PHILADELPHIA, May 16, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Due to overwhelming demand, Penn's Landing Corporation is proud to continue the free weekend concert event, which debuted last year to celebrate the 20th Anniversary, and returns this year as BIG MUSIC WEEKEND 2006. As the centerpiece of the 2006 season, the Penn's Landing Corporation announces the line up of marquee talent scheduled to perform at this year's BIG MUSIC WEEKEND, July 21-23, 2006, at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Market Street. Presented by Independence Blue Cross, this extraordinary weekend of free concerts will feature R&B star Angie Stone, teen favorites the Veronicas, and Ashley Parker Angel, and Grammy award winner Mary Chapin Carpenter.
On Friday July 21st, national recording artist Angie Stone will perform as part of the opening night of Penn's Landing's BIG MUSIC WEEKEND 2006. Multi-talented Stone is singing, writing songs with D'Angelo, or playing the saxophone in Lenny Kravitz's band. She can now also add Broadway star to her resume. She performed there as "Big Mama Morton" in a recent production of Chicago. Later this year, she has a new project to be released called "Stone Hits: The Very Best of Angie Stone." Stone will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Sounds of R&B Series and the official kick off to the BIG MUSIC WEEKEND 2006.
The special weekend continues on Saturday July 22, with a superstar teen line up, featuring family friendly artists for free. The Veronicas will be first to take the stage. Influenced by everyone from Roy Orbison to AC/DC, Lisa and Jess of the Veronicas put out their debut album, The Secret Life Of The Veronicas, to rave reviews. Each of the twelve tracks on the album were written and produced by, with, and for the Veronicas. These 20-year-old identical twins are currently on tour with Ashley Parker Angel and are opening for Ashlee Simpson.
Saturday July 22 also features Ashley Parker Angel. Although young, Angel has a lot of experience in the music business. Starting out as a reality star on MTV's "Making the Band," Ashley became a part of the popular boy band O-Town. Since then he struggled to begin his solo career, all while becoming a young father. This spring Ashley debuted his first solo album, called Soundtrack To Your Life.
The final day of Big Music Weekend, Sunday July 23, will feature Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter. As a singer-songwriter, Carpenter has put out 10 albums since her career began almost 20 years ago. This Sony Nashville artist and Lilith Fair veteran has had over 15 major hits in her successful career. She has collaborated with artists such as Shawn Colvin and Dolly Parton. Her most recent album, Between Here and Gone, was released in 2004.
BIG MUSIC WEEKEND is the centerpiece of the 2006 Summer season at Penn's Landing. This season will feature a diverse schedule of events including ten multicultural festivals, spectacular concert series featuring smooth jazz, gospel, blues, R&B and singer-songwriters, an outdoor movie series, the annual AFL-CIO Labor Day Family Picnic, ship tours, and more. The quality and quantity of our free programming is a tremendous benefit for the residents of this region and vital attraction for the City's flourishing hospitality and tourism efforts. Nowhere else in the region can you find over 50 events produced where no admission ticket is necessary.
This exciting concert weekend is free to the public due to the generous support of Independence Blue Cross. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis for each show. Public programming at Penn's Landing would not be possible without our presenting sponsor Independence Blue Cross and the continued support of PECO, an Exelon Company, Commerce Bank, Pennsylvania Lottery and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, all of whom are committed to serving the Greater Philadelphia community.
Penn's Landing Corporation is the non-profit organization responsible for funding and producing public programming at Penn's Landing. Independence Blue Cross is the presenting sponsor of the 2006 Summer Season at Penn's Landing. All events produced by Penn's Landing Corporation are free to the public and on the Great Plaza, the heart of Penn's Landing, Philadelphia's premier riverfront entertainment destination.
The Penn's Landing Corporation logo is available at http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=349
For more information on event locations and event details, please call (215) 922-2FUN or visit www.pennslandingcorp.com. The Penn's Landing Corporation website is a virtual resource for the waterfront which can help visitors to plan a visit, to easily park, play and stay all day at Penn's Landing.