MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL, MINN (August 30, 2008) – The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee, which is hosting the 2008 Republican National Convention, announced today that pianist Lorie Line, and the jazz ensemble The Petersen Family, will be the headlining performers at the delegate party for the 2008 Republican National Convention.
 
The delegate party will be held the night of Sunday, August 31, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, which also is the location for CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration. CivicFest features exhibits that highlight Minnesota history and business innovation as well as more than 35 world-class exhibits. Fifty-six delegations will be attending the event where food will be provided by Kelber Catering.
 
“Minnesota has a rich history and a great reputation when it comes to music and we are thrilled to present local musicians to entertain the thousands of delegates from across the country,” said Jeff Larson, CEO of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee.
 
Lorie Line got her professional start playing the piano at Dayton’s department store in Minneapolis. Since then she has sold more than 5 million albums, published more than 20 books of music and recorded 27 CDs. She tours spring, summer and winter with her Pop Chamber Orchestra and performs to more than 100,000 people each year.
The Peterson Family, also known as “Minnesota’s First Family of Music,” has been entertaining audiences locally, nationally and internationally for decades with its jazz music. Members of the Peterson Family are some of the most sought-after studio and sessions players in music and have worked with such well-known musicians as Prince, Bob Dylan, Steve Miller, John Mayer, Anita Baker, Johnny Lang and Paula Abdul.
 
It has been 116 years since Minnesota hosted a national political convention. In 1892, eighteen hundred delegates and alternates from forty-four states, five territories and the District of Columbia met along the banks of the Mississippi River in the Exposition Building in Minneapolis. 
 
The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held September 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn. More than 45,000 individuals, including 15,000 media, are expected to attend the Convention. The last national political convention in Minnesota was the Republican National Convention held in 1892.
 
About The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee
The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee is a non-partisan, 501c3 nonprofit charged with promoting the commerce, image and prestige of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the entire region in preparation for the 2008 Republican National Convention. The Host Committee is made up of community leaders who are committed to educating people and businesses to come to Minnesota to work, live, play, visit and invest. For more information, visit www.msp2008.com.