Walker Art Center and 89.3 The Current Announce Rock the Garden 2010 with MGMT, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, OK Go, and Retribution Gospel Choir on Saturday, June 19

Once again the Walker Art Center and 89.3 The Current, from Minnesota Public Radio, team up to present summer’s first and best outdoor music festival, Rock the Garden. This year’s adventurous line-up will play to crowds spread out along the Walker’s grassy hillside “amphitheater” overlooking the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden on Saturday, June 19, from 3–10:30 pm.

Rock the Garden’s sonic smorgasbord gets a kick-start with local phenoms

Retribution Gospel Choir

—the scorching side-project of Low’s Alan Sparhawk—who champion the “rock” in Rock the Garden in slash-and-burn style.

Next up are Grammy Award winners and viral video sensations

OK Go

, whose legendary high-octane performances and rollicking new record are brimming with irresistible hooks, vintage Prince, and noisy nuance. The party delves into deep funk with

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

, the Brooklyn collective revered globally for live shows that burn through gospel, soul, and funk—think R&B revue in a revival tent.

Then

MGMT

takes the stage, mining the pop canon of the last five decades to come up with glittering sounds, game-changing grooves, and cosmic-pop hooks. They perform their new release, Congratulations, for a dazzling-yet-irreverent art-rock finale that runs from futuristic to funky, grand to glam, epic to positively euphoric.

Between sets, enjoy music from The Current’s DJs, stroll through the world-famous Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and sample a scrumptious array of food, beer, and other refreshments for sale. This all-ages, rain-or-shine party sold out in 2008 and 2009! Advance ticket purchase is recommended: walkerart.org/tickets or 612.375.7600.

Walker and MPR members have exclusive access to tickets to Rock the Garden through April 27. Tickets are $40 for general admission; $75 for the Upper Desk (includes access to the beer garden, concert green, and street amenities); and $150 for Skybox VIP (includes access to the Walker’s rooftop terraces, the Upper Deck beer garden, concert green, and street amenities).

Tickets available at 612.375.7600 or at walkerart.org/tickets.