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OCTOBER 2026

 

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2026 IOWA BLUES CHALLENGE
Oct 4, 2026 at 12:30 PM
xBk Live, 1159 24th Street, Des Moines, IA

NO COVER – FREE EVENT!!!

The performance schedule is as follows:

12:30–12:50
Dogtown Rhythm Band
BAND

1:05–1:25
Steffen Heins
SOLO/DUO

1:40–2:00
TrashKat & the AlleyRats
BAND

2:15–2:35
Dave Zollo & Brian Cooper
SOLO/DUO

2:35–3:15 INTERMISSION

3:15–3:35
KAT Blue & the True Believers
BAND

3:50–4:10
Dewey Cantrell
SOLO/DUO

4:30–4:50
John-Paul Jones Group
BAND

5:05–5:25
Ernie Peniston Duo
SOLO/DUO

5:45–6:05
Fabulous TruTones
BAND

Participating acts will be vying for a prize package that includes cash, opportunities for paid gigs (including but not limited to the Winter Blues Fest) and travel expense stipend for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, presented by The Blues Foundation. The Central Iowa Blues Society is an Affiliate of the Blues Foundation, which produces the annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

 

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HALFWAY TO HALL OF FAME
Oct 11, 2026 – 5:00 Doors / 5:30 Food / 6:00 Show
xBk Live, 1159 24th Street, Des Moines, IA

Sunday, October 11 we will have the Halfway to the Hall of Fame event featuring an ALL-STAR IBHOF BAND LINEUP with Dwight Dario, Erich Gaukel, BillyLee Janey, and Bryce Janey!

The Inductees for the 2027 Iowa Blues Hall of Fame Class will be announced! This will be your first chance to score VIP tickets for the IBHOF Induction Ceremony!

$25 includes Dinner from Whatcha’ Smokin’ (while supplies last)

TICKETS!

 

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CIBS Membership Appreciation Party
KEVIN BURT & FRIENDS
Nov 7, 2026 – 6:00 Doors / 7:00 Show
xBk Live, 1159 24th Street, Des Moines, IA

FREE for all CIBS Members
$25 for non-members at the door

 

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Blues On Grand Rewind Christmas!
BRANDON SANTINI
SUN DEC 20, 2026 – 5:00 Doors / 6:00 Show
xBk Live, 1159 24th Street, Des Moines, IA

$20 CIBS members / $25 non-members at the door

BOG Rewind Christmas Show with Brandon Santini. Bring a dish to share for the potluck! 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.

 

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CIBS SWAG

Let’s go shopping! We have fun items and styles in the online CIBS Store for you to check out. Tie dyes, mugs, aprons, buttons, totes…  Plus, you’ll find kids sizes and extended sizes that are not usually available at events.

CIBS STORE IS ALWAYS OPEN HERE >>

 

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CIBS Membership Meetings

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!

IMPORTANT ITEM COMING AT NOVEMBER MEETING: The following By-Law change is being proposed by the Board of Directors: Art. V, § 2(B): to increase the limit of the Board of Directors Discretionary Spending from $1,500 to $3,000.

This is in response to the continued increases in producing shows as well as programming, and a vote for it’s adoption will be held at the November Membership meeting.

 

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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 Farland!

 

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Winter Blues Fest – Get Tickets & Hotel Now!

Line-up announcements are coming soon but you can book your hotel room and get advance tickets NOW. The hotel WBF group rates are available for a LIMITED number of rooms. Do not delay in reserving your room to take advantage of the reduced rates — they WILL sell out!

MARRIOTT HOTEL – Host Hotel
700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA
Book online HERE or call 515-245-5500

HILTON DOWNTOWN
435 Park Street, Des Moines, IA
Book online HERE or call 515-241-1456

 

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