21st WBF Expands to Two Nights
Friday “Hall of Fame Night”
The lineup is set for the 2015 Winter Blues Fest on Friday, January 30th and Saturday, January 31st at the Downtown Marriott Hotel. This year the event is expanding with the addition of “Hall of Fame Night” on Friday. At 6:00 pm a private reception and buffet will honor the 2014 Class of Inductees to the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame in the Dubuque Room. The reception buffet is open to any current CIBS members for $40 per person (includes admission) and tickets must be purchased by Friday, January 16th. Current IBHOF members can expect to receive their event invitations in the next several days along with info to order buffet tickets, if desired. ($25 per person for IBHOF members) The induction ceremony will begin at 7:30 in the Des Moines Room with the inductee’s performances backed up by Sumpin Doo, featuring IBHOF members George & Gil Davis. Then Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials will take the stage at 10:00 to close out the night with two sets. A portion of admissions for Friday night will be distributed to the 2014 IBHOF inductees as an honorarium.
Saturday 12 Bands on 7 Stages
Saturday night’s format will be familiar to recent WBF attendees. Brian “Taz” Grant will kick off the evening at 5:00 in the lobby. Last year we presented a Blues in the Schools workshop in Windows on 7th. This year, with the WBF coinciding with the conclusion of our BITS program at Hoover High School, we are planning to feature the participants. 2014 Regional Blues Challenge winners will again be well represented: The Mercury Brothers (Iowa), Coyote Bill Boogie Band (Kansas City), Jimmi & the Band of Souls (Minnesota) and the Hector Anchondo Band (Nebraska). There’s a significant past Blues Challenge influence throughout the Fest this year as well: Joe Price (2005 Iowa Solo/Duo winner & 2006 International Solo/Duo finalist), Kevin “B.F.” Burt (1995 Iowa Band winner), Bob Pace (2009 Iowa Solo/Duo winner), Moreland & Arbuckle (2005 International Solo/Duo finalist) and Danielle Nicole (2007 Kansas City Band winner & 2008 International Band winner)
2015 Winter Blues Fest Schedule
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30
6:00-7:00 Dubuque Room CIBS/IBHOF Reception & buffet
7:30-9:30 Des Moines Room Class of 2014 IBHOF Inductions
10:00-1:00 Des Moines Room Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
5:00-7:00 Lobby Brian “Taz” Grant
5:00 Windows on 7th Lil BITS presentation
7:00-9:45 Rock River Lounge Kevin “B.F.” Burt
7:00-9:00 Salon D Joe & Vicki Price
7:15-10:00 Dubuque Room Moreland & Arbuckle
7:30-10:15 Salon E Jimmi & the Band of Souls
7:45-10:30 Des Moines Room Mercury Brothers
9:30-11:15 Salon D Coyote Bill Boogie Band
10:30-1:15 Dubuque Room The Bel Airs
10:45-1:30 Salon E Hector Anchondo Band
11:00-1:45 Des Moines Room Danielle Nicole Band
11:45-12:45 Salon D Bob Pace & the Dangerous Band
1:00-??? Salon D After Hours Jam w/Bob Pace & the Dangerous Band
Tickets
Advance tickets for the 2015 Winter Blues Fest are available until 5PM, 1/29. Advance tickets can be picked up at the Will Call table at the event with a copy of your receipt or photo ID.
Hotel Rooms
Special group rates at the Downtown Marriott for this event are just $109 per night. To make room reservations call 1-800-514-4681 or book them online at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dsmia-des-moines-marriott-downtown/. Be sure to tell them you are coming for the Winter Blues Fest!
HOTEL UPDATE – Rooms are SOLD OUT for Saturday night at the Marriott. Rooms are still available for Friday night at the Marriott. Nearby hotels where you might obtain alternate accommodations:
- Hotel Fort Des Moines – 1000 Walnut St., (800) 532-1466
- Hyatt Place – 418 6th Ave., (515) 282-5555 (no rooms available for Saturday – Blues Fest rate for Friday $109)
- Embassy Suites – 101 E Locust St., (515) 244-1700
- Renaissance Des Moines Savery – 401 Locust St., (515) 244-2151
- Holiday Inn Downtown – 1050 6th Ave., (515) 612-7666
Thanks to the Sponsors
Budweiser, Summit Brewing, Cityview, Downtown Des Moines Marriott, Big Red Dog Productions & Central Iowa Blues Society
Promo Items
Download the printable poster by clicking the poster above. Click the image below to download the Facebook banner or sidebar banner ad.
