Twenty (20) Years of celebrated Blues with You
For over 20 years the Madison Blues Society has and hosted & supported events featuring blues music, local musicians and local venues. MBS works to elevate awareness and enjoyment of blues and raise funds needed by Madison area partners through special events. MBS continues to provide opportunities for kids and adults to “get to know” the blues through programs like “Blues Kids” and Get to Know Your Local Musician” which has been held at the Wisconsin Historical Museum.
MBS Events
Over the years, the Madison Blues Society has held numerous blues events, raising awareness of, and appreciation for, this musical genre. We continue to present blues music locally, supported by the enthusiasm of our growing community. Our current partner in events is the East Side Club where we’ve held Thursday night shows and the End of Summer Blues Event.
- Annual Blues Picnic at Warner Park
- Wild Women of the Blues (High Noon Saloon, Harmony Bar & Brink Lounge)
- Wisconsin Blues Challenge at the Brink Lounge
Community Events
We help organizations include blues music in their programs. Working with directors of local events, we offer assistance in such areas as promotion, band selection, and funding.
Partners
- Domestic Abuse Intervention Service
- Family Enhancement
- Tipitina Foundation
Community Fundraising
MBS helps local organizations raise funds for important community causes.
- Kujichagulia and Juneteenth in the Park at Penn Park
- Yahara Bay Distillery and the Fitch-Rona Booze and Blues Festival
- WORT-FM radio, home of Blues Cruise & Two for the Blues and the WORT Block Party, now WORTstock
- The Majestic Theater and the Wisconsin Blues Festival
- Wil-Mar Neighborhood Association and the Willy Street Fair
- Sun Prairie Lions Club and the Sun Prairie Blues Fest
- National Night Out featured the South Madison Blues Kids at Penn Park
- Marquette Neighborhood Center
Educational Programs
- MBS works with local organizations to present educational programs and to fund scholarships. Projects include:
- Scholarship Program for guitar lessons for East High School music student.
- The Blues Kids blues education programs working with professional blues artists including the Cash Box Kings, Jimmy Voegeli and Reverend Charlie Edmonds. Local community organizations Boys & Girls Clubs, East Madison Community Center & Vera Court Community Center provided facilities and kids!
- Get To Know Your Local Musician at the Wisconsin Historical Museum
- Our Blues in the Library Program has provided regular donations of blues-related materials which became available in many branches of the Madison Public Library system. We also sponsored a musical performance at the grand opening of the Goodman South Branch.
Honoring the Blues
MBS has developed and funded projects that stimulate an appreciation for blues music in the Madison area.
- Blues Calendars featuring local blues artists and venues that host blues music
- Chicago Blues Festival Road Trips & Carpooling
- Dedications, Memorials
- Dedication of park bench for Clyde Stubblefield
- Acquisition of five park benches and commemorative plaque for Luther Alison