The Roots [ tickets ], Gov't Mule [ tickets ] and Ziggy Marley [ tickets ] highlight initial lineups revealed for eight concerts set to take place around the nation in April to celebrate Earth Day [ tickets ].

The free April 20 events will take place in "landmark parks" in eight cities, according to a press release, with anywhere from three to eight acts currently scheduled for each location.

The coast-to-coast event--sponsored and organized by the non-profit Earth Day Network, created by founders of the original Earth Day in 1970--will be anchored by Washington, DC's Earth Day 2008 celebration on the National Mall, featuring The Roots, Gov't Mule, Toots & the Maytals [ tickets ], Thievery Corporation [ tickets ] and other acts. A full list of performers in each city is included below.

The New York City concert, which will take place in Central Park, features Ricky Skaggs [ tickets ] & Kentucky Thunder and Big Head Todd & the Monsters [ tickets ], among others. Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo will play host to a concert featuring the Derek Trucks [ tickets ] Band and Meshell Ndegeocello.

Miami's Bicentennial Park event will feature Arrested Development [ tickets ], as well as a newly reformed version of Menudo, while the Fair Park in Dallas will be the setting for a show featuring Los Lonely Boys and Martin Sexton. Concerts in Denver's City Park, Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, CA, and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco will feature The Neville Brothers, Mickey Hart's Mass Drum and Ziggy Marley, respectively.

"We're combining music with compelling speech to raise awareness of the problem of global warming and inspire people to action," Earth Day Network president Kathleen Rogers said in a statement. "Earth Day 2008 will bring major talent and leaders together to empower people to become environmentally active."

"We're thrilled to announce this line-up and expect to reveal more names in the days to come," added Peter Shapiro, executive producer of the event's co-promoter, Green Apple Festival. "Artists from every genre have raised their hands to participate in America's largest Earth Day celebration, spread out across the country in public parks for everyone to attend. We owe endless thanks to the artists and their teams who care enough to underscore the urgency and message of this mission."

Earth Day 2008 initial lineups

New York, NY
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Vusi Mahlasela
Vienna Teng

Washington, DC
The Roots & Friends
Gov't Mule
Toots & the Maytals
Thievery Corp
Warren Haynes
Umphrey's McGee
DC Boys Choir
City Dance

Chicago, IL
Derek Trucks Band
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Meshell Ndegeocello
Chicago Afrobeat Orchestra
Miss Lori Holton Nash
The Gwalla Gwallas

Miami, FL
Menudo
Arrested Development
Baby Loves Salsa
Caravan of Thieves
Dallas, TX
Los Lonely Boys
Martin Sexton
Junior Brown
Cas Haley
The Steps
George Stanford

Denver, CO
The Neville Brothers
The Benevento/Russo Duo
Rose Hill Drive

San Francisco, CA
Mickey Hart's Mass Drums
Yonder Mountain String Band
Brett Dennen

Los Angeles, CA
Taj Mahal
Ziggy Marley solo acoustic
Juliette and the Licks
School of Rock Hollywood Allstars
The Frequency
Coby Brown