Maritimes To Memphis - Be Part Of The Journey - 2017

Submissions Now Open For The Fifth Local Blues Challenge

Closing September 17th 

Maritimes to Memphis - Be Part of the Journey is an annual blues challenge event hosted by the East Coast Blues Society. As usual it will be split into two categories: the Solo/Duo Challenge and the Band Challenge. The event will take place October 15th, 2017 at MicMac Amateur Aquatic Club (MicMac AAC) starting at 3pm. The winners in each category will travel to Memphis TN to represent the Maritimes in the International Blues Challenge to be held January 16th - 20th 2018. Depending on the number of entrants, starting time might change, and additional dates may be added.

At the local IBC event at MicMac AAC, there will be independent judges (i.e. it is not East Coast Blues Society that decides who will be sent to Memphis). The scoring criteria, used by the judges, are based on the following:

1. Blues Content
2. Vocals
3. Talent
4. Originality
5. Stage Presence

Each band will have 20-25 minutes to perform and will be given points based on Blues Content, Vocals, Talent, Originality and Stage Presence. An act will be penalized one point from its score for each ten seconds that it runs overtime. There is no penalty for using less than the allotted time.

For the purposes of the IBC, a band is any act with three or more musicians; vocalists are counted as musicians for the purpose of this competition. Both electric and acoustic instruments are allowed. At this local competition, entrants will be judged by the same criteria used for the International competition.

Submission of entries will be accepted via email or regular mail until September 17th, 2017. To apply, download application form AND participation agreement at the top of this page. NOTE THAT BOTH FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED. ALL MEMBERS OF A BAND MUST READ AND SIGN.

Completed forms with all the required information must be emailed to info@eastcoastblues.ca on or before the submission deadline of midnight, September 17th, 2017. We will also accept submissions via snail mail at

351 Pleasant Street 

Dartmouth

Nova Scotia, B2Y 3S4

and must be postmarked no later than midnight September 17th, 2017.

Every effort will be made to accommodate all applications that are received on time and meet the established criteria. However, should it be required for any reason deemed appropriate, the East Coast Blues Society reserves the right to limit the number of entrants in the competition. Should it be necessary to exercise this right, a pre-screening of the applications received will be conducted based on the sample music provided. The results of the pre-screening process are final.

You will be contacted with further information following your submission. Please address any questions to info@eastcoastblues.ca

For full details on scoring criteria and official rules, see the Blues Foundation website .