The 2008 International Blues Challenge is sponsored by the good folks at the companies and arts organizations identified on the side banner. Click on their logo to check them out. Media Sponsors include Big City Rhythm and Blues Magazine, Blues Festival Guide, Blues Revue, BluesWax, Downtowner magazine, House of Blues Radio Hour, Living Blues and WREG-TV in Memphis.

All non-musical events will be at the Doubletree Hotel, 185 Union Avenue, unless otherwise noted. In accordance with new Tennessee law, smoking is permitted only in venues that are 21 and over. Accordingly, most IBC venues will be smoke-free.

Monday, January 28-Friday, February 1

BITS Presentations in Memphis area schools by Gary Allegretto, with his Harmonikids program; Spencer Bohren presenting his Down the Dirt Road Blues program; and James Nixon and Shannon Williford.

Wednesday, January 30

5:00-7:00 pm IBC Beale Street Meet and Greet. Beale Street Merchants Association welcomes IBC participants and attendees at a reception at the New Daisy Theater.

7:00 pm Memphis Grizzlies v. Denver Nuggets NBA Basketball game at the FedEx Forum with special discounts and IBC acts performing throughout the venue. Click here for discounts. 2008 IBC contestants Ben Prestage, Aunt Kizzy's Boyz, Kim Massie and Matt Wigler will be performing at the FedExForum.

Thursday, January 31

9:00 am–4:00 pm Attendee Registration and Silent Auction (Lobby)

9:00 am–2:00 pm Act Registration (Outside Tennessee Ballroom)

3:00 pm Act Orientation Meeting (Adams/Beale Room)

3:00-4:30 pm Cocktail Reception (Chelsea Room) This reception is open only to those holding the Total Weekend Package.

5:00/6:00 pm Semi-Finals Begin Beale Street Clubs (Check schedule for start time in each venue).

Friday, February 1

9:00–4:00 am Attendee Registration (Lobby)

10:00am-4:30 pm Silent Auction (Lobby)

10:00 am-11:30 pm Society Roundtable: Beyond the Jam: With Kansas City Blues Society (Don't Dump the Newsletter, Improve It!); Central Iowa Blues Society (If Iowa Can Have a Blues Hall of Fame, So Can You!)(Adams Room)

10:00 am-12:00 pm "Beyond the Music - YOU are the CEO" an interactive workshop designed for and open to all IBC musicians--focuses on how to run your "business" as a musician CEO. Presented by Bonnie Tallman, BC Productions Artist Management Group. (Holiday Inn Select, Memphis Ballroom, 15th floor)

10:00 am Board of Directors Meeting (Gayoso Room--mezzanine level)

12:00–1:30 pm Luncheon with Keynote Speaker Filmmaker John Sayles (Tennessee Ballroom)

2:00-3:30 pm General Licensing for Clubs & Festivals, with Larry Stevens from BMI (Gayoso Room-mezzanine level)

2:00-3:30 pm Music Publishing Basics for IBC Acts: How to Register Your Songs with Thomas Cain from BMI (Holiday Inn Select, Memphis Ballroom, 15th floor)

2:00–3:30pm BITS Fundraising Seminar with Moderator Eric Steiner, President, Washington Blues Society, and Karen McFarland, Mississippi Valley Blues Society and BF Board member (Chelsea Room)

3:30pm Spencer Bohren presents his Down the Dirt Road Blues (Lobby)

4:30 pm Silent Auction ends Come by the lobby to pick up your great blues items. (Lobby)

5:00/6:00 pm Semi-Finals Begin Beale Street Clubs (Check schedule for start time in each venue)

When the scores have been tablulated Friday, the finalists will be announced at various clubs which will be announced later.

Saturday, Feb 2

10:00 am–1:00 pm KBA Awards Ceremony (Tennessee Ballroom)

1:00 pm Doors Open for Band Finals at The Orpheum Theatre. The Majestic Grille will be set up at the Orpheum in case you get hungry during the afternoon.

2:00-7:00 pm Band Finals with co-hosts Cassie Taylor and Gary Clark, Jr.; Best Self Produced CD Winner Announced; Trailer for film "Honeydripper" will be shown;

7:30 pm Doors Open for Solo/Duo Finals at The Orpheum Theatre

8:30 pm Solo/Duo Finals, with host Hawkeye Herman; Gibson Guitar Giveaway

Other events going on before and after The Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge, but not part of the IBC

Wednesday, January 30

8:00 pm
Real Delta Showcase featuring:Eden Brent; Bill Abel & Cadillac John; Duff Dorrough; &
Jimmy "Duck" Holmes at the New Daisy Theater.
$15 at the door

8:00 pm
Clarksdale's Pre-IBC Blues Jam hosted by Tas Cru and the Slow Happy Boys at Ground Zero Blues Club, Clarksdale, Mississippi.
$5 at the door.

Thursday, January 31

9:00am-5:00pm MusiCares Free Dental Screenings @ Handy Park(appointment required)

Friday, February 1

9:00am-5:00pm MusiCares Free Dental Screenings @ Handy Park(appointment required)

12:15-4:30pm Blind Raccoon Showcase with Alice Stuart, Ricky Gene Hall & The Goods, Moreland & Arbuckle, Dave Fields, John Alex-Mason and Billy Gibson in that order on two stages at the Rum Boogie Cafe
11:00PM-3:00AM Bob Margolin's Late-Nite All-Star Jam Session at the Rum Boogie Cafe. Featuring Willie "Big Eyes" Smith & Calvin "Fuzz" Jones (Muddy's legendary 70's rhythm section), Matt Walsh, Richard Rosenblatt, and more.... This will be repeated Saturday night!!