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SEPTEMBER 2026

 

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BOG REWIND – Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind
Sep 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM
xBk Live, 1159 24th Street, Des Moines, IA

Blues Music Award winner Jason Ricci is one of the most acclaimed and innovative harmonica players in the world today. Known for his explosive live performances and masterful blend of traditional blues, rock, funk, and New Orleans soul. Don’t miss this chance to experience one of modern blues’ most dynamic performers live.

TICKETS!

 

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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 available SOON

 

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BluesMe News!

We recently put out a call for guitars for a couple of programs that were in need. One program is located at the VA Central Iowa Health Care System. The other is a project that will place guitars in family waiting areas in other health care/rehab/hospice facilities.

A few years back, we put out the same call, and over a couple years, you donated nearly 40 instruments!  A recent conversation that I had with Matt Loyd, Music Therapist VA Central Iowa Health Care System, he revealed to me that they had just run out! Every instrument has found a home with a Veteran.

A total of 11 instruments have been donated to date. We have a ways to go to meet or surpass our donations from a few years back. If you, or you know of someone that has a lonely guitar, acoustic guitar is preferred, although we have had many electric guitars, bass guitars, keyboards, drum kits, amps, cords, microphones/stands, strings, picks, slides, tuners, straps, cases… anything helps.

A huge Blues thank you goes out to…

• Chuck Russo – Chuck wrangled up 4 guitars and 2 amps from a couple of close friends …
• Bob Darr
• Scott Sheehan
• Meghan McCoy donated 2 beautiful guitars and mentioned she may know of a few more!
• Paul Valin donated a very unique lap slide guitar
• One anonymous donor brought 4 guitars- that included a 12 string and a mandolin!
• Every instrument donated will change someone’s life or may even save a life.

Please contact Steve Vasquez  with instrument donations!
(515) 664-4430,  education@cibs.org

 

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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!

 

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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 – SAVE-THE-DATE!

Winter Blues Fest brings the
heat to the heart of winter!

Twenty acts. Two nights. Five stages. Held entirely inside the Downtown Des Moines Marriott ballrooms, the festival keeps the blues cozy and the cold locked outside. All tickets are general admission, with table-and-chair seating and dance floors in every room. A full-service restaurant plus drinks and concessions available across all three festival floors. Since its debut in 1994 as a small, one-night showcase of local and regional talent, Winter Blues Fest has grown into a two-night celebration featuring 20 local, regional, and international acts.

Midwinter tradition.
Maximum groove.

DETAILS COMING SOON . . .

 

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