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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
1

Woodstock 16 - Paul Motian (Arlo Guthrie's Drummer) Take 2

I'm not a huge fan of Jazz. I appreciate the musicianship; but, appreciate a melody more. Yes, I have seen and enjoyed the likes of Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, Stanley Jordan, Maynard Ferguson, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock (although, it was on the "Rock It" tour so, it was more hip hop than jazz), Tower of Power, Les Paul and, did I mention Maynard Ferguson (I like Maynard Ferguson and saw him thrice in concert). I also caught Miles a 2nd time. Additionally, one of my favorite albums is "Time Out" by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. However, at the base of all the above mentioned artists is a song with a melody as the basis for any improvisation.

When I saw the Paul Motian Trio 2000 +2 a few weeks ago at the Village Vanguard…

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Ppchen30 Ppchen30 13 February 2015
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Hl 1001 Hl 1001 25 September 2013
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Stylesheets and the Wikipedia link beautifier

Whenever I need something from the stylesheets I have to look up how I can access them. So, for the sake of sanity, here they are:

  • Wikia.css: http://woodstock.wikia.com/wiki/MediaWiki:Wikia.css
    • Will be applied to all skins on the entire site.
  • Common.css: http://woodstock.wikia.com/wiki/MediaWiki:Common.css
    • This one seems to be outdated and not used anymore
  • Monobook.css: http://woodstock.wikia.com/wiki/MediaWiki:Monobook.css
    • Modifies the monobook skin for the entire site.
    • However, the monobook style has to be applied manually in the user settings and it really doesn't look any good with the Woodstock Wiki.

... which finally brings me to my Wikipedia Template: http://woodstock.wikia.com/wiki/Template:Wikipedia_Link. It allows that inter-wiki links a…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 24 - Putting the "Sha" in Sha-Na-Na (Elliot "Gino" Cahn - Rhythm Guitarist)

Sha-Na-Na was formed in 1969 at Columbia University as the Kingsmen, a choral group. Rather than sing the traditional choral fare, the groupd decided to sing doo-wop music from the 1950’s. Due to the popularity of a band from Portland, OR who sang “Louie, Louie”, the band changed their name from the Kingsmen to Sha-Na-Na (taken from the refrain of “Get a Job” by The Silhouettes). As I mentioned previously (See Woodstock #17 – Sha-Na-Na), I had met two of the original members of Sha-Na-Na in December of 2008; however, at Woodstock there were 12 people in the band. As part of my research, I googled Sha-Na-Na and came across a Yahoo! group for Sha-Na-Na fans. The group consists of mostly women who talk about how cute each of the guys were/ar…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
1

Woodstock 23 - Bob Arkin (Arlo Guthrie's Bassist)

Arlo Guthrie's performance at Woodstock is iconic. Michael Wadleigh used "Coming into Los Angeles" to show the drug use at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. You could hear how stoned he was when he told the crowd that the NY State Thruway was closed. However, Arlo had a terrific band with him. I already had the privilege of meeting Arlo (see Woodstock #3) and Arlo's drummer, Paul Motian (See Woodstock # 16 & Woodstock #16 Take 2). As Arlo' guitarist, John Pilla, died sometime during the 1990's, all that remains is bassist, Bob Arkin.

Bob Arkin is not as famous as his brother, actor Alan Arkin. Bob Arkin has never been a famous rock star. Bob Arkin is not a even a famous jazz star; however, he is a working jazz bassist in New York City. He is par…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 20 (Take 2) - Edgar Winter

As part of my Woodstock quest, sometimes I have to make choices. With approximately 100 Woodstock musicians & former musicians left on the quest, sometimes more than one will be performing near me on the same night. July 16, 2009 was one of those occaissions. I had a choice of seeing John Sebastian, Mountain, and Creedence Clearwater Revisited (featuring Stu Cook and Doug "Cosmo" Clifford of Creedence Clearwater Revial at a free show at Asser Levy Park in Brooklyn's Coney Island or see Edgar Winter at a free show in Mohegan Sun's Wolf Den in Uncasville, CT. As the weather forecast called for thunder showers, I chose Edgar Winter.

Edgar Winter does sign autographs. I have seen them; however, when I made my attempts in March, I was in the wro…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock22 - The WoodstockMovie or 3/5 of Santana in 10 Minutes.

2009 is the 40th Anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival. As such, all kinds of special events, have been planned. One such event was a screening in New York of the Director's Cut of the Academy Award winning documentary "Woodstock". The movie had been restored prior to its June 9, 2009 release on Blu-Ray and DVD. The screening of the restored version took place on June 3, 2009 at the Walter Reade Theatre in Lincoln Center. When I saw the add for the screening, it announced that the film's director, Michael Wadleigh, would be attending along with one of the Festival's organizers, Michael Lang, along with other special guests. For me, Michael Lang's attendance was worth the price of admission, as his was an autograph that I des…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 21 - Jefferson Airplane Full Flight

After the missed opportunities of Edgar Winter, I was anxious to add another signature to my poster. Through my rigorous searching of artists touring schedules, I noticed that Paul Kantner, formerly of Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship, who tours in a reconstituted version of Jefferson Starship, would be playing on a Saturday night (April 18, 2009) in Huntington, NY at the Inter-Media Arts Center (IMAC) out on Long Island.

I had already obtained Grace Slick's autograph (when I purchased the poster), Marty Balin's autograph ( see Summer of Love blogs in August of 2007), Jorma Kaukonen's autograph (see Woodstock # 9 in December of 2007) and Jack Casady's autograph (also, see Woodstock #9 in December of 2007). Spencer Dryden, Jefferson…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 20 - Winter in the Spring

It had been several weeks since my last quest. So, the itch was back. It may seem strange to some; however, since I started this quest, I feel the need to obtain a signature every couple of weeks. If I don't, nothing bad happens - I just miss it.

In order to scratch that particular itch, on March 27, 2009, I headed to the Poconos to see Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter. The two albino brothers from Texas do not often play together; therefore, I considered it a rare treat. Although, I really wasn't familiar with either brothers music except for "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride", which were both by the Edgar Winter Group. But I am open to new musical experiences.

Have you ever thought someplace was closer than it actually was? I knew that the venue…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 19 - Muruga Booker (Tim Hardin's Drummer).

As part of my quest, I try to keep track of the musicans who played Woodstock that come to the New York area in order to add more signatures to my poster. In todays day and age, a number of the artists have web sites and some have mailing lists. It is through a mailing list that I found out that Muruga Booker would be in Brooklyn, NY on Friday February 20, 2009.

Now, the question is who is Muruga Booker? Muruga Booker was born Steven Bookvich in Detroit, Michigan on December 27, 1942. For professional reasons, he changed his name to Steve Booker and established a name for himself as a drummer in the Detroit area. He was then hired by folk singer Tim Hardin, who is best remembered as the songwriter to the oft-covered If I Were a Carpenterand…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock Quest 18 – First there was Blood, Now I’m Starting to Sweat (Lew Soloff of Blood, Sweat & Tears)

As previously stated, I’m not a huge fan of Jazz. Although, I know that when Jazz musicians play popular music, they excel at it (i.e., The Funk Brothers – Motown’s House Band). Still, I prefer a melody that I can sing along to. However, Blood, Sweat, & Tears (“BS&T”) was one of the pioneers of Jazz Rock; therefore, a number of its members, especially the horn section, played, and continue to play, Jazz. Lew Soloff, a trumpeter, was a member of Blood, Sweat & Tears, a band best remembered for the hit singles “Spinning Wheel” and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy”, from 1968-1973. In 1969, BS&T had released their second album which featured the aforementioned songs. “Spinning Wheel “ (which features Mr. Soloff’s trumpet) reached as high as #2 …

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
0

Woodstock 17 - Sha-Na-Na

Like, I imagine, most people who grew up in the Seventies, I became aware of Sha-Na-Na through their syndicated television show. Either that or their appearance in the movie "Grease". However, unlike, I imagine, most people I am aware that they still tour (actually, I only became aware of that when I started to research the bands that played Woodstock).

After missing several opportunities to catch them in the past year, I found out that they would be playing 4 special holiday shows to kick off their 40th anniversary where it all started in New York City.

They played at the Times Square Arts Center, which opened in the space that The Laugh Factory comedy club used to occupy near the Port Authority Bus Terminal. As I work in Midtown Manhattan,…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
0

Woodstock 16 - Paul Motian (Arlo Guthrie's Drummer)

After not going to a concert for a while and not acting on my Woodstock Quest for a while, I decided that I needed to get out and try to rectify the situation. I read the Village Voice to see what’s happening in New York each week. I saw that Paul Motian Trio 2000 +2 was playing the Village Vanguard, so I decided to go. I caught the late show (11 PM) on the Saturday, November 28th which occurred during the Thanksgiving weekend.

I drove into the City and found street parking (a bonus) and walked to the iconic jazz club, the Village Vanguard. I had never been there before and did not know what to expect. I got into the club and was seated near the front of the stage. I got up to go to the bathroom and passed what served as a dressing room. As…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 15 - Keef Hartley

It was August and musicians performed at Woodstock were not scheduled to appear in the New York area. Therefore, in order to add signatures to my poster, I figured that I would try the mail.

My friend Gary used the mail successfully in obtaining Joe Cocker's autograph when I was in the hospital. Therefore, I had some confidence; however, I wanted an assurance that whomever I sent my poster to would be kind enough to return it. Utilizing my research, I emailed several performers and I received a response from Keef Hartley.

Keef Hartley, the leader of the Keef Hartley Band, was a British drummer, now retired. I had just read his self-published autobiography which I ordered from his website because it was autographed and contained information o…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 14 - Bert Sommer (Sort of)

My Woodstock quest has brought me to some interesting places and the most recent stop brought me to my past. Well, sort of. My grandfather, Abraham Knapp, was a theatrical stage hand who, in one of his last jobs before he died in 1973, operated the lights for the original Broadway run of the musical, "Hair". One of the cast members was Bert Sommer (he played "Woof"). While he was in "Hair", Bert Sommer was signed to Capital Records and started recording his debut record which was produced by Artie Kornfeld, the same Artie Kornfeld who produced the Woodstock festival.

When his musical career took off, Bert Sommer stopped working with my grandfather (If only I started my quest then) and played Woodstock. He was joined by Ira Stone on guitar a…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 13 - Bill Kreutzmann of the Grateful Dead

This Woodstock quest that I am on has taken me to some strange places both geographically and musically The latest destination was to see Bill Kreutzmann of the Grateful Dead playing in a trio with Scott Murawski (guitar, vocals - of Max Creek ) and Oteil Burbridge (bass, vocals of the Allman Brothers Band) took me to both. I like the Dead; however, I don't know that I would be making an effort to see one of their former drummers in concert if it wasn't for my quest to obtain the signatures of every living person who performed at Woodstock. Also, I don't know that I would be doing this aboard a ship that usually serves to take romantic dinner dance cruises along the Hudosn River. I especially wouldn't have taken such a cruise with my frien…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 12 (or 1 revisited) - Richie Havens

On Friday, May 30, 2008, I returned to the Turning Point in Piermont, NY to see Richie Havens. I had seen the folk legend in the Woodstock movie and had heard some of his music; however, I hadn't had the pleasure of experiencing him. therefore, I was curious. Also, the poster that I originally purchased already had his already afixed to it in pencil - and due to handling the signature was starting to rub. Therefore, I also wanted to re-obtain his signature.

He played two shows that night and I opted to attend the late show. He played about 90 minutes. I was unfamiliar with most of his material, but he played about a dozen songs during his set. He was accompanied by Walter Parks on guitar and Stephanie Winters ..o. On speaking with Mr. Haven…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 11 - with a little help from my friends

So, one would think that since my accident my Woodstock quest would have been put on hold. I was hospitalized for a month and practically immobile until the last couple of weeks. However, through a simple twist of fate the quest was able to continue. When I saw Hot Tuna in December, I met a fellow collector named, Gary. He also was on a quest to obtain the signatures of Woodstock performers on his Woodstock and Woodstock II lp's. We spoke about collecting and he was unsure of how to obtain the autograph of performers such as Melanie. I told him that it I was seeing Melanie in a couple of days. Gary gave me his albums and I was able to obtain Melanie's signature for him.

Gary felt indebted and told me that he was going to see Johnny Winter a…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock Quest 10: Melanie

On December 18, 2007, my quest brought me back to the intimate confines of the Turning Point Café in Piermont, NY. Aside from being close to my house, the Turning Point attracts great acts and gives someone the feeling of seeing a concert in someone's basement. My reason for going was to see "Christmas in Piermont" starring Melanie and Friends. I was all atwitter with the possibilities as to who the friends could be.Perhaps some other musician from the Woodstock era (thereby reducing the amount of stops on my quest), or maybe some other folk singers. Who were Melanie's friends?

It turned out that Melanie's only friend was her son, Beau-Jarred (Schekeryk), who is Melanie's 27 year old son. It turns out that he is a classical guitarist who li…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock Quest 9: Hot Tuna on 2/6 of an Airplane

On December 14, 2007, my Woodstock Quest took me back to the Quick Center for the Arts on the campus of Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT to see Hot Tuna, or as they call it "Hot Fucking Tuna", a group formed by former Jefferson Airplane members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen. I had heard of the band; however, was unfamiliar with their music. However, a quest is a quest and man's got to do what a man has to do.

Despite my lack of knowledge, I was open to the experience and glad that I was. They play blues, as jam band would. To say that Jorma and Jack are talented musicians, is an understatement. They were joined by Barry Mitterhoff (guitar and Mandolin) and drummer Eric Diaz. Mr. Mitterhoff is also a truly amazing player. I was seated …

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock Quest 8: Blood, Sweat and a Tear

In my quest to obtain the signatures of as many living musicians who played Woodstock as possible, I compiled a list and then researched where I can find them.

I found Mr. Lipsius's website http://www.fredlipsius.com/ and discovered that he was a teacher at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. I sent him an e-mail through his website when I knew that I was going to be in Boston asking if I could obtain his autograph. He told me that I should meet him at his office on campus. I went to his office and met him between private lessons with tomorrow's future sax stars.

I showed him the poster and I don't believe that he ever saw it. He asked to show me where either he or Blood, Sweat, and Tears ("BST") were mentioned, which I did. He signed it …

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock Quest 7 - Two Guys named Les

On Sunday, November 25, 2007, my Woodstock Quest brought me back to the Turning Point in Piermont, NY to see Leslie West of Mountain fame. He was performing with Todd Wolfe, a fellow guitarist, as a duo. The Turning Point is an intimate club that seats a maximum of 70 people which is a wonderful place to see a show. Mr. West played his signature electric guitar for most of the night except for his two solo numbers. Mr. Wolfe switched between acoustic and electric guitars and was a very talented player; although, he's no Leslie West. Each song was an extended jam and all in all a great evening.

Why I Sing the Blues For Yasgur's Farm Baby, I'm Down House of the Rising Sun Silver Blue - Todd Wolfe only Light of Day-Todd Wolfe only Crowde…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 6 - Crosby & Nash

It was a wet, dreary, New York Autumn evening. I drove over an hour to the town of Kingston, New York's first Capital. I was there to continue my Woodstock Quest to see David Crosby and Graham Nash, who are currently touring small arenas in the eastern portion of the United States before a CSN tour of Australia. The Ulster Performing Arts Center is a renovated vaudeville/movie house that seats 1,500. The good news, I scored a sixth row center seat. The bad news, at 42, I was one of one of the youngest members of the audience. The worse news, I sat next to some drunken asshole who was incredibly annoying – he snuck in a flask (I haven't done that since I was 17 – this guy was in his 50's).

Enough about the petty crap though, on with the show…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 5 - Experience Hendrix

Nearly 4 years ago, in February 2004, I was performing an audit in Portland, OR. Per my modus operandi, I checked out what was going on in town and discovered a tribute concert to celebrate the music of Jimi Hendrix sponsored by Experience Hendrix, the company operated by Janie Hendrix, the step-sister of the late legend. It was a great show starring an all-star cast, which included: Billy Cox and Mitch Mitchell who played with Jimi; Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon of Stevie Ray Vaugh's Double Trouble fame; Jerry Cantrell; Indigenous; Living Color, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, Free, and the Firm; and Buddy Guy; to name the most prominent musicians who participated. Therefore, when an East Coast tour was announced, I was apoplectic. Especial…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 4 - Country Joe McDonald

On Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007, my Woodstock Quest took me to Joe's Pub, named for theatrical produce Joseph Papp, in New York City to see Country Joe McDonald performing a tribute to Woody Guthrie. Huh? Country Joe, the man who led the Fish and sang about Marijuana? Country Joe, the man who led half a million people (and millions more in movie theaters) in a cheer spelling out "F-U-C-K"? What could he possibly say about one of the greatest folk singers that this country has ever produced? Wouldn't Arlo Guthrie be a better choice. All these questions and more will be answered on the next episode of "Soap". Well, since "Soap" was canceled a long time ago (did anybody else watch it?), I'll answer it in this blog.

Woody Guthrie passed away on…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
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Woodstock 3 - Arlo Guthrie

The continuation of my quest took me to the Nutmeg State to see Arlo Guthrie at an appearance at Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT. I am mostly unfamiliar with his music excepting, of course, the Thanksgiving staple of classic rock stations, "Alice's Restaurant", and the Steve Goodman (who I saw in concert, when he was alive, opening up for comedian Steve Martin - but, that's another story and this blog is about Arlo Guthrie) penned "The City of New Orleans". .

For those of you who don't know, Fairfield County, in the State of Connecticut, is one of the wealthiest counties in these United States. The campus reflected that with nice new buildings and attendants in golf carts in the parking lots, who offered to transport patrons to the au…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
1

My Woodstock Quest... continued

A number of years ago, I purchased a 2nd printing of the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival poster signed by the Artist, Arnold Skolnick, Richie Havens and Grace Slick. When I purchased it, I had the idea that I would obtain other signatures; however, life's circumstances prevented it. Visiting the site of the original Woodstock this past summer, re-awakened in me the desire to obtain the autographs on the poster of as many of the surviving performers as I can meet.

As mentioned in a prior blog, a couple of weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. Marty Balin after a performance. Hearing him sing "Miracles" made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Although, after he signed my poster, because I was wearing a Hell's Angels j…

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Jlokensky Jlokensky 30 November 2009
0

Celebrating the Summer of Love (in a weekend)

On Saturday (August 11th), I attended Hippiefest 2007 at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, which is located on the former site of Max Yasgur's Alfalfa field, where the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Festival was held. The acts on the bill were Denny Laine (formerly of the Moody Blues and Paul McCarthney's Wings), Badfinfinger (with only Joey Molland), Country Joe McDonald, Felix Cavaliere of the Rascals / Young Rascals, The Zombies (with Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent), The Turtles (featuring Flo & Eddie a.k.a Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan), and Mountain.

First off, the venue, which only opened last summer, is gorgeous. It's similarly set-up like other outdoor venues like the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the PNC Bank Arts Center (…

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