Pittsburgh May Day Festival

2024 event poster

 

PITTON
KA
TONK

 

SATURDAY MAY 11, 2024

VIETNAM VETERANS PAVILION
PITTSBURGH, PA

 

Pittonkatonk is music without boundaries. Since 2014, Pittonkatonk is music in public spaces that belong to everyone, with no stage, no doors, and no right way to express yourself.

We’ve been a Green Festival since 2019!

Pittsburgh May Day Festival

2024 event poster

 

PITTON
KA
TONK

 

SATURDAY MAY 11, 2024

VIETNAM VETERANS PAVILION
PITTSBURGH, PA

 

Pittonkatonk is music without boundaries. Since 2014, Pittonkatonk is music in public spaces that belong to everyone, with no stage, no doors, and no right way to express yourself.

We’ve been a Green Festival since 2019!

OUR 2024 OFFICIAL LINEUP

JUPITER & OKWESS (Congo)
LA PERLA (Colombia)
POLKY (Poland/Canada)
EL LABERINTO DEL COCO (Puerto Rico)
A.ROB (Palestine/Philly)

COL EAGLEBURGER BAND
1HOOD MEDIA
BALAFON WEST AFRICAN DANCE
TIMBELEZA
MAY DAY MARCHING BAND

 

Jupiter & Okwess

Explosive! Na Kozonga, the new album by Jupiter and his band Okwess is a blast of energy that bewitches the body and feeds the spirit. Since the beginning, the Rebel General and his fellow pyrotechnicians have been drawing the rhythms of the Congo out of obscurity to reveal their superpowers: the powers of rock and funk, ready for every kind of musical coupling and any kind of invitation!

La Perla

Musically speaking, this ‘Bogotá touch’ means being porous to rock and hip-hop influences, as well as other countries’ music traditions, such as merengue or rumba. When all this effortlessly gelled together, La Perla was truly born. But their uniqueness doesn’t end there. Apart from the instrumental output, with a somewhat punk attitude applied to regional rhythms, Forero believes that their lyrics “stress the difference” between their music and any tradition that was passed along to them. “While traditional lyrics always narrate a rural environment, these urban city lyrics speak of themes that are closer to our lives.”

El Laberinto Del Coco

El Laberinto del Coco is an Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba Fusion ensemble founded by visionary percussionist Hector “Coco” Barez in 2017. With a unique blend of sizzling musical ideas, Barez presents new ways to the traditional sounds of Puerto Rican Bomba. After touring the world with Ballet Folklorico de Puerto Rico “Areyto,” Grammy Award-winning groups like Calle 13, Bacilos and world-renowned bands like Bio Ritmo, Miramar, William Cepeda and Bayanga, Barez decides to embark on a new journey.



A.ROB

A.Rob, a Palestinian-American Hip-Hop/Rap artist hailing from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, currently finds
his creative base in Philadelphia. As the child of Palestinian refugees, A.Rob’s music delves deep into the
narratives of his people, shedding light on their struggles and echoing the call for justice resonating
across the globe. His recent work serves as a powerful testament to the ongoing challenges faced by
marginalized communities. With intricate lyricism and captivating wordplay, A.Rob’s music transcends
mere entertainment; it’s a beacon of inspiration, motivation, and unwavering positivity for listeners.
Through his artistry, he offers rap enthusiasts a much-needed breath of fresh air, infusing each track with
raw emotion and profound meaning. To experience the dynamic world of A.Rob, tune in to his music
available under “A.Rob” across all major streaming platforms, and connect with him on social media via
@arobsmusic.

Balafon

Balafon is a performing ensemble that also offers immersive movement and musical programs. Experience African culture up close. Explore rich Guinean traditions, and a taste of classical arts from other areas of West Africa and beyond.
1HOOD

We seek to establish a platform for artistic expression in efforts to further the economic and creative advancement of artists, as well the active engagement of diverse audiences.

Timbeleza

Timbeleza is a community group that is a Brazilian batucada based in Pittsburgh, PA.

EAGLEBURGER BAND

Colonel Eagleburger’s Highstepping Goodtime Band
Schenley Local No. 412

 

May Day Marching Band

We are a community-based band that welcomes members of all skill levels. We like playing fun and funky music at parades, rallies, protests, picnics, fiestas and other events. We also love to show up random places and surprise ya!

POLKY

led by multi-talented female musicians, delights audiences with joyful vocal harmonies, unusual instruments, and upbeat performances. Drawing deep inspiration from Poland’s rich cultural tapestry, they push musical boundaries by fearlessly blending Polish traditional music with sounds and rhythms from across the globe, carving out a niche entirely their own. With their infectious charm, captivating performances, and unyielding passion for exploration, Polky is undoubtedly a band that stands apart. Their music is not just a sonic experience but a celebration of cultural diversity, women empowerment, an invitation to revel in the joy of life, and a reminder that, deep down, we are all connected by the power of music.

 

Balkan Brass, Cumbia,
Hip-Hop, Afrobeat, Big Bands

2024 event poster

A one of a kind musical festival, free and open to all, connecting the dots between community, organizers, and euphoric musical experiences.

REVIEWS

Pittonkatonk is more than just the annual picnic; it also does educational outreach year-round in the Sto-Rox school district and elsewhere. But the picnic is its keynote event, last year drawing a crowd estimated at about 3,000.

Bill O’Discoll
WESA 90.5 FM

Authentic and grassroots, Pittonkatonk erases boundaries between performers and attendees, which means there are no stages, green rooms, tickets or corporate sponsors. Sounds representing West Africa, Chicago, Providence and more will fill the pavilion and spill into the park actively engaging listeners in live performance. It’s uplifting to see, hear, and be a part of.

Jennifer Baron
NEXT Pittsburgh

“You’re part of something bigger, something magical. You’re part of something where everyone values you for who you are. And in that moment, you can totally let loose and be free.”

Meg Fair
Pittsburgh City Paper

The focus of Pittonkatonk is on community. It’s about bringing together people who might otherwise never convene, and blurring the line between performer and spectator.

Caralyn Green
Pittsburgh City Paper

PITTONKATONK 2024 is coming!

Day(s)

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Hour(s)

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Minute(s)

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TIME: PITTONKATONK KICKS OFF AT 1pm

DATE : SATURDAY  MAY 11, 2024

WHERE:  VIETNAM VETERANS PAVILION (Schenley Park)

RULES

  • RESPECT THE PARK!
  • RESPECT THE PEOPLE!
  • RESPECT YOURSELF!

We encourage visitors to bring their own water bottle, blankets, camping chairs.

Clean up after yourself and your neighbor.

 

come visit & participate in the activist greenhouse.

A community resource tent of Social and Environmental Justice Organizations. Presented in collaboration with New Sun Rising

May Day Marching Band & Casa San Jose SOY

Focusing on
Immigration & Equality

Afro Yaqui Music Collective & 1Hood & Sio-Rox Marching Band

Lemon Bucket Orkestra and Sto Rox Marching Band

Focusing on
Cultural Exchange

But, What is Pittonkatonk?

NEED TO KNOWS

  • Festival begins at 1pm
  • Parking around the park is limited so we strongly encourage
    • ride share
    • biking,
    • public transportation
    • uber/lyft
  • BIKE PARKING is available thanks to BikePgh (Bikes must be removed by the end of the event)

WHAT TO BRING

  • Reusable water bottle
  • blanket for the grass
  • sunscreen, umbrella, sweatshirt
  • earplugs
  • money for the bands, potluck, and vendors (most accept cards)
  • your I.D. (state id, passport, other form of valid identification)

NO POTLUCK!!!
We stopped the Potluck aspect of the event.

FOOD VENDORS

  • Shado Beni – vegan food from Trinidad
  • Spirit Pizza – Pizza
  • Kilimanjaro Flavor – African cuisine
  • Mr Bulgogi – Korean
  • Sprezzatura – Italian
  • Community Kitchen Pittsburgh –
  • El Colibri – Mexican street food
  • Millies – Ice Cream

BEVERAGES

  • EAST END BREWING,
  • BARMY SODA
  • GOODLANDER COCKTAILS

 

PITTONK IS GOING GREEN!!!

Pittonkatonk has gone Zero Waste! Since 2019!!!

  • We have partnered with the PA Resources Council to reduce waste and divert it from the landfill through recycling and compost.
  • In 2021, the festival diverted 83% of its waste – the most diversion yet– and in 2022 we aim to be a recognized Zero Waste Event by diverting 90%+ from the landfill! We need your help to get there!

Here’s how you can help:

    • Use PRC’s Zero Waste Stations, located throughout the festival:
      • Compost
        • Food vendor packaging is also compostable!
        • Cups from East End are compostable!
      • Recycling
        • Aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles (please empty before throwing them in!)
        • Cardboard and paper
        • NO other plastic (cups, containers, clamshells, plastic utensils)
      • Landfill
        • Everything else! Zip ties, plastic clingwrap, etc
        • NO food, liquids, or compostable or recyclable items
  • For more Zero Waste tips, visit www.prc.org/programs/zwpa/

Education

Through educational programming and community events, Pittonkatonk encourages social engagement between musicians, audiences, and community members, in ways that blur the lines between performer and spectator. We focus on supporting music education in Pittsburgh area high schools.

Event

The annual Pittonkatonk May Day BBQ is a volunteer-supported celebration attended by more than 3,500 people. On a Saturday in May, [the Pittsburgh community] gathers at the Schenley Park Veterans Pavilion to hear performances from local, national and international activist bands, and interact with social and environmental justice organizations.

Activism

This year, three Pittsburgh artists will write new songs in collaboration with social justice organizers, The Social Impact Experience. The project encourages artists to form deep working relationships with environmental and social justice organizations that work to get their message out in creative ways.

show your pittonka-pride

NEW SHIRTS COMING SOON

 

Pittonkatonk is
supported by

PARNTERSHIPS