The Big Picnic Kicks Off the Stern The Big Picnic Kicks Off the Stern Grove Festival in June of 2014Grove Festival in June of 2014

•This year marks the 77th season of the Stern Grove Festival, which launches on June 22 with The Big Picnic. This event draws attendees to Sigmund Stern Grove in San Francisco for an afternoon of great food and drinks combined with inspiring music and dance. This year’s Picnic features music legends Smokey Robinson and Patti Austin.

•A renowned rhythm-and-blues artist, Smokey Robinson has received the Grammy Living Legend Award and the National Medal of Arts. He plans to release a new album later in 2014. Patti Austin has earned significant recognition from music critics and the Grammys for her 19 solo albums, which blur the lines between pop, big band, and rhythm and blues.

•As with all Stern Grove Festival musical events, the 2 pm concert is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The Big Picnic Party starts at 11:30 am and attendees are guaranteed reserved spots for the concert. To learn more about securing tickets to the party, visit SternGrove.org.