3rd SOLSTICE MUSIC FESTIVAL ON
SATURDAY JUNE 21st 2008
FREE MUSIC FOR EVERYONE TO WELCOME THE SUMMER
70 MUSICAL GROUPS EXPECTED TO PERFORM AT LAUREL VILLAGE SUMMER FESTIVAL
OAKLAND, CA, April 23, 2008--Korean Folk Singer Miena Yoo, Jazz-Pop-Funk-Fusion group Gemini Soul, and funk and Caribbean influenced Lakay and Music Man, will return to perform in Oakland’s Laurel neighborhood at the Third Annual Laurel Summer Solstice Music Festival on Saturday, June 21, 2008. Talented local musicians, young and old, from Library after-school-programs to School of the Arts’ mentors and students, are also expected to share their talents with attendees of the festival They will be among 70 musical groups expected to perform at sites along MacArthur Boulevard and surrounding Laurel Elementary School from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.
According to Stella Lamb, festival founder and co-oordinator, “We are absolutely thrilled by the number of groups participating, but also by the diversity of performers and their music. This festival provides an opportunity to celebrate the Summer Solstice, enjoy music from both professional and amateur groups, and experience performances in unusual public places, like parking lots, street corners, schoolyards, and driveways throughout the Laurel neighborhood.” Lamb notes that last year’s festival drew 60 musical groups and an audience of over 2,000 people.
Kathleen Rolinson, festival co-coordinator, explains that musicians will be performing Rock, Pop, Alternative, Folk, Cajun/Zydeco, Metal, Flamenco, Jazz, Country, Latin, Blues, Funk, Calypso, Soul, Bluegrass, Hip Hop, Rap, and a wide variety of World music. “We even have a recorder ensemble, traditional Chinese harpist, and some fantastic Laurel-based groups,” says Rolinson. “And, it’s all free to the public!”
Oakland is now recognized by the International Ministry of Art and Communication in France as a formal participating city among the more than 300 around the world that will be celebrating Solstice. The entry point to the festival is a welcoming station alongside the Laurel Lounge at the intersection of 38th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland. Festival programs listing performance sites, times and musician biographies will be available there. Raffle tickets will also be sold at the station for over $5,200 in prizes.
The festival is produced by the Laurel Village Association, a nonprofit volunteer community development organization based in Oakland’s Laurel neighborhood. More information on the Laurel Village Association and the festival is available at www.laurelsummersolsticemusicfestival.org.
The Laurel Summer Solstice Music Festival is being sponsored by local small businesses, community groups and individuals.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the festival should contact event coordinator Mark Baldwin at (510) 967-1255.
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