Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - MBAS

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.
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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 – EARLY 7:00pm START! Blues Challenge SOLO/DUO HEAT 🔥🔥🔥(NO Blues Jams tonight) FREE ENTRY. Book by 1:00pm today for remaining guaranteed table seating – walkups are welcome and doors open at 6:00pm for meals. Come and cheer on all the acts – which 2 Top-Scorers from tonight will go straight to the Final?🎶💙🎥NOTE: We LIVESTREAM the HEAT from 7pm! Go to the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society - MBAS page to view.

🎶💙⭐️ANNOUNCING – 2026 MBAS Blues Challenge – SOLO/DUO category acts, kicks off NEXT WEEK with a HEAT elimination... Which 2 top scoring SOLO/DUO acts from the Heat will proceed to the FINAL?

TUESDAY 14th JULY
Early start: 7:00pm sharp (doors 6:00pm)
FREE ENTRY • Book Seats: www.mbas.org.au/blues-challenge-14-07-2026 Come along to support and cheer on all the acts!

SOLO/DUO Category acts:
MARTIN & MAREE • GYPSY KING JONES • KIER STEVENS • REVEREND DOWNBEAT • PAULY BOY BLUE • BIG T BLUES
The 2 top-scoring Solo/Duo Category acts from the Heat will proceed to the Blues Challenge FINAL on Sunday 20th September. Then the ultimate Solo/Duo Winner at the Final will be headed to Memphis USA in January 2027 to compete at the International Blues Challenge (IBC)!

** NOTE: NO BLUES JAMS TONITE **

FREE ENTRY & WALKUPS WELCOME – Guaranteed seating book here: www.mbas.org.au/blues-challenge-14-07-2026

https://mailchi.mp/990a38a8694a/mbas-blues-weekly-13072026

TONIGHT at MBAS – CATCH 23 + BLUES JAM!🔥🎸🥁🎸🔥 FREE ENTRY. Book by 2:30pm today for guaranteed table seating – walkups are welcome and doors open at 6:30pm for meals. Catch 23 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 7th JULY 2026 • FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
8:00pm: Feature act: CATCH 23
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-07-07-2026
🎶🎥NOTE: The Feature Act is LIVESTREAMED on the night from 8:00pm via the MBAS page.

CATCH 23 is a Melbourne-based blues rock band who have been carving out a name for themselves since their formation in 2018. Known for their gritty, soulful sound blending classic blues with rock influences, the band have quickly became a staple on the local live music scene. Their debut album, "Blues Hotel" (2022), followed by “Bullet Full of Blues” (2025) showcased their undeniable chemistry, earning them praise for their authentic approach to the blues genre, while injecting fresh elements into their sound. With tracks ranging from guitar-driven rockers, to soulful ballads and funky grooves, both releases struck a chord with fans of both traditional and contemporary blues rock.

While the first two albums featured all-original tracks, the band’s third album, "Stomping Ground" to be released later this year, comprises their take on classic tunes which regular gig-goers will recognise and appreciate. Whether they're tearing up the stage or laying down tracks in the studio, Catch 23's commitment to authenticity and passion for the blues shines through in everything they do. Catch 23 are a popular, returning feature act at the MBAS House of 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.

🎶💙⭐️ANNOUNCING – 2026 MBAS Blues Challenge – SOLO/DUO category acts, kicks off NEXT WEEK with a HEAT elimination... Which 2 top scoring SOLO/DUO acts from the Heat will proceed to the FINAL?

TUESDAY 14th JULY
Early start: 7:00pm sharp (doors 6:00pm)
FREE ENTRY • Book Seats: www.mbas.org.au/blues-challenge-14-07-2026 Come along to support and cheer on all the acts!

SOLO/DUO Category acts:
MARTIN & MAREE • GYPSY KING JONES • KIER STEVENS • REVEREND DOWNBEAT • PAULY BOY BLUE • BIG T BLUES
The 2 top-scoring Solo/Duo Category acts from the Heat will proceed to the Blues Challenge FINAL on Sunday 20th September. Then the ultimate Solo/Duo Winner at the Final will be headed to Memphis USA in January 2027 to compete at the International Blues Challenge (IBC)!

** NOTE: NO BLUES JAMS TONITE **

FREE ENTRY & WALKUPS WELCOME – Guaranteed seating book here: www.mbas.org.au/blues-challenge-14-07-2026

https://mailchi.mp/8a5ab6e96cb6/mbas-blues-weekly-06072026?e=c279023297

MBAS 'HOUSE OF BLUES' @ FLEMINGTON BOWLS CLUB
Tuesday 7th JULY 2026 • FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
8:00pm: Feature act: CATCH 23
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-07-07-2026
🎶🎥NOTE: The Feature Act is LIVESTREAMED on the night from 8:00pm via the MBAS page.

CATCH 23 is a Melbourne-based blues rock band who have been carving out a name for themselves since their formation in 2018. Known for their gritty, soulful sound blending classic blues with rock influences, the band have quickly became a staple on the local live music scene. Their debut album, "Blues Hotel" (2022), followed by “Bullet Full of Blues” (2025) showcased their undeniable chemistry, earning them praise for their authentic approach to the blues genre, while injecting fresh elements into their sound. With tracks ranging from guitar-driven rockers, to soulful ballads and funky grooves, both releases struck a chord with fans of both traditional and contemporary blues rock.

While the first two albums featured all-original tracks, the band’s third album, "Stomping Ground" to be released later this year, comprises their take on classic tunes which regular gig-goers will recognise and appreciate. Whether they're tearing up the stage or laying down tracks in the studio, Catch 23's commitment to authenticity and passion for the blues shines through in everything they do. Catch 23 are a popular, returning feature act at the MBAS House of 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.