PHILADELPHIA, July 9, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Over the past ten years, WXPN, the public radio station of the University of Pennsylvania, has set the stage for musical excellence with its popular Independence Blue Cross WXPN Singer Songwriter Weekend. Since 1993, the wide range of talent that has graced the Penn's Landing stage has included 84 performers who collectively have produced 23 Grammy awards and 17 Gold albums.
WXPN's Singer Songwriter Weekend celebrates its tenth anniversary by bringing together musical artists who have become legends in their respective genres, as well as performers who are just starting their journey to the top. On Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, music-lovers from around the Philadelphia region and all over the country will gather at the Great Plaza, Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street at Penn's Landing to enjoy the diverse musical acts scheduled to play throughout the weekend. With performances from Rhett Miller, Eastmountainsouth, Indigenous, Alexi Murdoch, and hometown favorites Grey Eye Glances, to name a few, Penn's Landing is the place to be for fans wanting to be part of the unique WXPN experience -- whether it's for the tenth time or the first.
This year there is a new addition to the program. WXPN will present the first-ever XPN Award for an Emerging Artist. The honors for this debut award go to Irish performer Damien Rice whose album "O" was released in the U.S. last month to critical acclaim. Rice will perform on Sunday afternoon.
"As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Singer Songwriter Weekend, we recognize how important XPN is to the careers of so many talented artists," said Roger LaMay, WXPN's general manager. "That's why we've chosen this event to present our inaugural XPN Award for an emerging artist. We hope everyone will come see Damien Rice, and the entire line-up of incredible performers, and be part of the experience."
In addition to two days of non-stop music, WXPN Singer Songwriter Weekend will feature: a variety of Philly foods; an artist "meet and greet" area for XPN members; the presentation of the XPN Award for an emerging artist; a special "Kids Corner" area for children featuring face painting and kids crafts; and other tenth anniversary activities.
Singer Songwriter Weekend festivities begin when gates open at 12:30 p.m. Performances begin at 1:00 p.m. and run until 9:00 p.m. on both July 19 and 20. The performance start times are as follows:
Saturday, July 19 1:00 p.m. Townhall 1:50 p.m. Eastmountainsouth 2:45 p.m. Alexi Murdoch 3:50 p.m. Kathleen Edwards 5:05 p.m. Robert Randolph & The Family Band 6:20 p.m. Nickel Creek 7:40 p.m. Richard Thompson Sunday, July 20 1:00 p.m. Sharon Katz & The Peace Train 1:55 p.m. Grey Eye Glances 3:05 p.m. Indigenous 4:20 p.m. Damien Rice (XPN Award presentation) 5:20 p.m. Rhett Miller 6:30 p.m. They Might Be Giants 7:50 p.m. Art Garfunkel, Maia Sharp & Buddy Mondlock
The Great Plaza at Penn's Landing is located at Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. Tickets are available online at www.xpn.org and www.pennslandingcorp.com and also at various CD store outlets in the Philadelphia region. A list of retail locations is available on the station's Web site. Tickets are $5.00 each day at all times for WXPN members, and children ages 2 to 12. Ticket prices for non-members are $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the gate. In addition, the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel is offering a Singer Songwriter Weekend package priced at $109.00 per night and includes a free pair of tickets, deluxe accommodations, and parking.
88.5 WXPN is the non-commercial public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania and the premier public radio showcase for new music by the foremost recording artists of the singer songwriter era. WXPN's signature program, World Cafe(r) broadcasts daily on more than 150 public radio stations nationwide, and serves as a microcosm of the station's programming culture. World Cafe(r) is distributed by Public Radio International and features a rich, eclectic blend of contemporary rock, folk, alternative country, rhythm and blues, world beat and jazz. WXPN also produces Kids Corner, hosted by Peabody Award-winner, Kathy O'Connell, and presents major musical events such as the annual Singer Songwriter Weekend. For more information on World Cafe and other WXPN background visit www.xpn.org or call WXPN at (215) 898-6677.
Coverage is invited. Interviews with performers, bios and photographs are available upon request. Credentials for the event are required and can be picked up at "Will Call" each day of the festival. Performance times are subject to change.