Presented by Kelly Strayhorn Theater during March 5 – 7, 2009

The 1st Annual SUNSTAR Women in Music Festival will take place March 5th – 7th, 2009 in Pittsburgh, PA. SUNSTAR features independent music artists and includes concerts, workshops and special events celebrating emerging & world class music makers.

Named in honor of our most precious and energizing resource, the sun, the festival intends to acknowledge, recognize and support the many women who are creating phenomenal music.

A series of discussions kicks off with a lecture and book signing with LaShonda Katrice Barnett, author of “I Got Thunder: Black Women Songwriters On Their Craft.” Barnett will discuss the influences, inspirations and creative process of artists over forty, such as influential female songwriters Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln, Diane Reeves, Toshi Reagon, and Odetta. Additional workshops and discussions will happen through the festival.

On January 29th at 11 am, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, URA Executive Director Rob Stephany, a representative for City Councilman Reverend Ricky Burgess, and development partners presented East Liberty’s next generation of homes. These homes are East Liberty Development, Inc.(ELDI)’s answer to the question of how to build more durable, more sustainable, and more enjoyable homes for the next 100 years.

ELDI, with our partners S&A Homes, Pfaffmann+Associates, IBACOS, and mossArchitects, has created extremely energy efficient homes (40% better than the Department of Energy’s benchmark), using durable components that require minimal long-term maintenance, and that are designed in a contemporary style which complements the historic houses of East Liberty.

With 4 great floor plans, these homes are priced aggressively- starting at $216,000. Maelene Myers, Executive Director of ELDI, says, “Our new homes have terrific prices, but even more importantly, the energy efficiency and minimal maintenance of these homes will be saving homeowner’s money for years to come.” She goes on to point out that, “These homes are an integral part of ELDI’s other sustainable initiatives and one of the first phases of the Green Plan for East Liberty.”

These innovative homes are just one example of the transformation that is occurring in East Liberty. With numerous commercial and residential projects, in both development and construction, East Liberty is a vibrant neighborhood that is poised to be the leader in sustainable development in the city of Pittsburgh. More people than ever are shopping at Whole Foods, eating at one of our more than 25 restaurants, and choosing to call East Liberty home. Only seven minutes from Downtown and walking distance to everything, East Liberty is the place to be.

For more information about East Liberty’s Historic Enclave, contact Pam D’Alessandro (412.537.8564) or Catherine McConnell (412.874.3074)

Read more about the homes and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in the Tribunee Review