One of the country’s first “green festivals”, the Clearwater Festival - The
Great Hudson River Revival, is preparing for a great weekend of family fun- June 21 & 22.
Continuing the legacy of Festival founder and legendary folk singer
Pete Seeger, all of the performers for the festival were selected because they share Seeger’s
philosophy of using the “power of song” to promote environmental awareness and
action. The annual Festival will be staged on the shores of the Hudson River at Croton Point Park in
Westchester County, June 21 and 22, on the weekend of the summer solstice.
“The musicians in this year’s Festival all have in common Seeger’s passion
for both the environment and music,” remarked Ron Aja, Outreach Events Director.
“They are also great entertainers. From Grammy-nominated Reggae bands to local
performers, they bring an exciting weekend of music, dance, storytelling, and
family fun.”
The festival will also feature hands-on environmental education workshops
and exhibits, including the Green Living Expo, where companies, firms and
organizations showcase green products or services. Returning this year is also
the activist area, where visitors can get information on many of the community’s
important environmental groups.
Families will enjoy storytellers, crafts, dancing, and waterfront
activities throughout the weekend. Tall ship sailing will also be available
throughout the weekend on both the famous Clearwater Sloop and Scooner Mystic
Whaler.
Aja noted that the Festival has significantly stepped up its efforts to
reach its “Zero Waste” goal by arranging to collect all food waste for
composing. “We were the first major festival to develop the concept more than 42
years ago with the Litter Picking Committee, and today it is an integral part of
our efforts to make our event a model for all other Festivals to follow,” said
Aja.
Clearwater is also using recyclable products and encouraging visitors to
bring their own water, minimizing the environmental impact on the site. As well,
the five performance stages are all powered with 100% sustainable energy that
includes solar and bio-diesel.
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL LINE UP
Offering a blend of Contemporary, Traditional and American Roots music,
artists include:
- Pete Seeger, legendary folk singer, activist, and founder of the
Clearwater organization. * Skatalites, a Grammy-nominated ska and reggae
band from Jamaica. Originally formed in 1964, the group has charted a number of
Top Ten hits in the UK. * Felice Brothers, a new group that is on the
fast track to international success. Its gritty Americana sound has been
compared to that of a young Bruce Springsteen.
- Gandalf Murphy & The
Slambovian Circus of Dreams, a quirky quartet reigning from the Hudson Valley.
The group has been featured in both the New York Times and the CBS television
show, Joan of Arcadia. * R. Carlos Nakai, the world’s premier performer
of the Native American flute. He uses his Navajo-Ute heritage as a source of
inspiration and growth. * Cheryl Wheeler, a writer of both emotional and
humorous songs, who continues to gain more and more recognition with each new
album.
- * Happy & Artie Traum, a duo of brothers whose debut album was
called “one of the best records in any field of pop music” by the New York
Times.
- * Kevin So, a first generation Chinese American whose passion for
singing and playing piano and guitar has won him praise and helped him to build
a substantial fan base coast to coast.
NEW! Circle of Gospel
A unique performance concept by Pete Seeger,
Circle of Gospel reflects Clearwater’s ongoing efforts to diversify its musical
offerings and encourage audience interaction. Three gospel groups will take
center stage simultaneously under a large tent, with three audience groups
facing them. Each choir will take turn singing, with the other choirs and
audience members responding to their refrains. The singing will “circle” the
tent for the entire program. Among the groups performing will be The Six of Us,
an a cappella group of six women from Poughkeepsie; Just Voices, an a cappella
group of four men from Wappingers Falls, and The Higher Ground Band, a
seven-member group from Wappingers Falls that does gospel with a Caribbean
flavor.
EARLY BIRD SAVINGS ON TICKETS
Tickets purchased online for Clearwater members are $35/day and
$50/weekend. Non-members can purchase advance tickets for $40/day and
$55/weekend. Order tickets online until 5pm Thursday June 19 or by phone until
3pm Friday June 20.
Tickets at the gate are available to the general public at $45/day,
$60/weekend.
Children under 12 are free.
For more information about the Clearwater Festival or to join its mailing
list for updates on Festival events, performers and ticket discount
opportunities, visit
www.clearwaterfestival.org or
call 1-800-67-SLOOP.
