Events . Pittonkatonk 2024

Pittonkatonk 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pittonkatonk 2024: Pittsburgh's ONLY GLOBAL MUSIC Festival Returns for 11th Annual Celebration!!!

Pittsburgh, PA - Pittonkatonk proudly announces its return for the 11th annual celebration of music, community, and activism. On Saturday, May 11, 2024, the Pittonkatonk May Day Festival will once again be held at the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion in Schenley Park, marking a day-long extravaganza of global music, international food vendors, social and environmental justice activism.

As Pittsburgh's only world music festival, Pittonkatonk stands as a beacon of diversity and unity, offering a unique blend of musical acts and community engagement. From the pulsating beats of Balkan Brass to the vibrant melodies of Cumbia, Live Hip-Hop, Bomba, Samba, and Afro-Futurism, Pittonkatonk curates a melting pot of genres, ideologies, and cultures, forging connections across boundaries and generations.
Entering its milestone 11th year, Pittonkatonk has evolved from its roots as a branch of the Honk festivals to become an indispensable platform for cultural exchange. This year's lineup features an eclectic array of performers from Puerto Rico, Congo, Colombia, Palestine, Poland, Canada, and beyond, reflecting the festival's commitment to showcasing the rich tapestry of global music.
In lieu of the traditional potluck, this year's festival will feature an enticing selection of international food vendors, offering tantalizing culinary delights from around the world.

The festival is open to all ages and works to be entirely sustainable with support from PRC for composting, recycling, and landfill sorting, Zero Fossil with renewable energy, bike parking provided by Bike Pgh, and New Sun Rising’s commitment to sustainability. Tech 25 will provide event production services providing paid job experience and training for event production apprentices. Also look for tabling by other local non-profit groups raising awareness of social and environmental justice causes.

Full Performance Lineup:
Jupiter & Okwess (Congo)
La Perla (Colombia)
El Laberinto Del Coco (Puerto Rico)
Polky (Poland/Canada)
A.Rob (Palestine/Philly)
1Hood
Balafon West African Dance Ensemble
Eaglerburger Band
Timbeleza
May Day Marching Band

Event Details:
Event: Pittonkatonk Mayday Festival
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024
Location: Vietnam Veteran’s Pavilion, Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Time: 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Admission: Free
FOOD VENDORS INCLUDE:


Shado Beni
El Colibri
Kilimanjaro Flavour
Sprezzatura
Mr Bulgogi
Community Kitchen
Spirit Pizza
Millies Tiny Van
DRINKS BY:
East End Brewing Co (beer and non alcoholic drinks)
Goodlander Cocktails
Others tba
Pittonkatonk relies on the generosity of its supporters to make this vibrant celebration possible. While the event is free for all to attend, monetary donations are crucial to sustain and grow the festival. Contributions can be made at https://gofund.me/dbef2e4b.
For more information and to stay updated on the event, visit Pittonkatonk's website or follow them on social media via the provided Flowcode.
Media Contact: For media inquiries, please contact Pete at 412-251-6058 or email pittonkatonk@gmail.com.
About Pittonkatonk: Pittonkatonk is made possible thanks to the generous support of The Heinz Endowments, The Opportunity Fund, The Grable Foundation, Henry John Simonds Foundation, and The Pittsburgh Foundation. Pittonkatonk is a fiscally sponsored project of New Sun Rising.
Join us as we celebrate the 11th annual Pittonkatonk Mayday Festival, where music, community, and activism unite!
About the performers:
PRESS ::: EPK : LINK


Jupiter & Okwess: https://jupiterandokwess.fr/
https://jupiterokwess.bandcamp.com/
Explosive! Na Kozonga, the new album by Jupiter and his band Okwess is a blast of energy that bewitches the body and feeds the spirit.

BIO: Explosive! Na Kozonga, the new album by Jupiter and his band Okwess is a blast of energy that bewitches the body and feeds the spirit. Since the beginning, the Rebel General and his fellow pyrotechnicians have been drawing the rhythms of the Congo out of obscurity to reveal their superpowers: the powers of rock and funk, ready for every kind of musical coupling and any kind of invitation! From Damon Albarn to Money Mark (Beastie Boys) via, on this new album, the samba of Rogê, the rap of Marcelo D2, the horns of New Orleans or the voice of the militant Chilean singer Ana Tijoux. Jupiter & Okwess have no fear of strange encounters, nor the craziest journeys. They’ve even managed to conquer Latin America, and are currently busy recreating the triangular trade, in sounds! No surprise from one who, on his first album, declared “Ich bin ein Congolese...The world is my land.” “We all have ancestors in Africa,” Jupiter reminds us, “and they also played music. And if Africa looks like a revolver, its trigger can be found...in the Congo!’ Ready, Steady, Go! Jupiter and his joyous pistoleros are giving us the go-ahead. A new world tour awaits them. It’s up to you to follow their incandescent star.pitch.


La Perla: Meet the Colombian trio who are using the rhythms and vernacular of their traditional culture to transmit a message of defiance.
https://laperlabogota.bandcamp.com/
Musically speaking, this ‘Bogotá touch’ means being porous to rock and hip-hop influences, as well as other countries’ music traditions, such as merengue or rumba. When all this effortlessly gelled together, La Perla was truly born. But their uniqueness doesn’t end there. Apart from the instrumental output, with a somewhat punk attitude applied to regional rhythms, Forero believes that their lyrics “stress the difference” between their music and any tradition that was passed along to them. “While traditional lyrics always narrate a rural environment, these urban city lyrics speak of themes that are closer to our lives.”

Acknowledging their common love for gaitas (a traditional Colombian flute) and drums, Forero challenged her two new friends to try their luck at Ovejas’ Festival Nacional de Gaitas in 2014. At the time, it was both a musical novelty and a feminist stand for an all-female group to play at such a male-dominated event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_d3MJrvX9k&t=55s



El Laberinto Del Coco
Puerto Rican Bomba Fusion Band
Héctor “Coco” Barez is one of the most active Puerto Rican percussionists of his generation. During his extensive career he has had the opportunity to represent the Island in both folkloric and popular music stages.
He had the opportunity to collaborate with artists such as Calle 13, Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, Maná, Don Omar, Bacilos, Bayanga, William Cepeda, Cultura Profética, amongst others.

El Laberinto del Coco is an Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba Fusion ensemble founded by visionary percussionist Hector “Coco” Barez in 2017. With a unique blend of sizzling musical ideas, Barez presents new ways to the traditional sounds of Puerto Rican Bomba. After touring the world with Ballet Folklorico de Puerto Rico “Areyto,” Grammy Award-winning groups like Calle 13, Bacilos and world-renowned bands like Bio Ritmo, Miramar, William Cepeda and Bayanga, Barez decides to embark on a new journey.
In 2017, Hector Barez received a commission from the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts to record El Laberinto del Coco’s first album. With critics comparing this recording to Rafael Cortijo’s masterpiece “The Time Machine,” a new era in Puerto Rican music is established. At performances, Barez brings to life a unique concept with a very distinctive sound with rich syncopated horn lines, funky guitar licks, solid multilayered percussion and enchanting voices, making El Laberinto del Coco a fan favorite. During the COVID-19 pandemic, El Laberinto del Coco kept busy releasing singles and keeping people's hopes alive through virtual concerts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QnPRCAF0gw&t


Polky
Toronto's Polky, led by multi-talented female musicians, delights audiences with joyful vocal harmonies, unusual instruments, and upbeat performances. Drawing deep inspiration from Poland's rich cultural tapestry, they push musical boundaries by fearlessly blending Polish traditional music with sounds and rhythms from across the globe, carving out a niche entirely their own. With their infectious charm, captivating performances, and unyielding passion for exploration, Polky is undoubtedly a band that stands apart. Their music is not just a sonic experience but a celebration of cultural diversity, women empowerment, an invitation to revel in the joy of life, and a reminder that, deep down, we are all connected by the power of music.
https://www.sweetbeets.ca/artists/polky

A.ROB
A.Rob, a Palestinian-American Hip-Hop/Rap artist hailing from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, currently finds his creative base in Philadelphia. As the child of Palestinian refugees, A.Rob's music delves deep into the narratives of his people, shedding light on their struggles and echoing the call for justice resonating across the globe. His recent work serves as a powerful testament to the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities. With intricate lyricism and captivating wordplay, A.Rob's music transcends mere entertainment; it's a beacon of inspiration, motivation, and unwavering positivity for listeners. Through his artistry, he offers rap enthusiasts a much-needed breath of fresh air, infusing each track with raw emotion and profound meaning. To experience the dynamic world of A.Rob, tune in to his music available under "A.Rob" across all major streaming platforms, and connect with him on social media via
@arobsmusic.

Activist Partners include
New Sun Rising
Big Idea
Friends of the Riverfront
Lets Get Free
And more!!!

Related Entities: Pandemic Vietnam Vets Pavillion
Tags: Activism Food Funk Hip Hop Latin World Music