30th HANDY Awards May 6-7, 2009

It's time to be aware that the 30th (W.C.) Handy Awards (which some out-of-town renamers are trying to call the "Blues Music" Awards) are being given out in Memphis (where the hell else would be as good and right?) this week. You can click here for the Blues Foundation's page including "Additional Events," but here are the "Official Events":

Official Events at Memphis Marriott Downtown, 250 North Main Street, and Cook Convention Center, 255 North Main Street

Wednesday, May 6

1:00pm-5:00pm Ticket Will Call and Silent Auction -- Marriott

6:00pm Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony -- Marriott

Thursday, May 7

10:00am-2:00pm Silent Auction & Blues Music Award Merchandise Sales -- Marriott

10:00am-4:00pm Ticket Will Call -- Marriott

2:00pm Mississippi Blues Trail Marker Unveiling (Mississippi Fred McDowell), Como, MS

3:00pm Drink Ticket Sales Open -- Marriott

5:00pm Ticket Will Call and Drink Ticket Sales -- Convention Center

5:30pm Pre-Awards Reception featuring performances by 2009 Blues Music Award nominees. Earwig Records Presents Sharon McConnell's "A Cast of Blues" -- Convention Center

5:30-11:00pm Silent auction & Blues Music Award Merchandise Sales -- Convention Center

7:00pm-1:00am -- Dinner, Awards & Nominee performances -- Convention Center

You locals like me can skip the $125 tickets for record label honchos and just go to this:

Saturday, May 9

8:00pm South Memphis Stringband (Luther Dickinson, Alvin Youngblood Hart & Jimbo Mathis) -- Otherlands Coffeehouse

Oopers, looks like Luther's dad is showing up to play too. $10. Click here for show details.

Then I'll see you at Wild Bill's for a nightcap!