MAKING MUSIC FOR THE HUNGRY | News List |
Pittsburgh, PA (May 9, 2007) – During an announcement event today in the courtyard of the Allegheny County Courthouse downtown at noon in “the most livable city,” Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Allegheny County reaffirmed the partnership that relocated the Pittsburgh Blues Festival to Hartwood Acres, and kicked off the 2007 Blues Festival “pre-season” with an announcement of the musical line-up and new title sponsor, accompanied by a lunch hour of live blues music. This year’s festival takes place July 20, 21, & 22.
Ron “Moondog” Esser, owner of Moondog's blues bar and chairman of the Food Bank’s Blues Festival Committee, welcomed First Commonwealth as the new title sponsor of the Blues Festival. He also announced the music line-up, which included the usual combination of veterans and newcomers and a wide spectrum approach to blues styles. National acts include Pittsburgh’s own Billy Price Band, Devon Allman’s Honeytribe, Walter Trout & the Radicals, Peter Karp & the Roadshow Band, Eric Lindell, Bernard Allison, Guy Davis, Larry McCray Band and Delbert McClinton, multi-Grammy winner including his 2005 CD Cost of Living. One schedule slot was not announced, the Saturday night headliner. Said Esser, “We thought we’d save this one as a surprise – you’ll just have to keep checking the website - www.pghblues.com - if you want to be the first to know. Local bands will be announced in June.
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato added the County’s endorsement. “Our recent designation as ‘America’s Most Livable City’ is a reflection of our region’s efforts to preserve and promote our educational, recreational and cultural amenities,” he said. “The Pittsburgh Blues Festival is a perfect example of what sets us apart as a great place to live, work and play. Allegheny County is proud to be a partner in an event that has raised nearly $700,000 for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.”
Additional Blues Festival announcements included the return of FREE FRIDAY sponsored by First Commonwealth, free admission to Friday’s concert with the donation of a bag of groceries. “Last year, thanks to our sponsors First Commonwealth and FedEx Ground and our generous blues fans, more than 16,000 pounds - that’s 8 tons - of food was collected to help feed hungry families in Allegheny County,” said Joyce Rothermel, CEO of the Food Bank. “We hope to increase that amount to 20,000 pounds this year!”
Holding the festival at Hartwood Acres has advantages, notable among them free parking, ample space for blankets and lawn chairs, and more food and merchandise vendors. And the KidsZone is back, presented by UPMC Health Plan and Children’s Hospital of UPMC, with snacks, music, fun learning about healthy eating, balloon artists, and arts and crafts.
Pittsburgh Blues Festival tickets for Saturday and Sunday are $22.00 (each day) in advance and $25.00 at the gate, or $40.00 (advance only) for a weekend pass – tickets go on sale June 1st. Group sales and Blues Buddies packages are also available. Advance tickets and all Festival information can be found at www.pghblues.com. Information is also available on the Blues “Hotline”: 412-460-BLUE beginning June 1st.
The Food Bank gratefully acknowledges Pittsburgh Blues Festival 2007 sponsors: First Commonwealth, UPMC Health Plan & Children’s Hospital of UPMC, Giant Eagle, WTAE-TV4, WDVE-FM, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Brewing Company, Fed-Ex Ground, Fox 53 TV, E*trade Financial, WYEP-FM, Fiserv, Comcast, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Columbia Gas, Moondog’s, GBL, Inc., Sunoco, Bay Valley Foods and Allegheny County.
