Britt Announces the 2012 Season!!

Melissa Etheridge

Singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, rocker Ben Harper, reggae star Ziggy Marley, pop darlings Colbie Callait and Gavin DeGraw, rising alt-rock stars fun., New Orleans artist Trombone Shorty, country star Trace Adkins, rock bandBush, ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro, legendary comic Bill Cosby, singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant with the Rogue Valley Symphony, blues band Tedeschi Trucks Band, electronica group The Crystal Method and rockers Heart are among the headliners on their way to Britt’s milestone 50^th season of concerts under the stars this summer.

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 will be breaking new ground in our 50^th season by offering one of the most diverse line-ups in the history of Britt,” says Britt Executive Director Donna Briggs. “It is our hope that Britt will become known as the genre-defying outdoor music festival of the Northwest because we believe that there is strength in that diversity, from Sarah Chang to Ben Harper, from Trace Adkins to Leftover Salmon. This 50^th season will indeed offer something for every age group and musical preference. Once again, we invite you to come to a place like no other, where you can meet up with your friends, have a wonderful picnic and hear some of the greatest music in the world.”

Steve Martin

More highlights of the season include classic pop-rockers Huey Lewis and the News, singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Britt favorite Michael Franti, supergroup Dukes of September – Donald Fagan, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs, Latin/hip-hop/rock band Ozomatli in an evening performance and a children’s show Ozokidz, legendary guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, the Bob and Tom Comedy All-Stars Tour and more. A full season lineup is available atwww.brittfest.org.

The season kicks off with the annual celebration in Jacksonville, “Taste of Summer” on Saturday, June 9. 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, children’s activities, classic car displays, hot air balloon rides and more.

Britt celebrates its 50^th season with a “Black and White Gala – Celebration of Britt Festivals 50 Years and Beyond” on the Britt hill on Thursday, July 19. 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 headline performance by jazz/pop artist Michael Kaeshammer.

The season is currently comprised of 39 performances running June 9 – September 14. In addition, two indoor “on the stage” concerts have been booked for October. The Britt Gardens and Amphitheater is two blocks from downtown Jacksonville, five miles west of Medford, and 15 miles from Ashland’s famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Bill Cosby

Britt’s Classical Festival was previously announced in January. The Classical Festival runs for three weeks (August 3-19), featuring the celebrated Britt Festival Orchestra under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Peter Bay. More than 90 musicians journey to southern Oregon for three weeks as they come together to form the 2012 Britt Festival Orchestra. This season will include celebrations of Britt’s 50^th season, including a symphony pops night called “Music Sets the Stage,” with all tickets just $5. The 2012 Classical Festival will also honor Maestro Bay in his final season at Britt.

Tickets for Britt’s 2012 season go on sale April 12 to Britt members and on May 17 to the general public. For full information about Britt’s 2012 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 2012 Season-AT-A-Glance

JUN 9 Taste of Summer – Celebrate the beginning of Britt and summer in Jacksonville – Downtown Jacksonville
Wine Tastings • Live Music • Art • Food • Street Performers • Family Activities • And More!

JUN 11 An Evening with Primus, $48 Reserved; $48 GA Pit; $38 Lawn

JUN 15 Melissa Etheridge “Live and Alone” / Maia Sharp, $84 Reserved; $44 Adult Lawn; $36 Child (0-12) Lawn; $336 Premium Blanket (for 4); $168 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUN 16 Tedeschi Trucks Band / Special Guest TBA, $57 Reserved; $37 Adult Lawn; $23 Child (0-12) Lawn; $228 Premium Blanket (for 4); $114 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUN 22 Bush / Special Guest TBA , $45 Reserved; $45 GA Pit; $35 Adult Lawn; $26 Child (0-12) Lawn

JUN 23 Farmer Jason – All seats general admission: $9.50 – Children two and under free

JUN 24 Natalie Merchant with the Rogue Valley Symphony, $59 Reserved; $37 Adult Lawn; $32 Child (0-12) Lawn; $236 Premium Blanket (for 4); $118 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUN 27 Leftover Salmon / Brokedown in Bakersfield, $36 Reserved; $26 Adult Lawn; $18 Child (0-12) Lawn; $144 Premium Blanket (for 4); $72 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUN 28 Jake Shimabukuro / Leo Kottke, $43 Reserved; $28 Adult Lawn; $19 Child (0-12) Lawn; $172 Premium Blanket (for 4); $86 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUN 29 The Crystal Method / Chris Lake / Sofi, $37 Reserved; $37 GA Pit; $27 Adult Lawn; $19 Child (0-12) Lawn

JUN 30 Trace Adkins / Special Guest TBA, $72 Reserved; $42 Adult Lawn; $37 Child (0-12) Lawn; $288 Premium Blanket (for 4); $144 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUL 1 Katchafire / J BOOG, $29 Reserved; $29 GA Pit; $25 Adult Lawn; $20 Child (0-12) Lawn

JUL 3 Ben Harper / Special Guest TBA, $66 Reserved; $66 GA Pit; $42 Adult Lawn; $34 Child (0-12) Lawn

JUL 5 An Evening with Dukes of September Rhythm Review, $94 Reserved; $49 Adult Lawn; $39 Child (0-12) Lawn; $376 Premium Blanket (for 4); $188 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUL 13 An Evening with Kris Kristofferson, $59 Reserved; $35 Adult Lawn; $28 Child (0-12) Lawn; $236 Premium Blanket (for 4); $118 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUL 14 An Evening with Tommy Emmanuel CGP, $38 Reserved; $24 Adult Lawn; $14 Child (0-12) Lawn; $152 Premium Blanket (for 4); $76 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUL 19 Black & White Gala with Michael Kaeshammer • Celebration of Britt Festivals 50 Years and Beyond, All seats general admission: $100 (includes food, beer and wine)

JUL 21 An Evening with Bill Cosby, $78 Reserved; $42 Adult Lawn; $32 Child (0-12) Lawn; $312 Premium Blanket (for 4); $156 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUL 23 Earth Wind & Fire Guiding Lights Tour / Special Guest TBA , $79 Reserved; $44 Adult Lawn; $36 Child (0-12) Lawn; $316 Premium Blanket (for 4); $158 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUL 26 Ziggy Marley Wild and Free Tour / Special Guest TBA, $45 Reserved; $45 GA Pit; $33 Adult Lawn; $16 Child (0-12) Lawn

JUL 27 Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers – An evening of bluegrass and comedy, $73 Reserved; $37 Adult Lawn; $32 Child (0-12) Lawn; $292 Premium Blanket (for 4); $146 Premium Blanket (for 2)

JUL 28 Beats Antique / Inspired Flight, $29 Reserved; $29 GA Pit; $26 Adult Lawn; $19 Child (0-12) Lawn

AUG 3 Gala 50th Opening / Sarah Chang / Britt Orchestra, $47 Reserved; $32 Adult Lawn; $10 Student/Child Lawn

AUG 4 Anton Nel / Britt Orchestra, $40 Reserved; $28 Adult Lawn; $10 Student/Child Lawn

AUG 10 André Watts / Britt Orchestra, 50 Reserved; $35 Adult Lawn; $10 Student/Child Lawn

AUG 11 Nurit Bar-Josef / Britt Orchestra, $35 Reserved; $25 Adult Lawn; $10 Student/Child Lawn

AUG 12 Calder Quartet—SOU Recital Hall, Ashland, All seating reserved: $25 Adult; $15 Student/Child

AUG 17 Westwater Photochoreography / Sara Daneshpour / Britt Orchestra, $40 Reserved; $30 Adult Lawn; $10 Student/Child Lawn

AUG 18 Music Sets the Stage / Symphony Pops / Britt Orchestra, All seats: $5 Reserved and Lawn

AUG 19 Farewell Concert / Alisa Weilerstein / Britt Orchestra, $42 Reserved; $30 Adult Lawn; $10 Student/Child Lawn

AUG 21 Michael Franti & Spearhead / Special Guest TBA, $48 Reserved; $48 GA Pit; $38 Lawn; $21 Child (0-12) Lawn

AUG 23 Fun. / Special Guest TBA, $29 Reserved; $23 Adult Lawn; $20 Child (0-12) Lawn; $116 Premium Blanket (for 4); $58 Premium Blanket (for 2)

AUG 24 An Evening with The Avett Brothers, $48 Reserved; $48 GA Pit; $38 Lawn; $28 Child (0-12) Lawn

AUG 26 Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue / Ozomatli, $44 Reserved; $34 Lawn; $24 Child (0-12) Lawn; $176 Premium Blanket (for 4); $88 Premium Blanket (for 2)

AUG 27 Ozokidz –All seats general admission: $9.50 – Children two and under free

AUG 29 Diana Krall / Special Guest TBA, $87 Reserved; $42 Lawn; $32 Child (0-12) Lawn; $348 Premium Blanket (for 4); $174 Premium Blanket (for 2)

AUG 30 Gavin DeGraw / Colbie Caillat / Special Guest TBA, $59 Reserved; $38 Adult Lawn; $28 Child (0-12) Lawn; $236 Premium Blanket (for 4); $118 Premium Blanket (for 2)

SEP 6 Slightly Stoopid / Special Guest TBA (Note: Patrons will not be permitted to bring in outside beer or wine for this performance), $39 Reserved; $39 GA Pit; $33 Lawn

SEP 8 Bob & Tom Comedy All-Stars Tour (Note: May not be appropriate for children and those offended by strong language & adult humor), $42 Reserved; $29 Lawn; $168 Premium Blanket (for 4); $84 Premium Blanket (for 2)

SEP 11 Heart / Special Guest TBA, $79 Reserved; $46 Adult Lawn; $36 Child (0-12) Lawn; $316 Premium Blanket (for 4); $158 Premium Blanket (for 2)

SEP 14 Huey Lewis and The News / Special Guest TBA, $71 Reserved; $43 Adult Lawn; $32 Child (0-12) Lawn; $284 Premium Blanket (for 4); $142 Premium Blanket (for 2)

OCT 5 Phoenix Blues – On the Stage Performance, All seats general admission: $20 (Note: Not appropriate for children 12 and under)

OCT 12 Project Trio – On the Stage Performance, All seats general admission: $20

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.