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| Ferndale Blues Festival celebrates 10 years For the 10th year in a row, the City of Ferndale will rock 'n' roll with the sounds of great music during the nine days of the Bud Light Ferndale Blues Festival from Jan. 28-Feb. 5. Held across the city in more than 20 venues, up to 60 individual concerts will be held during the depths of winter to bring music and energy to southeast Michigan. "It gets me out of the house in the dead of winter for hot music, spicy food and warm people, " said Craig Covey, event co-founder and Oakland County Commissioner, in a press release. The festival is held each year in late January through early February to raise money for two local charitable organizations, the Michigan AIDS Coalition and Ferndale Youth Assistance, both located in this small city just north of Detroit. Volunteers pass blue piggy banks around at concerts and locations across the city to raise funds. Along with sponsorships, the festival raises more than $20, 000 each year. About 40 hand-crafted blue piggy banks, created by a class of students from Detroit public schools, are in stores and locations around the city already. A youth concert, featuring the Ferndale High School and Middle School jazz bands, will be held again this year at 6 p.m. Feb. 2 at Level One Bank. In addition to the charitable aspect, the festival is designed to bring people out of their homes during the long Michigan winter for camaraderie, great music and culture. "Live music, people-watching and mingling; great food and helping local charities - all the while supporting local businesses, " said event co-chair Monica Mills. "It doesn't get much better than that!" The events climax each year with a huge outdoor Blues and Ribs Barbecue tent on the last day of the festival sponsored by Dino's Lounge on Woodward Avenue (this year from noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 5). Eight local celebrities, businesses and chefs will compete to win awards for the best barbecue ribs. Major sponsors this year include Bud Light, Blue Care Network of Michigan, Level One Bank and Dino's Lounge. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Jazz News :: home page |