International Blues Challenge

Each year, the Blues Foundation hosts a battle-of-the-bands type event called the International Blues Challenge. It's a long-weekend-long festival in Memphis at which every state, province, and nation is represented by its rhythm & blues artists of choice, most of the artists having won qualifying competitions by their local and regional blues societies. Yesterday, we hosted the Washington Blues Society finals to determine which artists will travel to Memphis to represent the Great State of Washington to the blues world. We're not into music and the arts as a competitive landscape, but Mother Necessity says there must be a democratic way to determine which one gets the opportunity when far more than one would love it. All the bands were great, the turnout was fantastic, everyone had a blast, and here are some photos courtesy of Ricky Peto:

The Randy Oxford Band will represent Washington in Memphis next February:


Tony making sure everyone knows the dealyo:


Nick Vigarino brings the house down with some back porch blues:


The Mary McPage Band:


Jessica takes a breather from the floor to chat with our fearless doorman Carter:


The Jam Finale:


Jada Amy of the Randy Oxford Band:


People shaking a tail feather on the dance floor:


Chester Dennis Jones Band:


Chester takes his axe for a walk through the audience:


Say hello to Murph. She's a bartender, also a mathematics genius and a softspoken bad-ass. Trust us, you don't wanna mess with her. She's tougher than you, AND smarter than you:


Cee Cee James:


Mia Vermillion and Orville Johnson: