The blues are alive and well in Idaho, judging by back-to-back sold-out shows at our recent Winter Blues Weekend. Two local bands, the Deb Michels Gang and Hoochie Coochie Men, offered up an entertaining mix of blues classics and originals Friday evening. Saturday's performance featured international touring artist, blues music award-winner, and monster guitarist Tim "Too Slim" Langford & the Taildraggers playing rock-infused blues that had the audience up and dancing all night long. We are already looking forward to next year's event, but in the meantime, add the events below to your calendar.
Upcoming Blues in the Sapphire Room
Riverside Hotel, Garden City
Saturday, February 7, 7 pm
An Evening of Blues
featuring
"Guitarist to the Stars"
Gary Tackett
& Full Moon Rude
Tuesday, February 17, 7 pm
Fat Tuesday
with
Poverty Flats and
Brooke Nicole
& Jake Leg
More Upcoming IBS-Hosted Events
Blues Wednesday
Feb 18, 6:30 - 9 pm
Players Pub & Grill, Garden City
You'll be moving and smiling when the Boise & Stanley-based Sawtooth Blues Band delivers their soulful and down-home "Mountain Fresh Blues" at February's Blues Wednesday. Come hear Alabama-born Casie "Bama" Jones sing her heart out, backed by tight rhythms and expressive guitar.
Blues Jam
Sunday, Feb 22, 1 - 5 pm
Watson's Mystery Theater
Musicians and blues fans of all ages are invited to the February blues jam hosted by the Idaho Blues Society. Doors open at 12 noon for jammers to sign up. Music begins at 1 with an opener by host band, Carmel n the Closers, and goes until 5. Read musician guidelines on our Blues Jam webpage.
⬆️Donate $5 at these events to support IBS youth-focused music programs like this ⬇️
Featured Community Outreach Program of the Month:
Blues in the Schools
Blues in the Schools
is a nationally recognized educational initiative
that uses music as a teaching tool.
Each school year, two teams of Idaho Blues Society musicians visit more than a dozen schools in Idaho to share stories abou the history and culture of blues music, perform live music and invite students to sing along, and conduct workshops to teach youth in grades K-12 about blues music. The program is flexible and can be tailored to the age, interests, and learning objectives of elementary, middle, and high school classes. This is often the first time students have experienced live music. Kids love it!
Blues News
Sponsorship
Opportunities
for Businesses
If you're wondering how your business can get a nice tax break, expand your reach to potential customers, and help support live blues music in Idaho, the Idaho Blues Society can help! We offer a wide variety of sponsorships designed to meet these objectives. Consider these options:
- Keep the Blues Alive: Offered at four levels with increasingly valuable benefits
- Youth Development: Tailored to support IBS programs for young people in our communities
- Blues Artist Performances: Focused on expanding the slate of blues artists performing live in Idaho venues
Learn more about the benefits of Idaho Blues Society sponsorships here.
Have you heard?
Sugaray Rayford
is coming to Boise!
Rayford is a four-time Blues Music Award winner, notably receiving the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year award in 2020. We're bringing him to the Sapphire Room on March 13. Score your ticket early on Eventbrite!
Cold head?
IBS knit hats
have you covered!
You can never have too many hats, so stop by the IBS merch table the next time you venture out into the cold and check out our snazzy new knit hats. They're available in a wide variety of colors and look great on both men and women. Coming soon: Buy online.
