SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL 2009 SET FOR SEPT. 10-12; OZZY OSBOURNE TO BE HONORED AT SSMF TRIBUTE

SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL 2009 SET FOR SEPT. 10-12

OZZY OSBOURNE TO BE HONORED AT SSMF TRIBUTE

SSMF 2009 WILL INCLUDE OUTDOOR STREET FEST, STAGES AND PERFORMANCES AT SIX LEGENDARY VENUES

OFFICIAL LAUNCH MAY 14 WITH “FACES OF SUNSET BOULEVARD” EVENT AT LIVE! ON SUNSET

(West Hollywood, Calif. – May 5, 2009) The second annual Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF) is confirmed for Sept. 10-12, 2009. In addition to The Strip’s six signature music venues hosting diverse music lineups, SSMF 2009 will also include an outdoor street festival component with the closure of Sunset Boulevard between Doheny Drive to San Vicente Boulevard on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 2 – 9 p.m. This is the first time a significant portion of The Sunset Strip has been shut down for a music event, and it will allow for outdoor stages and increased attendance.

Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne will be honored at a tribute event Thursday, September 10 that kicks off the three-day festival. The tribute event honors icons who have made an impact on the legacy of The Sunset Strip. On Ozzy’s first U.S. tour with Black Sabbath in 1970, the band performed a five-night stand (November 11-15) at the legendary Whisky A Go-Go. Ozzy Osbourne’s career has spanned four decades and his music is as relevant today as ever. The multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has sold over 100 millions album worldwide—50 with Black Sabbath and as many as a solo artist—and in 2003 was honored with a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s “Walk of Fame.”

“We are extremely excited to honor rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, and we are thrilled the City of West Hollywood once again supported the Sunset Strip Music Festival,” noted Todd Steadman, executive director of the Sunset Strip Music Festival. “This year’s street closure will allow us to expand on the success of last year’s inaugural fest and accommodate more fans and festival-goers.”

Friday and Saturday nights of SSMF will feature live music performances from a mix of established and up-and-coming artists at all six venues (Cat Club, House of Blues, Key Club, The Roxy Theatre, Viper Room and Whisky A Go-Go). Saturday will feature a daytime street fest with multiple outdoor stage performances before the clubs open their doors for night performances, and the Mondrian hotel is also onboard for SSMF 2009 and will host a VIP cocktail event.

“SSMF is a great opportunity for us to celebrate The Sunset Strip's rich musical history. It also allows us to recognize the clubs and artists, new and old, who make Sunset Boulevard an international destination,” stated West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tempore John Heilman. “Our first event created so much excitement and enthusiasm, and I know the upcoming event will be terrific.”

An official “launch” of SSMF 2009 will be held May 14 at interactive retailer LIVE! On Sunset. The invitation-only event is sponsored by Jack Daniel’s, LIVE! On Sunset, Virgin America, City of West Hollywood, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Isla Cantina, Mondrian, Sierra Nevada, Castoro Cellars, Izze and Icelandic Glacial. It will feature an exhibit from photographer Patrick Ecclesine’s award-winning book Faces Of Sunset Boulevard, which celebrates the people who define the legendary boulevard; drinks from Jack Daniel’s; hors d’oeuvres from Isla Cantina; and live music.

“We are delighted to host our kick-off event for year two of SSMF at LIVE! On Sunset and at the same time showcase Patrick’s eclectic collection of Sunset Strip images,” noted SSMF Managing Director Karmen Beck. “The venue embodies the energy of The Sunset Strip with its fashion-forward style and music-friendly approach to retail.”

More details about the Sunset Strip Music Festival 2009, including artist lineup and ticket information, will be announced.

Officially registered with the U.S. government in 1866, Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, Proprietor, is the oldest registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Based in Lynchburg (Pop. 361), Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery is the maker of world-famous Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey and Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails. Your friends at Jack Daniel's remind you to drink responsibly. www.jackdaniels.com

LIVE! On Sunset is the Los Angeles born, interactive retail concept that provides an exciting global platform for California fashion and lifestyle. The spacious boutique – inspired by Hollywood soundstages with an open floor plan – is located on the famed Sunset Strip, in the former home of the iconic Tower Records. The space is equipped with a HiDef broadcast studio facility, a professional DJ sound system as well as a Buddha Bar themed Sonic Lounge. The space is merchandised with pieces from more than 200 cutting-edge and unique fashion, accessory and lifestyle brands. LIVE! On Sunset stylists create unique multimedia content for LIVEOnSunset.com and act as personal shoppers throughout the LIVE! On Sunset experience. LIVE! On Sunset’s unique concept is the vision of denim pioneer Gerard Guez. His fashion pedigree includes Sasson Jeans and NO! Jeans, American Rag Cie, KitsonLA Apparel, ReRock Jeans, as well as the worldwide Buddha Bar lifestyle brand. www.liveonsunset.com

Launched in August 2007, Virgin America is a San Francisco-based airline that offers attractive fares and a host of innovative features, including in-flight WiFi, power outlets and the Red(TM) touch-screen in-flight entertainment system which offers 25 on-demand films, seat-to-seat chat, videogames, live TV and more. In addition to a Main Cabin that offers custom-designed leather seats with a deeper, more comfortable pitch, the carrier's First Class offers international-grade amenities, such as seats with lumbar massagers. Main Cabin Select service offers 38-inches of seat pitch, complimentary food and cocktails, an all-access pass to Red(TM) and priority check-in and boarding. In 2008, the airline was named "Best Domestic Airline” in Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. The airline employs 1400 and is one of the fastest growing start-up airlines of all time, with an all new 28-aircraft Airbus A320-family fleet and daily flights from: SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD, SFO to SEA, SEA to LAX, JFK to LAS, BOS to LAX, BOS to SFO and SFO to SNA. For more, visit www.virginamerica.com  

Founded in 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® is the oldest and largest privately-held chain of specialty coffee and tea stores in the United States. With a reputation for excellence, the company is a leader in product innovations, having developed The Original Ice Blended® beverage. Providing the highest quality coffees and teas for 45 years, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® currently has more than 700 stores; 279 of which are company owned while 422 are franchised. These stores blanket the world in markets such as California, Arizona, Nevada, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Brunei, Indonesia, UAE, Israel, Australia, China, Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Vietnam, Mexico and the Philippines, and the chain continues to expand both domestically and internationally. For address, store information and hours, visit www.coffeebean.com.

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