DC BLUES are to hold a blues festival for charity on Saturday, April 6 at The Crescent community venue in York.

“Putting on a festival in our home city is something that DC Blues have talked about doing for a while,” says event co-organiser and blues singer and harmonica player Paul Winn. “It’s not something we’ve attempted to do before, but we were spurred into action following some devastating news when a very close friend and their partner tragically lost their baby at birth.

“As friends, we felt helpless but knew we could try do something positive and music is something they are good at. The York Blues Festival will be in aid of charity and we’ll be donating all profits to the Charlies Angel Centre Foundation, in Leeds, who do fantastic work in providing counselling and supporting bereaved parents.”

Paul, an independent blues broadcaster on Jorvik Radio, Tempo FM and Hanks Blues Radio in the United States, was delighted by the response to DC Blues shout-out to bands for this spring’s event. “After putting out a message on social media, there was an astounding amount of interest from people who wanted to attend, as well as more than 200 applications, from blues bands from all over the World who wanted to play,” he says.

Headliners The Achievers, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, will be joined in the line-up by Mike Darwin; Steve Fulsham Band; Soulcasters; TC Blues Band; Groove-a-Matics; Dogfinger Steve; Emma Wilson Blues Band; Miles Gilderdale and DC Blues.

“DC Blues are now looking for local companies to either sponsor the bands or donate raffle prizes as there will be a prize draw on the day,” says Paul. “The organisers can be contacted either through their Facebook page, facebook.com/Yorkbluesfestival, or by emailing yorkbluesfest@gmail.com.”

Tickets are available at £12.50 from The Crescent community venue, in The Crescent, off Blossom Street, and Earworm Records, in Powells Yard, Goodramgate, or at yorkbluesfest.co.uk or at £15 on the door.