The W.C. Handy Music Festival is a weeklong celebration of the musical heritage of northwest Alabama, honoring Florence native, W. C. Handy, "Father of the Blues." Over 200 events take place during the week, ranging from mini-concerts to headliner concerts, plays to art exhibits, picnics to restaurants and clubs. We are located almost equidistant from Nashville, Memphis and Birmingham. The area known as "The Shoals," where the majority of the events take place, includes the cities of Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals.