Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - MBAS

MBAS 'HOUSE OF BLUES' @ FLEMINGTON BOWLS CLUB
Tuesday 4th AUGUST 2026 • FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
8:00pm: Feature act: BURNING B3 TRIO
9:00pm – 11:00pm: Blues Jam (Jammers to register by 8:30pm)
6:30pm: Doors open + KITCHEN OPEN FOR MEALS (6:30pm – 8:30pm)
FREE entry and walkups are always welcome, but attendees are encouraged to pre-book via the MBAS website for guaranteed table seating. Please 'BOOK' a single or multiple (group) ticket here: https://www.mbas.org.au/house-of-blues-04-08-2026
🎶🎥NOTE: The Feature Act is LIVESTREAMED on the night from 8:00pm via the MBAS page.

BURNING B3 TRIO are an exciting interplay of LIAM KEALY’s Hammond B3 organ and SAMMY OWEN on Stratocaster, joined by MARK AIRD on drums. The trio delivers a powerful performance of authentic blues styles, from blazing jump blues to sizzling slow blues, and some funky jams in-between. Owen and Kealy have a distinctive classic style and play a true "Hammond trio, traditional blues show”– a fantastic night of music for aficionados of Hammond and Stratocaster blues!
********
ABOUT THE MBAS: Formed in 1990, the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) is a not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer team of blues music lovers. MBAS hosts free Tuesday night live music events and jams at its clubhouse at Flemington Bowls Club, alongside producing special ticketed events and a free "Blues Weekly" e-newsletter. All MBAS initiatives – including the annual International Blues Challenge, Women 'N' Blues and Youth in Blues Programs – are funded by weekly raffle drives, Membership fees and donations. Thank you to President & Committee of the Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club for hosting all our live blues music events.

TONIGHT at MBAS – SALTY DOG BLUES BAND + BLUES JAM!🔥🎸🥁🎸🔥 FREE ENTRY. Book by 2:30pm today for guaranteed table seating – walkups are welcome and doors open at 6:30pm for meals. Salty Dog are on at 8pm + Blues Jam at 9pm. 🎶💙🎥NOTE: We LIVESTREAM the Feature Act from 8pm every Tuesday! Go to the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - MBAS page to view.

MBAS 'HOUSE OF BLUES' @ FLEMINGTON BOWLS CLUB
Tuesday 28th JULY 2026 • FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
8:00pm: Feature act: SALTY DOG BLUES BAND
9:00pm – 11:00pm: Blues Jam (Jammers to register by 8:30pm)
6:30pm: Doors open + KITCHEN OPEN FOR MEALS (6:30pm – 8:30pm)
FREE entry and walkups are always welcome, but attendees are encouraged to pre-book via the MBAS website for guaranteed table seating. Please 'BOOK' a single or multiple (group) ticket here: https://www.mbas.org.au/house-of-blues-28-07-2026
🎶🎥NOTE: The Feature Act is LIVESTREAMED on the night from 8:00pm via the MBAS page.

SALTY DOG BLUES BAND are back with the high energy Chicago Blues/Mississippi Hill Country Blues style combo they are famous for. Holding an impressive 11 album releases under their belts, Salty Dog are led by multi award-winning Blues artists STEVE PLATER and MARION TURNER. With the achievement of a scoop of prestigious Chain and Vic/Tas Blues Awards to their credit over many years, Steve and Marion have clocked up many thousands of kilometres around Australia on their Blues journey since the mid 90's.

From their home base in Ballarat, Salty Dog perform regularly, touring locally and interstate, including spots at regional Blues festivals and overseas tours. Steve is renowned for his wickedly deft slide-guitar playing and expertise across a range of stringed instruments. Recognised as one of Australia's finest multi-instrumentalists, Steve performs with his own awesome-sounding Cigar Box guitar creations and a selection from his electric guitar collection, alongside Marion who delivers distinctive power-house vocals in addition to being one of the country's top harmonica players. Backed by an impressive rhythm section – powerhouse drummer DAVID ‘DOUGIE’ McDOUGALL, and MAT SING on bass, Salty Dog continue to be a guaranteed crowd pleaser live.

Photo Credit: Julie Meetup

********
ABOUT THE MBAS: Formed in 1990, the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) is a not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer team of blues music lovers. MBAS hosts free Tuesday night live music events and jams at its clubhouse at Flemington Bowls Club, alongside producing special ticketed events and a free "Blues Weekly" e-newsletter. All MBAS initiatives – including the annual International Blues Challenge, Women 'N' Blues and Youth in Blues Programs – are funded by weekly raffle drives, Membership fees and donations. Thank you to President & Committee of the Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club for hosting all our live blues music events.

https://mailchi.mp/9fe3f058fdf0/mbas-blues-weekly-27072026

🎶💙⭐️ANNOUNCING – 2026 MBAS Blues Challenge – BAND category acts, kick off NEXT MONTH with 2 HEAT eliminations... Which 2 top scoring BAND acts from each Heat will proceed to the FINAL? Early start: 7:00pm sharp (doors 6:00pm) FREE ENTRY • BOOKINGS NOW OPEN!

11 x Great BAND Category acts:
⭐️HEAT #1: TUESDAY 11th AUGUST
www.mbas.org.au/blues-challenge-11-08-2026
House of Voodoo • Brett Franke Trio • Ozone Street • Paulie Bignell & The Thornbury Two • Frankie & The Bad Cats • The River Men

⭐️HEAT #2: WEDNESDAY 12th AUGUST
www.mbas.org.au/blues-challenge-12-08-2026
James Hood Trio • Pete Hachel & Groove 67 • Elly Poletti Band • Tim Stout & The Hoodoomen • Gareth Huggett & The Remedy

Come along to support and cheer on all the acts!

The 2 top-scoring BAND Category acts from each Heat will proceed to the Blues Challenge FINAL on Sunday 20th September. Then the ultimate Band Winner at the Final, along with the Solo/Duo Winner, will both be headed to Memphis USA in January 2027 to compete at the International Blues Challenge (IBC)!

** NOTE: NO BLUES JAMS ON HEATS NIGHT **
FREE ENTRY & WALKUPS WELCOME – Book now as seats won't last – hurry to avoid disappointment:
⭐️HEAT #1: TUESDAY 11th AUGUST
www.mbas.org.au/blues-challenge-11-08-2026
⭐️HEAT #2: WEDNESDAY 12th AUGUST
www.mbas.org.au/blues-challenge-12-08-2026

MBAS 'HOUSE OF BLUES' @ FLEMINGTON BOWLS CLUB
Tuesday 28th JULY 2026 • FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
8:00pm: Feature act: SALTY DOG BLUES BAND
9:00pm – 11:00pm: Blues Jam (Jammers to register by 8:30pm)
6:30pm: Doors open + KITCHEN OPEN FOR MEALS (6:30pm – 8:30pm)
FREE entry and walkups are always welcome, but attendees are encouraged to pre-book via the MBAS website for guaranteed table seating. Please 'BOOK' a single or multiple (group) ticket here: https://www.mbas.org.au/house-of-blues-28-07-2026
🎶🎥NOTE: The Feature Act is LIVESTREAMED on the night from 8:00pm via the MBAS page.

SALTY DOG BLUES BAND are back with the high energy Chicago Blues/Mississippi Hill Country Blues style combo they are famous for. Holding an impressive 11 album releases under their belts, Salty Dog are led by multi award-winning Blues artists STEVE PLATER and MARION TURNER. With the achievement of a scoop of prestigious Chain and Vic/Tas Blues Awards to their credit over many years, Steve and Marion have clocked up many thousands of kilometres around Australia on their Blues journey since the mid 90's.

From their home base in Ballarat, Salty Dog perform regularly, touring locally and interstate, including spots at regional Blues festivals and overseas tours. Steve is renowned for his wickedly deft slide-guitar playing and expertise across a range of stringed instruments. Recognised as one of Australia's finest multi-instrumentalists, Steve performs with his own awesome-sounding Cigar Box guitar creations and a selection from his electric guitar collection, alongside Marion who delivers distinctive power-house vocals in addition to being one of the country's top harmonica players. Backed by an impressive rhythm section – powerhouse drummer DAVID ‘DOUGIE’ McDOUGALL, and MAT SING on bass, Salty Dog continue to be a guaranteed crowd pleaser live.

Photo Credit: Julie Meetup

********
ABOUT THE MBAS: Formed in 1990, the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) is a not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer team of blues music lovers. MBAS hosts free Tuesday night live music events and jams at its clubhouse at Flemington Bowls Club, alongside producing special ticketed events and a free "Blues Weekly" e-newsletter. All MBAS initiatives – including the annual International Blues Challenge, Women 'N' Blues and Youth in Blues Programs – are funded by weekly raffle drives, Membership fees and donations. Thank you to President & Committee of the Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club for hosting all our live blues music events.

🎶💙THE 2026 MBAS BLUES CHALLENGE SOLO/DUO HEAT – 2 TOP SCORING ACTS ANNOUNCED!💙🎶Last Tuesday’s MBAS Blues Challenge SOLO/DUO HEAT was played – BIG CONGRATS to the 2 TOP SCORING acts: ⭐️KIER STEVENS & GYPSY KING JONES⭐️ – both headed to the FINAL playoff in September!

Well done to all 6 Solo/Duo acts performing in the Heat! Alongside KIER STEVENS & GYPSY KING JONES were MARTIN & MAREE, PAULY BOY BLUE, BIG T BLUES and REVEREND DOWNBEAT. Thanks to all for being such great competitors.

So, which top scoring Solo/Duo act at the September Final will win entry to the January IBC in Memphis USA? All travel/accom expenses for the winning Solo/Duo Category act is paid by Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (valued at over $5,000), plus an extra $600 cash prize to the Solo/Duo winner, courtesy of the generous support of Elwood Blues Club.

Soon to be announced – Stay tuned for 2 BAND HEATS coming up in AUGUST, on Tues 11th & 12th!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who attended the SOLO/DUO HEAT and showed their support, the judges and valued sponsors 3PBS FM, Elwood Blues Club, Hume Blues Club, and the Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club for hosting us – and the MBAS volunteer committee for running a smooth event! The Livestream of the Heat can be back-viewed on the MBAS page.

Photos: Juli Meetup

TONIGHT at MBAS – DINNEN & SHORTY + BLUES JAM!🔥🎸🥁🎸🔥 FREE ENTRY. Book by 2:30pm today for guaranteed table seating – walkups are welcome and doors open at 6:30pm for meals. Dan Dinnen & Shorty are on at 8pm + Blues Jam at 9pm. 🎶💙🎥NOTE: We LIVESTREAM the Feature Act from 8pm every Tuesday! Go to the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - MBAS page to view.

MBAS 'HOUSE OF BLUES' @ FLEMINGTON BOWLS CLUB
Tuesday 21st JULY 2026 • FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
8:00pm: Feature act: DAN DINNEN & SHORTY
9:00pm – 11:00pm: Blues Jam (Jammers to register by 8:30pm)
6:30pm: Doors open + KITCHEN OPEN FOR MEALS (6:30pm – 8:30pm)
FREE entry and walkups are always welcome, but attendees are encouraged to pre-book via the MBAS website for guaranteed table seating. Please 'BOOK' a single or multiple (group) ticket here: https://www.mbas.org.au/house-of-blues-21-07-2026
🎶🎥NOTE: The Feature Act is LIVESTREAMED on the night from 8:00pm via the MBAS page.

DAN DINNEN & SHORTY dish up a bluesy gumbo of rootsy goodness featuring original tunes laid down with hypnotic fingerpicking guitar, peppered with tasty blues harp, wrapped up and driven along by lush drums ‘n’ percussion. With a pulsing, swinging juke-joint groove, it’s a little bit delta swamp, a little bit hill country, a lot its own unique flavour.

DAN DINNEN has won a swag of Australian blues music awards for his work as a solo performer, for his studio recordings and song writing, and as a front-man/vocalist/harp-slinger. Dan’s repertoire of original tunes move from soulful, searching ballads to swampy shuffles and stomping barrel-house boogies, drawing on a wide range of blues influences, especially pre-war and country, delta and hill country, and the rich vein of blues singer-songwriters both past and present.

ANTHONY “SHORTY” SHORTTE is an astoundingly original drummer/percussionist with a feel grounded in deep Southern grooves. With Collard Greens and Gravy, Shorty’s drumming helped to create a rolling, rollicking, juke-joint sound that captivated audiences at gigs and festivals around the country for 20 years. Shorty is also well regarded for his current work with Kerri Simpson and Alison Ferrier in Melbourne band Opelousas.

Following the release of their self-titled debut album, Dan Dinnen & Shorty were awarded Music Victoria’s Best Blues Act (2021) and won the MBAS Solo/Duo of the Year (2022). Their 2025 release “Jeff’s Shed”, made it to Number One on the Australian Blues and Roots Airplay Charts.
********
ABOUT THE MBAS: Formed in 1990, the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) is a not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer team of blues music lovers. MBAS hosts free Tuesday night live music events and jams at its clubhouse at Flemington Bowls Club, alongside producing special ticketed events and a free "Blues Weekly" e-newsletter. All MBAS initiatives – including the annual International Blues Challenge, Women 'N' Blues and Youth in Blues Programs – are funded by weekly raffle drives, Membership fees and donations. Thank you to President & Committee of the Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club for hosting all our live blues music events.

https://mailchi.mp/3155daf7296a/mbas-blues-weekly-20072026