A reminder that the deadline for the OBS Road to Memphis Solo/Duo local blues challenge is this Friday at 6 pm (Ottawa time). Please note that because we've split the competition into two events, you may enter both the Solo/Duo and the Band competitions. Apologies if you get this reminder more than once ... we're trying to make sure no one is missed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email. Liz *OBS Road to Memphis * *Solo/Duo 2011* This year, the Ottawa Blues Society Road to Memphis local blues competition will split into two separate events ... the Solo/Duo competition will be held in early May 2011 and the Band competition will take place in September 2011.The winners in each category will travel to Memphis TN to compete as OBS representatives in the International Blues Challenge to be held January 31-February 4, 2012. The Solo/Duo qualifying rounds will take place Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3 & 4, 2011 at the Atomic Rooster, 303 Bank Street, and the finals are scheduled for Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at Irene's Pub, 885 Bank Street. *Deadline for entries is Friday, April 15, 2011 at 6 pm (Ottawa time).* For the purposes of the IBC, a 'solo/duo' is any act with one or two musicians; vocalists are counted as musicians for the purpose of this competition. Both electric and acoustic instruments are allowed.At this local competition, entrants will be judged by the same criteria used for the International competition.Each band or solo/duo entry will have 20-25 minutes to perform and will be given points based on Blues Content, Vocals, Talent, Originality and Stage Presence.For full details on scoring criteria and official rules, see the Blues Foundation websitehttp://www.blues.org/ibc/scoring.php _Eligibility Requirements_: Band members must be 2011 residents of the Ottawa/Gatineau area (approximately 100 km radius of Ottawa). Entrants must be available for both qualifying rounds and the final round and must be able to travel to the IBC in Memphis, January 31-February 4, 2012. Entrants will play one set; set length will be 20-25 minutes (to be confirmed). All songs presented MUST be Blues (electric or acoustic), Rock/ Blues, Jazz/Blues, Country Blues or Rhythm & Blues. Entries should be made by sending a message to all Board members using the contact form on the OBS website at http://www.ottawabluessociety.com/contact.php.You may also send an email directly to boardmembers(a)ottawabluessociety.com <mailto:boardmembers@ottawabluessociety.com>. _In your email, please include the following information_: ¯name(s) and contact info (email, phone) for solo or duo member(s) ¯brief biography ¯summary of the entrant's experience and performance history ¯audio sample of music (link to myspace, band website, MP3 or CD). Every effort will be made to accommodate all applications that are received on time and meet the established criteria. However, should it be required for any reason deemed appropriate, the Ottawa Blues Society reserves the right to limit the number of entrants in the competition. Should it be necessary to exercise this right, a pre-screening of the applications received will be conducted based on the sample music provided. The results of the pre-screening process are final. You will be contacted for further information following the submission deadline.Please address any questions toliz(a)ottawabluessociety.com <mailto:liz@ottawabluessociety.com>