Rhythm on the Vine festival to benefit Shriners Hospitals

The first-half of the 2009 Rhythm on the Vine music festival season has been announced as premier entertainment events of this summer with a stellar lineup of celebrity jazz, latin, and modern swing performers ready to help Shriners kids defy the odds of their illnesses and injuries.

The “Latin and Modern Swing” festivals will be in Santa Ynez at the Gainey Vineyard and Winery in late May. Featured are:

· Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – popular swing band: May 29

· Poncho Sanchez, and Sheila E. and the E.Family – Grammy Award winner: May 30

The “Smooth Jazz” festival will be held in the Southern California wine-making region of Temecula at the South Coast Winery Resort and Spa on June 27.

Featured are:
· Jeffrey Osborne, the multi-talented R&B musician
· Kirk Whalum and Gerald Albright, saxophonists

Individual and group tickets for the charitable events, starting at $55.00, are tax-deductible and available for purchase beginning March 10th at 10:00 a.m. at www.rhythmonthevine.org. All proceeds will go to care for needy children at Shriners Hospitals for Children, Los Angeles.

All Rhythm on the Vine festivals will feature world-class wines from the wineries, gourmet foods and barbeque, and opportunities to indulge in resort and spa amenities for overnight guests.

“These events represent win-wins for everyone, especially in our current economy,” said Jon Dellaria, producer of the Rhythm on the Vine festival series for Shriners Hospitals for Children. “It’s a rare opportunity to experience these great talents in a relaxed, protected environment with great food and wine. This is our third season, and best yet, and we anticipate a sell-out at every festival.”

Rhythm on the Vine began in 2008 with one music concert and has grown in size and musical offerings every year. Last year’s artists included Herbie Hancock, Sheila E. and the E Family, Jim Brickman and Kirk Whalum. This year’s Country, Jazz, and Pop music festivals for Fall and Winter will be announced in coming months and promise to also out-do themselves with new and popular Grammy Award-winning artists.