The 63rd Annual Albany Tulip Festival 5/7, 5/8
Published:
City of Albany
Office of Special Events & Volunteer Services
City Hall - 4th Floor
Albany, New York 12207
(518) 434-2032 fax: (518) 426-0759
www.albanyevents.org
www.albanytulipqueen.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 12, 2011
CONTACT: Jason Bonafide
(518) 434-5417
The 63rd Annual Albany Tulip Festival
May 7 & 8, 2011
Albany, New York - Mayor Jerry Jennings and the City of Albany are pleased to announce the full schedule of events planned for the 63rd Annual Albany Tulip Festival.
The Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event, featuring annual traditions rooted in Albany’s rich heritage, over one hundred artisans selling their handmade crafts, a fine arts show, delicious food, the KidZone family fun destination, two stages of world-class live entertainment…and, of course, thousands of tulips! As always, this event is free and open to the public!
For more information, call (518) 434-2032, visit www.albanyevents.org or follow @albanyNYevents on Facebook & Twitter.
Tulip Festival Spring Traditions:
Monday, May 2
Tulip Tour in Washington Park • 1:00pm
Learn about the planting of more than 200,000 tulips for Albany’s Tulip Festival in this guided walking tour through Washington Park, beginning at the Moses Statue. $5. Reservations are requested; call the Albany Visitors Center at (518) 434-0405.
Friday, May 6
Carillon Concert • 11:30am – 12:00pm
Professional carillonneur Dr. Charles Semowich kicks off the 63rd Annual Albany Tulip Festival with a special musical program on City Hall’s historic 49-bell carillon.
Street Scrubbing • 12:00pm
State & Lodge Streets
The traditional Dutch practice of scrubbing the streets before a big event features a Mayoral Proclamation, the Albany Police Pipes & Drums, the Dutch Settlers Society, the 2011 Tulip Queen Finalists and a performance of the National Anthem by 11-year-old singing sensation Anthony Gargiula. Hosted by Joe Condon of B95.5 FM.
Tulip Festival Luncheon • 12:30pm
11 North Pearl Street
A farewell to 2010 Tulip Queen Mishka Gilkes and her Court. Benefit for The Food Pantries. Tickets are required; contact The Food Pantries at (518) 458-1167 to purchase.
Saturday, May 7
Tulip Queen Coronation
Amp Stage at Washington Park Lakehouse
Pre-Coronation: 11:00am
The Mendelssohn Club • 11:00 - 11:30am
The Mendelssohn Club performs a full, international range of male chorus literature.
Sweet Adelines • 11:30am-12:00pm
A diverse, award-winning female chorale ensemble based in the Capital Region.
Tulip Queen Procession • 11:45am
Formal Tulip Beds by Moses Statue
2010 Tulip Queen Mishka Gilkes, Mayor Jerry Jennings, the Dutch Settlers Society and the City of Albany Pipe Band lead the five 2011 Tulip Queen finalists to the amphitheatre stage.
Tulip Queen Coronation • noon
Amp Stage
Mayor Jennings crowns the 63rd Albany Tulip Queen with special guest MC Mark Baker of Fox 23 News.
Royal Tulip Ball • 6:30pm
Wolferts Roost Country Club
An elegant evening of dining and dancing to honor the new Tulip Queen and Court. Proceeds benefit the Albany Police and Fire Foundation. Tickets are required; contact Capital Affairs at (518) 388-9240 to purchase.
Tulip Festival Performance Schedule:
SATURDAY, MAY 7
Saturday Main Stage
Washington Park Parade Grounds
Sponsored by 102.7 WEQX
Dan Mangan • 1:00pm - 2:00pm
A talented, hard-working and unpretentious musician with a poet’s gift for seeing through absurdity, Vancouver’s Dan Mangan is heralded as a favorite among North America’s new breed of independent artists.
Sam Roberts Band • 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Racking up platinum records, #1 chart rankings and multiple awards in their native Canada, the Sam Roberts Band occupies the space where classic pop songcraft and disorienting sonic experimentation collide.
Cold War Kids • 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Cold War Kids means International Blues. Since forming in 2004 in a tiny apartment over a Fullerton restaurant, the California quartet has stirred up plenty of buzz with their infectious, soulful tunes, non-stop touring and impassioned live show. Cold War Kids’ new album, Mine is Yours, broke the Billboard Top 40 and launched the hit single “Louder Than Ever” – rather impressive accomplishments for an independent band that was booking their own tours through America’s claustrophobic clubs just a few short years ago.
Saturday Amp Stage
Washington Park Lakehouse Amphitheater
Sponsored by 102.3 KISS-FM
They Might Be Gypsies • 1:00pm - 1:45pm
A gypsy jazz duo comprised of Greg Ryan and his 15-year-old guitar phenom son Aidan, They Might Be Gypsies play high energy, uplifting music with tremendous passion.
Teagan & the Tweeds • 2:15pm - 3:00pm
Led by the soulful vocals of singer-songwriter Teagan Ward, this six-piece Rochester ensemble includes a Hammond organ and pedal steel guitar. The Tweeds rock a blues-country-folk vibe that fills a dance floor like nobody’s business.
Matthew Carefully • 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Upstate New York musician Matthew Carefully crafts songs from bits of sampled mandolin, electronic beats, field recordings and voice. His unique sense of order, melody and musical spirit delivers a constantly evolving live performance which is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, think and wonder - how is he making that sound?
Patti Rothberg & Wet Paint • 4:45pm - 5:30pm
Discovered by a record executive performing in a subway station, Patti Rothberg became something of an overnight sensation upon the release of her 1996 debut album, earning spots on the Billboard charts, the Tonight Show and tours supporting the Wallflowers and the Black Crowes. 15 years later, Patti’s emotive voice, brilliant songwriting and awesome guitar solos are still on display on her new album, fittingly titled Overnight Sensation. Patti's band, Wet Paint, features Mark Greenberg and David Leatherwood.
SUNDAY, MAY 8
Sunday Main Stage
Washington Park Parade Grounds
Sponsored by Columbia Development & PYX 106
Zumba! with Instructor Carla Schlist • 11:00am - 12:00pm
Zumba is an exhilarating, Latin-inspired and calorie-burning dance fitness workout. Millions of people worldwide are enjoying this joyful phenomenon to party themselves into better shape and overall health Join in the fun with this free introductory class conducted by fulltime licensed Zumba fitness instructor Carla Schlist.
Blotto • 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Legendary live performers, clever musical satirists and music video pioneers, Albany’s Blotto made quite a splash when the video for their now-classic ode to summer "I Wanna Be a Lifeguard" aired nationally on MTV's first day of operation. The band members went their separate ways in 1984, but Blotto never really broke up. Don’t miss this rare performance from the Capital Region favorites.
Marrakesh Express- A Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Experience • 3:30pm-5:00pm
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young remain one of the most vital and enduring musical groups of all time. Marrakesh Express excels at reproducing CSNY's complex songs and cascading, 3- and 4-part harmonies, transporting the audience back to the late 1960s. A unique and energetic live presence, Marrakesh Express has brought the sound of the ‘60s to tens of thousands of appreciative fans.
Sunday Amp Stage
Washington Park Lakehouse Amphitheater
Sponsored by 97.7 WEXT
13th Annual Mother of the Year Award • 12:00pm - 12:45pm
Presented by St. Peter's Women's & Children's Services, Times Union & B95.5 FM.
The Capital Region’s most outstanding moms are recognized as Mayor Jennings and Joe Condon of B95.5 crown the 13th Annual Mother of the Year.
Bryan Thomas • 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Bryan Thomas is a soul rocker from New York’s capital city. Nippertown’s Greg Haymes says it best: “Thomas’ uncompromising songs are specifically local, yet gloriously global. He writes smart, and he writes from the heart, balancing intellect, passion and politics.”
The Rodeo Barons • 2:15pm - 3:00pm
A fixture of the local music scene behind the drumkit with Saratoga Springs favorites Railbird, Chris Carey picked up a guitar and stepped out on his own with his first solo album, Sunset Moon, in 2010. Carey’s band The Rodeo Barons conjure up a sound that hearkens back to the classic country-rock of Neil Young and Bob Dylan.
Black Mountain Symphony • 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Driven by powerful vocals and captivating violin lines, Black Mountain Symphony carve out their own unique sound, shaped by years of classical training, an irresistible love for musical roots and a fresh, ultramodern mentality.
Sgt. Dunbar & The Hobo Banned • 4:45pm - 5:30pm
Albany’s 8-piece indie-folk collective Sgt. Dunbar & The Hobo Banned have been championed by NPR and showcased at the South by Southwest music festival. The band’s uninhibited performances feature an overcrowded stage populated by frenetic multi-instrumentalists, willing to utilize anything from accordions to handsaws in the service of frontman Alex Muro’s offbeat songs.
KidZone
Saturday & Sunday
Presented by Price Chopper, McDonalds, MVP Health Care, Fox 23 News & B95.5 FM.
Featuring arts & crafts, facepainting, balloon artist, rock climbing wall, pony rides & much more!
KidZone Stage
PoppyTown Puppets • 12:00pm, 2:15pm, 4:30pm
Husband and wife team Marilyn Schroeder & Martin Howard transport the audience into a “World of Merry Imagination” with hand-crafted puppets, fun performances and live music.
Steven Richard Lindholm • 12:45pm, 3pm, 5:15pm
Steven Richard Lindholm delights audiences with his fun-filled and festive family-oriented songs filled with humor, wit and an engaging cast of characters.
Jeffrey Jene • 1:30pm, 3:45pm
Jeffrey Jene presents astonishing miracles with his award-winning magic & illusion show.
NEW THIS YEAR:
Expanded KidZone to include MVP Health Care's KidPower Obstacle Course (Saturday only).
Sunday, May 8 • All Day
Willet & Hudson park entrance
Dutch Barn Building
The Dutch Barn Preservation Society and the National Barn Alliance raise a model barn in authentic Dutch style, bringing Albany’s history to life before your eyes.
More great attractions:
Saturday & Sunday • All Day
Bike Racks – Go green to the festival & ride your bike. Park it conveniently at the Willett & Madison entrance to the park.
CDTA Shuttle – Hop on the CDTA Tulip Festival Shuttle at the Eagle Street Garage (at Eagle & Madison Ave) or Elk Street lot (at Elk and Hawk Streets). Drop off is near Henry Johnson & State St at Washington Park. (Runs noon-6:30pm)
Information Booth – Located next to the Washington Park Lakehouse
Public Information Vendors – You’ll find many local non-profits with information near the Washington Park playground.
This event is produced with the help of hundreds of volunteers. Volunteers are still needed. Please call to be a part of this great experience: 518-434-5411.
This event is sponsored by:
Columbia Development Companies, Price Chopper, McDonalds.
MillerCoors Brewing Co., MVP Health Care, Verizon Wireless, Wellcare, CDTA, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn at Albany Medical Center, New York Lottery, The Food Pantries, Waste Management, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Clough Harbour & Associates, Fuller & O’Brien (A Division of Arthur J. Gallagher of NY), NBT Bank, Radio Disney, Silver Leaf Resorts.
Media Sponsors:
WEQX 102.7, WXXA Fox 23 News.
B95.5 FM, Exit 97.7, Kiss-FM 102.3, PYX-106, 100.9 The Bridge, 104.9 The Cat, 105.7 The Crush, ESPN Radio 104.5, Fly 92.3, Jamz 96.3, The New Legends 96.7, Magic 590 AM, Q103, 88.3 The Saint, Country 107.7 WGNA, Albany.com, Spiral Design Studios, WSG, Benchemark Printing, Times Union, Metroland, Capital District Homestyle.
Special ground rules in effect: No alcoholic beverages, glass containers of any kind, animals or pets (excluding ADA-defined service animals). Any type of recording of the performance or presentation is prohibited without prior written consent. All attendees should be prepared to present age identification at any time if they intend to consume alcohol. Security personnel reserve the right to inspect any bag, container or package and confiscate any prohibited or illegal items.
