A Few Changes to Britt Schedule

Robert Plant

Britt Festivals is pleased to announce the return of rock band Cake to the Britt lineup on Saturday, August 24.

“We’re happy to have Cake back on the Britt hill after seven years,” says Executive Director Donna Briggs. “This concert, along with the three others we added since our season announcement, rounds out our season nicely.”

Billy Currington

Formed in the early ‘90s as an antagonistic response to the grunge music movement, Cake’s music has been noted for its inventive lyrics, deadpan delivery, trumpet parts, and wide range of musical influences. The band’s most recent studio album Pressure Chief, was described by the Los Angeles Times as “Music that defies simple-minded pop paradigms.”

Britt adds Robert Plant to 2013 lineup

 Britt Festivals is pleased to announce the addition of a long sought-after act to the 2013 Britt lineup: Robert Plant presents The Sensational Space Shifters, on Tuesday, July 2.

“This is a big deal for Britt,” says Executive Director Donna Briggs. “Robert Plant is one of the most significant rock singers of all time. We could not be more pleased.”

Best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist for the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest voices in rock music. He has also had a successful solo career, with projects that vary from the blues/folk band The Strange Sensation, to the Americana-influenced Band of Joy, to the Grammy-winning collaboration Raising Sand with Alison Krauss. His new project, The Sensational Space Shifters, has been touring the world, and the Brisbane Times said “What’s going on is further proof that Plant is far more imaginative, playful and adventurous than any cliché, a man who’s absorbed all the music he’s loved and played and sought out the musicians to explore that.”

Britt adds Grace Potter and Jeff Bridges
to lineup

Jeff Bridges

Britt Festivals is pleased to announce the addition of two new concerts to the Britt 2013 lineup: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Jeff Bridges and the Abiders.

American rock band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals will perform at Britt on Monday, June 24 at 7 p.m. Fronted by Potter, the band incorporates blues, roots, folk and country elements into their energetic rock sound.

Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges’ 2011 album was a natural extension of the music in his film Crazy Heart. A life-long musician, Bridges will release a new album, produced by T-Bone Burnett, in August. Bridges and his band The Abiders will appear at Britt on Wednesday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m.

The Rest Of The Season Lineup:

Pop superstar Cyndi Lauper, country singer Billy Currington, reggae artists Rebelution and Matisyahu, the legendary Steve Miller Band, indie artists Tegan and Sara, comedian Dennis Miller, American Idol winner Scotty McCreery, contemporary Christian artists Amy Grant and Brandon Heath, gospel/R&B legend Mavis Staples, singer/songwriter John Hiatt and guitar sensations Rodrigo y Gabriela are among the artists on their way to Britt’s 2013 season of concerts under the stars.

Britt Festivals is a member-supported non-profit organization and the Pacific Northwest’s oldest outdoor music and performing arts festival. Set among majestic ponderosa pines and native madrones, the vast hillside estate of gold rush era pioneer Peter Britt forms a natural amphitheater of unparalleled beauty, where internationally renowned artists perform every summer. For 50 years, Britt’s world-class performances, spectacular views, and casual, relaxing atmosphere have attracted thousands of music lovers from all over the West.

“We are once again excited about the ‘sound of summer,’ on the Britt hill —a place where you can bring your picnic, meet up with your family and friends, and have a memorable time,” says Britt Executive Director Donna Briggs. “We’ve got stars on the stage and stars in the sky. I can’t think of a better way to start the summer than a night out with Cyndi Lauper.”

Martina McBride

More highlights of the 2013 season include ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro, swing favorites Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, country queen Martina McBride, folk singer John Prine, Britt favorite Michael Franti, rockabilly artist Chris Isaak and Oregon’s own Pink Martini with singer Storm Large. A full season lineup is available at www.brittfest.org.

The season kicks off with the annual “Taste of Summer” celebration in Jacksonville, on Saturday, June 8. The city-wide celebration will be in downtown Jacksonville and feature a variety of activities including live music, food, street performers, the artists of Art Presence, a wine walk, a beer garden, children’s activities, classic car displays, hot air balloon rides and more.

Britt’s summer season will include a “Best of Britt” benefit on Thursday, July 18. The evening will include music, food by local restaurants, wine from 25 wineries of the Southern Oregon Wine Association, beer from Western Beverage, and a returning headline performance by boogie woogie jazz pianist Michael Kaeshammer. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Britt’s education programs.

The season is currently comprised of 33 performances running June 15 – September 14. More shows may still be added.

Britt’s Classical Festival was previously announced in January. The Classical Festival runs for three weeks (August 3-19), and each year, more than 90 musicians journey to southern Oregon for three weeks as they come together to form the 2012 Britt Festival Orchestra. This season celebrates “passing the baton,” as the orchestra auditions three finalists for the position of Music Director: Mei-Ann Chen, Teddy Abrams and David Danzmayr. This season also features the return of the popular symphony pops night, with all tickets just $5.

Tickets for Britt’s 2013 season go on sale April 11 to Britt members and on May 16 to the general public. For full information about Britt’s 2013 season and membership, visit www.brittfest.org or call 541-773-6077 or 1-800-882-7488. Britt’s box office is now open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday at 216 West Main St. in Medford.

Britt Festivals invites audiences and artists to celebrate the joy of live performance, the power of community, and the magic of the Britt Experience. Through on-going education and audience development programs, Britt educates new generations of listeners, helping them discover the wonder of music and performance. In addition to presenting concerts, Britt Festivals maintains a formal education program through the Britt Institute. Established in 1985, the Britt Institute hosts a wide variety of learning opportunities through a multi-faceted approach of summer camps, workshops, grade school programs, lectures and adult learning opportunities.