WORLD PREMIERE of DOWNTOWN EXPRESS
Set to screen at 2011 Woodstock Film Festival
with tie in performance featuringPhilippe Quint and Nellie McKay,
with Special Guest Lori Singer

(Woodstock, NY) Sept. 15, 2011:
DOWNTOWN EXPRESS
Director, writer and cinematographer David Grubin has produced over 100 films, winning numerous awards. "Downtown Express" is his first independent feature film. He is married to the artist Joan Grubin and lives in New York City.

The witty, musical romance features world-renowned violinist Philippe Quint (a two-time Grammy nominee) who dazzles as Sasha, a Russian immigrant and Juilliard student preparing for his final recital. Sasha spends his free time with his father and cousin entertaining the subway riders of New York for tips, but things begin to go off the rails when he falls for Ramona (played by singer-songwriter Nellie McKay) and joins her Bohemian band.

“Music plays a central role,” says Grubin.  “The major characters are all musicians, and performances, rehearsals, and musical doodlings give the soundtrack its distinctive character."

"Downtown Express" is a lively and entertaining film that captures the eclectic sounds of New York's music scene while showing off two of today's premiere musical talents.

The film is set to premiere 9/22, 4pm at Upstate Films in Woodstock with a repeat screening on 9/25, 12pm at the Rosendale Theater in Rosendale.

A related CONCERT will feature Philippe Quint and Nellie McKay at Bearsville Theater on September 22 at, 7:30pm

A two-time Grammy Award nominee, violinist Philippe Quint has emerged in recent years as one of the few soloists to combine a remarkable degree of lyricism, poetry and impeccable virtuosity. He has gripped the eyes and ears of audiences in Asia, Australia, Latin America, Africa, Europe and the U.S. with what The Times (London) describes as his “bravura technique, and unflagging energy.”

Nellie McKay is hard to categorize. She's done Brecht on Broadway, opened for Lou Reed at Carnegie Hall, sung Woody Allen movie songs at the Hollywood Bowl, performed on A Prairie Home Companion, duetted with Eartha Kitt and Triumph The Insult Comic Dog, played Hilary Swank's sister on the big screen, paid tribute to Doris Day, and released three wildly acclaimed albums of original music.

For complete info about the performance, visit http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/festival2011/details.php?id=17754

TICKETS AND LOGISTICS

The Box Office, located at 13 Rock City Rd, is open Wednesday-Sunday from noon-6pm through Sept. 17; it will be open every day from 9am-7pm, starting Sept. 18 through the last day of the festival, Sunday, Sept. 25. Ticket prices for WFF events range from $5-$75. Panels are $15. Concerts range from $20-$25. There are also a limited number of tickets available for the Gala Honorary Maverick Awards Ceremony. A limited number of special Full Festival Passes are available for purchase. Single purchase tickets will also be available at each screening and concert venue.

Get your tickets early! Shows tend to sell out quickly.
For more information contact the Box Office at (845) 810-0131.

About the Woodstock Film Festival:
Hailed by Indiewire as "A true American Maverick Among Fests" and praised by actor Ethan Hawke as "among the finest of a dying breed: a festival that isn't trying to sell you anything, but simply and beautifully celebrating the art & craft of filmmaking", the Woodstock Film Festival premiers exceptional films, hosts the most talented emerging and established professionals in the movie industry; presents A-list concerts, panels and parties, and creates stimulating, innovative programming year-round.

The Woodstock Film Festival is a non-profit, 501c3 with a mission to present an annual program and year-round schedule of film, music and art-related activities that promote artists, culture, inspired learning and diversity.

The Woodstock Film Festival celebrates its 12th Annual Festival September 21- 25, 2011, with an extraordinary line-up of fiercely independent films, panels, concerts and special events in Woodstock and the neighboring towns of Rhinebeck, Kingston and Rosendale.