The long-running Cincy Blues Fest returns to Sawyer Point on Aug. 11, trimmed down to a one-day event headlined by Blues Rock favorite Delbert McClinton (tickets are available now at cincybluesfest.org). This Sunday you can get a preview of the rest of the Blues Fest lineup as the Cincy Blues Society presents the 20th annual Cincy Blues Challenge, featuring some of the top Blues acts from Greater Cincinnati and surrounding regions.
Running noon-9 p.m. at Germania Park (3529 W. Kemper Road, Mount Healthy), the event/competition helps determine who will represent the Cincy Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn. early next year. The winners also get a prime slot at this summer’s Blues Fest, and most of the other participants end up performing at the festival as well.
Playing this year’s Blues Challenge are Lil’ Red Rooster, Rhythm Jones, Chuck Brisbin and the Tuna Project, Everett & Delta Storm, Brian Tarter, Michael Locke & the Repeat Offenders, Johnny Fink and the Intrusion, Ralph and the Rhythm Hounds, Strum N’ Honey, Joe Wannabe, Cougar Ace, Tempted Souls Band, Jimmy D Rogers, Leroy Ellington’s Sacred Hearts, Blue Strings, Jamie Carr Band, Misterman and the Mojo Band, Eric Drum, Soulrockers, Bob Dellaposta, Jersey Joe Tellmann and Fred Gillespie and the Swamp Bees.
Admission is $15; for Germania Society and Blues Society members, it’s just $10. Visit cincyblues.org and here for more details.
This article appears in May 30 – Jun 6, 2018.