MusicNOW, curated by the National’s Bryce Dessner, returns May 13-15 (same weekend as Nelsonville) in Cincinnati. Tickets on sale March 15. Full release:

March 9, 2011, Cincinnati, OH – For the sixth consecutive year, MusicNOW is proud to present a program of exciting and challenging music from some of the most adventurous artists working in music today.

This year’s festival includes Shara Worden with ymusic performing a song cycle that was developed for Lincoln Center’s acclaimed American Songbook series, a world premiere composition from Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire, and a Cincinnati debut from the astonishing Little Scream performing songs from her new release, The Golden Record. In addition, The National return to their hometown for their first show since 2008 and Tim Hecker, whose release “Ravedeath, 1972,” was named to Pitchfork’s Best New Music, will also appear. Sharon van Etten has caused NPR’s Robin Hilton to say, “I can’t recall hearing anything more beautiful in all my life.” Owen Pallett brings his gorgeous, looped violin and vocals to play songs that teeter between classical and pop traditions. Rounding out this year’s festival is Sounds of the South, a collaboration between rustic avant-gardists Megafaun and nine-piece jazz collective Fight the Big Bull, which revives the shape-note songs Alan Lomax collected in the rural south from 1959-1961.

Tickets for all events will be on sale March 15th at 10 am. Tickets for May 13 and 14 are available at Brown Paper Tickets and tickets for May 15 are available from Cincinnati Arts.

MusicNOW was founded in 2006 by Bryce Dessner of The National. Through the years, the festival has invited contemporary musicians and artists that take risks and do not fit neatly into genre defined categories. Past performances have included festival-only collaborations, world premiere compositions, and sold out audiences. The festival has featured musicians Justin Vernon, Joanna Newsome, Toumani Diabate, Bang on a Can, Grizzly Bear, Sufjan Stevens, Glenn Kotche, and Kyaw Kyaw Naing among others. MusicNOW is presented by Chamber Music Cincinnati.

Please visit www.musicnowfestival.org or email musicnowfestival@gmail.com for further information.

2010 is the fifth anniversary of this festival founded by The National’s Bryce Dessner, who still serves as the artistic director. Pretty solid lineup this year. Here’s the details from the website:

The festival opens Tuesday, March 30th with arresting harpist and songwriter Joanna Newsom. Wednesday, March 31st, St. Vincent, led by composer, singer and guitar virtuoso Annie Clark, will present works from their widely acclaimed latest release, Actor, as well as new works venturing deeper into chamber arranging and composition. The same evening yMusic, will premiere the festival commission written by Clark. Inventive vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Justin Vernon, best known for his work with Bon Iver, presents a rare solo concert to close the festival April 1st. All concerts will be held at the beautiful and historic Memorial Hall. Tickets are on-sale now, via the web and by phone 1-800-838-3600. Single concert tickets are $20; a festival pass for all three concerts is $50.