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High-resolution downloadable images of HippieFest, Smokey Robinson, Bill Cosby, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal are available on Wolf Trap’s Web site: http://www.wolftrap.org/Media_and_Newsroom/Photos_for_Publication.aspx

Contact: Graham Binder, Manager, Public Relations
(703) 255-1917 or grahamb@wolftrap.org

Hippiefest
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$25 lawn; $42 in-house

Hippiefest hits the Wolf Trap stage for an evening of peace and love flanked by some of the ’60s and ’70s most creative bands. Go back in time with Mountain, and enjoy lead guitarist Leslie West and drummer Corky Laing’s oldie hits like “Mississippi Queen.” Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, who had 21 hit singles, also joins the tour adding some of his own pop-rock ballads to the night. Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, better known as Flo and Eddie of The Turtles, contribute their feel good tunes and raw singing talent to the festival. Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals fill the air with high energy and jazz influenced hits “Good Lovin” and “Groovin.” Last but not least, Badfinger joins the festival. After joining Paul McCartney’s record label, Badfinger hit it big with their No. seven hit, “Come and Get It.”

Smokey Robinson
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$25 lawn; $45 in-house

William “Smokey” Robinson has been churning out hits for 50-plus years and continues to thrive on the touring circuit. Starting his career in 1957, Smokey and his band, the Miracles, signed with the then fledging company, Motown Records. Their first No. 1 hit, “Shop Around,” debuting in 1960, was an integral part of Motown’s eventual success. Robinson became an in-demand producer and songwriter, penning the classic tunes “My Girl” for the Temptations, and “Ain’t that Peculiar” for Marvin Gaye. Robinson gained critical acclaim again in the ’80s with his Grammy Award-winning single, “Just to See Her” and another No. 1 hit, “Being With You.”

Bill Cosby
Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$20 lawn; $40 in-house

As one of the most influential and popular entertainers, Bill Cosby is best known for his role on The Cosby Show, which aired on NBC from 1984-1992. Though he is most famous for this role, Cosby has been a successful comedian, actor, recording artist, and author throughout his career. Cosby was the first African American to win an Emmy in 1965 for his role in I Spy. He has won five Grammys for his comedy albums, reaching out to audiences without using offensive language and risqué topics, but with his dominant personality and lighthearted grace. Cosby has shattered records both on screen and elsewhere; his memoir Fatherhood, was one of the fastest selling books of all time. Cosby has produced many children’s shows, including Little Bill, and written children’s books, due to his interest in family life entertainment. In 2002 Cosby was awarded the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

An Evening with Crosby, Stills & Nash
Friday, August 14, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$25 lawn; $45 in-house

This particular Wolf Trap performance from Crosby, Stills & Nash marks two important anniversaries almost to the exact hour; their first public appearance as a trio at Woodstock in 1969, and the commencement of the historic Woodstock festival. Celebrating three decades of friendship and creative partnership, the trio recently released CSN Demos, a collection of 12 previously unreleased demos that would later emerge as classic CSN hits on albums and solo records.

CSN’s first self-titled album reached No. 1, and was proclaimed one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone, featuring hits “Helplessly Hoping” and “Marrakesh Express.” Known as the first rock “supergroup,” Crosby, Stills, and Nash were all members of other popular bands before joining together at Woodstock. Their songs include emotional truths and harmonic tunes that blend together to bring the audience back to the rock ’n’ roll of the ’60s and ’70s.

The Temptations & The Four Tops
Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$22 lawn; $38 in-house

The Temptations

The Temptations hit the Wolf Trap stage for an evening of classic Motown hits from the ’60s and ’70s. Together since 1960, when the Primes and the Distants merged to become the Temptations, the band has had four No. 1 hits, including “My Girl” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” Their debut album, Meet the Temptations, was dubbed one of the Top 100 Pop Albums of the year in 1964. Though they took a brief break in the ’70s, the band came back strong in 1981 with the hit “Power.” With four Grammy wins, the Temptations have produced hit tunes for over 50 years, and have tailored their songs to satisfy the musical palates of all generations.

The Four Tops

Together since high school, The Four Tops released their self-titled debut album in 1964, creating hit after hit for the next half century. 1964 proved to be a pivotal year for the band, when “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “I Can’t Help Myself,” and “Reach Out, I’ll Be there” all became smash hits. The Four Tops continued into the ’70s with more hit singles, and finally hit No. 1 with “When She Was My Girl” in 1981. The band retained its original members for 40 years, and in 1990 was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.

Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band
Alone and Together
Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 8 p.m.
$30 lawn; $48 in-house

Bonnie Raitt

Famed guitarist, singer, and songwriter Bonnie Raitt makes her highly anticipated return to Wolf Trap for an evening of pop, rock, and country blues. Signed in 1971, Raitt first hit it big with her 1977 album, Sweet Forgiveness. The album produced her first hit single, “Runaway.” Her 1989 album, Nick of Time, garnered her four Grammy wins, followed by four more in ’94 for A Longing in Their Hearts. As a revolutionary blues-rock musician, Raitt has influenced the industry for decades as a well-known music icon that pushes the limits and blends all the right sounds and rhythms.

Taj Mahal

A perfect blend of classic blues, Caribbean folk, and jazz, Taj Mahal brings the ’60s to life with his contemporary fusion style. After three successful albums in the late ’60s, Taj Mahal’s records have become standards in the classic-rock repertoire. A two-time Grammy winner for Best Contemporary Blues Album, Taj Mahal has been an integral part of promoting this brand of music. He has worked with stars Ziggy Marley and Jack Johnson and continues to draw audiences with his raw vocals and musical talent.

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Tickets can be purchased by calling 1 (877) WOLFTRAP; or online at www.wolftrap.org. For more information, call Wolf Trap at (703) 255-1868.

Wolf Trap is metro accessible! Our environmentally friendly Wolf Trap Express Bus travels from the West Falls Church metro stop every 20 minutes starting two hours prior to show time. For more information, please visit, http://www.wolftrap.org/Plan_Your_Visit/Access_by_Metro.aspx