On Saturday, September 12, 2009 visionary musician and human rights worker, Michael Franti, along with Guerrilla Management present the 11th Annual Power to the Peaceful Festival (PTTP) at Speedway Meadow in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Beginning in 1998, this diverse music, arts, action and yoga festival has become a premiere San Francisco tradition dedicated to educating attendees on issues of social justice, non- violence, cultural co-existence and environmental sustainability. With over 70,000 attendees, PTTP has grown from a local community based event to one of the nation’s largest free annual music festivals in the U.S. PTTP features a variety of international musicians, visual artists, renowned keynote speakers and over 200 exhibitors and green vendors.
The weekend-long festival begins on Saturday, September 12, 2009 with confirmed main stage performances by music luminaries: Michael Franti and Spearhead, Alanis Morissette , Sly & Robbie, Cherine Anderson , Vieux Farka Toure’ , Sellassie and Truth Universal; a variety of renowned DJ’s include: Miguel Migs, Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist, DJ Hey Man ! and DJ Adnan, In addition to the main stage of musical artists the PTTP Festival will kick off the festival with 1000 Yogis for Peace, a morning yoga practice sponsored by Yoga Tree SF with teacher Seane Corn. From Tibit, keynote speaker, Namkha Rinpoche, will address global, personal peace and his service of teaching Buddhism in the western world “by making unhappy people happy. The main practice of Buddhism is compassion and patience.” Closing the day will be the official PTTP Afterparty at The Fillmore in San Francisco with Michael Franti presenting The Rocking Heads – a night of Talking Heads songs performed by the artists participating at the festival.
On Sunday, September 13th at the S.F. War Memorial Building, Herbst Theater & Green Ballroom, there will be morning Yoga & Brazilian Arts Workshop with beginning level Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian dance class and Yoga with Seane Corne and Les Leventhal. In the afternoon, PTTP and international humanitarian organization, CARE, present the 2009 Global Action Forum and Celebration: Empowering People to Create Solutions to Poverty, featuring afternoon workshops, speakers and a performance by Michael Franti.
Saturday’s festival is a family-friendly event with a kid’s zone with conscious carnival games, flag making, face painting, marionettes, stilt walkers, and a chill tent for napping and feeding. The Kids Zone Stage will feature performances by: PopLyfe, Jaden, Peace Outs, Gabby La La, Bird School PTTP Band and the Bay Area Girls.
The Power of the Peaceful movement has reached a new level by gaining international recognition. PTTP is committed to sustainability via innovative recycling programs, initiating partnerships with other sustainable organizations and encouraging the use of “green” yoga products. Past artists and speakers of the event include: Ziggy Marley, Indigo Girls, The String Cheese Incident, John Butler Trio, KRS-1, Digital Underground, Woody Harrelson, Angela Davis, Saul Williams, Dennis Kucinich, Blackalicious, Alice Walker, Talib Kweli, The Coup, Keller Williams, DJ Spooky, King Britt, Lyrics Born, and many more.
Recognized as a pioneering force in branding music as a vehicle for global social activism, Michael Franti’s reputation as a poet, activist, social humanitarian and musician has encompassed a wide range of projects and social justice initiatives through the years. His 2006 documentary I Know I’m Not Alone chronicled the chaos and devastation taking place in the Middle East and garnered Franti universal praise and rave reviews. Michael Franti and Spearhead have also organized and contributed to numerous humanitarian efforts throughout their career have become one of music’s most riveting live concert performers. The band has shared the stage with a diverse range of superstar artists including the Dave Matthews Band, U2, REM, Ziggy Marley and many others. In 2009, Universal Republic Records has entered into an agreement to promote and distribute ANTI-recording artist Michael Franti and Spearhead’s current album, All Rebel Rockers. The first single from the album, "Say Hey (I Love You)” has already topped off at 100 Million views on YouTube and is one of the most added records at multiple formats including, Top 40, Hot AC and Alternative radio.
11th Annual Power to the Peaceful Music and Arts Festival Schedule:
Saturday, September 12th
Speedway Meadow, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
9am: Call for 1000 Yogis w/Seane Corn
11am – 5pm: Main Stage: Michael Franti & Spearhead, Alanis Morissette , Sly & Robbie, Cherine Anderson , Vieux Farka Toure’, Sellassie ,Truth Universal and more.
Admission is FREE ($5/donation requested-no one turned away)
Power to the Peaceful After Party
@ The Fillmore,1805 Geary @ Fillmore, San Francisco
Michael Franti Presents The Rocking Heads-a night of Talking Heads songs performed by PTTP all star band. Tickets are $37.50 / 8pm Doors
Sunday, September 13th
10am – 5pm: Yoga & Brazilian Dance Workshops
Featuring: Seane Corn/Les Leventhal /Rosangela Silvestre /Mestre Papiba Godinho
@ Green Ballroom (across the hall from Herbst Theater)
401 Van Ness Avenue / Veteran’s Bldg, Civic Center SF
Yoga: $40/individual; $75/both
Brazilian Arts: $20/individual; $35/both
3 Class Card: $80
4 Class Card: $90
Tickets available now at www.yogatreesf.com
2pm – 9pm: Global Forum and Celebration
Power the Peaceful and CARE present the 2009
Global Action Forum and Celebration: Empowering People to Create Solutions to Poverty
2:30-3:30: Changing Climate, Changing needs: Effects of Climate Change on the Poor
3:45-4:45: Defending Girls’ Rights: Empowering Girls to Learn and Lead
4:55-5:55: Fighting Global Hunger: Modernizing Our Approach to Food Security
6pm-7pm: Reception
7pm-9pm: Evening Celebration Empowering People to Create Solutions to Poverty with a performance by Michael Franti
Tickets available now at www.cityboxoffice.com
