We want your music!!!

Once again, as in the olden days of 2008/9, I am asking for the music community's help. I've put the word out about the library's local music collection and I'm hoping this will result in an uptick in our donations of local music CDs. It's no secret that I've been busy, and I've had less time to go out and collect music for the library, so I'm reaching out to musicians, fans, labels to send some local music lovin' our way. Donations will have to be in CD format to be included in the collection, and should include: cover art and track listing. Receipts will be given at donor's request. You can either send your donation to: Ferndale Public Library, ATTN: Kelly Bennett, 222 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220 or simply drop them by the front desk. I can't wait to see what we get! Thanks for your help!

Here's a blurb about the collection in the Detroit News and an article in the Oakland Press which includes a bit more about the role local music plays here at FPL.

Speaking of which....Next Friday, February 3rd, avid library lovers, The High Strung will grace our Community  Room once again. Drew Bardo of The Questions will go on at 7, and THS will play at 8. Make it a part of your Blues Fest weekend!

Odds and Ends...of the Year!

2011 is winding down and it's been a heck of a year here at the library. February saw us up and running again, delighted that all our old patrons (and tons of new ones) found their way back to us. In March, we  started up First Stop Friday again with the electrifying Sheefy McFly and the Delorean and Electric Lamp Rays. We had a hugely successful Summer Concert series with The Bridge Project, Jeffrey Zook and Bret Hoag and The Candy Band. The music collection, both mainstream, indie and local has grown enough for us to have to expand the shelves already, and those CDs are being checked out in fat stacks. The new year promises more great bands for First Stop Friday, with Superbomb and Old Empire playing on January 6th. Next year's summer concert series will be a go thanks mostly to the bake and jam sale we held last month, and I'm mulling over some interesting, out of the ordinary options.

Later this month, the epic Mittenfest will grace Ypsilanti again. After raising a record $15,000 for youth literacy non-profit organization 826michigan (http://www.826michigan.org) last
year, Mittenfest will return with 5 days of music in its sixth consecutive year. Mittenfest VI will be held over New Year's weekend, December 28 through January 1 at Woodruff's in Ypsilanti, showcasing a range of independent musical talent from across the state and beyond. Highlights for me include FAWN,  Ryan Allen and His Extra Arms, Matt Jones and the Reconstruction, Drunken Barn Dance, Electric Fire Babies, Black Jake and the Carnies, Passalacqua, Chris Bathgate, and the long-awaited return of Great Lakes Myth Society.  Get your butt out to Ypsi this weekend!

Here's some video from December's First Stop Friday.

Here's to an awesome 2012!