Press-Release: The Junction Arts Festival - Justin Rutledge concert, with Jason Collett & The Beauties, September 12, 2009

Press-Release: The Junction Arts Festival - Justin Rutledge concert,
with Jason Collett & The Beauties, September 12, 2009
Credit: junctionartsfest.com

MEDIA INFORMATION - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Please retain for events / music listings

THE JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL:

Justin Rutledge concert, with Jason Collett & The Beauties, September 12, 2009

Toronto, ON, August 13, 2009 - The 17th annual Junction Arts Festival (September 9 - 13, 2009) presents a mosaic of unique visual, dance, literary and musical arts, where internationally renowned singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge plays headliner and host to a special night of rockin' country music, friends and live collaboration on Saturday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m.

The concert will feature specially invited guests Arts & Crafts recording artist Jason Collett and The Beauties, and will take place on the outdoor festival main stage in the Junction City Square (2960 Dundas Street West at Pacific Avenue).

Proud Junction native Justin Rutledge states, "I've witnessed the Junction grow over the years into a community teeming with creative businesses and a vibrant cultural core. The Junction Arts Festival is, in my opinion, Toronto's best street fest. The great spirit of the festival represents the optimism and renewed energy of one of Toronto's oldest and greatest neighbourhoods. Please come celebrate it with us."

Juno nominated Rutledge, who has crafted three albums to critical acclaim; No Never Alone (2005), The Devil On A Bench In Stanley Park (2006) and Man Descending (2008), is equally famous for his mesmerizing live performances and will be supported by his band; Bazil Donovan (bass), David Baxter (guitar), Blake Manning (drums) and Burke Carroll (steel).

Jason Collett, whose sentimentality for songwriting and ability to capture daily life with his own classic poetic style, is an artist that Rutledge looks forward to performing with for the first time.

A key figure in Toronto's indie scene and a member of Broken Social Scene, Jason Collett recently released his newest solo album Here's To Being Here (2008), as the anticipated follow-up to 2005's critically acclaimed Idols of Exile.

Collett explains, "I feel this is a Rock 'n Roll music record. Rock 'n Roll music encompasses all sorts of influences - country, blues, gospel... all those things, and I'm just part of that tradition."

The Beauties are a group of prolific musicians made up of Darin McConnell, Jud Ruhl, Shawn Creamer, Paul Pfisterer, Derek Downham and The Bogoo, who, every Sunday night are the house band at Toronto's Dakota Tavern (a favourite hangout of Justin Rutledge) for a night of tar-kickin', twang-rockin', spirits and barn-dancin'.

Please Note: Further festival details and more artist announcements are coming soon.
For schedule updates please visit regularly at www.junctionartsfest.com.

Attracting 200,000 visitors in 2008, the Junction Arts Festival, produced by the Junction Forum for Art and Culture, takes place along one kilometre of Dundas Street West between Keele Street and Quebec Avenue, and features five free days of artistry and innovation; Visual Art Exhibits (September 9 to 13), Live Music Concerts (September 11 and 12), and the Street Performance Artists, Literary Artists, KidZone, Green Village and Artisan/Vendor Market (during weekend street closure, September 12 and 13).
The 2009 Junction Arts Festival is generously supported by title sponsor the Junction Business Improvement Area and the active involvement from Junction area businesses and residents.
The Junction Forum for Art and Culture (JFAC) is a non-profit arts presenting organization and its main project is the annual Junction Arts Festival. The hands-on JFAC Board of Directors, chaired by Councillor Bill Saundercook, consists of dedicated cultural producers, artists, residents, business owners and politicians, all of whom are based in the Junction.

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For media information, interviews and photos please contact:
Laurie Lockhart,
Publicist; 2009 Junction Arts Festival
GET THE MESSAGE Publicity
Tel: 416-988-2530 / E-mail: gtmessage@sympatico.ca
Website: www.junctionartsfest.com

For general and vendor information, please contact:
2009 Junction Arts Festival office
Tel: 416-767-5036 / E-mail: junctionartsfest@bellnet.ca
Website: www.junctionartsfest.com
Councillor Bill Saundercook (Ward 13, City of Toronto), JFAC Chair