MUSIC enthusiasts packed the Gold Dust Lounge last night to help celebrate the Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival launch.
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Digg opened the acts and Pete Gavin hosted an open mic hour before Alister Turrill, the Uke Joint Jumpers, and Hailey Calvert all performed.
Alawishus Jones and the Outright Lies closed the night out after playing the first set of the festival in Hargreaves Mall at 11am.
Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters help launch the festival saying that once again Bendigo was spoiled for choice at the festival.
"This is one of the best weekends we have on the Bendigo calendar," she said.
"It's a weekend where Bendigo comes alive and a weekend where local artists remind us how talented they are.
"It's hard to know where to go - I've been studying my program trying to decide who to see."
Ms Chesters said she would spend time at the Civic Garden music event volunteering.
"This event is volunteer-run and credit needs to go to them," she said.
"They start planning this in January and the festival has proven itself to be a success."
Festival founder Colin Thompson said it was amazing how much everyone wanted to be involved.
"This is a festival built by Bendigonians for Bendigo and beyond," he said.
"We do everything we can for Bendigonians and for this festival. It just so happens that people from national parts of the music scene want to be involved as well, which is pretty cool.
"They recognise the value of what we are doing, which is rebuild a music scene and an arts scene for everyone."
Mr Thompson said promoting the music scene was something he had longed strived for.
"It's something I'm proud of and I'm proud of the crew that has helped make it happen," he said.
The Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival continues today, tomorrow and Sunday.
For more information log on to www.bendigobluesandroots.com.au
For more BBRMF stories turn to pages 17-20.
