CIBS Winter Blues Fest

PRESS RELEASE

Subject: Winter Blues Fest

Date: Saturday, February 14^th, 2009

Place: Hotel Fort Des Moines

Starting Time: 7 PM

Presented By: The Central Iowa Blues Society

For Immediate Release

It may be cold outside, but the Hotel Fort Des Moines Ballrooms and Chequers Lounge will have temperatures rising on Valentine’s Day Saturday, February 14^th when the Central Iowa Blues Society welcomes 10 acts on 5 different stages. This multi-band event will culminate with an After Hours Jam in the Independence Hall in the Hotel Fort Des Moines.

Wristbands for the event are only $12.00 in advance and will give you admission to all of the Ballrooms on the 2^nd floor, as well as Chequers Lounge on the first level. Tickets are available at the Hotel Fort Des Moines and Blues on Grand now. Price will be $15 on February 14^th.

This year’s Winter Blues Fest has a little bit of everything to satisfy the soul; be it, incredible blues harmonica, fabulous guitar, Delta and Hill Country Mississippi Style Blues or howlin’-at the-moon blues!

Check out Case of the Blues’ Brad McCloud & John Zantow, the 2008 Iowa Blues Societies Solo/Duo Challenge Winner, at Chequers Lounge at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society Solo/Duo Challenge Winner, Brothers Curtis, at 9:45 p.m.

The sounds of Bill Lupkin & the Workers will fill the air in the Grand Ballroom starting at 7:30 p.m., followed by Jason Ricci & New Blood, the 2008 BluesWax nominee for Artist of the Year and BMA nominee for Instrumentalist-Harmonica at 10:30 p.m.

The State Ballroom will fire up with Iowa’s own 2008 Blues Challenge band winner, Avey Brothers at 8:00 p.m., followed by the Joe Moss Band at 11:00 p.m.

Moreland & Arbuckle, another 2008 BluesWax nominee for Artist of the Year, are sure to get things heated up in the Wedgwood Room at 7:45 p.m., followed by the 2007 Iowa Blues Societies Blues Challenge Winner, Matt Woods & The Thunderbolts, at 10:45 p.m.

King King, the Kansas City Blues Society Blues Challenge Winner, will get things jumping in Independence Hall starting at 8:30 p.m.

The After Hours Jam kicks off at midnight in the Independence Hall Ballroom with a set from Trouble No More, who will be this year's host band, with the Jam starting at 1 a.m. The Jam, which will last well into the wee hours, has the potential for some interesting combinations of musicians. All musicians are welcome to sign up and join in. Food will be served starting at 8:00 p.m. and continue during the Jam.

The Hotel Fort Des Moines is offering special Blues Fest rates for the night. You can make room reservations by calling 1-800-532-1466 or 515-243-1161. Be sure to mention that you are going to be there for the Blues Fest to receive your special rate.

Sponsors for this event are the Central Iowa Blues Society, Budweiser, 95KGGO/98.3WOW, Cityview, and Hotel Fort Des Moines.

For more information on the Winter Blues Fest, you can call (515) 225-6638 or (515) 830-4213 or go to www.cibs.org . Listen to KGGO (94.9) and 98.3 WOW for wristband giveaways. Do not miss this sure-fire cure for cabin fever!

Serena James

Marketing Coordinator

Central Iowa Blues Society