Green Hands USA: America Volunteers

Seattle-based hip-hop duo Blue Scholars (pictured), Grammy Award-winning country star Travis Tritt and alt-rock favorite Cracker are among the artists who will play free "Green Apple Thank You" concerts in ten differenct cities on Earth Day, April 19. Focused on environmental volunteerism, the shows will be free  for volunteers who participate in the activities over Earth Day Weekend.

Volunteers can sign up online at PlanetGreen.com for actions in ten cities, to occur April 17-19 2009. Projects in parks, beaches, schools and forests will focus on climate change solutions like tree planting, energy efficiency retrofits, water protection, urban gardens and forest restoration.

Free "Thank You Concerts" will be:

Atlanta, GA - Galactic & Friends with opener Victoria George at Variety Playhouse

Austin, TX - Travis Tritt & Friends at Antone's (on Monday April 20)

Boston, MA - Soulive & Friends at Paradise Rock Club

Chicago, IL - Cracker & Friends at The Metro

Denver, CO - Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk & Friends at Cervante's Masterpiece

Los Angeles, CA - The Hotel Cafe Presents Cary Brothers & Friends at The Roxy

New York City - Deep Banana Blackout featuring Fred Wesley & Friends at Bowery Ballroom

San Francisco, CA - BassNectar & Friends at Slim's

Seattle, WA - The Blue Scholars & Friends at The Crocodile

Washington, DC - artists will be announced soon for Earth Day on the National Mall

More information at GreenAppleFestival.com

Photo credit: Tone/photobytone.com