From James Earl Jones to Ahmad Jamal– the amazing lineup of talent in the 2009 Festival put Gettysburg firmly on the map as a world-class arts destination. Named “One of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2009” by the influential travel group The American Bus Association, The 2009 Festival lineup included 100+ events, more than half of which were free and open to the public.

The signature event for 2009, “James Earl Jones Narrating Lincoln Portrait: Featuring the Gettysburg Festival Orchestra,” offered some of the most famous and most exciting American music ever written—Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Gershwin’s Concerto in F, Randy Edelman’s Symphonic Suite from the film Gettysburg, and closed with Copland's magnificent Lincoln Portrait, narrated by none other than James Earl Jones.

Culinary Arts: Some of the 2009 Festival’s most popular events were its culinary offerings, a new Festival genre for 2009 designed by former White House Chef Walter Scheib. “We have some of the greatest food products in the entire United States grown, raised and produced, almost literally, right here in our backyard,” said Scheib. “This outstanding market basket of products is put to use in an array of styles by a collection of extremely talented PA chefs.” Events included a Sunday brunch at a horse farm, a formal dinner at the Gettysburg College President’s home, an alfresco sunset vineyard cookout, and a “Bluesey” BBQ at a train station, among others. Each featured a unique setting, outstanding cooking featuring PA products, great conversations with talented chefs, and additional arts forms such as music or visual arts to add to the overall experience. The 2009 PA Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Culinary Arts was presented to Christopher O’Brien, the executive chef at Hyeholde Restaurant in Moon Township, Allegheny County.

Brass: The 2009 Brass lineup featured twenty-two brass concerts, all free, highlighting many forms of brass music—traditional British style brass, Civil War period brass, quintets, quartets, Dixieland brass and traditional German brass. The world-class River City Brass Band of Pittsburgh, known as the “Boston Pops… in brass,” kicked off the Festival’s brass lineup on Opening Day. Brass aficionados enjoyed a full day of brass performances on the first day of summer, Saturday, June 20 in a classic all-American picnic-style setting. While the crisp notes of brass trumpeted from more than a dozen top brass groups all day at the Festival Main Stage, the PA Preferred Picnic featured more than a dozen mouth-watering food vendors encircling the rolling lawn at Gettysburg College. Some of the highlights: a crowd-pleasing performance by the U.S. Marine Corps Band from Quantico, Virginia and a trip back in time with the 8th Georgia Regiment Band all the way from Rome, Georgia.

Visual Arts: The 2009 Festival featured an amazing art exhibition featuring paintings of Abraham Lincoln by renowned American artist Hunt Slonem. What better place than Gettysburg, to exhibit these works by this celebrated American artist? Additional events included a Festival sculpture walk across the beautiful Gettysburg College campus, a vintage photography exhibit by esteemed New York photographer Irving Browning, and the Adams County Arts Council’s Juried Arts Exhibit, gaining reputation as a highly-regarded show in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Jazz: The 2009 lineup highlighted Pittsburgh native Ahmad Jamal, recognized as one of the most creative pianists of the past two generations. Miles Davis, Jack DeJohnette, and Keith Jarrett all cite Ahmad as a major influence on their playing. Additional 2009 performers included bassist Ed Wise and his New Orleans Jazz Band, the Buzz Jones Big Band, Bass clarinetist Paul Austerlitz joined by Afro-Cuban jazz drummer Babatunde Lea, and trombonist Jim McFalls leading the Mason-Dixon Jazz Camp Faculty Septet. The Festival’s emphasis on education was showcased in a grand finale concert by the Mason-Dixon Jazz Camp.

Dance: A Pennsylvania theme was woven into the fabric of The 2009 Festival. Nearly every genre contained a Pennsylvania connection, a Pennsylvania born and bred artist who is now internationally known as a world-class artist. Dance was no exception, with the spotlight shining upon The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco). Hailed by the LA Times as “High-speed wonders,” and labeled “Electrifying: sure, fervent, beautifully accomplished” by the Miami Herald, this dance powerhouse delivered a moving and invigorating performance.

Cabaret: Late-night cabaret returned to the Canary Cabaret, aka the Blue Parrot Bistro in downtown Gettysburg, where everyone’s favorite piano player, Ricky Ritzel, returned to offer four fun-filled cabaret shows.

Children’s Events: The exciting Children’s Arts Fair kicked off the Festival on June 18. Designed to stimulate and nurture every child’s inner artist, children could choose from about a dozen hands-on activities featuring art projects, music, drama, costumed characters and even magic. Additional children’s events included nearly 10 performances of children’s theater productions at the beautiful, shaded Festival Main Stage.

Fringe Festival: A dynamic lineup of nearly 40 events took place throughout the greater Gettysburg area as part of the 2009 Gettysburg Fringe Festival, “a local lineup to complement a world class Festival.”

The 2009 Festival was also recognized with several prestigious gold Pinnacle Awards from the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA). Additionally, the Festival launched its membership campaign, “Friends of the Festival” and welcomed more than 100 “Friends.” Executive Director Alice Estrada said, “We share the Festival’s accomplishments and accolades with hundreds of volunteers, community partners and supporters, and especially Governor Edward G. Rendell, all of whom believed in the vision of a cultural arts festival in Gettysburg.” “You don’t have to travel halfway around the world to find fine arts and culture. For ten days in June, it’s right here in Gettysburg.”

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