Fergie Headlines Free Concerts

International superstar Fergie, pop sensation Pussycat Dolls, funk rock trendsetters N.E.R.D. singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw and Jesse McCartney are among the biggest names in music and will be among the headliners during three days of free music concerts at The Big Dance®, part of the 2009 NCAA Mens Final Four weekend in Detroit.

The weekend of festivities and free concerts kicks off Friday, April 3 with the AT&T Block Party, which features N.E.R.D. and pop singer-songwriter Jesse McCartney. On Saturday, April 4, Big Dance Saturday will get fans hyped up for the semifinal games that night with performances by the Pussycat Dolls and Gavin DeGraw. On Sunday, April 5, My Coke Fest assumes the main stage with emcee Ryan Seacrest hosting a day featuring Fergie and with musical performers Staind, Gym Class Heroes, Janelle Monáe and Parachute.

The Big Dance is living up to its name with a superstar lineup headlining a weekend of music and entertainment for all ages, said Greg Shaheen, NCAA senior vice president for basketball and business strategies. Music fans across all genres have a wonderful opportunity to see established stars in concert free of charge. The atmosphere will be electric all weekend long for visitors and local citizens alike.

In addition to national music, The Big Dance will feature 40 of Detroits best local bands performing on two stages.

Schedule for The Big Dance® (all times subject to change):

The AT&T Block Party (Friday, April 3 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Headlined by N.E.R.D. and also featuring Jesse McCartney.

Main Stage Schedule for The AT&T Block Party (Friday, April 3, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
6-6:30 p.m. -Big Sean
7:30-8:30 p.m. - Jesse McCartney
9-10 p.m. - N.E.R.D.

Local Band Schedule for The AT&T Block Party (all times subject to change):
(Friday, April 3 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
AT&T Local Stage
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Burgandy Soul Project featuring CEL & Michael Galvan
1-2 p.m. - Doc Holiday
2:30-3:30 p.m. - The McKinney Zone
4-5 p.m. - Flophouse
5:30-6:30 p.m. - Stellar Drive
7-8 p.m. - The Deadstring Brothers
8:30-10 p.m. - Twistin Tarantulas

vitaminwater revive Stage
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Band B
1-2 p.m. - Pato Margenta
2:30-3:30 p.m. - Lucky Brown
4-5 p.m. - Sky Covington
5:30-6:30 p.m. - Four Finger Five
7-8 p.m. - Paxahau
8:30-10 p.m. - Rev. RightTime

Big Dance Saturday (Saturday, April 4 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Headlined by Pussy Cat Dolls and also featuring Gavin DeGraw.

Main Stage Schedule for Big Dance Saturday (Saturday, April 4, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
12-1 p.m. -  Keith Sweat
1:30-2:30 p.m. - Gavin DeGraw
3-3:30 p.m. - Worlds Largest Pep Rally (followed by a military flyover)
4-5 p.m. - Pussycat Dolls
5:15 p.m. - Local Performance by Paxahau DJs

Local Band Schedule for Big Dance Saturday (Saturday, April 4 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
AT&T Local Stage
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - JStokes
1-2:30 p.m. -  Tim Diaz
3-4 p.m. - Tumbao Bravo!
4:30- 5:30 p.m. - Stewart Francke
6-7:30 p.m. -  Larry Lee & The Back in the Day Band

vitaminwater revive Stage
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Inside Outlaws Revolver featuring Ty Stone, Don Dupree, Matt Dmits, and Brandon Calhoon
1-2:30 p.m. - Third Coast Kings
3-4 p.m. -  The Robin Horlock Band
4:30-5:30 p.m. -  Great Divide
6-7:30 p.m. - HotSauce

My Coke Fest™ (Sunday, April 5, 11 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.)
Emceed by Ryan Seacrest, My Coke Fest will culminate with headliner and popular music diva, Fergie, who will showcase her singular blend of pop, hip hop, and R&B. First gaining musical fame as a vocalist for the Black Eyed Peas, Fergies solo debut album, The Dutchess, produced five top 5 singles (two of which, London Bridge and Big Girls Dont Cry, went to No. 1) making her just the seventh female artist to achieve that feat. As part of the Black Eyed Peas, Fergie has contributed to three Grammy Award winning songs, including Lets Get it Started.

Main Stage Schedule for My Coke Fest™ (Sunday, April 5, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
2-3 p.m. - Parachute
3:30-4:30 p.m. - Janelle Monáe
5-6 p.m. - Gym Class Heroes
6:30-7:30 p.m. -  Staind
8-9:15 p.m. - Fergie

Local Band Schedule for My Coke Fest™ (Sunday, April 5, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
AT&T Local Stage
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Robin Moore & The NorthStars
12:30-1:30 p.m. - Persuasion
2-3 p.m. - The Mickeys
3:30-4:30 p.m. - Nuroksol
5-6 p.m. - Ultra Violet Hippopotamus
6:30-8 p.m. - Impact 7

vitaminwater revive Stage
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Chris Ams
12:30-1:30 p.m. - Whitey Morgan & The 78s
2-3 p.m. - Hard Line Drive
3:30-4:30 p.m. -  Macpodz
5-6 p.m. - The Muggs
6:30-8 p.m. - Paxahau