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The Vermont To Memphis International Blues Challenge 2024-2025 - Time to Enter!
The Vermont to Memphis International Blues Challenge is back! VBS will help send one band and one duo/solo act to represent Vermont at the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis on January 7-11. We invite all Vermont area blues musicians to apply for this exciting opportunity! Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 22. The location of the Vermont event is Red Square, 136 Church Street in Burlington, VT, Noon - 6 PM. The deadline for applications is August 25th. MORE INFO ON APPLYING HERE!
Dec. 14 - A Very Special VBS 2023 Annual Meeting, Film Showing, Blues Concert!
This year's VBS Annual Meeting is going to be held in tandem with a very special event.
In this emotionally evocative feature documentary film, an intimate portrait reveals the untold story of a legend whose influence endures. James Cotton’s life tracks a swath of America’s history -- from the post-depression cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta to tough Chicagoland’s era of brilliant artistic reinvention to today’s live music scene in Austin, Texas. This musical journey unfolds in a joyful, thumping original film through an exploration of harmonica-based blues music and stories shared by some of the nation’s most respected musicians, including Buddy Guy, Keb ‘Mo, Jimmie Vaughan, Steve Miller, Bobby Rush, Christine Ohlman, and more. The film has already garnered several awards including placing as one of five finalists in the prestigious Library of Congress Ken Burns Prize for Film.
Film trailer: https://www.jamescottonfilm.com/media
- Where: Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Film House, 60 Lake Street, Burlington, VT
- 5:30 Doors Open, 6 PM Short Annual Meeting
- 6:30 Documentary “Bonnie Blue: James Cotton's Life InThe Blues”
- 8:15 Live Blues Performance with James Montgomery, Dave Keller and Chad Hollister
- Tickets: $25 for film and concert, available from https://sevendaystickets.com/
In this emotionally evocative feature documentary film, an intimate portrait reveals the untold story of a legend whose influence endures. James Cotton’s life tracks a swath of America’s history -- from the post-depression cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta to tough Chicagoland’s era of brilliant artistic reinvention to today’s live music scene in Austin, Texas. This musical journey unfolds in a joyful, thumping original film through an exploration of harmonica-based blues music and stories shared by some of the nation’s most respected musicians, including Buddy Guy, Keb ‘Mo, Jimmie Vaughan, Steve Miller, Bobby Rush, Christine Ohlman, and more. The film has already garnered several awards including placing as one of five finalists in the prestigious Library of Congress Ken Burns Prize for Film.
Film trailer: https://www.jamescottonfilm.com/media
Vermont Blues Society Annual Meeting
December 11, 2022
Place: Vermont Comedy Club, 101 Main Street, Burlington, VT
Time: 5-9 PM
Tickets: $10 members, $15 non-members suggested donation.
TICKETS
Although the Annual Meeting is free to current VBS members, we suggest a $10 donation. Tickets are $15 for non-members. You can purchase advance tickets online here, or at the door the day of the show. VBS members have been sent a discount code if they wish to buy tickets online. To become a member and receive the discount click here.
SCHEDULE
Vermont winners of the IBC winners will kick off the festivities - Solo artist, Jesse Lepkoff will be followed by the All Night Boogie Band. A Blues Musical Showcase backed by a house band - Paul Asbell, guitar, Chuck Eller, piano, Jeff Salisbury, drums. Joe Moore, sax and Tom Buckley, bass - will feature a variety of Vermont blues musicians emceed by Dennis Willmott.
FUNDRAISING FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES TO THE INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE
Ticket proceeds and donations will help cover expenses of Vermont winners Jesse Lepkoff and All Night Boogie Band to travel to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in January.
Additional Ways to Help Send Vermont IBC's Winners to Memphis
Both Jesse Lepkoff and All Night Boogie Band have Go Fund Me pages:
Jesse Lepkoff: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-this-blues-artist-get-to-memphis
All Night Boogie Band: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-send-all-night-boogie-band-to-memphis
Please consider contributing if you are able.
Wishing all a very happy, music-filled holiday season! Hope to see you Sunday for a little celebration and some great music.
Warmly,
Tom, Marian, Dennis, Rebecca, Arlene, Sal, and Sunny.
Time: 5-9 PM
Tickets: $10 members, $15 non-members suggested donation.
TICKETS
Although the Annual Meeting is free to current VBS members, we suggest a $10 donation. Tickets are $15 for non-members. You can purchase advance tickets online here, or at the door the day of the show. VBS members have been sent a discount code if they wish to buy tickets online. To become a member and receive the discount click here.
SCHEDULE
Vermont winners of the IBC winners will kick off the festivities - Solo artist, Jesse Lepkoff will be followed by the All Night Boogie Band. A Blues Musical Showcase backed by a house band - Paul Asbell, guitar, Chuck Eller, piano, Jeff Salisbury, drums. Joe Moore, sax and Tom Buckley, bass - will feature a variety of Vermont blues musicians emceed by Dennis Willmott.
FUNDRAISING FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES TO THE INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE
Ticket proceeds and donations will help cover expenses of Vermont winners Jesse Lepkoff and All Night Boogie Band to travel to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in January.
Additional Ways to Help Send Vermont IBC's Winners to Memphis
Both Jesse Lepkoff and All Night Boogie Band have Go Fund Me pages:
Jesse Lepkoff: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-this-blues-artist-get-to-memphis
All Night Boogie Band: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-send-all-night-boogie-band-to-memphis
Please consider contributing if you are able.
Wishing all a very happy, music-filled holiday season! Hope to see you Sunday for a little celebration and some great music.
Warmly,
Tom, Marian, Dennis, Rebecca, Arlene, Sal, and Sunny.
The VBS Zoom/Facebook Tuesday Bluesday concerts
See the videos on the VBS Facebook page
Vermont Blues Society Archives
Newsletters
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July 2021
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May 2021
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November, 2020
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June, 2020
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May, 2020
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Meeting Minutes
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We meet the 3rd Monday of the month
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Members News Letter 9/18/19
Hello Vermont Blues Society Members!
First and foremost, some great news: our Blues Society is now 178 members strong! We’d love to get to 200 by the end of the year, so make sure your fellow blues enthusiasts and musicians have joined!
UPCOMING
International Blues Challenge
Sweet Melissa’s in Montpelier, Sunday September 22nd
3 pm - 7:30 pm
As an affiliate member of the Blues Foundation, VBS blues artists are now eligible to participate in the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis. To determine VT’s representation, VBS is holding its inaugural "VT to Memphis Blues Challenge" this Sunday. The challenge will adhere as closely to the IBC rules as possible to give participants a taste of the real deal!
There are three solo/duo acts and three bands participating and an audience is welcomed and encouraged! Check the website for more information – www.vermontbluessociety.org
Annual Meeting - Save The Date!
VBS’ 2019 annual meeting (our first!) will be held on Sunday, November 17, at Arts Riot in Burlington. Save the date… details to follow!
How to Post Your Events/Gigs on the VBS Facebook Page
Did you know you can post your events on the VBS (Vermont Blues Society) Facebook page? It’s quite simple… here are the steps. First ‘like’ the VBS page. Then create an event on your own Facebook page and add the VBS as a co-host to your event. It will then be on both pages. Ole!
New Web Page – Charlie’s Picks
As you may or may not know Charlie Frazier has a radio show called Blues for Breakfast every Sunday morning, 9 – 11 am on WIZN. He has provided his ‘top 25 lists’ and Upcoming Regional Shows of interest.
Call to Action!
As most of you know, our Blues Society 100% by volunteer operated and supported. As we scale up VBS activities this fall, we are putting out another call for those that may be interested in volunteering their time, energy, and/or talent! Please let us know if you are interested and willing to volunteer in any of the following areas (or any other area you have interest/experience) by sending a note to: [email protected] UPDATE: Arlene is now in charge of volunteers: [email protected]
Here are some specific areas where we could use some additional energy and help:
Hello Vermont Blues Society Members!
First and foremost, some great news: our Blues Society is now 178 members strong! We’d love to get to 200 by the end of the year, so make sure your fellow blues enthusiasts and musicians have joined!
UPCOMING
International Blues Challenge
Sweet Melissa’s in Montpelier, Sunday September 22nd
3 pm - 7:30 pm
As an affiliate member of the Blues Foundation, VBS blues artists are now eligible to participate in the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis. To determine VT’s representation, VBS is holding its inaugural "VT to Memphis Blues Challenge" this Sunday. The challenge will adhere as closely to the IBC rules as possible to give participants a taste of the real deal!
There are three solo/duo acts and three bands participating and an audience is welcomed and encouraged! Check the website for more information – www.vermontbluessociety.org
Annual Meeting - Save The Date!
VBS’ 2019 annual meeting (our first!) will be held on Sunday, November 17, at Arts Riot in Burlington. Save the date… details to follow!
How to Post Your Events/Gigs on the VBS Facebook Page
Did you know you can post your events on the VBS (Vermont Blues Society) Facebook page? It’s quite simple… here are the steps. First ‘like’ the VBS page. Then create an event on your own Facebook page and add the VBS as a co-host to your event. It will then be on both pages. Ole!
New Web Page – Charlie’s Picks
As you may or may not know Charlie Frazier has a radio show called Blues for Breakfast every Sunday morning, 9 – 11 am on WIZN. He has provided his ‘top 25 lists’ and Upcoming Regional Shows of interest.
Call to Action!
As most of you know, our Blues Society 100% by volunteer operated and supported. As we scale up VBS activities this fall, we are putting out another call for those that may be interested in volunteering their time, energy, and/or talent! Please let us know if you are interested and willing to volunteer in any of the following areas (or any other area you have interest/experience) by sending a note to: [email protected] UPDATE: Arlene is now in charge of volunteers: [email protected]
Here are some specific areas where we could use some additional energy and help:
- Content Generation: Social Media, Newsletter, Website, Photography/Videography, Articles, Interviews, etc.
- VBS Promotion & Advancement: Presence at Area Concerts/Events, Fundraising - Community Sponsorships
- Administration: Data entry, member tracking, etc. Accounting/Fin’l Administration
- Specific Skill-Sets: Event Organization/Production, Attorney/Lawyer w/ Nonprofit experiences