The Finals for the 2008 Iowa Blues Challenge are now set!

Come join the party at the Hotel Fort Des Moines at 10^th & Walnut in Des Moines, Iowa. On Sat., May 17^th, 2008, performances will start at 9:00 PM with the Avey Brothers, followed by The Soul Searchers and The Smokin’ Mojo Kings. Cover charge will be $9 for Blues Society members and $10 for non-members. Call 515-243-1161 or 1-800-532-1466 and ask for the Blues fan rate to book rooms.

The competition will be stiff as these three great bands square off to determine who is the best Blues band in Iowa and play for the opportunity to advance to the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, TN, among other prizes, so come out and support your favorite band!

For the 15^th year, the Central Iowa Blues Society, in cooperation with the Mississippi Valley Blues Society and Lizard Creek Blues Society, presents the 2008 Iowa Blues Challenge, an all-Iowa Blues band contest. This contest is open to any Iowa Blues band that has not been nominated for the Blues Music Awards (Handy’s).

The Iowa Blues Challenge features one of the finest prize packages, for a contest of this kind, in the country. Prizes are awarded to the top bands, including---cash, travel expenses, recording time, as well as spots in the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, IA; The Nitefall on the River in Des Moines, IA; 2009 Simply The Blues Fest in Ft. Madison, IA and the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

The 2008 Iowa Blues Challenge is proudly sponsored by Central Iowa Blues Society, Mississippi Valley Blues Society, Lizard Creek Blues Society, Budweiser, Citadel Broadcasting/94.9KGGO & 98.3WOW, Junior’s Motel, Rieman Music and Russell Bird Foundation

Check out www.cibs.org for more information.