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

Vienna, VA—Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts kicks off its 2009 summer season with two of the most consistently well attended attractions offered during the summer months. With a much anticipated return to Wolf Trap’s natural outdoor amphitheater, internationally celebrated, publicly broadcast radio program A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor presents back-to-back performances on Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23 (Saturday’s performance features a live radio broadcast.) Patrons are encouraged to arrive an hour before Friday's show for a free Pre-Performance Discussion with Mary Cliff, host of Traditions on WAMU 88.5 FM. Come Sunday, May 24, Wolf Trap and Washington, D.C. area residents celebrate the kick-off of the 2009 summer season during the 2009 Summer Blast Off! event, inviting patrons to revel in a season of approximately 170 shows in roughly 100 days.

A Prairie Home Companion
Friday, May 22, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 5:45 p.m.
$22 - $48

Appearing at Wolf Trap with an all-star cast fronted by enduring personality Garrison Keillor, A Prairie Home Companion has grown into an international phenomenon with broadcasts from Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, Iceland, and almost every one of the 50 states. In today’s radio market, A Prairie Home Companion is heard by more than 4 million listeners each week on some 580 public radio stations (you’ll find a list at www.prairiehome.org), and abroad. The phenomenon that inspired the 2006 Robert Altman movie and a legion of dedicated fans includes comedy sketches, musical interludes, and Keillor's signature monologue, "The News from Lake Wobegon." Several special guests are TBA. Tickets for each performance range from $22 lawn to $48 in-house to seats.

An hour prior to Friday’s performance, attendees will have the opportunity to experience a Pre-Performance Preview on the Old Farmhouse Lawn for a lecture and demonstration from Mary Cliff, host of Traditions on WAMU 88.5 FM, that offers insight and interpretation of the evening’s attraction. More information can be found on Wolf Trap’s Pre-Performance Preview Series by accessing this link.

2009 Summer Blast Off!
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band
With Fireworks
May 24 at 8:00 p.m.
Free but with Limited Capacity

Presented as the symbolic launch of the 2009 summer season at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, the Filene Center’s Summer Blast Off! event begins at 8 p.m. with an evening of complimentary entertainment by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, followed by a fireworks display that rivals those seen in major cities on the Fourth of July. For two centuries, the United States Marine Band has been part of similar events which have played a role in shaping our national heritage. Its omnipresent role in events of national importance has made it part of the fabric of American life, and Wolf Trap welcomes its members as return performers.

The Filene Center gates open at 6:30 p.m. for this event, one hour prior to “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band performance beginning at 8 p.m. and concluding at 9:30 p.m. Patrons are free to select their choice of seats either in-house or on the lawn, but should keep in mind that the park closes once capacity is reached. The fireworks viewing area opens following the performance at approximately 9:30 p.m, with the display scheduled for 9:45 p.m.

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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