"Wasn't That a Time" Pete Seeger Centennial Celebration
Caffe Lena Saratoga Springs, NY
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Presented in cooperation with The Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Centers New York Living Legacy program.
Likely the best known folk singer of all time, Pete Seegers career as a musician was highlighted by great popular success with the group The Weavers and songs such as Where Have All the Flowers Gone, turn, Turn, Turn and If I Had a Hammer; Grammy Awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award, a National Medal of Arts, induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame; and author of one of the most influential instrumental instruction books ever published How to Play the 5-String Banjo. Pete was a leading force for using music to further social, humanitarian and environmental causes most notably in the founding of the Clearwater in an effort to save the Hudson River. Born May 3, 1919, Pete spent most of his life in New York, both in helping to develop the burgeoning folk music revival in Greenwich Village and later in his self-built house upstate on the shores of the Hudson.
In celebration of Pete's 100th birthday, we are pleased to host "Wasnt That a Time," a program featuring music writer Jesse Jarnow. Mr. Jarnow will explore the life of Pete Seeger, focusing on the research done for his 2018 book Wasnt That a Time: The Weavers, the Blacklist, and the Battle for the American Soul. This intriguing volume details the trials of the four magically compatible singers led by Pete Seeger who rose to incredible popularity but whose socialist connections and anti-authoritarian ideologies got them professionally blacklisted at the height of their fame. Live music will be performed by banjoist Richie Stearns who performed with Pete Seeger on numerous occasions, and was invited to score original music for an album that featured Mr. Seeger telling his life story over a music background and folk fiddler Rosie Newton. The multi-media program will be enhanced by photo projections as well as recorded music by Pete Seeger and the Weavers.
This event is free & open to the public but reservations are highly recommended.
Location
Caffe Lena (View)
47 Phila Street
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
United States
