The Blues Festival: not just blues?

This year's Annual Ferndale Blues & Music Festival, set for Jan. 27-Feb. 4, won't just give you the blues. The festival, held in downtown Ferndale and neighboring cities, is growing in 2012 and showcasing an array of musicians and bands – in blues, jazz, rock, country and contemporary styles. Each year the festival features up to 70 separate concerts and events at 22 venues over the course of nine days. More than 60 volunteers work the events, which raise more than $22,000 in proceeds for two local charities each year.
More venues, more concerts, more volunteers and more participating cities are on tap for this year's Blues & Music Festival. All proceeds go toward two local charities: Ferndale Youth Assistance http://www.ferndaleyouthassistance.org and Michigan AIDS Coalition http://www.michiganaidscoalition.org. Venues include bars, nightclubs, restaurants, comedy clubs, coffeehouses, churches, schools and community centers. More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the events.
All contributions, donations and sponsorships are tax deductible under federal IRS regulations. The Blues & Music Festival is supported by the City of Ferndale, the Ferndale DDA, Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, Oakland County Youth Assistance, MAC, elected officials, and numerous community organizations and media outlets.