On Sunday, September 27, 2026 at the Flying Tiger Brewery, the Ouachita River Blues Society will be hosting their fourth annual Blues Challenge.
The first five Bands and the first five Solo/Duo acts to register according to the rules will compete before a live audience. Winners of this challenge will advance to compete at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) to represent the Ouachita River Blues Society (ORBS). The IBC will take place in Memphis on January 19-23, 2027.
Adrienne LaFrance-Wells and Kirby Rambin from the Ouachita River Blues Society sat down for an interview with Cory Crowe on Lagniappe, where they talked about the ORBS Blues Challenge, as well as the Ouachita River Blues Society itself.
"Our mission is really to support blues heritage through education, promotion of live music in North Louisiana," said Adrienne LaFrance-Wells. "And we are one of two Blues Societies in the state of Louisiana out of 200 around the world that is qualified to send acts to compete at the International Blues Challenge."
"We have I think five bands and two solo acts ready, and it's been a great show every year we've done it, and it's grown every year and I'm really excited about it," said Kirby Rambin.
Entry to this event is $10 per person, $5 for ORBS members. Guests are encouraged to bring their own seating, as the Flying Tiger Brewery has limited seating.
All acts to register must live within 250 miles of Monroe.
For more information, visit the ORBS Facebook page at facebook.com/orbs318, or visit orbs318.com.
