Page 50 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2025 Digital Edition

The International Blues Challenge takes over Beale Street in Memphis, TN. Photo by Ÿ Marilyn Stringer
Taking Over the Town

Compiled by Irene Johnson, BFG Editor 20 clubs hosting the challengers and fans. The venues
Everyone’s got their own favorite way to experience live are iconic clubs along the world-famous street including
music – at intimate indoor club venues, huge outdoor stages Alfred’s, 152 Beale, Rum Boogie Café, King’s Palace, Wet
in picturesque settings, festivals with multiple stages and Willie’s, Pig On Beale, B.B. King’s and more. The grand
additional experiences, on board a cruise ship, sitting on the finales are held at the Renaissance-style Orpheum Theatre
grass in the town square – there’s so many different ways to located in downtown Memphis. The IBC is a bucket list
enjoy the blues! This year as the festival season approaches, pilgrimage for blues fans. Mark your calendar and visit
the Blues Festival Guide wants to highlight festivals and events blues.org for more details (and while you are there, join
that “take over the town.” These are multi-venue festivals, the Blues Foundation!).
usually over several days, that offer blues performances
all over town, as well as workshops, exhibitions, contests, FEBRUARY
food and craft vendors, fundraisers and more. The venues The Lancaster Roots and Blues Festival takes
themselves vary widely – from traditional main stages to town place in Lancaster, PA, in late February (plan now for their
squares to churches to museums to theaters to clubs, bars, juke
joints and then some. These “town takeovers” truly involve the
entire town or region, sometimes even doubling or tripling
the population during the event, and provide something for
everyone! While we’d love to share every single multi-venue
festival out there, here are a select few – one for each month
of the year!

JANUARY
Every year, the Blues Foundation produces the
International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN.
The IBC represents the worldwide search for blues bands
and solo/duo blues performers ready for the international
stage, just needing that extra big break. This large gathering The Jimmy Adler Band performs at the Lancaster Roots and Blues Festival’s Tellus 360
of blues musicians takes place on Beale Street, with over club. Photo courtesy of Lancaster Roots and Blues Festival

48 Blues Festival Guide 2025