PITTSBURGH — The 49th annual Three Rivers Arts Fest, with 300 artists, more than 50 live music performances, 15 visual arts installations and four original dance and theatre productions, opens Friday around downtown Pittsburgh. The festival continues through June 22.

Highlights include:

• "Contained," a new exhibition that engaged 10 artists and artist teams to transform used shipping containers into immersive art experiences.

• "Dream Machine," an interactive sculpture by Schenley High School graduate Nathan Green, inviting interaction with whimsical playground equipment in Market Square.

• The annual Duquesne Light Artists Market, featuring 300 artists and crafters.

• The UPMC Health Plan Family Festival, featuring hands-on art experiences and the new community stage, where children from around the region will perform dance, music and theatre.

• 17 nights of performances on the festival main stage, located at the Stanwix Triangle.

Musical events include performances by James McMurtry at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, jazz songstress Lizz Wright at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Phoebe Snow at 7:30 p.m. June 14, Grammy Award-winning songstress Shelby Lynne covering Dusty Springfield songs at 7:30 p.m. June 20, and alt-country guitarist Alejandro Escovedo at 7:30 p.m. June 22, all on the main stage.

Hours for the Duquesne Light Artists Market and indoor exhibits are noon to 8 p.m. daily. Performances and food courts run from noon to 9:30 p.m. daily.

UPMC Health Plan Family Festival runs from noon to 7 p.m. each day. Most programs free and open to the public.

For more information or a complete listing of events, call 412-281-8723 or visit the Web site, www.artsfestival.net.