CONTACT: Brenda VanDevelder
davinci@davinci-days.org
(541) 757-6363
Variety is the Spice of 2007 da Vinci Days Musical Lineup
CORVALLIS, ORE., June 20, 2007 — An exciting and eclectic mix of musical entertainment will shower celebrants with an assortment of sweet sounds at this year's da Vinci Days festival.
From reggae to rock, calypso to Celtic, and acoustic to a cappella, the 19th annual festival's three outdoor concert venues will serve up something for every musical taste during a weekend of nearly non-stop performances.
The fun begins on Friday, July 20th, with a 7 p.m. Main Stage performance by Sneakin' Out, a Portland trio that mixes new grass with new wave for a deliciously disoriented twist on some old favorites.
And speaking of favorites, opening night festivities will be capped by a refreshing dose of Pink Martini, the world-touring "little orchestra" from Oregon. The 12-piece band will serve up tasty samples of its melodic concoctions beginning at 8:30 p.m.
"Much like our festival, Pink Martini has a style that doesn't easily fit into one genre, but appeals to a broad and diverse audience," said da Vinci Days Executive Director Brenda VanDevelder. "This performance will be one of the few opportunities that people have to enjoy Pink Martini in Oregon at an outdoor festival. We're thrilled to host this innovative and popular group."
On Saturday, July 21st, all three da Vinci Days concert venues will get in on the acts. The Shady Stage will begin its entertainment-filled day at 10 a.m. with acoustic folk from Cassandra Robertson, and won't let up until a 5 p.m. set of original blues from the Ty Curtis Band. The Central Park Stage will come to life at 1 p.m. with a performance by bluegrass and Celtic stylists the Leaf Hoppers, and will keep the energy flowing with a Battle of the Bands competition from 4 to 8 p.m.
On Saturday evening, the Main Stage will feature the Henan Performing Arts Ensemble at 5:30. These performers from China's Henan Province will present an evening of far flung entertainment from the Far East—including music, theater, and martial arts. Later, percussionist O.B. Addy and his reggae troupe I & I will take the Main Stage at 7:30, and Led Zeppelin tribute band Stairway Denied will make some memories during its farewell gig at 9:30.
On Sunday morning, the Shady Stage will kick things off again, this time with three consecutive dance performances beginning at 10:30. After lunch, the dance shoe will be on the other foot as local favorites the Maharimbas bring festival-goers to their feet with a high-energy show beginning at 2:45.
For those who can't stop rockin', the MusiCafe Rock School will shine a spotlight on some of the area's youngest musicians on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Central Park Stage. And Saturday's Battle of the Bands winner will rock the Shady Stage at 4 p.m. in a festival-ending concert.
The entire entertainment lineup for the 2007 da Vinci Days festival follows.
All events are open to everyone with a paid admission to da Vinci Days. Full weekend passes, which include all events and activities from Friday evening through Sunday, can be purchased now from the festival's web site: www.davinci-days.org. The price is $15 for adults (13 and up) and $10 for children (6-12.) Pre-festival ticket sales begin June 15 at multiple locations around Corvallis and in Albany, and will be sold at the festival's Main Gate at 11th Street & Madison Avenue. Single-day admissions, available only at the gate, will be $10 for adults and $5 for children. Children five and under will be admitted for free.
About da Vinci Days
Drawing more than 20,000 attendees, da Vinci Days in Corvallis, Ore., is the country's longest running festival of its kind. For all ages, our weekend summer festival features art that makes you think, mini race cars built by school kids, a juggling physics lesson, a race of human-powered kinetic sculptures, Grammy Award winning music, a film festival, a nationally renowned keynote speaker, non-stop stage and street performances, interactive exhibits of cutting-edge research at Oregon State University, da Vinci-style contests, and hands-on activities exploring art, science, and technology. With help from more than 150 community partners and 1,000 volunteers, da Vinci Days showcases innovative artists, engineers, teachers, community organizations, and individuals. The 19th annual festival celebrates all things kinetic with a theme of Motion & Commotion on July 20-22, 2007.