World Music Highlights Three Rivers Arts Festival June 5-14

Reggae stars The Wailers and world performing artists Toubab Krewe from West Africa are among the free concerts at the 2009 Three Rivers Arts Festival, scheduled for June 5-14 on the Dollar Bank Stage at Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh. For information, call 412-456-6666 or visit artsfestival.net.

SCHEDULE
Friday, June 5: The Black Keys (7:30 pm)
The Black Keys blend sounds from Delta blues and British classic rock. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

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.