2013 Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival Abounds with Music, Art & More, Now thru 6/16

The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, a production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, is set to fulfill its mission of connecting the community to the arts this summer, today, June 7 - 16, 2013, in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 10-day Festival is free and open to the public and presents high-quality and diverse visual and performing art attractions sprawling from the newly renovated Point State Park at the confluence of the city's famed three rivers, through picturesque Gateway Center, and into Pittsburgh's world-renowned 14-block Cultural District. During its vast and varied history, the Festival has featured more than 12,000 artists and entertained millions of residents and visitors, including an annual crowd of 400,000.

This year's Festival is significant for its role as a foundation to a number of cooperating high-profile cultural events bringing national and international attention to the City of Pittsburgh. Together, the events symbolize Pittsburgh's 30-year transformation into a global city with a thriving quality of life.

"We are proud of the continued development of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, and excited to celebrate its 54th year. The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival contributes to the cultural vitality of the city, and generates over $23 million dollars, serving as an economic stimulus to the region," said Kevin McMahon, President & CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. "This year, we are even more proud of the collaborative spirit of community partnership that has prevailed throughout planning and programming. There will be Riverlights at the Point, the grand reopening of the Point State Park fountain presented by Riverlife, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources of Pennsylvania, and the Festival; Point Made! celebrating the opening of the Homestead section of the Great Allegheny Passage and terminus marker in Point State Park; PRIDEFest; the Americans for the Arts Conference; our Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival and other events. We are proud to serve as an artistic and cultural connector between local and national organizations, the city of Pittsburgh, and the world."

Joseph B. Smith, Senior Vice President Marketing for Dollar Bank added, "Dollar Bank is pleased to continue a long tradition of providing community events in downtown Pittsburgh. The 10-day Festival represents a microcosm of activity that is taking place throughout our neighborhoods, 365 days per year, and we are proud to serve as the Presenting Sponsor. We are very pleased to see the return of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in their third consecutive year, in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Opera." The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will feature two Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists who will help to kick off the Pittsburgh Opera's 75th Anniversary.

"The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to be a part of this year's Festival that is enjoyed by so many people in our community" remarked James A. Wilkinson, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

This year, the Festival also welcomes Veronica Corpuz as the Director. Corpuz has infused the Festival with a new vision statement that includes re-imagining and envisioning the Pittsburgh region as a place where impactful, artful experiences contribute directly to the quality of life for everyone and are embraced as essential for the entire community. "We believe that art matters, and we envision the Festival as a safe place for the open exchange of creativity and dialogue, ideas and participation," said Corpuz. "Through the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, we seek to present a full spectrum of programming that collectively creates vibrancy throughout Downtown Pittsburgh, provides respite and fun, and evokes a sense of awe and wonder," she concluded.

The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is made possible by the generous support of Colcom Foundation, Laurel Foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation, the Bessie F. Anathan Charitable Trust of the Pittsburgh Foundation, The Grable Foundation, The Fine Foundation, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, The Buhl Foundation, American Eagle Outfitters' Foundation, imaginePittsburgh.com, and Vibrant Pittsburgh.

DOLLAR BANK STAGE HEADLINERS:

All headline concerts on the Dollar Bank Stage begin at 7:30 p.m. in Point State Park. The headline concerts will be augmented by additional live music on opening weekend, June 7 - 9, as musicians perform on three stages positioned on the streets of the Cultural District at the 3rd annual Pittsburgh JazzLive International Festival, a 3-day event produced in cooperation with the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. More information is available at PittsburghJazzLive.com

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros | Friday, June 7 | 7:30 - 9 pm

Concert is part of the kickoff of the "Riverlights at The Point" celebration marking the conclusion of renovations in Point State Park. "Riverlights at The Point" is presented by Riverlife, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival.

Ralph Stanley | Saturday, June 8 | 7:30 - 9 pm

Bluegrass Day supported by Colcom Foundation. Other performances include Allegheny Drifters, Mon River Ramblers and Great American Taxi. Second Stage performances include The Unknown String Band and the Shelf Life String Band.

Cello Fury with special guests Joy Ike and Scott Blasey of the Clarks | Sunday, June 9 | 7:30 - 9 pm

This WYEP Regional Showcase performance is supported by American Eagle Outfitters' Foundation and will feature performances by Sleep Experiments, The Deceptions and Grand Piano.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra | Monday, June 10 | 7:30 - 9 pm

Music Director: Manfred Honeck. Program will feature Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists Jasmine Muhammed and Kyle Oliver to kick off the Pittsburgh Opera's 75th Anniversary.

Grupo Fantasma | Tuesday, June 11 | 7:30 - 9 pm

Grammy award-winning Latin funk band

Glen Hansard | Wednesday, June 12 | 7:30 - 9 pm

Acclaimed songwriter from The Swell Season and The Frames

Lucius | Thursday, June 13| 7:30 - 9 pm

Lauded Indie-Pop band

Red Baraat | Friday, June 14 | 7:30 - 9 pm

The pioneering bhangra and brass celebration music of Red Baraat will be presented as part of World Music Day supported by Vibrant Pittsburgh. Jontre will open World Music Day, performing Latin and African-American grooves with Columbian flavor.

The Airborne Toxic Event | Saturday, June 15 | 7:30 - 9 pm

Anthemic Indie-Rock band

The Blind Boys of Alabama | Sunday, June 16 | 7:30 - 9 pm

The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. The group has attained the highest levels of achievement in a career that spans over 70 years and shows no signs of diminishing. Blind Boys of Alabama's musical events appeal to audiences of all cultures, as evidenced by an international itinerary that has taken them to virtually every continent.

PUBLIC ART HIGHLIGHTS:

American Hero #4 |Gateway Center Lawn | Daily, 12pm - 9pm

Artist: Hugh Hayden

Hugh Hayden recently participated in the 2012 Socrates Sculpture Park Emerging Artist Fellowship in New York. The Dallas native is also a recent resident of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Workspace Residency and visiting artist at New York University. He is currently participating in the Abrons Art Center AIRSpace Residency. Originally commissioned by Socrates Sculpture Park, American Hero #4 is a reading on American mainstream culture in pluralistic society through the creation of racing stripes out of cornrowed hair on the body of a first generation Ford Mustang.

Floating Echo | Point State Park | Daily, 12pm - 9pm

Artist: Chang-Jin Lee

Chang-Jin Lee is a Korean-born visual artist who lives in New York City. Her multicultural background and experiences have provoked in her an interest in investigating the diverse cultural and social issues in our current era. In her artworks, she deals with identity, gender, globalism, nationalism, human trafficking, and religion. She most recently participated in the 2012 Socrates Sculpture Park Emerging Artist Fellowship in New York. Floating Buddha is a transparent inflatable Buddha floating on water, which was commissioned by Socrates Sculpture Park. Her awards include: The New York State Council on the Arts Grant, The Asian Cultural Council Fellowship, The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Grant, The Franconia Sculpture Park Jerome Fellowship, New York Foundation for the Arts Fiscal Sponsorship Award, The World Financial Center Sponsorship, The Puffin Foundation Grant, The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council - Creative Capital Professional Development Workshop, The Busan Sea Art Festival Award, and The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's Manhattan Community Arts Fund.

Art House at the Arts Festival | Giant Eagle Creativity Zone, Point State Park | Daily, 12pm - 6pm

Renowned performer, poet and visual artist, Vanessa German, will bring her Art House to the Arts Festival, sharing inspiration and imagination with youth and adults. The structure of the Art House at the festival is inspired by the African-American praise houses in the South. Limited edition yard sign will be painted by festival goers which they can take home to show that "signs of goodness can be found everywhere." Ms. German was recently featured on Huffington Post as one of the top 30 black artists under 40 to watch. Her multimedia work and photography can be found in collections around the globe.

The Drift | Point State Park, Allegheny Front | June 15 and 16, 12pm - 6pm

The Drift is a floating platform for creative projects that explore the rivers and waterfronts within the city of Pittsburgh. In the spring of 2012, a team of seven artists constructed a pair of hexagonal rafts. Since then, The Drift has hosted a series of performances, lectures, and buoyant interventions.

VISUAL ART HIGHLIGHTS:

Juried Visual Art Exhibition

The annual Juried Visual Art Exhibition, held at 805-807 Liberty Avenue in the Trust Arts Education Center (James E. Rohr Building) features Pittsburgh's best new visual art. Several large-scale three-dimensional works allow the show to be on the 4th floor. The works of 36 artists were selected by jurors: Cecile Shellman, Artistic Director, Visual Arts and Exhibitions of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture; Adam Welch, Curator of the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts; and Lauren Wetmore, curatorial assistant for the 2013 Carnegie International. Awards will be given to the Best in Show, Juror's Select and, new this year, the People's Choice Award. Festival goers will be invited to vote for their favorite work.

Flight School Showcase (Third Floor, Trust Arts Education Center)

Curated by Casey Droege, the Flight School Visual Art Exhibition features the work and installations by Flight School fellows specializing in the visual arts. In its third year, the Flight School Fellowship is a professional development program designed for professional artists living in the Pittsburgh region. Each year, 15 selected Flight School fellows attend a weekend intensive Creative Capital Professional retreat at the beginning of an eight-week series of workshops with guest artists, mentors, and leaders from the Pittsburgh nonprofit and artist communities. Flight School is a program of Pittsburgh Center for the Arts/Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

GIANT EAGLE CREATIVITY ZONE:

Artist demonstrations and hands-on activities are available annually at the Festival. Educational shows for all ages are available ranging from culturally-diverse music performances to story-telling to collaborative painting projects. This year's Giant Eagle Creativity Zone is being enhanced by a Dream Cycle Tent, which will include a photo exhibit curated by Renee Rosensteel. The Dream Cycle Tent, supported by the Colcom Foundation, will be part of a new initiative, Creativity in Motion, which will provide interactive activities inspired by the art and science of cycling and include a portion of the Carnegie Science Center's Science of Bikes exhibit, highlighting the science behind bikes. Creativity in Motion is based upon the famous quote by Einstein "I thought of that while riding my bicycle" (on the theory of relativity). A new Miniature Marina by the Laurel Foundation at the Artist Market will also provide a new children's model sailboat activity. Other organizations participating in the expanded Giant Eagle Creativity Zone include Carnegie Science Center, Bike PGH, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, iQ Kids Radio, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, City of Play, Citiparks, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Demo Stage, the Calligraphy Guild and the Woodturner's Guild.

ARTIST MARKET:

Ranked among the Top 40 shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, the Artist Market at Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival features 300+ fine artists and fine craftspeople throughout Point State Park and Gateway Center daily, as well as Penn Avenue Extension on weekends. The Artist Market is a cornerstone of the Festival and provides the public with an opportunity to purchase work directly from artists specializing in an array of media including ceramics, computer graphics and digital, jewelry, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, woodworking and more.

For a full listing of events, visit 3RiversArtsFest.org or call 412.456.6666.

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