Lionel Richie to Headline 2013 St. Kitts Music Festival, June 27-29

Multiple award winning singer/songwriter and popular American musician Lionel Richie will headline the upcoming 17^th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival, which takes place from Thursday, June 27 to Saturday, June 29, 2013, rounding out an impressive lineup of artists for this year’s event.

“We feel privileged to have such a global musical icon as Lionel Richie visit St. Kitts to add his remarkable talent and numerous award-winning songs to this year’s Music Festival,” said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of Tourism & International Transport, Trade, Industry, Commerce & Consumer Affairs. “Blending renowned international acts such as Mr. Richie with rising local stars and top Caribbean artists in a festive, block-party type of atmosphere is what keeps patrons coming back to our Festival year after year. This year, I expect the festivities to continue ‘all night long’.”

In addition to Lionel Richie, Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Konshens, Tessanne Chin, the Cayon Pantastics, Andy Narell featuring Relator with special guest Etienne Charles, Superblue (Austin Lyons), Fay-Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin were also announced as performers for the 2013 event

Shaggy, whose hits include “Boombastic,” “Luv Me, Luv Me,” “It Wasn’t Me,” and “Angel,” returns to the St. Kitts Music Festival for the third time in 2013.

In 2006, Shaggy said, “Being from Jamaica, the people of the smaller islands have a flavor of my extended family, everyone knowing each other. The energy, the love and the level of friendliness is absolutely magical. St. Kitts, here I come!” Best known internationally for his dancehall hit “Tempted to Touch” and the critically-acclaimed “Fire,” Beres Hammond also returns to the event, having last performed at the 2009 St. Kitts Music Festival to an enthusiastic crowd.

These artists complete a well-rounded musical roster, which also includes previously announced top local acts including Small Axe Band, Nu Vybes International, Grand Masters, Dejour, The Kore Band, Dagah and Charles Emanuel. The nightly line-up of performers is as follows-

Thursday June 27, 2013 Friday June 28, 2013 Saturday June 29, 2013

Small Axe Band Dejour The Cayon Pantastics

The Kore Band Dagah Andy Narell featuring Relator

Nu Vybes International Charles Emanuel with special guest Etienne Charles

Bunji Garlin Tessanne Chin Lionel Richie

Fay-Ann Lyons Konshens

Superblue (Austin Lyons) Shaggy

The Grand Masters Band Beres Hammond

Now in its 17^th year, the St. Kitts Music Festival attracts both locals and visitors alike. It features a wide range of musical styles on the popular market, including R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Soca, Calypso, Gospel and Contemporary music. Past artists have included such prominent acts as John Legend, T-Pain, Michael Bolton, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, UB40’s Ali Campbell, Wyclef Jean, Ne-Yo, Air Supply, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Toni Braxton, The Commodores, Dionne Warwick, Billy Ocean, Sean Paul, Boyz II Men, King Konris, Stephen Marley, Regina Belle, Maxi Priest, Roberta Flack, Biggie Irie, Bunny Wailer and Lord Nelson.

The Festival begins at 8:00pm nightly and tickets are US $40 per night. For more information, including places to stay in St. Kitts, visit www.stkittsmusicfestival.com or “like” the St. Kitts Music Festival’s Facebook page.

St. Kitts is currently ranked at #2 in a list of the 16 Best Caribbean Vacations and #4 in a list of the 12 Best Islands in the World by US News & World Report. Last year, St. Kitts was named one of “5 Caribbean Islands to Discover Now” by MSNBC. It was also named one of the “Top 12 Spots that should be on your list for 2012” by Caribbean Travel + Life magazine and the island’s Brimstone Hill Fortress was named one of “10 Great Places To Explore The World’s Best-Kept Secrets” by USA Today. St. Kitts was also named a top destination for 2011 by both AOL Travel and British Airways.

Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, it offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the region’s only scenic railway which connects the island’s former sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, ziplining, and more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at St. Kitts’ exclusive casino or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Accommodations range from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels and resorts.

For more information about St. Kitts, please contact the St. Kitts Tourism Authority toll free from the US at 1-800-582-6208 or from Canada 1-888-395-4887, e-mail info@stkittstourism.kn, visit www.stkittstourism.kn, or connect on Facebook, Twitter and/or YouTube.

See also:

Exploring St Kitts, Caribbean island rich in heritage, natural attractions (Photos)

St Kitts Marriott, with top golf, spa, casino, beach, Kids Club is ideal getaway (Photos)

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Tickets on Sale for BBC Proms 2013, Two-Month Music Festival in London Featuring Musical Firsts

Tickets are now on sale for the 2013 BBC Proms, a two-month festival in London featuring 92 concerts  and many musical firsts including Daniel Barenboim  first time conducting Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

For those who want to attend the 119th BBC Proms season this summer, opening at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday, July 12. now is the time to book a London hotel.

In a series of firsts, this will be Barenboim’s first time conducting Wagner and it’s the first time the complete Wagner Ring Cycle will have been played at the Proms in one summer, with four concerts performed in the week beginning Monday 22nd July. Barenboim’s concerts are not the only Proms events marking the 200th anniversary of Richard Wagner’s birth, and there are also significant anniversaries for bicentenarian Giuseppe Verdi, and the centenary of Benjamin Britten.

The 2013 festival will be the first in Proms history to have the last night conducted by a woman. Marin Alsop, a New Yorker who has spent time in the UK including a stint as chief conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, is joined by mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, violinist Nigel Kennedy and the BBC Symphony Orchestra for the rousing Last Night of the Proms on Saturday, September 7, 2013.

It was also be the first Proms to include an ‘Urban Classic Prom’, to be broadcast on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, which will combine music by the German modernist Hans Werner Henze and the Soviet futurist Alexander Mosolov with performances by singers Faser, Laura Mvula and Maverick Sabre. The first BBC Radio 6 Music Prom, on Monday 12th August, will also appeal to a younger audience with Cerys Matthews, Laura Marling and The Stranglers all performing live at the Royal Albert Hall.

The 2013 season brings the first ever free main evening Prom with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and youth choirs from the UK and Ireland performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, also known as the ‘Choral’ Symphony, on Sunday, August 11, 2013.

Many well-loved Proms favourites return to the festival in 2013 including the Doctor Who Proms which makes a third visit to the Proms in the year that the BBC television celebrates 50 years on our screens. Nigel Kennedy returns and not only plays on the Last Night of the Proms for the first time but also plays at the Proms in the Park on the same night as well as playing in a Late Night performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons on Thursday August 8.

Leading concert pianist Stephen Hough performs on the First Night of the Proms, on Friday, July 12, when the festival opens with a 450-strong choir, and the premiere of Julian Anderson’s Harmony performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Every Prom is broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 but with tickets starting from GBP5, and with such a huge variety of music to choose from, the best way to enjoy the events is by going in person to experience the unique atmosphere of the Royal Albert Hall.

Tickets are now on sale and the season opens on Friday July, 12 2013.

To find out the best events in London this summer go to LondonTown.com where a host of useful information is given including the latest listings for opera, classical music, dance and ballet. With over 18 years of experience, the website is the place to go to for informative and unbiased reviews on everything you need to know about the UK’s capital city.

LondonTown.com is the number one Internet site for London. With over 18 years of experience assisting visitors to the capital, they pride themselves on their customer service and editorial independence – no advertising or paid for content is allowed. The LondonTown.com team assist in finding cheap London hotels, sightseeing tours, ticket information and events.

http://www.LondonTown.com

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Street Performers add to Festivities, Family Fun at 46th Festival d’été de Québec July 4-14

Festival d’été de Québec street performers, sponsored by Leclerc, are back again for 11 days of creative and original shows! This year finds them not only on Rue Saint-Jean and at Théâtre de La Bordée, but also in an exciting program of circus performances at Parc de l’Esplanade.

The 46th edition of the Festival d’été de Québec will be held from July 4 to 14, 2013.

“Street performers always give the Festival d’été de Québec a special flair. They grab our attention and make us laugh, they can inspire or astound us, but they never leave us indifferent,” says Michel Barette, who is in charge of the street arts program. “Circus is a type of performance that fascinates us the most, so we decided to give it a special place at Parc de l’Esplanade,” he added.

Parc de l’Esplanade

David Dimitri puts on a totally unique show inspired by his tours with Cirque du Soleil and the Big Apple Circus. Dubbed ‘Lord of the Wire’ by the New York Times, he is truly a one-man circus. Five Foot Fingers features five burlesque characters in a variety of stunning and daring circus cabaret acts. Vague de cirque perform their latest show, Carrousel et cordes à linge, whose highly acrobatic numbers are rooted in the tradition of travelling fun fairs. Also at Parc de l’Esplanade, audiences will love the quirky Fanfare Le S.N.O.B brass band, the antics of Rosie Volt the clown, the street music of Semèl Rebel, circus acts by Théâtre Attrape, the original mini-show by Toxique Trottoir, Kabir Percussions, and the theatre of objects performed by Elvis alAtac, the Sages Fous and the CréatureS Compagnie.

Shows at Parc de l’Esplanade: Free.
Every evening starting at 6 pm.

Smashed, at Théâtre de la Bordée

Smashed! treats festival fans to an exceptional circus performance. In a combination of high- precision juggling and theatrics, London’s Gandini Juggling pays tribute to the great German dancer, Pina Bausch. On stage, nine master jugglers transform their art into a form of dance, using everyday objects like apples and dishes. Composed of a series of live tableaux reminiscent of old photos depicting war scenes, strained relations, love and innocence lost, Smashed! promises to be a uniquely dramatic experience. The Festival d’été de Québec is putting on this show jointly with Montréal Complètement Cirque.

Smashed by Gandini Juggling: $13 phone reservation, $10 at the door or Festival pass.
Thursday July 11 to Sunday July 14 at 8:30 pm.

Rue Saint-Jean

The ever-popular street performers, sponsored by Leclerc, will be taking Rue Saint-Jean by storm from Place d’Youville to Côte du Palais. With street performers from France, the Netherlands, Spain and Québec, spectators can expect original artistic performances every evening. Festivalgoers are advised to keep their eyes and ears open if they don’t want to miss any of these wild and wacky shows! Watch for:

Street theatre in all its forms with Le Filament, Le Gestuaire, Poupées [K]rinkées, Mobile Home and NomadUrbains

The Teatro Pavana stilt walkers

Acrobatics by Bulles de Zinc

Musical street theatre with L’Aubergine

An original artistic techno creation by Marc-Andrée Goulet

Theatre of flying objects with Cal y Canto

Giant fan juggling with Shintaï JonGlo Théâtre

Shows on Rue Saint-Jean: Free.
Every evening starting at 6 pm.

Family Place, sponsored by le Lait

With something happening under the big top, at the amphitheatre or the Ephemeral Gardens, Family Place, sponsored by le Lait, is taking over the entire Espace 400^e site! From Friday July 4 to Sunday July 14, there’s a great choice of free family activities to choose from every day from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.

“We’re lucky to have this outstanding venue for our activities at Family Place. Every year, we try to come up with an exciting new program that makes the most of the site. And with even more interactive activities planned this year, the kids will love it!” reports FEQ general manager Daniel Gélinas.

The big top will feature a slew of popular kid’s stars, including Arthur l’Aventurier, La Comtesse d’Harmonia, Carmen Campagne and Koukoulia, to name just a few of the shows that will have the whole family singing, dancing and laughing along.

This year there will be a new tent just for puppet shows. Everyone loves a puppet show, and the original and inventive creations produced by Aliona Munteanu, Puzzle Théâtre, Belzébrute and many others are sure to set the imagination free.

The program at the amphitheatre opens with the Brazilian drums of Le Bloco. In the days that follow, Le Filament and Artéfacts et Artifices will be presenting their street theatre, Strada its Fanfare Monfarleau and Shintaï JonGlo Théâtre will display their remarkable fan handling techniques. More fun and exciting shows will also be taking place around the Ephemeral Gardens.

Along with all these shows, Family Place also has a wide range of activities and sports, artistic and discovery workshops planned. Kids will be thrilled with the new ÉducaZoo and Repti-Zone exhibits where they can learn all about reptiles and other cool pets or exotic animals. Also offered: an acrobatics course, a skate park, a visual arts workshop, a wooden toy-making workshop, a workshop for budding scientists, extreme face painting and much more!

For festival information, www.infofestival.com.

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Pop Artists, Living Legends, New Discoveries and Rising Stars to Perform at 46th Festival d’été de Québec, July 4-14

The Festival d’été de Québec has released this year’s outdoor shows in a program covering a broad range of musical genres. Pop artists and living legends, names to discover and rising stars ─ for festival fans, choice is the operative word. The Black Keys, Bruno Mars, Tiësto, Wu-Tang Clan, Def Leppard, Weezer, Rush, Wiz Khalifa, MGMT, Foreigner, Bad Religion, Bassnectar, Belle & Sebastien, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Passion Pit and Ellie Goulding are just some of the big names on this year’s lineup.

“Again this year, we’re proud to say that the Festival d’été de Québec is in the vanguard. The depth of talent on our program clearly puts us right up there with the biggest and the best,” said General Manager Daniel Gélinas.

As Program Director Louis Bellavance explained, “This depth can be seen in the number of shows that have a slate of big names from start to finish, and this goes for international and francophone artists, whatever the style or the venue. It’s one of the biggest plusses in this year’s programming.”

ElectroFEQ

The 2012 ElectroFEQ show was a surprise hit that drew crowds of electro fans and more than a few curious festivalgoers to the largest venue, the Plains of Abraham. ElectroFEQ is back this year even bigger and better than ever, with shows at four different venues on four consecutive nights, starting at the Impérial and reaching a crescendo on the Plains!

Kicking off at the Impérial on July 8 with Le Matos, Keys N Krates and Austra, the ElectroFEQ moves to the Hydro-Québec Stage at Place d’Youville the next day, with the world beat grooves of the Mexican Institute of Sound, 3Ball MTY and A Tribe Called Red. On Wednesday, July 10, dubstep takes over the Loto-Québec Stage at Parc de la Francophonie with Zeds Dead and Bassnectar headlining the show.

And to top off ElectroFEQ on Thursday, July 11, the Plains will be plugged into Madeon, Martin Solveig and Wolfgang Gartner, with superstar Tiësto the highlight of the show. This evening of electro house music will call for one of biggest technical deployments in the history of the Festival.

Bell Stage on the Plains of Abraham

July 4: As was announced a few weeks ago, the Festival will open in French on a grand scale with Quand le Québec chante. Five solid names in Québec song, Paul Piché, Daniel Lavoie, Richard Séguin, Michel Rivard and Laurence Jalbert, accompanied by a chorus of 400 voices, will be playing their most popular hits along with some of Québec’s best-loved standards.

July 5: Hip-hop could make history this night with the legendary Wu-Tang Clan playing here for the first time! Big name rapper Wiz Khalifa is up just before the American group, along with Classified, known for the hit single Inner Ninja. Anodajay, Dramatik, Koriass, Manu Militari and Samian, in a hip-hop celebration of the 10th anniversary of Disques 7e Ciel, will be opening the show.

July 6: Since The Black Keys’ wildly popular Festival appearance in 2011, they’ve racked up Grammy awards and hit the international scene big-time with their new album. Now on top of their game, it’s an honour to have them back on the Plains. Eagles of Death Metal and Father John Misty will be up first.

July 7: With their latest album J’aime ta grand-mère, and their concept show Les Trois Accords with a bunch of chicks, a big brass band and balls of fire, the Trois Accords embrace the absurd. And they have more than one guest artist and surprise in store for the audience! They’ll be preceded onstage by French star M, whose incredible personality and energy really shine in a live show. Caféïne will be opening in what promises to be an evening Festival fans won’t want to miss.

July 8: The announcement that pop superstar Bruno Mars was coming to the Festival really got things rolling. His fans should also go for Ellie Goulding’s world-popular electro pop, and for Toronto’s own Diamond Rings.

July 9: Passion Pit, MGMT, Weezer ─ the Festival has pulled out all the stops with this hard-hitting lineup. This will be the first time MGMT plays here in Québec City.

July 10: Rush is back with a new, highly-acclaimed super production, the Clockwork Angel Tour. Packed with impressive projections and special effects, this will be the tour’s only stop in Québec.

July 11: ElectroFEQ

July 13: The legendary Def Leppard needs no introduction, and it goes without saying that this show will bring hardcore rockers out in droves. Talented US rock band Foreigner is up first.

Loto-Québec Stage at Parc de la Francophonie

The Loto-Québec Stage has always held a special place in the heart of Festival fans as a venue where new talent is revealed and musical memories are made. With the spotlight on French music, some of Québec’s most popular artists are slated to play here this year. Cœur de pirate will be putting on her only band-style show of the summer in an evening that starts with talented young singer-songwriter Chloé Lacasse followed by promising artist Karim Ouellet, from Québec City. Lisa Leblanc, whose debut album went gold, will be onstage right after performances by none other than Bernard Adamus and Keith Kouna. And in a night to remember, look for Richard Desjardins and Ingrid St-Pierre, accompanied by a string quartet, as well as Gaële. To close the Festival, Robert Charlebois will sing hits from a career spanning fifty years, with David Giguère and Hôtel Morphée up first.

Big name indie band Belle & Sebastian is sure to draw crowds for their first ever Quebec City appearance. Here We Go Magic and Born Ruffians will set the tone for an evening of indie pop. Then punk rock takes over with Bad Religion, whose new album is making records sales. First up will be The Hunter, The Balconies and the winner of the Clic ton band contest. So get there early!

For metal fans, Parc de la Francophonie is the place to be! In their only canadian appearance and their first in Quebec City, the 15 musicians of the German band Avantasia, known for their symphonic metal sound, are here with a grandiose rock opera. Voivod will be celebrating its 30th year, up right after Never More than Less. The Festival is also welcoming folk legend Emmylou Harris and her guitarist Rodney Crowell, with songs from their country-folk duo album Yellow Moon. Bears of Legend will be opening. Look for big crowds for Canadian pop rock band Marianas Trench, who just won the Juno Award for Group of the Year. Down with Webster will get things rolling along with Quebec City’s own Final State.

Hydro-Québec Stage at Place Metro in Place d’Youville

A lively program of world beat, blues, soul, reggae, pop and electro music will have the Hydro-Québec stage hopping every evening this year!

World music fans, get ready to dance to the music of Amadou et Mariam, Kassav’, Fatoumata Diawara, Locos for Juana and the inimitable Balkan Beat Box. Afrobeat is out in full force with Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, a big name in afrofunk, and The Souljazz Orchestra.

Danakil, Reggae Meta and The Cornerstones will fill Place d’Youville with the laid-back sound of reggae, with some help from French reggae masters Alpha Blondy & The Solar System.

Soul fans will be happy to see soul funk legend Booker T. Jones in a lineup that includes The Dynamite featuring Charles Walker and Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, who lights a fire everywhere she goes. Gospel soul is also on tap with The Relatives and Naomi Shelton & The Gospel.

Blues lovers won’t want to miss James Hunter, The Slide Brothers, and Dr. John, the Night Tripper, here directly from New Orleans.

There will also be plenty of music in French at Place d’Youville, with Loco Locass playing songs from their latest album, Le Québec est mort, vive le Québec! Noir Silence and Canailles will be playing at Place d’Youville that same evening. Festival favourite Daran will also be back, with Zaz headlining.

The beating heart of the Festival, the Hydro-Québec Stage will also host Socalled, Nomadic Massive, Nick Waterhouse, Charly Yapo, Sagapool, Coyote Bill, Kodiak, Gotta Logo Project, William Sevigny, Jeanphilip and Ampli de Québec artists Julielle, Maude, Équinoxe and The Seasons.

“Year after year, the FEQ is a driving force for the local economy that helps keep the financial outlook sound. But in addition to the millions of dollars the Festival brings in, it also builds a level of technical expertise that can’t be beat,” Board Chairman Mario Girard pointed out.

Geneviève Borne, President of the 25th Prix Miroir

The Prix Miroir, sponsored by SODEC and awarded at the end of the Festival d’été de Québec, recognizes the talent of local and guest artists. Geneviève Borne will preside over the jury in this 25th anniversary year. Active in the cultural milieu for over 20 years, and co-host of Belle & Bum (a Quebec tv show), she has always been a music lover above all. And this Quebec City native has never been shy about saying that the Festival d’été de Québec is her pick! Organizers are pleased to have this outstanding communicator as the spokesperson for the 25th Prix Miroir awards.

Again this year, the Festival is looking for an avid music lover from the public to sit on the Prix Miroir jury! Interested candidates will find details on the Festival website. Go for it!

The 46th edition of the Festival d’été de Québec will be held from July 4 to 14, 2013.

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Governor, Mayor, Senator show support for Texas Thunder Music Festival efforts to raise funds for West, Texas

Texas Thunder Music Festival, May 17-19 in Gardendale, Texas, will raise money for those affected by the recent fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas. The Randy Rogers Band, The Josh Abbott Band, Wade Bowen, Stoney LaRue, Casey Donahew Band, are featured.

Governor Rick Perry lent his support to the Texas Thunder Music Festival that will raise money for those affected by the recent fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas. The music event that will host The Randy Rogers Band, The Josh Abbott Band, Wade Bowen, Stoney LaRue, Casey Donahew Band, among others will take place May 17-19 in Gardendale, Texas.

“The city of West has a long way to go to get past the grief and devastation and move on to rebuilding,” Gov. Perry said. “In the true spirit of Texas, the people of our state are coming together to help ease the suffering of individuals who lost loved ones, and help this strong community get back on its feet.”

“My thoughts are with everyone in the city of West. I am proud of the Texas musicians who are coming together for this event,” Senator Joan Huffman, Senate Republican Caucus Chairman of Houston, said. “It reinforces the well-known fact that when anyone in our state needs help, fellow Texans automatically rise to the occasion.”

“Our small town is made up of big hearts. The people of West have always given and supported,” said Tommy Muska, Mayor of West, Texas. “This event will allow the people of Texas to show their support and love to the great residents of West. We appreciate all the artists that will be giving of their time to make this event a success.”

Last week, the Texas Thunder Music Festival announced all net proceeds will be donated to the first responders and schools of West, Texas. The Odessa based firm of Johnson, Miller & Co. will oversee all the accounting and distribution of funds.

“As a fellow Texan, my heart went out to all those that were affected by the explosion,” says festival landowner Herb Graham. “We could not sit around and do nothing, so my partners and I quickly decided to donate all the net proceeds from this festival to rebuild the school and get first responders equipment.”

The first-year Texas Thunder Music Festival in Gardendale, Texas presents an all-star, all-Texas line-up, with both musicians and fans coming together to help bring support to those who need it most. Weekend passes are available for a discounted price of $65 with camping starting at $110. A very limited number of single-day tickets are available for $35.

Texas Thunder tickets are now available for purchase at Graham Central Station in Odessa, Rockin’ Rodeo Midland and Arriba Midland. For more information or to purchase tickets and camping, please visit www.texasthunderfest.com or call 855-362-0535.

For the most up-to-date information on Texas Thunder, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/texasthunderfest and follow us on Twitter @txthunderfest.

Texas Thunder Line-Up:

Friday:
3:00-4:00pm Bri Bagwell
4:30-5:30pm Curtis Grimes
6:00-7:00pm Micky and the Motorcars
7:30-8:30pm Charlie Robison
9:00-10:00pm Aaron Watson
10:30-12:00am Josh Abbott Band

Saturday:
1:30-2:30pm Kimberly Dunn
3:00-4:00pm Johnny Cooper
4:30-5:30pm Brandon Rhyder
6:00-7:00pm Whiskey Myers
7:30-8:30pm Turnpike Troubadours
9:00-10:00pm Wade Bowen
10:30-12:00am Randy Rogers Band

Sunday:
1:00-2:00pm Jake Kellen
2:30-3:30pm Kyle Bennett
4:00-5:00pm William Clark Green
5:30-6:30pm Brian Milson
7:00-8:00pm Stoney LaRue
8:30-10:00pm Casey Donahew Band

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First Great American Roots Stomp at Union Hall, Brooklyn, May 3-4

Union Street Preservation Society is performing in the First Great American Roots Stomp, taking place in the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn, Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, at Union Hall, 702 Union Street © 2013 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The First Great American Roots Stomp is taking place in the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, at Union Hall, 702 Union St. (Park Slope, Brooklyn).

Roll up your sleeves for two nights of hootin’, hollerin’, jazzin’, swingin’, foot-stompin’, barn-burnin’ revelry with ten fantastic bands from Brooklyn and the Northeast audaciously bringing Americana roots back into the spotlight.

The Great American Roots Stomp
Night One: Friday, May 3 – Tickets: $10
Night Two: Saturday, May 4 – Tickets: $10
Union Hall, 702 Union St. (Park Slope, Brooklyn)
Get your tickets now cause they’re gonna sell out at the door!

Night One: Friday, May 3
7:30pm – doors open

8:00 – Charlotte Cornfield

9:00 – The Alex Mallett Band (our bass player’s solo project!)

10:00 – The Whistling Wolves

11:00 – Union Street Preservation Society

12:00am – King Stork

Night Two: Saturday, May 4
7:30pm – doors open

8:00 – Skinny White Folk

9:00 – Seth Kessel and the Two Cent Band

10:00 – Red Hook Ramblers

11:00 – Barnyard Brothers

12:00am – North of Nashville

Texas Thunder Music Festival, May 17-19, to Raise Funds for West Texas Victims

In response to the recent tragedy in West, TX, Texas Thunder festival organizers have teamed up with fellow Texas music artists to support the West, TX community. The Texas Thunder music festival, running May 17-19 and taking place in Gardendale, Texas, will feature The Randy Rogers Band, Wade Bowen, Casey Donahew Band, Josh Abbott Band, Stoney LaRue and many more and will raise funds for those affected in the tragic explosion last Wednesday.

“For 13 years now our band has been traveling I-35 and stopping in West, TX along the way to sample the good food,” said Randy Rogers. “It’s become a staple on our tour. Now it’s time for us to give back.”

“We are disheartened by the tragedy in West, Texas. Texans are passionate about their communities and upon hearing of this tragedy, the Texas music community reached out to lend a helping hand,” says event organizer Brian Andrews. “100% of net proceeds from the Texas Thunder music festival will benefit the schools and first-responders of West, Texas.”

Texas Thunder presents an all-star, all-Texas line-up, with both musicians and fans coming together to help bring support to those who need it most. Weekend passes are available for a discounted price of $65 with camping starting at $110. A very limited number of single-day tickets are available for $35.

Texas Thunder tickets are now available for purchase at Graham Central Station in Odessa, Rockin’ Rodeo Midland and Arriba Midland. For more information or to purchase tickets and camping, please visit www.texasthunderfest.com or call (855) 362-0535.

For the most up-to-date information on Texas Thunder, like  on Facebook at facebook.com/texasthunderfest and follow  on Twitter @txthunderfest.

Texas Thunder Line-Up:

Friday:
3:00-4:00pm Bri Bagwell
4:30-5:30pm Curtis Grimes
6:00-7:00pm Micky and the Motorcars
7:30-8:30pm Charlie Robison
9:00-10:00pm Aaron Watson
10:30-12:00am Josh Abbott Band

Saturday:
1:30-2:30pm Kimberly Dunn
3:00-4:00pm Johnny Cooper
4:30-5:30pm Brandon Rhyder
6:00-7:00pm Whiskey Myers
7:30-8:30pm Turnpike Troubadours
9:00-10:00pm Wade Bowen
10:30-12:00am Randy Rogers Band

Sunday:
1:00-2:00pm Jake Kellen
2:30-3:30pm Kyle Bennett
4:00-5:00pm William Clark Green
5:30-6:30pm Brian Milson
7:00-8:00pm Stoney LaRue
8:30-10:00pm Casey Donahew Band

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Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam Adds Club La Vela As Late Night Venue for September Festival in Panama City Beach

Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is a music festival that takes place in Panama City Beach, Florida, in September.

Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam fans will get wet and wild at the nation’s largest nightclub, Club La Vela each night of the September festival. Club La Vela is one of the trendiest and most respected nightclubs in the world. It has evolved over the years into a major entertainment complex, located in the heart of Panama City Beach, FL and is a huge hub for the thousands of Spring Breakers that visit the city each year. The multilevel club features eleven themed rooms, forty-eight bar stations, expansive balconies, elevated catwalks, the famous pool deck and the Concert Coliseum.

The festivities at Club La Vela will begin each night after the final notes are sung by Toby Keith, Brantley Gilbert, and Trace Adkins. Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam will have free shuttles available to ticketholders to transport them between the day stages, Frank Brown Park, and Club La Vela. “Since we will have three performers on our beachfront stages playing simultaneously during the day, we are inviting many of them to play our late night venues as well,” says Executive Producer, Rendy Lovelady. “This way, if fans don’t have a chance to see all of their favorites during the day, they can be sure to catch their performances at night.”

The September lineup includes: Toby Keith, Brantley Gilbert, Trace Adkins, Eli Young Band, Kip Moore, The Charlie Daniels Band, X Factor Winner Tate Stevens, Darryl Worley, Blackberry Smoke and many more!

Lodging packages, which include tickets to the three-day event, are on sale now and can be found at http://www.gulfcoastjam.com. Beginning in May, three-day tickets that provide patrons access to all of the six stages and free shuttle passes will go on-sale to the public.

Comprised of six stages, Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam will provide the best of today’s country music for an audience of more than 15,000 people on the coast. During the day, three beachfront stages will be hosted by Edgewater Golf & Beach Resort, The Boardwalk Beach Resort and Seahaven Beach Resorts. Festival-goers will watch their favorite performers as they stand on the white “sugar sand” beach and dip their toes in the water. As the sun begins to set, patrons will ride free shuttles to the headline stage at Frank Brown Park. Once Toby Keith, Brantley Gilbert, and Trace Adkins close out their respective nights, the fun will continue at Club La Vela. Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is a production of PCB Entertainment, LLC. For more information about Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam’s lineup, VIP & General Admission Tickets, lodging partners, directions, partnership opportunities, parking, and vendors, visit http://www.gulfcoastjam.com.

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Washboard Music Festival is One-of-a-Kind Celebration of Appalachian Culture

A one-of-a-kind celebration of America’s Appalachian culture and heritage takes place during the 14th annual Washboard Music Festival, June 14-15, 2013, in southeast Ohio’s spectacular Hocking Hills. The festival starts Thursday with a special kickoff concert and auction from 6 -10 p.m., and runs Friday and Saturday from 12 – 11 p.m. Held in downtown Logan, Ohio, this extraordinary FREE festival features ongoing live music, parades, rides, a beer garden and a wide variety of festival-style foods. A complete list of bands and events is available at http://www.washboardmusicfestival.com.

More than a dozen washboard and related bands will offer an incredible lineup of live entertainment this year, starting with the kickoff concert featuring the wildly popular Arnett Howard and the Creole Funk Band. Other talented performers from around North America will perform. Local artists will also display and sell a wide variety of folk and fine art, crafts and washboard-inspired instruments. The popular “Washer Women” will be on hand to demonstrate how washboards are used for laundry.

Families will enjoy Children’s Fair, a kid-friendly area featuring amusement rides, face painting, petting zoo and a train that circles the festival. Saturday festivities include a parade at 5 p.m. and a morning lineup of antique tractors and hit & miss engines. Another major highlight of the festival is the free tours of the 115-year old Columbus Washboard Company, the only washboard factory in the United States still producing washboards on a daily basis. Here, visitors will see the World’s Largest Washboard. Free tours of the factory are offered year ’round.

Located 40 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio, Hocking Hills offers experiences that make every day feel like Saturday, with plenty of  free activities. The region boasts a wide variety of affordable lodging, from camping, cabins and cottages to hotels and inns. In addition to hiking trails, parks and forests, the Hocking Hills is the zipline capital of the Midwest, with 50 ziplines being offered via three distinct guide services. Gift and antique shops, canoeing, horseback riding, golf, spas add to the allure of the Hocking Hills. Complete traveler information is available http://www.1800Hocking.com or 1-800-Hocking (800-462-5464).

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Blue Ridge Music Festival Ticket Prices Rise on April 16; Takes Place in Salem, VA June 1

With only a couple of months left to go, the highly-anticipated Blue Ridge Music Festival will see an increase in ticket price starting April 16. The one-day festival, to be held at Salem Stadium in Salem, Va., on June 1, will feature performances by Little Big Town, Hunter Hayes, Charles Esten, who plays Deacon Claybourne on ABC’s hit show “Nashville,” Gloriana, Colt Ford, Greg Bates, Will Hoge and Virginia’s own legendary party group, The Skip Castro Band. Tickets are currently on sale at the Salem Civic Center box office, all Ticketmaster locations and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

The early-bird ticket price will end at 11:59 pm ET on April 15, when reserved and general admission field tickets will increase to $40 (plus additional fees). In addition, a very limited number of VIP tickets are being made available. VIP ticket holders will receive preferred reserved seating, preferred parking, VIP express entry, an invitation to the exclusive festival after-party, private bathrooms, private cash bar (beer & wine only), complimentary boxed lunch and a commemorative Blue Ridge Music Festival poster. VIP Experience tickets are $99.50 (plus additional fees).

“Because of today’s economy, we wanted to offer up the chance to see all of these great artists for a low price to music fans,” says Festival Producer Carey Harveycutter. “We are excited with the response we’ve gotten about the talent line-up and can’t wait until June 1 for our inaugural event to take place.”

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueRidgeMusicFestival

Twitter: www.twitter.com/blueridgefest

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