August 15, 2007
Contact:
Elizabeth Stampe, Communications Director, (415) 543-6771 x307, email
Grammy Winner Laurie Lewis Headlines
“Bluegrass for the Greenbelt” Outdoor Concert
Bluegrass beneath the redwoods benefits
Greenbelt Alliance
Laurie Lewis and The Right Hands will perform under the redwoods on Sunday, September 9, in a private amphitheater high in the East Bay hills, to benefit Bay Area open space protection. Seating is limited; tickets can be purchased atwww.BluegrassForTheGreenbelt.org.
“Most bluegrass musicians know how long it takes to grow a good tree that will make a good instrument,” says Lewis, a Grammy award winner and two-time International Bluegrass Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year. “We understand the value of conserving the natural world around us.”
The second annual Bluegrass for the Greenbelt benefit concert — hosted by Freight and Salvage Coffee House — will feature Lewis and her full band, plus duet Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin, as well as Rustler’s Moon with Kathy Kallick and Bill Evans. (See the YouTube video of Laurie Lewis and The Right Hands.)
All concert proceeds will benefit Greenbelt Alliance, a nonprofit that has been creating vibrant places and protecting open spaces throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly 50 years.
“Greenbelt Alliance is a dedicated bunch of people trying to keep the Bay Area livable, and I appreciate the work they do. I’m always grateful that I can escape the city within minutes and take a walk in the woods,” says Lewis, a Berkeley native who has spent many happy hours hiking in Tilden Park
Tom Steinbach, executive director of Greenbelt Alliance, adds, “To us, Bluegrass for the Greenbelt highlights the best of the Bay Area, where you can enjoy fresh local food and great artists in a spectacular natural setting.”
Merchants from the Kensington Farmers’ Market will be at the concert, including: Chef Larry Lefebvre (formerly of Ginger Island on Berkeley’s 4th Street), offering boxed suppers made of local, organic and sustainable ingredients; Lone Oak Orchards, offering fresh, seasonal, organic fruit, nuts and fruit juices; and Bennett Valley Bread, featuring organic pizzetas and cookies. Complimentary wine from Dyer Vineyards will also be on hand, as well as free coffee and tea from Peet’s.
The venue is a treat: Coventry Grove is a private 300-seat outdoor amphitheater set in a redwood grove in the town of Kensington. Coventry Grove’s owner is Danny Scher, a veteran Bay Area music producer. There is no parking at the venue; a free 3-minute shuttle will be provided from the El Cerrito BART station.
Lewis encourages everyone who loves bluegrass and the Bay Area to reserve their tickets now. “Every generation has to jump in and save what we have,” she says. “We humans have a voracious appetite.”
If you have a voracious appetite for fresh food, good music, and beautiful landscapes, get your tickets today!
What: Bluegrass for the Greenbelt, a benefit for Greenbelt Alliance
Who: Laurie Lewis and The Right Hands; Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin; Rustler’s Moon with Kathy Kallick and Bill Evans.
When: Sunday, September 9, 2007, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Where: Coventry Grove, a private, wooded amphitheater in Kensington (near El Cerrito), in the East Bay hills
How: Tickets are $50 for Greenbelt Alliance members and $65 for nonmembers; discount memberships are available with ticket purchases. Go towww.BluegrassForTheGreenbelt.org to buy tickets.
Sponsors: Concert sponsorships are welcome and will be acknowledged online and at the event; contact Brianna Swartz by email or at (415) 543-6771 x304.
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For 50 years, Greenbelt Alliance has been the San Francisco Bay Area’s advocate for open spaces and vibrant places, with offices in San Francisco, San Jose, Walnut Creek, San Rafael, and Santa Rosa. www.greenbelt.org
