For Immediate Release

April 8, 2010

Now in it's 25th year, the family-friendly Tucson Folk Festival is one of the largest free festivals in the United States.

Over 400 local, regional and national musicians will perform on Saturday and Sunday, May 1 - 2, 2010, offering continuous live music featuring folk, blues, Celtic, bluegrass, folk-rock, world, gospel, country and Cajun rhythms. Each year, more than 10,000 music fans gather downtown to enjoy the wide variety of music performed on four stages.

The downtown venues are within easy walking distance from the corner of Church and Alameda, allowing for many musical choices. The Plaza Stage is at El Presidio Park; the Courtyard Stage is on the lawn of the Pima County Courthouse. The Museum Stage is at the Tucson Museum of Art (TMA); the Old Town Artisans (OTA) stage is located in the courtyard of the Old Town Artisans complex at 201 North Court Avenue, adjacent to TMA.

Saturday, May 1, the free fun begins at noon with a full day of music on four stages, but wait, there's more: workshops, the Childrens' Show, the Ballad Tree Song Circle and the annual Songwriters Competition. The day culminates at El Presidio Park on the Plaza Stage at 9:00 p.m. with Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen. An inductee into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, guitarist and mandolin player Hillman has played everything from bluegrass to jazz as a member of groups such as The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and the Desert Rose Band. Banjo picker and vocalist Herb Pedersen has brought his talent to work with such artists as Johnny Rivers, Dan Fogelberg, James Taylor and many others. His music is also the legend of several TV and movie soundtracks. Together, they will engage audiences with their wonderful vocal skills and playing repertoire – from honky-tonk rock to bluegrass melodies with Tex-Mex and Cajun thrown in for good measure.

Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen will also conduct a workshop on Songwriting and Vocal Techniques at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Casa Cordova Courtyard, at the Tucson Museum of Art. (The entire schedule of workshops for the weekend is at www.tucsonfolkfest.org.)

Sunday's fun begins at 11:00 a.m. with another full day of music on four stages, including a New Artists Showcase featuring talented young musicians under the age of 18. A Gospel Singalong begins at 11:00 a.m. with more workshops in 4 locations, the Ballad Tree Song Circle, and a special Legacy Set with original creators of the Tucson Folk Festival performs on the Plaza Stage at 5:30 p.m.

The final performance of the festival is on the Plaza Stage, Sunday at 8:00 p.m. with Tucsonan John Coinman, an award winning singer/songwriter. He's released 5 solo CDs, had numerous songs in films, and collaborated with many artists and writers including John Densmore of The Doors, James Intveld, Amy Rigby, Tony Gilkyson, Michael Blake, Teddy Morgan, and Kevin Costner. He was the Music Supervisor of the Academy-Award winning movie "Dances With Wolves". John is signed with Corazong Records headquartered in Amsterdam and Nashville. He comes to headline the Tucson Folk Festival after recently recording and touring with Kevin Costner and Modern West.

This year also features the Acoustic Showcase at the cool Tucson Museum of Art Lobby, where anyone can sign-up for their 15 minutes of musical fame on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The Tucson Folk Festival is partnering once again with community radio, KXCI 91.3 FM to broadcast most artists from the Plaza Stage with a one-hour tape delay. As they have for years, popular local on-air celebrities Carol Anderson and Mike Landwehr will co-host.

Festival President Susan Liechti remarks: "We are very grateful to the 17th Street Market for underwriting our Saturday night headliners Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen. Their combined talent and experience is incredible! We are also thrilled to have John Coinman on Sunday night, he is truly a Tucson musical treasure. We are very pleased that for the 25th year in a row, the Tucson Folk Festival offers free admission and fun events for the whole family!"

The 2010 Tucson Folk Festival also offers a smorgasbord of delicious food and creative craft vendors in and near El Presidio Park; a buffet will be available at Old Town Artisans.

Parking recommendations and a printable full schedule of events is at www.tucsonfolkfest.org.
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Highlights of this years festival include:
Saturday, May 1:
Songwriters Competition, Courtyard Stage, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Winner announced at 4:00 p.m., Plaza Stage. Winner performs on Plaza Stage, 6:00 p.m.

Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen Workshop: Casa Cordova Courtyard, 1:00 p.m.

Acoustic Showcase, Tucson Museum of Art Lobby, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. 

Children's Show featuring Tucson Puppet Works and Bruce Phillips,
Courtyard Stage, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Ballad Tree Song Circle, Main Library Lawn, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Headliners Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen, Plaza Stage, 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 2:
New Artists Showcase, Courtyard Stage, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Gospel Singalong, City Hall Garden Area, 11:00 a.m.

Acoustic Showcase, Tucson Museum of Art Lobby, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Ballad Tree Song Circle, Main Library Lawn, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Legacy Set with original TKMA members, Plaza Stage, 5:30 p.m.

Headliner John Coinman, Plaza Stage, 8:00 p.m.