Prairie Crossroads Blues Society

Upcoming Blues Events

PCBS Blues Jams!
Pipa's Pub, 604 S. Country Fair Dr., Champaign
2nd Sunday of each month, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
4th Wednesday of each month, 7:00 - 10:00 pm

Prairie Crossroads Blues Society holds two jams each month. The 2nd Sunday of each month from 4:00 to 7:00 pm and the 4th Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Both jams are held at Pipa's Pub, 604 S. Country Fair Dr., Champaign.

The host band typically plays the first set, then we open it up to all the jammers in the house. Bring your instrument and plan on sitting in!

• Jack Whittle Trio hosts the PCBS jam - Wednesday September 26
• Keith Harden hosts the PCBS jam - Sunday October 14
• The Blues Deacons host the PCBS jam - Wednesday October 24
• Michael Ledbetter hosts the PCBS jam - Sunday November 11
• Big Mo and Phat Groove host the PCBS jam - Wednesday November 28
• David Lumsden & Friends hosts the PCBS jam - Sunday December 9

Hey, we had two special jams as part of the Blues Fest Weekend. The Painkillers hosted the Happy Hour Blues Jam, Friday August 10, at Bunny's in Urbana from 4:30 to 8:30. On Sunday August 12, Robert Kimbrough Sr. brought his Cotton Patch Soul Blues to Pipa's Pub and hosted the jam from 4:00 to 7:00. Those were both great jams, hope you had a chance to participate.

Grab your instrument and join in the fun!

Google map to Pipa's Pub, 604 S. Country Fair Dr. Champaign.

Prairie Crossroads Blues Society is happy to help revive the tradition of a blues jam in the C-U area!

PCBS presents Joel DaSilva
7:00 pm Monday October 1
The Iron Post, 120 South Race St., Urbana

High energy blues influenced original rockin' roll with a mix of wide ranging covers

Johnny Cash Meets Elvis at a Stevie Ray Vaughan Concert

Joel DaSilva has blues running through his veins. Born and raised in his sweet home, Chicago, DaSilva hails from a musical family. His mother and father traveled throughout Brazil and Ukraine, his mother a singer and father accompanying her on guitar. His father passed away when he was 3, but Joel continues to channel that soulful energy in his manic and soulful live performances to this day. As soon as he was old enough to work, Joel took a job as a bar back in a blues joint where his older brother tended bar. The goal was to get closer to the music, immersing in the scene. Eventually, he was setting up equipment for touring bands and getting to know them in exchange for lessons from the masters and lessons in Music Business 101. By the age of 18, DaSilva joined his first band, Junior Drinkwater & the Thirstquenchers. He went on to play in jump blues, blues, psychobilly, and surf-oriented bands like The Regulators and the Hep Cat Boo Daddies before breaking out on his own as a solo artist.

Joel has made the finals of the IBC in Memphis and has qualified in Florida to go back and compete in the 2019 Challenge.

PCBS Monthly Meeting/Juke Joint Show
5:30 pm Thursday October 11
Po' Boys, 202 East University Ave., Urbana
Kilborn Alley plays 6:30 - 9:30

We combined our monthly meetings with the Kilborn Alley Juke Joint shows at Po' Boys! It's a chance to enjoy some delicious Po' Boys food, some beverages from local craft brewer's Triptych Brewing with great blues music and lively conversation. The joint's been packed with blues fans, friends and family enjoying the party atmosphere!

We're always open to suggestions about our monthly blues jams and are looking for folks to get more involved with our Blues In The Schools program. Consider becoming a PCBS Member and help us reach out to other blues lovers in our communities.

Blues Fest is Back, Baby!

Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest
Saturday August 11, 2:00 - 10:00 PM
Champaign County Fairgrounds
Rain or Shine!
Food trucks, beverages, 8 hours of great Blues Music!
Check out our Blues Fest page

Wow! How much Fun was that?

Autographed Ibanez G10
PCBS Guitar Raffle!
Autographed at the 2011 Blues, Brews & BBQ Fest

Thanks to everyone who participated. PCBS raised about $450 to help us put on the Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest Saturday August 11. The winning ticket was picked at the PCBS monthly meeting and Kilborn Alley show at Po' Boys restaurant on Thursday August 2. Debbi Nimon won the autographed Ibanez guitar and the 2 TajMo tickets. Thanks again!

Special thanks to Fluid Events for donating the guitar to PCBS to help us raise money and restart a Blues Fest in the Champaign-Urbana area.

Blues Dancing every Monday
BluesCentral hosts Lessons and Dancing
6:30 Free Lessons, 7:00 - 9:00 Free Dancing
*** New Location ***
Cowboy Monkey, 6 Taylor St. Champaign

BluesCENTRAL Dancers sponsor lessons & dances, 6:30 pm every Monday night. Free Beginner Lessons at 6:30, and Free Social Dancing 7:00 to 9:00

Blues every Monday: Dinner Drinks & Dancing. Beginning Monday April 2, the dancing, socializing and good times will be at the Cowboy Monkey in downtown Champaign. Until then the dancing is still in the back room at Pizza M, 208 W. Main St. Urbana.

Don't know how to dance to the blues? Don't worry! Beginner lessons at 6:30 pm will get you started. Or just come socialize with us and enjoy Cowboy Monkey's great selection of beers and wines.

Don't have a partner to dance with? No problem! We are friendly and love to dance with everyone!

Check out the BluesCENTRAL Dancers Facebook Page

Blues In The Schools

Check out the awesome Thank You notes from the South Side Elementary School students after the PCBS Spring 2015 BITS program. Thank You Page

Visit our Education Page for details about many of the educational programs PCBS has put on. If you'd like PCBS to conduct a Blues In The Schools program at your school contact us at: prairiecrossroadsblues@gmail.com.

You can now earmark your donations specifically for our Education programs. It's a great way to help us achieve our mission of educating about the blues and be a part of bringing up the next generation of blues musicians and fans.

Your tax deductable donation to our Education Fund helps to keep these programs alive

This PayPal link will direct your donation in any amount directly to our educational efforts, including our "Blues In The Schools" (BITS) program.

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Membership

Want to become part of the growing community of Blues lovers in the Champaign-Urbana and East Central Illinois area? Sign up to become a member of Prairie Crossroads Blues Society. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organized to Preserve, Promote and Educate about the Blues.

Since we were formed in 2010 we've been supporting local blues artists share their music with a wider audience. We consistently look to bring new blues artists to our area so fans get a chance to see the huge amount of talent touring on a regional and national basis. We also have a strong BITS - Blues In The Schools program.

Whether you enjoy our jams and shows, or support our efforts to teach youngsters the history and basics of blues music, now is the right time to become a PCBS Member

Membership Options:
Student = $10 per year
Individual = $20 per year
Family = $25 per year
Band = $50 per year
Corporate = $100 per year

For Family, Band and Corporate memberships, we'll contact you for the names of additional members or you can send us that information via email: pcbsmembership@gmail.com.

Please select your type of Membership

Student $10.00 Individual $20.00 Family $25.00 Band $50.00 Corporate $100.00

Name on membership

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Contact info: prairiecrossroadsblues@gmail.com

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Last Updated 09/02/2018