The first round of the Journey to Memphis competition, where local blues artists give it their all for a chance to represent the Cascade Blues Association at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee is being held Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Mekong Bistro, 8200 NE Siskiyou, Portland, OR 97220. Doors open at 12:30pm, performances will take place between 1:00pm – 5:00pm.

The CBA has a long history of sending a Band and a Solo/Duo Act to the International Blues Challenge (IBC) held in Memphis January 2026. The Journey to Memphis Challenge is how we choose the competitors. A Youth Act will also be selected through a separate competition to be held later this year. They will attend but will not compete at the IBC.