JSJBF Competition for 2011 Band Representatives for the
International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee on Feb. 2 -5, 2011

The JSJBF IBC Committee is seeking interested Blues bands and solo/duos to sign up for participation in our local competition to choose our representatives to the 2012 International Blues Challenge for the 28th Anniversary of the world’s largest gathering of Blues Bands. Last year over 100 bands and 80 solo/duos from all over the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia competed for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes provided by the Blues Foundation.

The local competition will consist of a one day competition featuring up to 6 - 8 bands and 4 solo/duos (depending on the number of total responses received). It will be conducted on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at Paul’s Tavern, 1705 Main St., Lake Como, NJ. from 1pm till ????  .There will be a $15 per person entry charge for all who attend the competition except for the judges and band or solo/duo members( spouses, girlfriends, significant others and family members of band members will be required to pay the entry fee).

Any bands or solo/duos that wish to participate must be available for the competition on September 25, 2011. In addition they should be prepared to perform at their own fund raising events to raise money to help defray the cost of attending the IBC competition in Memphis. The Blues Foundation has strongly recommended that the participants arrive on Tuesday January 31 for the competition that will start on Wednesday, February 1, 2012.

The winning band will be encouraged to engage in fundraising to help cover their costs. The band and solo/duo will need to raise enough money to pay for their roundtrip plane tickets( or other method of transportation) and hotel accommodations (suggested on being based on at least two band members per room- although a rollaway bed may be added if needed in the room by making a request to the hotel) plus all other expenses (meals, other ground transportation etc.), Rooms become available on or about September 1 at a reduced rate for Blues Foundation members through the Blues Foundation. Separate accommodations can be made if desired.

The Foundation will cooperate with the winners in helping them advertise their fundraisers, email notices to its individual and band members, and provide some volunteers to work at the winners’ fund raisers. The Foundation has scheduled a “Get Outta Town Party” at Paul’s for the winners on Saturday night January 28,2012 as a separate fund raiser date for the winning representatives. The representatives will be responsible for arranging the talent to play at the fundraiser.

The Foundation will contribute 50% of the money collected at the door for the one day local competition and all of the proceeds from the Get Outta Town Party (divided equally among the band and solo/duo performers by dividing the total by the number of performers) to the solo/duo/band representatives depending on the total sum made that day over and above the JSJBF’s competition expenses( soundman and facility charge, if any),

The Foundation will advise the finals winners at the end of the competition on September 25 as to the status of the Foundation’s contribution towards their expenses. The funds will be turned over to the representatives at the Get Outta Town Party unless they are needed in advance to book rooms or plane tickets. The bands/solo/duos chosen for the competition will be expected to help advertise the events by listing their participation on their websites, notifying the persons on their mailing and email lists, and encouraging them to attend the competitions. Assigned set times will be provided to bands chosen by the Committee after the response date has expired.

In order to be considered for eligibility in the competition, your 2011-2012 JSJBF dues (for Sept 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012) must be current at the time your performance.

If you have any questions concerning your dues status please contact the Foundation Office Manager, Doris Lazur, at 732-933-1984.

The Foundation reserves the right to cancel the competition in the event an insufficient number of bands express interest in the competition.

If you are interested in participating, please email JSJBF 2011-12 IBC Chairperson Gene Iadanza at eaijsc@aol.com and Co-Chair Pat Arochas at Stray70@hotmail.com  with your band name and an address, phone number and email address of a contact person ASAP and a copy of the Official Rules will be forwarded to you by return email.

And yo! Applications are due by 2 Sept!... so hustle!

Gene Iadanza,
JSJBF 2011 Chairman
Pat Arochas, Co-chair

JSJBF International Blues Competition

	Finals: Sunday, September 25th, 2011 2 pm 'til 9 pm. Paul's Tavern 1705 Main Street, Lake Como. Map Join us for an afternoon of great music as we select who will be JSJBF's representatives (band, solo/duo, and best CD) to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next near. Door Admission: $15
International Blues Competition Page | Paul's Tavern Homepage