International Blues Challenge Info

Washington Blues Society  Local Competitions for

2020 International Blues Challenge

Washington Blues Society Contacts:

The Washington Blues Society’s local competitions for the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis have been set! It’s time for bands and solo/duo acts to make their plans to compete. One band and one solo/duo act will represent the Washington Blues Society (WBS) in Memphis at the world’s largest gathering of blues musicians in January of 2020 on Memphis’ fabled Beale Street.

We are working with the Inland Empire Blues Society (IEBS) to hold semi-finals across the state to make it easier for blues acts to participate.

The Washington Blues Society will host 5  semi-final competitions.

Begining on Monday, May 27^th in Snohomish, WA at Collector’s choice -Snohomish WA

(215 Cypress Ave, Snohomish, WA 98290) https://www.ccrsnohomish.com/ 

We Will continue the series on Sunday in June throughout the State.

 Sunday, June 2  in Spokane, WA

 Sunday, June 9 th TBA  

Sunday, June 16^th in Cashmere, WA (TBA)

Sunday, June 23^rd in Vancouver, WA (TBA).

The finalists will compete on Sunday, August 18^th at the Taste of Music Festival in historic downtown Snohomish, WA.

https://www.facebook.com/Snohotastemusic/ 105 Cedar Avenue  Snohomish, Washington 98290

****If we receive more than 10 applicants for either event, our Board may select applicants via a lottery at the May 2019 Board meeting.*** 

Each competition will follow the rules of the Blues Foundation. Each set will be limited to 25 minutes, and each competitor will be allowed one 15-minute set change. Any blues act that in resides in WA, OR, ID, MT, BC or ALB, may enter, and the act must include at least one who is a member of the WBS. Membership can be established at IBC entry, using the membership form in the WBS Bluesletter or online at vvww.wablues.org. Please note: membership in WWBS for acts competing in Wenatchee or membership in IEBS for acts competing in Spokane is required in place of the WBS membership requirement. The contest entry application may be downloaded from wvvw.wablues.orq, or in the April and May edition of the WBS Bluesletter, or the Inland Empire’s Blues Notes, and must include the non-refundable entry fee, which pays for the backline and a PA system. Each winner will be required to perform at a minimum of two fundraisers in 2018 and one fundraiser in 2019 at no charge. Proceeds from these events and fees will be deposited into a WBS fund to help defray expenses to get each winning act to and from Memphis, but we cannot guarantee an “all-expense paid” trip. Band entry fee is $30; solo duo entry fee is $15. Applications and entry fees must be received no later than Thursday, May 8^th

All proceeds will help with expenses for Memphis. The WBS will help winners in fundraising, but cannot guarantee that all expenses for Memphis will be covered.

Judges will evaluate each act using the Blues Foundation scoring criteria (www.blues.org/ibc/scoring.php) and rules (www.blues.orq/ibc/rules.php). Acts may not be affiliated the WBS Board or act upon application.

IBC rules also prohibit any act from competing three consecutive years at the IBC (www.blues.org/ibc/rules.php)

https://blues.org/international-blues-challenge/

The application is an initial statement of interest and not a binding agreement between the applicant and the WBS.

Make your plans to enter now! Applications and entry fees must be received no later than Thursday, May 9^th.

DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION HERE 2018 IBC Application