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UPDATES:::: We have started our Educational Program at UPrep and are bringing in What Cheer Brigade a day early to work with these. We were counting on some grants and alternative funding to support these efforts, but none of that is secure. Even though we are close to our initial indiegogo goal our overall budget for the event is much much more than we are asking for. So please contribute.
WE LOVE INCLUDING KIDS & WANT THIS PROGRAM TO GROW!!!
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Today we got a proclamation May 2nd is Pittonkatonk Day in city of Pittsburgh. It's super cool but that doesn't cover our costs. We did not receive a grant we were relying on so please contribute to our campaign. Whether is $5 or $500 the $5000 we asked for is only a fraction of our overall budget. Now that we are missing a huge funding component we need you to step up.
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What is Pittonkatonk?
Pittonkatonk [pih-TONK-uh-tonk] is a community celebration in the form of Brass BBQ, where everyone is a VIP because there are no ticket prices, no vending, and nothing holding you back from directly engaging in the festivities. When was the last time you danced until you hurt? Or when you saw a band play in a public space where there wasn’t a stage (or even a need for a stage)? Like an oversized family reunion, block party or backyard BBQ, Pittonkatonk serves up a wide range of brass music and fun for all ages. Pittonkatonk 2014 was a success because we made a direct call to the community and they answered. This year, we want to join forces with you to make it happen AGAIN!
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The main event is Saturday May 2nd from 1-9 pm
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Bands include What Cheer Brigade, Black Bear Combo, Pitchblak Brass Band, Detroit Party & more TBA.
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THERE IS NO ADMISSION CHARGE, BUT WE STILL NEED TO PAY THE BANDS.
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OPEN TO ALL MAY DAY BRASS FESTIVAL BBQ at the VIETNAM VETERANS PAVILION in SCHENLEY PARK.
- Pot luck BBQ, refreshments, family activities, and more
- Pittonkatonk 2014 had over 100 participating musicians & a crowd of over 750 people.
- Educational Workshop w/ local high school marching bands and more.
Pittonkatonk made a lasting impression in the community because it blurred the lines between music festival and a family reunion. Our festival is a success when YOU, the community participates-when EVERYONE can celebrate together regardless of age, race, class. We want YOU to bring what you can, whether its making a dish of food, donating $25-$500, volunteering, helping to clean up, or just spectating.
Your contributions will help create a festival unlike anything else in the city of Pittsburgh.
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What We Need & What You Get
Remember, at Pittonkatonk everyone's a VIP, so there's lots of perks including:
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You get chevaps! Lots and lots of chevaps! (Thanks, Stephan.)
What are chevaps, you ask? They are handmade minced meat Serbian sausages...and they are tasty.
How much do we need to raise? Over $5,000. If we meet our goal you can do this:
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Where does the money go?
Every dollar donated goes directly back into paying the bands and operational costs. While we’ve secured some funds already and have some community support, there are some costs that we need your help to cover:
- Band Fees
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Gas, travel, food, and accommodations for the bands
- Educational outreach activities in schools (leading up to the event)
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Permits and insurance
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Promotions
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Porta Potties
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Production
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Cleanup (trash bags, cleaning supplies etc)
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Refreshments
- Signage
We need more than $5,000 to help us cover these costs. And, as you probably know, other miscellaneous expenses always crop up. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to kick in. Thanks so much!
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The Impact - Think about the kids
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Kids of all ages are welcome to not just attend but actively
participate in all of the fun that Pittonkatonk has to
offer.
PITTONKATONK is in need of your support!
Why Donate to Pittonkatonk?
We want to create a community event that is supported by those who want to support. Not everyone has the means to buy a ticket. Our estimated ticket price would be around $40-50 a person. Instead of excluding those less fortunate by putting a price on participating, Pittonkatonk welcomes everyone by asking folks just to contribute what they can. So if you have a few extra dollars and find this a valuable resource for the city of Pittsburgh, then DONATE!!!
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HOW IS PITTONKATONK UNIQUE?
The second annual MAY DAY music festival is a brass festival that will use the unifying medium of brass music to bring together diverse communities, from high school marching bands to traditional cultural bands from hip hop to the Balkans.
By juxtaposing different types of music, different cultures, and people of different backgrounds, we bring together a mix of people who might not otherwise ever be at a show together. We hope to introduce people to new music. And to each other. We welcome all ages and all walks of life.
While Pittsburgh has an avid (and growing) brass music community, with regular events drawing large, interested crowds, the city has never hosted a brass music festival like this. Cities that do host festivals (HONK in Boston, Golden Festival in NYC) have been able to bring diverse communities together to enjoy a contemporary experience based on time-honored cultural traditions.
Pittsburgh has a variety of arts and folk festivals, but a contemporary brass festival that highlights the diverse sounds of brass music – while paying homage to gypsy, folk, punk and jazz roots – can only happen at Pittonkatonk.
WHO ARE THE ORGANIZERS?
Pittonkatonk is a spin off idea of Pandemic and the Listening Spaces Project. Pandemic is a global music dance party held monthly that celebrates both traditional folk and contemporary dance music from around the world. Now in its 10th year, Pandemic has done more than just produced events for bands from across the globe. Pandemic focuses on bringing new and innovative artists, musicians, djs to Pittsburgh. Pittonkatonk is a place where brass music of all styles, including Balkan, New Orleans Jazz, Symphonic, and street/protest/punk bands can come together to perform. The Listening Spaces Project explores and promotes music at the community-level for positive social change and development.
Festival Organizers:
Pete Spynda - Festival Co-Director/Curator
Rich Randall - Festival Co Director/Curator
Stephanie Brea
Kathryn Heidemann
Other Conspirators: Stephan Koledin, Rosemary Barton, Leslie Clague, Miguel Llanas, Ray Gerard
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
If you can’t contribute financially that doesn’t mean you can’t help:
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Ask folks to get the word out and make some noise about our campaign!
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Use the Indiegogo share tools!
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Offer to volunteer at the event!
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Vend! Contribute some food, shelter, water, even a tent.
- Host a band for the night.
$5,000 will get us a weekend of outstanding brass music. But it won’t happen unless you contribute. LET’S MAKE THIS HAPPEN PITTSBURGH!
