BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

Fans of the blues can take their pick of 46 different acts at the inaugural Black Mountain Blues festival July 12 to 14 at eight different venues in downtown Black Mountain.

“It’s not just a music festival. It’s a culture keeping event,” marketing director Pramela Thiagesan said.

“The blues is a story about truth, honesty and resilience, and the ability to capture that human experience,” Thiagesan explained.

Artists performing include Grammy nominated Sugaray Rayford, Corey Harris, Bob Margolin and Melody Angel, who is “a really great representation of women in blues,” said Thiagesan.

Touted by organizers as “a mountain of blues in a little town that rocks,” the event will be sponsored by two local non-profits, LEAF Global Arts and the White Horse Black Mountain.

Venues hosting the festival include the White Horse Black Mountain, Foothills and the Railyard. Goldfinch will provide intimate VIP events with small-crowd, acoustic performances.

The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is set to host free, family friendly, “educational events, because that’s kind of our thing,” said Lori Cozzi, executive director for the Center.

Cozzi believes “this will be a nice addition” to the annual festivals in downtown Black Mountain.

Dozens of vendors will offer art, food and services in an area open to the public. Vendor applications are open now.

“We have a few hundred tickets sold so far… hoping to sell 1500-2000 tickets,” said Thiagesan.

For more information, including tickets, see: blackmountainblues.org.