Kelly Strayhorn Theater presents the SUNSTAR Music Series on Fridays, March 9, 23, and 30.
This series, inspired by our bi-annual SUNSTAR Music Festival, celebrates women in art and music with
performances by local and national artists.
SUNSTAR Music Series provides a platform for local female performers to share the stage with national acts in a neighborhood theater setting. Dedicated to presenting premiere emerging and established female artists, SUNSTAR showcases a variety of genres including dance, spoken word, singer/songwriters, musicians, and more.
Audiences are invited to experience three different programs with the themes of world music, soul/R&B, and rock. Each night features an eclectic line-up of artists who embody the spirit of collaboration, energy, and diversity that one would only find on the KST stage. By combining music with dance, spoken word, and performance, theater patrons are immersed in a multi-disciplinary program that includes some of the most creative and inspiring female artists of today.

The SUNSTAR schedule is as follows:
Friday, March 9, 2012
8 pm–2 am | $15
World Music in East Liberty
Kick off SUNSTAR with the original “Bollywood Barbie,” DJ Kalkutta. Based in NYC, Kalkutta  has shared the stage with the likes of Ke$ha, Ludacris, LMFAO, Talib Kweli, KRS-1, and NinjaSonik. Between rocking clubs and concerts, Kalkutta
provides music for designers like Betsey Johnson, Diesel, and Adidas Originals. Kalkutta transforms the KST lobby into an energetic dance party, following the powerful words and music of “Her Voice: Stories, Tales, and Myths of Women of Color.” Poets Yona Harvey, Christina Springer, and others perform against the sweet sounds of Brazilian jazz artist Kenia Ashby. And Geña takes the party to the lobby to warm up the audience for a night of cutting loose with DJ Kalkutta. See you on the dance floor!
More information on DJ Kalkutta is available here. Additional information is available upon request.

Friday, March 23, 2012
9 pm–midnight | $10
Soul/R&B
Acclaimed soul musician Joy Ike brings her smooth singer/songwriter style to the KST stage. Often compared to India Arie and Lizz Wright, Joy admits her music is all about the emotion behind it. Open your heart and bring dancing shoes because it’s sure to be one roller coaster of a night with acts like cool duo Soul Divine and the shining Bridgette Perdue.
More information on Joy Ike is available here. Additional information is available upon request.

Friday, March 30, 2012
9 pm–midnight | $10
Women Who Rock
SUNSTAR 2012 closes with a night of Pittsburgh bands and artists including Christiane D, DJ Mary Mack, and The Armadillos. Former frontwoman of Soma Mestizo, Christiane D performs songs from her new solo debut album Obliquity of the Ecliptic. City Paper writes, “Sonically, the album warps through punkrock aesthetics, hip-hop montage, rock ‘n’ roll power and inflections of jazz free-spiritedness, and does so with touches from a sampling of Pittsburgh talent.” Orchestral twang pop band, Boca Chica, performs dark, catchy music that’s equal parts Neko Case and Dolly Parton. DJ Mary Mack has provided countless Pittsburgh parties with early ’90s dance nostalgia, while The Armadillos capture the sound of Appalachia mixed with a modern rockabilly vibe.
More information on Christiane D is available here. Additional information is available upon request.
Tickets are available online or by phone at 412-363-3000.