CIBS NEWS :: April 2026

APRIL 2026

Sunday, April 19 2026 – 5PM Doors / 6PM Show @ xBk LIVE!

Original Blues & Traditional Grooves! Bringing crowds to their feet at the hardest to please and sophisticated night clubs in the Midwest, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys play traditional blues, straight up with a big dose of passion. With smoking grooves, served up with hot harmonica and smooth stinging guitar they play original songs peppered with nods to Slim Harpo, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and the three Kings.

BOG Rewind Shows are a celebration and continuation of the unforgettable memories, music, and friendships born at the greatest little blues club that ever was — Blues On Grand.

GET TIX!

Sunday, May 24 2026 – 2PM @ The Cellar Winery

FREE! Family Friendly! FUN! Come celebrate great music in a perfect setting at the Cellar Winery, Memorial Day Weekend. Admission is FREE! All ages are welcome. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. Food trucks will be on-site but you’re welcome to bring your own picnic! *NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL ALLOWED.

LIVE MUSIC featuring
Matthew Curry • Womanish Girl • The Other Brothers

CIBS Membership Meetings

7PM on Second Mondays @ Confluence Brewing
1285 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315

CIBS members that attend the membership meeting are eligible to win door prizes at the end of the meeting… prizes such as tickets to a blues show, CDs, DVDs, Books, etc. Enjoy some live music after the meeting!

MORE UPCOMING SHOWS

Bryan Farland keeps us all in the live music loop with his
“The List – Live Music in DSM Area”
weekly posts and emails. Thank you Bryan!

SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

OPERATIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED IN
PART BY BRAVO GREATER DES MOINES

CORPORATE MEMBERS

CIBS Crew

PRESIDENT
Scott Allen

ADMINISTRATOR
Suzanne Cantrell

PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
& MERCHANDISE
Scott Kirstein

MEMBERSHIP & TALENT
Philip Snyder

EDUCATION
Steve Vasquez

DIRECTOR
Scott Benton

DIRECTOR
Marcus Kirtstein

PRODUCTION
Diane Hoffman

MEDIA
Jen Taylor

IOWA BLUES CHALLENGE
Julie Spong

IOWA BLUES
HALL OF FAME
Terry Cole / Bryan Church

BLUES ANGELS

Beth Bloom
Kim Mason
Roger Morrison
Randi Rae Schulz
Kathy VanderEcken
Jeff “Doc” Wagner

Special Thanks

Deb Bodson
for renewing as
Contributing Friends

Bill’s Window & Screen
for renewing as
Corporate Members

Welcome New Members

Joel & Jennifer Donaghy

Ralph Hernandez

Don & Terri Carroll

Jim & Shannon Aiello – 3 years

Michelle Anthoney

Nathaniel, Julie & Jakob Schwickerath

Brian & Billie Rosendahl

Member Renewals

Terry Vorbrich

Jeffery Davis – 3 years

Philip & Margaret Stoffregen

Drinda Williams & Wes Etter

Greg & Barbara Sutherland

Barb Thayer & John Bowen

Thomas McBride – 3 years

Kris & Sandy Baumgart

Michael & Willitte Herman – 3 years

About CIBS

Keeping the Blues Alive through Celebration, Preservation & Education!

The Central Iowa Blues Society was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 1992 by 200 blues lovers. Our mission is to keep the blues alive through celebration, preservation, and education. We endeavor to increase awareness of and appreciation for blues music by providing a network of association for blues enthusiasts. We recognize and honor our Iowa blues heritage through the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame program. We celebrate blues performance by promoting numerous concerts throughout the year including the Winter Blues Fest and the Iowa Blues Challenge. We strive to educate and ensure the future of the blues through Blues in the Schools.

Central Iowa Blues Society received The Blues Foundation’s Keeping the Blues Alive Award in 2016. Each year, The Blues Foundation presents the Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Awards to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the Blues around the world.

CIBS Address

Central Iowa Blues Society
900 Keosauqua Way, #440
Des Moines, IA 50309