ibc posterThe annual pilgrimage to Beale Street for highly talented amateur blues acts occurs January 20 – 23 thanks to the tremendous effort of the Blues Foundation. The IBC will have two full nights of preliminary competition — 21st and 22nd — which will offer those lucky enough to be on Beale Street some great tunes. A dozen clubs will host 10 acts ( either bands or solo/duo acts) playing 30 minutes sets for judges each night. Bands from Iceland to Ireland to Iowa who have won a sanctioned competition in their city or country will come to Memphis to show their stuff…and mighty good stuff it is. Here’s a Commercial Appeal story about last year’s event which will give you a feel for it if you’ve not been.  For more information about the 2010 competition, see the Blues Foundation site.