A benefit for local drummer and blues legend Chico Chism is scheduled for Thursday, July 22nd, beginning at 8:00 pm, at the Rhythm Room. Hosted by the Rocket 88s, a plethora of local musicians will be appearing throughout the evening. Minimum donation is $5. This will be a smoke-free show.

Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns featuring Small Paul are playing at Barcelona's, 900 N. 54th St., for a two-night gig on Friday and Saturday, July 23rd and 24th. The music starts both nights at 8:30 pm. The Cold Shott cats will later be at Pappadeux Seafood Restaurant, 11501 N. Black Canyon Highway in Phoenix from 6:00 until 10:00 pm on Saturday, July 31st.

Jimmy Peyton's Midnite Blues will be at Minder Binders, McClintock & University in Tempe, every Wednesday night for the foreseeable future, beginning at 7:00 pm each evening.

Lil' Debbie & Blue Plate Special are at Char's Has the Blues on Saturday, July 31st.

Common Ground Blues Band will be part of the Flagstaff Summer Festival on Friday, July 30th.

The International Songwriting Competition is now accepting entries for 2004. In addition to the cash and prizes, winners will benefit from a multilateral promo campaign designed to give them maximum exposure for their music. Enter the ISC online or download an entry form to mail in your entry. Enter ISC by August 31, 2004 and save on multiple-song entries.

Sunday, August 22nd - Back Porch Blues (our yearly celebration of traditional blues featuring national and local blues artists) - Headline artists will be David "Honeyboy" Edwards and Alvin Youngblood Hart. Also appearing will be Bill Tarsha & Buddy Reed, Scotty Spenner, Uvon & the Amazing Blues Wizards, and Ken Tucker & James Swafford. Showtime will be at 6:00 pm; doors open at 5:00. This will be a non-smoking show. Advance tickets are $12 at the Rhythm Room or from Ticketmaster (480-784-4444). Tickets on the day of the show will be $15 ($12 for PBS members).

Attention all guitar players: Watch for details about a guitar workshop/clinic on the afternoon of August 22nd that will be led by Alvin Youngblood Hart. Send e-mail if you want to receive the info as soon as details are finalized.

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Arizona Blues Showdown dates (Acts from all around the state compete each year through PBS for the chance to be selected as the Arizona representative in each division for the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge, held in Memphis, Tennessee)
Sunday, September 19th -  (Solo/Duo division) - applications and rules are now available. Check the PBS website to download your copy in MS Word format, or send e-mail if you would like the information mailed to you.

Sunday, November 7th & 14th - Arizona Blues Showdown (Band division) - applications and rules available in August. Qualifying rounds will be held on 11/7 with the Finals on 11/14.

Sunday, February 27th - Blues Blast 2005 (An annual PBS event for 13 consecutive years and the first outdoor blues festival of the calendar year. View more information about Blues Blast and the roster of internationally-known blues musicians who have appeared there through the Phoenix Blues Society website).

Bar Nun
40th St. & Chandler Blvd.
480-706-5564

Barcelona's
900 N. 54th St.
480-785-9004

Brass Rail
3738 E. Thomas

Char's Has the Blues
4631 N. 7th Ave.
602-230-0205

Craiger's Restaurant & Lounge
5400 N. 59th Ave.
Glendale
623 934-8071

Fat Cats
915 W. Grand Ave.
602-252-0988

Fifth Avenue Cafe
501 W. Thomas
(602) 274-0963

Minder Binder's
McClintock & University
Tempe
480-966-1911

Monroe's
3 W. Monroe St.
602-258-1046

Pat Murphy's
32nd St. & Thomas
602-522-0669

Philthy Phil's
2939 N. 16th St.
602-279-4339

Rhythm Room
1019 E. Indian School Rd.
602-265-4842

Sugar Daddy's
3102 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-970-6556

Warsaw's Again
15220 N. Cave Creek
602-992-7476