THE B-52'S & EVERCLEAR HEADLINE MUSICFEST 2008 LINEUP CONFIRMED FOR FREE: TWO-DAY FAMILY FUN AND MUSIC EVENT
Three Stages of Well-Known Acts and Rising Stars
Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6
In Nomahegan Park in Cranford
"The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in conjunction with presenting sponsor Overlook Hospital has confirmed two jam-packed days of music on three stages at MusicFest '08, including Everclear, who will headline Friday, September 5, and The B-52's, who will headline on Saturday, September 6, at Nomahegan Park in Cranford." [Union Country Music Fest]
Free to the public, the 11th installment of this annual event will feature more than 20 performers, among them a contingent of rising musical stars from New Jersey on both days.
“On behalf of my colleagues on the Freeholder Board, I would like to thank all of our sponsors for making it possible for thousands of Union County residents to enjoy two days of free, high quality, family entertainment,” said Angel G. Estrada, chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “I would especially like to thank our stage sponsors - Overlook Hospital, The Hartford, Walmart, and Elizabethtown Gas – and our other main sponsors including PSE&G, Kean University, Verizon, and Commerce Bank.”
Last year, a single-day version of MusicFest drew an estimated 50,000 attendees to take in two stages of music, making it one of the state’s premier entertainment draws. Beyond expanding to two days, this year’s event will feature even more musical entertainment on a third stage, a larger version of Kids Kingdom in a new location in the park, additional food vendors, a marketplace, and the return of the Love, Hope, Strength charity walkathon, paired with a newly added 5k race.
MusicFest '08 will officially open Friday, September 5, at 3 p.m. The music will continue bright and early on Saturday, September 6, at 8 a.m. to coincide with registration for the Rock On Walkathon and 5k Rock N’ Run. Both nights will close at 10 p.m. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are welcome.
Friday's musical highlights will include:
Everclear, the alternative rock band originally formed in Portland, Ore., and known for such hits as “Santa Monica,” and “Father of Mine." The Art Alexakis-led group will take the stage at approximately 8 p.m.
Cracker, a modern rock group formed by former Camper Van Beethoven frontman David Lowery. The band rose to prominence in the 1990s, scoring hits with "Low," "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" and "Get Off This."
Jenny Owen Youngs, a singer/song writer from Montclair, N.J., who has received strong national reviews for her debut album, "Batten the Hatches."
Val Emmich, a singer/songwriter and actor haling from Manalapan, N.J. His new album, "Little Daggers," is due to be released September 30. Along with a recurring role on ABC's "Ugly Betty," he has been seen in NBC's "30 Rock" and ABC's "Cashmere Mafia."
A host of local acts sponsored by The Crossroads of Garwood -- including a solo performance by Smithereens frontman Pat DiNizio, Beale Street Love, Tom Vella, 3rd Party and others will perform on MusicFest '08's newly added Walmart-sponsored third stage.
Helena Maria, a New Jersey born-and-bred duo, will open the main stage. Their music has been featured in MTV’s “The Hills” and the upcoming movie, “In My Sleep.” HelenaMaria also appeared on mtvU’s “Meet or Delete: Best Music on Campus” episode.
Saturday's musical highlights will include:
A headlining set by legendary party rock band, The B-52s. Known for scores of hits, including “Love Shack,” “Rock Lobster,” "Private Idaho" and “Roam," the band released "Funplex," its first new studio album in 16 years, in March to universally positive reviews. The band will close out MusicFest '08 with a bang.
Tokyo Police Club, a young indie rock band from Toronto that has been featured on MTV, and critically acclaimed in Spin, Rolling Stone and other leading music publications since the release of their full-length debut, “Elephant Shell,” earlier this year.
The Gin Blossoms, a power-pop act whose classic 1992 album, “New Miserable Experience” sold 3 million records thanks to several hits, including “Hey Jealousy,” "Found Out About You" and "Allison Road."
· Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals. The voice of one of the biggest groups in the country from 1965-69 will perform such beloved hits as "Good Lovin'," "Groovin'," "A Girl Like You," "A Beautiful Morning" and "People Got to Be Free."
· Dan Zanes, described by People magazine as "the crown prince of contemporary kids music." A Grammy award-winning artist and former member of legendary rock band The Del Fuegos, Zanes and his band are regularly seen and heard on PBS' "Sesame Street" and Playhouse Disney, and known far and wide for his incredible family-friendly musical performances.
· Mike Peters with the NJ Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players. The founder and lead singer of The Alarm will return to MusicFest without his band for a very special solo performance of his well-known songs with orchestral accompaniment.
·Glen Burtnik & Friends performing a set of classics from The Beatles catalog. Based in New Brunswick, N.J., Burtnik is a successful and respected singer, guitarist and songwriter. A one-time member of Styx, he is also well-known for his portrayal of Paul McCartney in the original Broadway production of "Beatlemania."
· Danielia Cotton a fiery, blues rock artist from Hopewell, N.J., who has earned raves for her stage performance and three original studio albums, including the recently released "Rare Child." Cotton and her band have toured with many notable artists, including Gregg Allman, Flaming Lips, Buddy Guy and fellow New Jerseyans Bon Jovi.
Several local acts -- including Jobonanno and the Godsons of Soul featuring Vini Lopez, the Roadside Graves -- will perform on MusicFest '08's newly added Walmart-sponsored third stage.
Additionally, MusicFest '08 will feature several performances by The What Cheer? Brigade, a rowdy 19-piece roving brass band from Providence, R.I., across both days.
Other attractions will include:
· The Major League Baseball Traveling Road Show, which includes pitching and batting cages and video game kiosks, was a very popular attraction at last year's event and will return to the MusicFest grounds in 2008.
· The Marketplace, expanded for MusicFest '08, will add a variety of vendors and a host of new food merchants.
· As previously announced, the Rock on! Walkathon and 5k Rock N’ Run (on a certified USATF course) will open the festival on Saturday, September 6 (7:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. run start, 9:15 a.m. walk start) to benefit the Love Hope Strength Foundation (www.lovehopestrength.org) and The Valerie Fund (www.thevaleriefund.org).
· Saturday includes Kids Kingdom Traveling Jubilee, an entertainment show featuring rides and amusements for children, which will be staged in an expanded area at Shane Walsh Field, which is adjoining Nomahegan Park. Kids Kingdom makes several stops in Union County Parks through the year, concluding with MusicFest.
· The Shane Walsh Field area will also include a stage for family acts, a petting zoo for children, arts and crafts.
· A laser tag area for adults and children will also be located in the Shane Walsh Field area. A height of 52” is required to participate.
In the event of rain, MusicFest will be held at Kean University, however the Rock on! Walkathon and 5K Rock N’ Run will be held in Cranford. Sponsors include Overlook Hospital (presenting sponsor), The Hartford, Elizabethtown Gas, Wal-Mart, Anheuser-Busch, Kean University, Commerce Bank, Verizon, Ceasar’s, Rio22 and others. The Holiday Inn on Route 22 in Springfield will again provide discounted room rates for MusicFest attendees.
Additional information is available at ucmusicfest.com.
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