Contact: Lisa Simmons, MOTT

Lisa.Simmons@state.ma.us

617-973-8508

Ron D'Amico, Connelly Partners

rdamico@connellypartners.com

617-521-5428

For Immediate Release

Massachusetts Music Scene: Marching to a New Beat
Exploring Massachusetts Music Festivals/Events in 2011

BOSTON, February 17, 2011 - From well known festivals like Tanglewood and the Lowell Folk Festival, to newer options like Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival, the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has compiled a list of popular and unique music events that are taking place throughout 2011.

The Berklee Beantown Jazz Festival has become a leading celebration of jazz, Latin, blues, and groove acts. More than 80,000 visitors enjoy exceptional jazz and cultural food in Boston's historic and hip South End. Over 100 vendors will take part in 2011, securing Boston as a prominent influence on the jazz scene.

Low-key events include the Blues ‘n’ Brews festival in Westford that pairs regional craft breweries with top blues bands. Great eats like Oktoberfest food and a homebrew competition make this a quality day for locals and out-of-towners. Raffles and games take place throughout day while craft and vendor booths are also stationed at the festival selling local creations.

If you're looking for more musical festivals taking place in Massachusetts, go to massjazz.com to check out events, festivals and nightclubs, as well as hotel packages, jazz brunches, classes and other resources.

Upcoming Music Festivals in Massachusetts

Salem Jazz and Soul Festival-April 9
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is growing into a premier music festival on the North Shore, adding to the region’s creative economy through tourism, music and education. Last years family-friendly event featured two days of live music, music education classes, an arts and crafts fair, and a children’s play tent.
Peabody Essex Museum
East India Square
Salem
978-745-9500

Bluegrass on the Bogs-May 20-22
A non-traditional, acoustic festival, showcases some of the most talented musicians in the region. This weekend-long event provides outstanding music, workshops, children’s activities, local and organic food.
Maple Park
290 Glen Charlie Road
East Wareham
508-280-4825

Rockport Chamber Music Festival–June 9-July 17
Celebrating its 30th anniversary season, the Rockport Chamber Music Festival is featuring an exceptional roster of outstanding soloists and ensembles – all in the stunning acoustics of the Shalin Liu Performance Center
37 Main Street
Rockport
978-546-7391

Berkshire Choral Festival-June5-September 18
The Berkshire Choral Festival was founded in 1982 with a unique purpose: to provide choral singers with the opportunity to rehearse and perform masterpieces of the choral repertoire under the direction of world-class conductors and with the help of a professional musical staff
245 North Undermountain Road
Sheffield
413-229-8526

Aston Magna Festival-June 16-July 9
Baroque and classical music performed on period instruments in three air-conditioned venues with convenient parking and full handicapped accessibility. Performances are held throughout June and July.
Slosberg Auditorium
Brandeis University
415 South Street
Waltham

Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival-June 24-June 26
An intimate three-day celebration of music, comedy, art and community. Envisioned by Wilco and presented in collaboration with MASS MoCA, America’s largest center for contemporary art, this year’s festival boasts two headline concerts by Wilco, a comedy cabaret hosted by John Hodgman, the new Solid Ground tent site for nearby camping, a Euclid Records pop-up store, and a wide array of all-ages programming.
MASS MoCA
87 Marshall Street
North Adams

Tanglewood Music Festival-June 28
The 2011 Tanglewood Music Festival, now in its 74th year as the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, opens with a world premiere performance by the Mark Morris Dance Group, and closes with the annual Labor Day Weekend Jazz Festival.
Berkshires Hills
Between Lenox and Stockbridge
888-266-1200

Lowell Folk Festival-July 23
The Lowell Folk Festival kicks-off with a parade and music on two performances stages: Dutton Street Dance Pavilion and Boarding House Park. On Saturday everything kicks off at noon with music, ethnic foods, crafts demonstrations and more throughout downtown Lowell.
67 Kirk Street
Lowell
978-970-5000

Provincetown Jazz Festival-August 12-15
The 7th Annual Provincetown Jazz Fesitval is held in the oldest continuous art colony in the United States and includes jazz musicians from the US, Canada, Europe and the United Kingdom.
Provincetown Town Hall
508-274-2513

Blues N’ Brews Festival-August 21
Features live music from top blues bands with dozens of regional craft breweries. Raffles, games, homebrew demonstrations as well as craft and vendor booths makes for a great outdoor event at the Nashoba Valley Ski Area.
Nashoba Valley Ski Area
Westford

Essex Music Festival-August 28
The 17th Annual Essex Music Festival in Essex, Massachusetts features a collection of the area’s finest acoustic performers in a family oriented venue. An eclectic mix of genres perform on two stages and include Bluegrass, Folk, Blues, Celtic, Ragtime, Cajun/Zydeco and Americana Roots.
Centennial Grove
Essex

BeanTown Jazz Festival-September 24
Performers brewed up a big ol' pot of musical gumbo for the 10th anniversary Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival. The festival brings together people from diverse communities throughout the city and region, and is a vital part of Boston’s culture.
Columbus Avenue
Boston
617-747-8601

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About MOTT
The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) is the state agency dedicated to promoting Massachusetts as a leisure-travel destination in order to stimulate the Massachusetts economy by generating state and local tax revenues, creating jobs, and supporting the growth of travel-related businesses. MOTT serves as a leader in the tourism industry, bringing together the public and private sectors to promote Massachusetts as a leisure travel destination. Tourism is an integral part of the state’s economy, generating more than $944 million in state and local taxes and $15.1 billion in travel related expenditures. The industry supports 127,800 in-state jobs. Web site: massvacation.com