Who: Detroit Blu

What: The International Blues Challenge, Road to Memphis Party!

When: Jan 22nd, 2023. From 2pm to 6:30pm

Where: The Turnaround - 14619 Kercheval Ave, Detroit, MI 48215

Why??? I’m glad you asked!

And here is the answer!

You may have heard that a local Detroit blues band won the Regional Blues Challenge in Kalamazoo MI on November 6th 2022. Well, that band was Detroit Blu. And you probably already know that this qualifies Detroit Blu to compete with top Blues bands from all over the world at the International Blues Challenge on Beal St. in Memphis Tennessee January of 2023!

But what isn’t well known are the costs of participating in these kinds of away events. And Detroit Blu needs your help to pay for travel and stay expenses.

Attending the International Blues Challenge is a lifelong dream for the musicians of Detroit Blu. They are super excited to represent our wonderful state of Michigan in the spirit that only Michiganders can! And that is - to go for the win!

Detroit Blu has been rehearsing constantly in a space generously donated by the Ralston Village Community Association. Hard work and planning go a long way toward a win, without this donated rehearsal space a win could not be in the picture. Detroit Blu sends a huge thanks to The Ralston’s owner Dave Szpond and manager Steve Soviak for this generous gift.

The Road to Memphis Fundraiser asks for a $10 donation at the door to attend and gets you 1 door prize drawing ticket. And don’t forget the best part! A full evening of live blues entertainment. Purchase of tickets to the drawings will be at the event. Any further donation is greatly appreciated and would surely ease the burden of travel and stay expenses for the band. Their goal is to raise $1000.00.

As mentioned, our fundraiser will have a full day of blues entertainment. Special guests perform from 2pm to 5pm. The lineup is:

Desoto Drive, a superb acoustic blues duet.

Howard Glazer, who is no stranger to the Detroit style of blues and boogie.

Detroit’s Own Soul Purpose, is performing a set of smoking R&B and Soul.

Nikki James, The Lady of Detroit Blues. High energy electric blues, backed by Detroit Blu.

Detroit Blu closes the night with an hour set of blues featuring first time live performances of 6 new Detroit Blu original compositions that were written specifically for this year’s IBC event.

Did we mention that Amid all this orchestrated mayhem is a Door Prize Drawing plus a 50/50 raffle? 😉

Please help Detroit Blu get to Memphis this year to represent the great state of Michigan at the International Blues Challenge! Detroit Blu wants to bring home the win for every blues fan of Michigan!!!

The band members of Detroit Blu wish to thank the Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association for accepting Detroit Blu into their Blues Bash Competition this past November, And the Detroit Blues Society for all their help putting together this fundraiser. Both organizations deserve huge kudos for going above and beyond in their mission to keep the blues alive!

And thank you so much to the blues fans, for all the support. We love you all!

If you cant make our fundraising event but still wish to support our Road To Memphis trip you will find, in the right column, some Detroit Blu Merch that you can purchase. Again thank you so much for all your support!