6BN-IBC Registration
30 July  2016
Press Release 

Quebec to Memphis - Now Taking Registrations

Paul Deslauriers Band
Photo:  Phil Brisse
The Montreal Blues Society will be holding a Quebec to Memphis contest again this fall to determine which acts will represent Quebec in the Solo/Duo and Band categories in Memphis. The 33rd International Blues Challenge (IBC 2017) will be held January 31- February 4, 2017 in the Beale Street Historic District. Blues acts sponsored by blues societies from around the world will vie for top spot at the largest gathering of blues musicians in the world.
 
This will be the 4th edition of Quebec to Memphis hosted by the Montreal Blues Society. Quebec acts have placed favourably in Memphis in the past ,with semi-final and finalist appearances by Michael Jerome Browne and Dawn & Paul. This past January, the Montreal Blues Society was represented by the Paul DesLauriers Band, who made it all the way to the finals, finishing 2nd worldwide, out of 119 competing bands.
 
Here is what you need to know about the Quebec to Memphis competition before you make it to Memphis!

  • This year’s Quebec to Memphis edition will be open to both IBC categories: Solo/Duo and Band.
  • The IBC defines a Solo/Duo act as having 1 or 2 members.
  • The IBC defines a Band as having 3 (or more) members.
  • The contest is open to all Quebec-based acts.
  • Acts must be available for the local competition dates in Montreal outlined below, and the winners must be able to travel to the IBC in Memphis, January 31st through February 4th. If you can’t make those dates, this contest isn’t for you!
  • If you are interested in registering for the Quebec to Memphis challenge, email phil@bluesmontreal.com for the registration form. Then mail (or email) the completed form, along with the application fee of $25.00 (payable by cheque to the Montreal Blues Society or by Interac transfer to phil@bluesmontreal.com) before midnight August 19, 2016.
If you’re mailing a cheque, send it to:
Montreal Blues Society
Attn: Quebec to Memphis
63 Perrier
Ile Perrot, Qc
J7V 8X4
  • The Solo/Duo competition will be held at the Bistro a JoJo in Montreal on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, between 5-9 pm. In the event that we have more than 8 applicant acts for the Solo/Duo category, a second evening will take place on Tuesday, October 11, also between 5-9 pm.
  • The Band competition will also be held at the Bistro a JoJo between 5-9 pm on Tuesday, October 18. Again, in the event that there are more than 6 applicant acts for the Band category, an additional evening will be added on Tuesday, October 25.
  • The top 3 acts in each category, as voted by an independent panel of judges, will play in the finals on Tuesday, November 1, at the Bistro a JoJo.
  • Judges will score the performances using the IBC guidelines. Each act will play for 25 minutes.
  • In the event that there are an insufficient number of entries, the Montreal Blues Society reserves the right to modify the above schedule and/or cancel the event entirely.
  • The Montreal Blues Society will help defray a portion of the expenses and help the winning acts organize fundraisers to ease the financial burden. The applicant acts understand that they are responsible for paying their own travel, lodging, and other expenses to get to, and while in, Memphis, that are in excess of the financial assistance provided by the MBS.
 
If you have any questions or require clarification about any of the points outlined above, please email phil@bluesmontreal.com or send a text message to 514-465-9725.
 
Go to the official IBC website to get more details with regards to the contest itself in Memphis. Here are some links you can check out so you know what to expect should you be the winner of the Quebec to Memphis contest:
 
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