ALBANY, NY (02/26/2013)(readMedia)-- The City of Albany and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) announce the 2nd Annual Downtown Albany Blues Music Contest. The competition, slated for Friday, May 3, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, will take place in numerous downtown Albany establishments, and feature regional and local blues bands competing for the prize of playing at one of theCity of Albany's Alive at Five outdoor concerts this summer.

This year's competition includes an increase in the stipend for local and regional bands, as well as a new scoring method. 50% of the vote will be designated by a distinguished judge and 50% of the vote will be designated by popular vote. Attendees will be invited to vote for their favorite performance throughout the evening and the winner will be announced on the BID's website and social media channels by midnight that Friday evening. Designed to encourage attendees to explore multiple Downtown venues, participants must visit at least three venues for their vote to count.

First and second placed bands will perform at the City of Albany's Alive at Five music series. The date and time for the Alive at Five performance is to be announced. The first placed act will additionally perform at the BID's Downtown Albany Fall Car Show on October 12, 2013 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

"It is great to see the Downtown Albany BID improving upon the success of their events and offering a promotional channel for the talent that exists in our great City," said City of Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings. "I applaud the BID's hard work, and I look forward to seeing people out on our historic streets enjoying New York's Capital City during this year's Blues Music Contest."

"Nearly 1,000 blues lovers attended our inaugural competition last spring as downtown Albany transformed into a New Orleans-esque music landscape," said Georgette Steffens, Executive Director, Downtown Albany BID, "We hope to see the return of all of the wonderful talent that performed last year as well as some new faces. Past winners have received considerable exposure not only at the competitions, but through prize performances through the City of Albany."

Blues artists applications are available on the BID website at www.downtownalbany.org. Completed applications, along with two songs (mp3 files) and a high resolution promotional photo (jpeg format) should be emailed to the BID at arosa@downtownalbany.org or received at the BID office on 40 N. Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12207 by Monday, March 25, 2013 at 3:00 PM. Bands chosen to compete will be paid a $200 stipend for their performance and provided food by their assigned venue. Blues Music Contest winners will be compensated for their prize performances at Alive at Five and the Downtown Albany Fall Car Show.

For additional information contact August Rosa 518.465.2143 x10 or arosa@downtownalbany.org. For the latest information regarding the Downtown Albany Blues Music Contest please visit www.downtownalbany.org.

Since 1996, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) has worked to restore, promote and maintain the character and vitality of downtown Albany and improve the quality of life and overall image of downtown for those who work in, live in and visit New York's Capital City. The BID is a private, not-for profit 501(c) (3) organization. For more information about the Downtown Albany BID please visit www.downtownalbany.org | call 518.465.2143 | follow @downtownalbany.

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Posted Tuesday February 26, 2013 at 08:01 am by Downtown Albany BID
Last Updated Friday March 22, 2013 at 12:49 pm