:00 – 3:00 pm – Performance by John F. Klaver Band from the Dutch Blues Foundation at Club 152
2:00 – 3:00 pm – Performance by Rod Paines Fulltime Lovers from the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society at the Hard Rock Cafe
2:00 – 3:00 pm – Performance by Lisa Hutchinson Blues Band from the Collingwood Jazz and Blues Society at the Rum Boogie Cafe
2:15 pm – IBC YOUTH Act Orientation Meeting at the New Daisy Theater
4:00 pm – The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu lecture by author Debra Devi at A. Schwab
4:20/5:00/5:40 pm – Youth Showcases on Beale Street. IBC Pass or $15 (includes Semi-finals)
5:20/5:40/7:00 pm – 30th IBC Semi-Finals Begin on Beale Street. IBC Pass or $15
11:00 pm – Youth Jam at B.B. Kings
11:30 pm – All-Star Jam with Jonn Richardson, Sean Carney and many more at the New Daisy Theater
* When the scores have been tabulated Friday, the finalists will be announced at various Beale Street clubs.
