For a complete schedule of entertainment and events, go to www.harrisburgevents.com
2008 AMERICAN MUSICFEST JULY 4 - 6, 2008
OVER 100 PERFORMANCES BY HUNDREDS OF TALENTED INTERNATIONAL, CLASSICAL, ROCK AND POP MUSICIANS, SINGERS, DANCERS, SONGWRITERS, DRUMMERS, MAGICIANS AND STORYTELLERS ON SIX STAGES ALONG THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER!
Mayor Stephen R. Reed welcomes city residents and visitors to be a part of the 2008 American MusicFest taking place over the July 4th weekend. Over 180 hours of continuous entertainment will be presented on six performance stages located throughout Riverfront Park on the banks of the beautiful Susquehanna River and on Harrisburg’s City Island. This year’s schedule includes more than 100 performances by classical, pop, rock and international musicians, singers, dancers, songwriters, drummers, magicians and storytellers. The festival runs for three days beginning on July 4th and continues through July 6, 2008. Festival hours are12:00 Noon until 10:00 PM each day.
FIREWORKS! – The festival will feature three fireworks displays, one fired each evening. On Friday evening, July 4th, a large Holiday display will be fired from City Island at 9:05 PM. This show will be accompanied by a specially recorded soundtrack broadcast throughout Riverfront Park and on RED 102.3. On Saturday evening, July 5, there will be a special fireworks display accompanying the ending of Tsychovsky’s 1812 Overture performed by the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra on the Comcast Star Stage between 9:05 and 10:00 PM. This display will be fired from behind the stage in South Riverfront Park near Shipoke. On Sunday, July 6th, the festival will culminate with the region’s largest holiday fireworks display, fired from City Island at 9:05 PM immediately after Mayor Stephen R. Reed's holiday address. This display will also be accompanied by a soundtrack broadcast throughout Riverfront Park and on MIX 106.7. The fireworks rain date will be the following evening, same time.
Reed said that the quality of the musical line-up for this year’ American MusicFest is better than ever. Highlights of the schedule that appears in the center spread of this edition of the City Calendar are – On Friday, July 4th the AMF SHOWCASE on The Patriot-News Market St. Stage will be followed by a performance of the Florida based Punk Rock band "Whole Wheat Bread." The World Stage will feature the Afro-pop sensation Fallou Dieng from Senegal while the Citizens Bank Foundation Caribbean Cove stage will feature the Pittsburgh Latin-pop dance band AZUCAR. At 7:30 PM, MusicFest headliner "The Family Stone Project" will perform vintage funk on the Comcast Star Stage presented by The Hilton Harrisburg. Legendary "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame" members comprise this revival group who will have concert-goers "dancin’ to the music" all night long.
On Saturday, July 5th, in addition to the new "Capital City Clash" taking place on the Patriot-News Market St. Stage, the Citizens Bank Foundation Caribbean Cove Stage will be featuring the rootsy, funky Latin jazz sound of Jose Conde y Ola Fresca or "Fresh Wave" followed by Reggae recording star, Meshach, on tour from Saint Lucia. Among the many unique international performers on the World Stage will be Shafaatullah Khan, Classical Indian sitar player accompanied by Tabla and Dilruba. Also on the World Stage will be the popular Balkan rock band "The Balkanics" with Southern Slavic folk Dance instructor, Daniela Ivanova, appearing to lead group dances during their set. The Comcast Star Stage will feature a unique presentation at 2:00 PM, when local jazz performers present selections from "The Tear Jar" a "Blues Opera" that will be produced at the Whitaker Center, Sunoco Theater this August. The headliner of the evening will be the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra performing on the Comcast Star Stage. Opening for the HSO will be the international award winner, pianist/composer Bob Barry. The final day of the festival,
Sunday, July 6th, is also packed with top artists. The American MusicFest signature event, "Gospel-at-the-River" will feature The Sci-Tech Gospel Choir, Kirsten Nicole Harris, "The Scott White Family" Gospel Choir and all the way from Mississippi, "The Jackson Southernaires"! In addition to singing, Kirsten Nicole Harris will also serve as emcee for the event. Later in the day, Meshach will return to the Citizen’s Bank Caribbean Cove Stage followed by the "Nation Beat" from New York, the band fuses Latin, Funk, Rock and Bluegrass into one unique sound. Headlining for the evening are The Stars of Beatlemania featuring Alan LeBoeuf on the Comcast Star Stage, presented by the Crowne Plaza Hotel. All four players in this Beatles odyssey appeared in the long-running Broadway play. Opening for The Stars of Beatlemania will be Deni Bonet, a unique singer/songwriter performing on electric violin.
American MusicFest is happy to again partner with the Susquehanna Folk Music Society in presenting folk and ethnic performers on the Coca-Cola Community Stage from 12: 00 Noon until 5:00 PM each day and for the appearance of Daniela Ivanova with The Balkanics on the World Stage on July 5th and 6th.
Mayor Reed is pleased to announce that there are four new additions to this year’s festival. New on The Patriot-News Market St. Stage, located at Front and Market Streets, will be a special "SHOWCASE" of new and emerging local, regional and national talent on July 4th from 12:00 Noon until 7:00 PM. On July 5th, a new event - the "Capital City Clash," will pit six top rock bands against each other for three top prizes in an American MusicFest battle of the bands style competition hosted by The X, 105.7. New on City Island will be additional amusement rides for teenagers and adults situated in the 19th Hole area near the popular Water Golf miniature golf course. These rides will be in operation throughout the entire run of the festival 12:00 Noon until 10:00 PM each day. Also new on City Island is the first USA Armature Boxing Event which will be held in Carousel Pavilion at 6:30 PM. The event is sponsored by the Harrisburg Boxing Club. Tickets for the match will cost $20 per person and may be purchased at the door on July 4th. The boxing event will conclude just before the fireworks display is launched at 9:05 PM that evening.
Reed said the American MusicFest is the largest Independence Holiday Weekend Festival in the mid-state and is held rain-or-shine. All stage performances on all the festival stages are FREE and open to the public with festival-style ground seating available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The public is encouraged to bring folding chairs and blankets to enjoy the many shows. In addition to musical, dance and spoken word performances the festival features over 50 food vendors in three café and food court areas and the popular Belco Children’s Village, where rides, games, activities, musical and other theatrical performances take place. In addition to the activities in Riverfront Park, and the new rides and Boxing event on City Island, "The Battle of Harrisburg Karate Tournament" will again be held in Skyline Sports Complex field at 9:00 AM on Saturday, July 5th and all of the City Island vendors and attractions will be open to the public during their normal hours of operation.
The Mayor said that American MusicFest is planned, produced and sponsored by the City of Harrisburg with the generous support of dozens of co-sponsors. Providing support this year are AAA Specialty Contractors, Advanced Communications, Arthritis Foundation, Bath Savers Inc., BELCO Community Credit Union, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, Capitol Blue Cross, Citadel Broadcasting: 105.7 The X, Mix 106.7, Red 102.3, Citizens Bank Foundation, Coca Cola, Comcast, Crowne Plaza, Dad’s Pet Food, FastSigns, FOX 43, GEICO, Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, Harrisburg Senators, Hilton Harrisburg, Humana MarketPoint, Kibble Select, Mid-Atlantic Waterproofing, Owens Corning, The Patriot News, Renewal By Andersen, Sprint/Nextel, Sundance Vacations, Vacation Village.
American MusicFest attendees are also reminded that backpacks, bicycles, skateboard and audible portable sound systems are prohibited in the festival area, throughout Riverfront Park and on City Island during the holiday weekend. Pets are not allowed in Riverfront Park during festivals but are welcome on City Island at all times. They may be walked to Walnut Street and the Walking Bridge by way of 2nd Street or the eastern sidewalk along Front Street. For security purposes, packages and carryalls are subject to search by police.
For a complete listing of American MusicFest performances and times, please call the City Department of Parks and Recreation at (717) 255-3020 or visit the official Parks and Recreation website at www.harrisburgevents.com.