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
Thursday, January 23
9:30 am – Blues in the Schools w/ 2014 KBA recipient Tas Cru at Downtown Elementary, 10 N 4th St
10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Silent Auction at future site of Blues Hall of Fame at 421 South Main
11:30 am – Great Canadian Polar Bear Blues Showcase & Raise the Roof! fundraiser at Kooky Canuck
11:30 am – 4:30 pm – The Galaxie Agency/Nashville Blues Society Showcase at B.B. King’s
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
12:00 – 12:50 – Performance by Jack Gaffney from the Colorado Blues Society at Rum Boogie Cafe
12:30 – 1:30 pm – Performance by The Riddle ‘n’ Blues Band from the Granite State Blues Society at Blues City Cafe
12:30 – 1:30 pm – Performance by Bacon Fats from the Blues Association of Geneva at Club 152
12:30 – 1:30 pm – Performance by Adriano Viterbini from the Mojo Station at the Hard Rock Cafe
1:00 – 3:30 pm – Health Fair (screenings, presentations and access to insurance) at the Doubletree Hotel – outside Tennessee ballroom
1:00 – 2:00 pm – Mailbox Money in the Digital Age presented by BMI and Ardent Studios at King’s Palace Cafe
1:00 – 1:50 pm – Performance by Flamin’ Crows from the Blues at Bridgetown Incorporated at Rum Boogie Cafe
2:00 – 3:00 pm – Performance by Jake Kulak and the LowDown from the Connecticut Blues Society at Blues City Cafe
2:00 – 3:00 pm – Performance by Malvin Noesen & The Company from the Norsk Bluesunion at Club 152
2:00 – 3:00 pm – Performance by Mike Seeber Trio from the Baltic Blues at Hard Rock Cafe
2:00 – 3:00 pm – Performance by In Layman Terms from the River City Blues Society (VA) Rum Boogie Cafe
2:30 – 3:30 pm – Artist Crowdfunding Forum Mick Kolassa & Jeff Jensen at King’s Palace Cafe
4:00 pm – The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu Lecture by author Debra Devi at A. Schwab – Upstairs
4:25/5:00/5:35 pm – Second Night of 30th IBC Quarterfinals on Beale Street. IBC Pass or $10
11:00 pm – International 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, the semi-finalists will be announced at various Beale Street clubs.
