Three River Arts Announces Headline Music Schedule For 2009 Festival 6/5-6/14

Three Rivers Arts Festival, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, proudly announces the headline music schedule for the 2009 Festival, June 5-14. All headline concerts are presented on the Dollar Bank Stage at Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh. The free live music series, a Pittsburgh tradition, is sponsored by Dollar Bank.

"Going to a free, outdoor concert at Three Rivers Arts Festival marks the beginning of summer for many Pittsburghers," said J. Kevin McMahon, president and CEO of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. "This year the Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary and its return to its traditional home in the beautifully renovated Point State Park. The music series lets Pittsburghers experience - for free - nationally-recognized artists who are are featured major ticketed music festivals around the country like Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, All Points West and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival."

"Dollar Bank has a long history with quality concerts in Point State Park, so we are very pleased to present the main music stage at the 2009 Three Rivers Arts Festival," said Joseph B. Smith, Senior Vice President Marketing, Dollar Bank. "The Festival's free programming on the Dollar Bank Stage contributes to Pittsburgh's reputation as a major destination for arts and entertainment, and underlines both the Cultural Trust and Dollar Bank's commitment to serving the Pittsburgh community in its full diversity."

All concerts at Three Rivers Arts Festival are free and open to the public. Additional details will be released in May, including information on the Artists Market, visual arts, family programming, performing arts and local music programming. For information, call 412-456-6666 or visit artsfestival.net.

Friday, June 5: The Black Keys (7:30 pm)
The Black Keys have sold out concert halls from New York to Los Angeles and played at some of the world's largest festivals. Blending sounds from Delta blues and British classic rock into a hard-hitting, contemporary hybrid, The Black Keys' minimalist sound is driven by Dan Auerbach's searing vocals and guitar work and Patrick Carney's solid drumming. The Black Keys have been able to make something ferociously noisy, deceptively melodic, and surprisingly sincere out of the simplest tools and riffs.

With special guest Jessica Lea Mayfield (6:30 pm)

Saturday, June 6: Medeski, Martin & Wood (7:30 pm)
Keyboardist John Medeski, bassist Chris Wood and percussionist Billy Martin met as students at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music. Since then, they've built an empire on their signature improvisational format. Each Medeski Martin & Wood performance is a journey whose destination is unknown even to the artists, with the trio's Signature Sound defined by their audibly eclectic influences and inimitable chemistry.

With special guests Zee Avi (5 pm) and The Wood Brothers (6:30 pm)

Sunday, June 7: Trombone Shorty (6 pm)
Hailing from Treme, noted as the most musical neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews has made the leap from child prodigy to professional master musician. Andrews has played as a featured brass player with world-famous rock groups from Lenny Kravitz to U2, debuted at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and headlined the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Monday, June 8: Formula412 (8:15 pm)
By adding live guitar, bass and drums to the traditional set-up of a DJ and an emcee, Formula412 pushes the limits of the genre. Their 2008 album "The Difference" garnered Pittsburgh Hip Hop Awards for 2009 Band of the Year and CD of the Year, keeping them at the top of the Pittsburgh hip hop scene.

With special guests The Boogie Hustlers (7 pm)

Tuesday, June 9: Donora (8:15 pm)
Donora has been on the fast track since making a splash on the local scene less than three years ago. Brother and sister Casey and Jake Hanner and bassist Jake Churton write addictive melodies and complex, layered arrangements that feature Casey's unique vocals and the occasional made-up word.

With special guests Meeting of Important People (6 pm) and Apostle of Hustle (7 pm)

Wednesday, June 10: Toubab Krewe (7:30 pm)
Blending American and West African influences into a sound all their own, Toubab Krewe has set a new standard for fusions of rock and West African music. The instrumental quintet blends its Southern roots with a love of West African sounds, resulting in inventive, organic arrangements that highlight the musicians' technical fluency on African instruments and their unpretentious incorporation of Western influences.

Thursday, June 11: Booker T. (8 pm)
Booker T. Jones is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Musicians Hall of Fame inductee, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and arguably the most famous Hammond B3 player in history. Since the 1962 gold hit "Green Onions" as leader of the legendary Booker T & The MG's, this pillar of soul music has collaborated with everyone from Otis Redding to Neil Young to the Drive By Truckers.

With special guest Hayes Carll (7 pm)

Friday, June 12: Robert Randolph and the Family Band (7:30 pm)
Steeped in the "Sacred Steel" tradition of the Pentecostal church, Robert Randolph has redefined the possibilities of the pedal steel guitar at his foot-stomping live performances. Since emerging from the Church of God in Orange, New Jersey, Randolph and his group have made their mark on the jam-band circuit, opening for Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton.

Saturday, June 13: Shemekia Copeland (7:30 pm)
While still in her 20s, Shemekia Copeland has opened for the Rolling Stones, headlined at the Chicago Blues Festival, received a Grammy nomination and scored critics choice awards on both sides of the Atlantic. Copeland's passion for singing, matched with her huge, blast-furnace voice, gives her music a timeless power and a heart-pounding urgency.

Sunday, June 14: The Wailers (6 pm)
One of the last, great reggae institutions, the Wailers have sold in excess of 250 million albums worldwide since forming in 1969 with Bob Marley. Outside their groundbreaking work with Marley, they've played such notable artists as Sting, the Fugees, Stevie Wonder and Carlos Santana. The present Wailers revolve around the last original band member, Aston "Family Man" Barrett (bass), and lead singer Elan Atias, who together represent both the Wailers' historic legacy and fresh excitement.

About The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh's 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh.

In addition to the PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh series, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the Pittsburgh Dance Council, Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, Three Rivers Arts Festival, the Pittsburgh International Children's Theater and Children's Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events.

The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O'Reilly, and Harris Theaters; Wood Street Galleries; SPACE, a visual arts gallery at 812 Liberty Avenue; and 937 Liberty, a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities.

 

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