The Annual International Blues Challenge In Memphis Kicks Off January 16th

34th Annual

THE BLUES FOUNDATION’s 34th Annual INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE (IBC) will be held along BEALE ST. in MEMPHIS, starting TUESDAY, JANUARY 16th, 2018. Things kick off will be the INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE at CLAYBORN TEMPLE and will culminate with finals on JANUARY 20th at the ORPHEUM THEATRE at the foot of BEALE STREET.

This year’s IBC will also offer a bevy of seminars, showcases, master classes, film, networking events, and receptions for blues societies, fans, and professionals. In conjunction with the 2018 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE, THE BLUES FOUNDATION will honor 12 individuals and organizations with its 2018 KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE AWARDS during a luncheon FRIDAY, JANUARY 19th at 11a. A select panel of blues professionals will choose the winners.

“Each year, our KBA Selection Committee does a wonderful job of pinpointing those individuals and organizations that are working behind the scenes to celebrate, promote, and bring greater awareness to the blues," BLUES FOUNDATION Pres./CEO BARBARA NEWMAN said. "Our 2018 KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE award recipients are all wonderful examples of blues flame keepers, each working in their own sphere of influence to move the genre forward while honoring its past.”

The 2018 KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE AWARDS recipients are:

• GARY AND GILLIAN ATKINSON
• JONAS BERNHOLM
• BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA
• BYRON BAY BLUES FESTIVAL
• CHESAPEAKE BAY BLUES FESTIVAL
• LUCKY CLARK
• EUROPEAN BLUES UNION
• TIM FIK
• BRIAN KELM
• POOR HOUSE BISTRO
• ALBERTINA WASSENHOVE
• RUEBEN WILLIAMS

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