Central Iowa Blues Society

Blues Happenings Calendar
CLICK HERE to download the calendar (.pdf document)

Be sure to keep up on the happenings of your Blues Society. Everyone should try to make at least one meeting per year—if nothing else, to just put faces on names. The meetings take place the second Monday of every month, start at 7 p.m., and are held at Blues On Grand in Des Moines. We’ll save you a seat—see you then!

Solo/Duo Competition

Sunday, August 24th - 5PM
Blues On Grand
1501 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA
(515-244-3092)
www.bluesongrand.com

The 2008 Solo/Duo Iowa Blues Challenge features competition between 5 acts in a single round this year. Each act will perform a 30-minute set. The acts competing for the top spot earn the opportunity to travel to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge, February 4th – 7th, 2009. (Go to www.blues.org for all of the details on the International Blues Challenge.)

Doors open at 4 PM. Acts start at 5 PM.
$5 for members w/card and $7 for non-members

	Thunderbird Kingsley 5:00PM
	Saylor Hill Sliders 5:45PM
	Dewey Cantrell 6:30PM
	Freight Train Frank 7:15PM
	Case Of The Blues 8:00PM

The 2008 Iowa Blues Challenge has been proudly sponsored by The Central Iowa Blues Society, Mississippi Blues Society, Lizard Creek Blues Society, Budweiser, Citadel Broadcasting/94.9KGGO & 98.3WOW, and The Russell Bird Foundation

Living History Blues Fest 2009 Please Save these dates... The Living History Blues Fest for 2009 will be September 5 and 6, 2009 at Living History Farms.

If you or someone you know are interested in sponsorship please contact one of the following:

Concerts are from 6- 8 pm (June and July 6-9 pm.) Concerts are free and are held on the Railroad Park stage, located at the corner of Railroad Avenue and 5th Street, Valley Junction, West Des Moines.

The Historic Valley Junction Farmers Market (which will be bigger and better than ever) is held each Thursday, in the 100, 200 and 300 Blocks of 5th Street in West De Moines, from May 1st through October 2nd from 4-8 p.m.

Blues Women Picnic Blues Women! On Sunday, September 14, 2008, this is where all Blues women will want to be! Janet Johnson Weitenhagen will be hosting the 6th annual Blues Women Picnic this year at her lovely home at 2318-35th Street, Des Moines, IA starting at 2 PM. Bring a hot dish, salad or desert and your choice of beverage. Please RSVP (515) 255-5007(or any board member listed on page 2). We’ve had a great time the last 5 years-please join us! If you forget to RSVP—no biggie-just come on over! Next year’s 7th annual picnic will be around the same date-let us know if you would like to be the hostess.

Special Thanks CIBS would like to extend special thanks to CIBS members Greg Cunningham and Deb Bodson for renewing their memberships once again as contributing friends. CIBS truly appreciates your support and your constant faith in CIBS and Keepin’ the Blues Alive.

CIBS would like to send another big thanks to CIBS members Sheila Neff for renewing her membership for 2 years. We truly appreciate your support and faith in CIBS. Thanks for Helpin' us Keep the Blues Alive.

CIBS wants to also say thanks for the support and confidence we received in the form of contributions this month from very special people. Cash contributions were received from Greg Cunningham this past month. We truly appreciate it and thank you again for Helpin' Us Keep the Blues Alive.

Sincerest Condolences Sincerest condolences go out to Gary Lloyd on the recent death of his Grandmother. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as the family go through this most difficult time.

General Membership Meeting Agenda Be sure to keep up on the happenings of your Blues Society. Everyone should try to make at least one meeting per year—especially in the upcoming months as we plan our future. The next meeting will start 7 PM at Blues on Grand on August 11, 2008. Items on the agenda will include info on upcoming Blues shows, Solo Duo Blues Challenge, and much more. We’ll save you seat—see you then...

Thanks from Autism Speaks Dear Serena-Thank you for sponsoring our 7th annual Walk Now for Autism. (CIBS sponsored the King Bees who played during registration and throughout the Walk.) On June 7, 2008, 3,000 walkers met at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines to raise funds for awareness, research & family services for individual with autism. A last minute change in venue due to flooding did not stop our devoted teams from raising over $200,000. At Autism Speaks, our goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into causes, prevention and treatments, and cure for autism. Our local walk also help raise public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families and society; and to bring hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder. We are thrilled that you could join us this year as a corporate sponsor and look forward to seeing you on June 13, 2009. Sincerely, Ethel Faust, MD and Danielle Sharpe, IA Walk Co-Chairs

Calling all Writers/Reviewers
We are still looking for writers to review the many CDs we receive from the record companies. We would also love to have your review on any good Blues books you come across. Call Don at 515-255-4762 for your chance to see your name in print in your Blues Crier.

Omaha's Playing With Fire was voted "Best Local Show" of the 2007 Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards. The Playing With Fire series returns to Omaha's Riverfront this summer.

Highlights include: May 17-Maple Blues Revue; June 14-Indigenous and Omar & the Howlers; July 19-Tab Benoit and Carolyn Wonderland; August 16-Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush; September 13-Tony Lynn Washington with special guest Junior Watson. Complete lineup and more info at www.playingwithfireomaha.com

Hampton Ham Jam Main Street Hampton will be holding Ham Jam on Saturday, September 20, 2008. Music begins at 11 a.m. and the bands this year are Anthony Gomes, Big James & The Chicago Playboys, Root City Band, Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts and one more band to be announced.

For our Society to continue to grow and thrive, we need others to know who we are, what we’re about and what we’re doing.

Business owners – do you have a good spot we can hang posters or fliers for our events? If you’re not already, consider becoming a CIBS Corporate Sponsor. Your name will be listed on every Crier for our members to see and you will be supporting the music you love.

Members – where are some places you frequent that you feel are candidates for posters, fliers, table tents, etc. for upcoming events? Try to recruit a friend to the Society. We need to grow to flourish!

PLEASE send your ideas to Serena James at blueslivon@aol.com or contact her at 515.282.1172.