Three Rivers Arts Festival Brings World Music, Art & Attention to Pittsburgh for 10 Days

A 10-day schedule of world-class art, free music and celebrations starts today with the opening of the 50th Annual Three Rivers Arts Festival, which returns to the newly revitalized Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Reggae stars The Wailers and world performing artists Toubab Krewe from West Africa are among the free concerts at this year's Arts Festival. For more information, call 412-456-6666 or visit artsfestival.net for a full schedule of events.

Among more than 100 individual events and performances featuring more than 500 artists, highlights of the 2009 Festival include:

* 10 days and nights of live music featuring more than 50 individual acts. Main stage music in Point State Park is sponsored by Dollar Bank.
* An expanded Children's Area featuring performances in the WQED-TV Family Entertainment Tent and hands-on activities.
* The traditional Artists Market, where artists gather to sell original art works and handmade fine crafts.
* Visual arts exhibitions in numerous Cultural District gallery spaces
* The return of the Festival's Zero-Waste Initiative, generously supported by Colcom Foundation.

What started as a "little outdoor art show" in 1960 has grown into the region's largest multidisciplinary showcase of visual art and performing arts, and draws exhibitors and participants from around the world.

Founded by the Women's Committee of the Carnegie Museum of Art, Three Rivers Arts Festival has presented, during its vast and varied history, more than 10,000 visual and performing artists and entertained millions of residents and visitors.

"The work presented at Three Rivers Arts Festival represents both the artistic diversity of the Pittsburgh community and the Festival's historic legacy," said J. Kevin McMahon, president and CEO of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

The Three Rivers Arts Festival remains one of the longest-running free arts events of its kind in the United States. "In these economic times, Three Rivers Arts Festival is more important than ever," said Deborah Acklin, Three Rivers Arts Festival advisory board chair. "The Festival's new home at The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust allows the Festival to continue presenting a robust schedule of free, high-quality, family-friendly art activities and performances."