MEMPHIS, TN – The International Blues Challenge is going on now through January 30 in downtown Memphis, Tennessee in the Beale Street Historic District. Artists from around the globe have gathered here to participate in the largest battle in the world of blues bands, duos and soloists! The Quarter Finals started Wednesday and dozens of other events and workshops are going on as well, including the Keeping The Blues Alive Awards luncheon. Passes and tickets are now available at Club 152 on the 2nd Floor from Noon–10pm Wednesday-Friday. Here’s a link to the official program.
Below is the Full Schedule of Events from Thursday on (subject to change):
Thursday, January 28
10:00am Blues Foundation Board of Directors meeting The Blues Foundation Office @421 S. Main St.
10:00am Blues in the Schools with Tas Cru and Cole and Logan Layman Downtown Elementary School
11:00am-4:30pm Galaxie Agency Showcase B.B.King’s
11:30am Great Canadian Polar Bear Blues Showcase Kooky Canuck
12:00pm–5:00pm Blind Raccoon Showcase Purple Haze Nightclub
12:00-10:00pm Will Call, IBC Merchandise & CD Sales Club 152 2nd Floor
1:00pm FILM – America’s Blues Blues City Cafe
1:00-3:30pm Health Fair (cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, etc. screenings) Club 152 2nd Floor
2:00-4:00pm A Cast of Blues with artist, Sharon McConnell-Dickerson and photographer, Ken Murphy The Blues Hall of Fame 421 S. Main
4:30/5:00/5:35pm First Night of 32nd IBC Quarterfinals Beale Street IBC Pass or $10 wristband
11:00pm International Jam Club 152 First Floor
11:30pm All-Star Jam with Jonn Richardson, Sean Carney and many more!! Tin Roof
When scores have been tabulated, semi-finalists will be announced at various Beale Street clubs.
Friday, January 29
11:00am-2:15pm IBC Youth Act Registration Hard Rock Café
11:00am 2016 Keeping the Blues Alive Awards Doubletree Hotel, Tennessee Ballroom
11:00am Blues Kids Foundation Hard Rock Café
12:00pm–5:00pm Blind Raccoon Showcase Purple Haze Nightclub
11:00am Beale Street Brass Note/Walk of Fame Dedication to Little Laura Dukes Alfred’s
Noon- 4pm National Women in Blues Alfred’s
12:00-10:00pm Will Call, IBC Merchandise & CD Sales Club 152 2nd Floor
Noon-4pm 17th Annual Blues Jam by The Stella Vees Blues Hall
2:15pm IBC YOUTH Act Orientation Meeting Hard Rock Café
4:00-7:00/10:00-1:00pm Blues at the Hard Rock Hard Rock Café
4:20/5:00/5:40pm Youth Showcases Beale Street IBC Pass or $15 wristband
5:20/5:40/7:00pm 32nd IBC Semi-Finals IBC Pass or $15 Beale Street
The following events will begin when the semi-finals are concluded in the club somewhere between 10:00 and 11:00pm IBC Pass or $15 wristband
Youth Jam B.B. Kings
11:30pm All-Star Jam with Jonn Richardson Tin Roof
When scores have been tabulated Friday, finalists will be announced at various Beale Street clubs.
Saturday, January 30
11:00am Doors Open for Finals Orpheum Theatre IBC Pass or $42.50 at door, if available
11:00am Silent Auction
12:00pm 32nd IBC Finals & Best Self-Produced CD Winner Announcement – See more at: http://www.blues.org/international-blues-challenge/schedule/#sthash.ud3PiRPZ.dpuf
