Ferndale Blues Festival Off to a Soulful Start
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 29, 2019)
Ferndale, MI – The annual Ferndale Blues and Music Festival is off to a great start, with hundreds of people chipping in to listen to some great blues bands and support Ferndale Youth Assistance.
The festival runs through Feb. 2, with concerts at multiple venues including Howe’s Bayou, Dino’s Lounge, Otus Supply, and more.
Dino’s Lounge was filled with soul Friday night as Daisy Love and the Renaissance Unity Band belted out classics like “Breaking Up Somebody’s Home,” and “Steppin’ in.” Love was joined for a special performance by The Undisputed Truth singing their 1971 hit “Smiling Faces.” The Renaissance Unity Band performs each Sunday at Renaissance Unity Church, which recently made their move to Ferndale.
At each venue, volunteers are on hand to talk about Ferndale Youth Assistance and to pass a plastic blue pig for collecting donations.
“Every penny goes to helping young people in Ferndale and the Ferndale School District,” said Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter who manned the party Friday night at Dino’s. “Their programs help kids who are showing signs of trouble, to get them counseling and resources to help keep them on a good path.”
The concert series also helps grown-ups beat the winter blues, and helps enhance the sense of community in the hosting businesses on what often are cold, slow nights. “It’s winter,” said Alyssa Atkinson who chairs the event and is President of the Youth Assistance board. “This is a good way to get out of the house, warm up with friends, and support a good cause.”
Concerts continue Wednesday with Metro Detroit Salsa at Orchid at 9pm. On Thursday Jan. 31 Jewish Ferndale is hosting a recovery-friendly show featuring pianist Billy Ivories followed by New York City based Gadalya. The Ferndale Elks will also have Bluesy Bar Bingo.
On Friday Joey from Channel 95.5’s Mojo in the Morning will be at Orchid, Dino’s will host karaoke, and the Ferndale Elks will have Nikki Holland and the Dirty Elizabeth’s.
The festival wraps up Saturday with the DJ BadWolf Dance Party at Orchid, Karaoke at Dino’s Lounge and Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils at Valentine Distillery.
Sponsors for the festival include Candlewick Shoppe, Giffels Webster, Jim Shaffer and Associates, Lakepointe Construction, Paul Wyzgoskia and Pamela Radike, Taube Family in memory of James Stefanson, Orchid, Dino’s Lounge, Pipeline Management, Orchid, Soho, Ferndale Elks, and Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash.
For more details visit www.ferndalebluesfestival.org.