Ori Naftaly and the Southern Avenue Band will represent the Memphis Blues Society in the 2016 IBC.
The 2016 International Blues Challenge starts this evening (Tuesday, January 26th) and runs throughout the weekend. Now in its 32nd year, the International Blues Challenge is the world’s largest gathering of blues artists and serves as the premier search by the Blues Foundation to find the best blues band, blues duo, and blues singer ready to take their performance to an international level.
This year, the International Blues Challenge features bands and performers from as far as Israel, Australia, Columbia, and the Philippines, in addition to numerous acts from around the country. Local performers include Rodney Polk and Johnny Riley, The Southern Avenue Band, and the Stax Music Academy. Over 250 acts are expected to perform at this year’s Challenge.
Last year, Eddie Cotton of the Vicksburg Blues Society won Best Band, Noah Wotherspoon won the Gibson Guitar Award, and Randy McQuay of the Cape Fear Blues Society won Best Solo/Duo. Ben Rice of the Ashland Blues Society won the St. Blues Guitar Award for Best Solo/Duo, Nico Wayne Toussaint won the Lee Oskar Harmonica Award, and Cryin’ Mercy of the Grafton Blues Association won Best Self-Produced CD.
Passes to the 2016 International Blues Challenge can be purchased here. Tickets to individual events are also available on site. Check out the complete schedule below, or click here to download the entire schedule in PDF form.
Tuesday, January 26th
5:30-9:00pm WILL CALL Club 152 2nd Floor
5:30pm International Showcase Beale Street
8:00pm Tas Cru’s Generation Blues Fundraiser Jam Rum Boogie Cafe Donation at door
Wednesday, January 27th
11:00am- 4:00 pm Pacific Northwest Showcase Club 152 First Floor
12:00pm–5:00pm Blind Raccoon Showcase Purple Haze Nightclub
12:00pm-2:30pm IBC Act Registration Tin Roof (315 Beale Street)
12:00-10:00pm Will Call, IBC Merchandise & CD Sales Club 152 2nd Floor
1:00-3:30pm Health Fair (cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, etc. screenings) Club 152 2nd Floor
1:00-2:00 pm Affiliate Roundtable Hard Rock Café 2nd Floor
2:30pm IBC Act Orientation Meeting Tin Roof (315 Beale Street)
4:30/5:00/5:35pm First Night of 32nd IBC Quarterfinals Beale Street IBC Pass or $10 wristband
Thursday, January 28th
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 the scores have been tabulated, the semi-finalists will be announced at various Beale Street clubs.
Friday, January 29th
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 the scores have been tabulated Friday, the finalists will be announced at various Beale Street clubs.
Saturday, January 30th
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
