Past-present-future

Posted 8/21/12

Forty-six years ago this week, Sullivan County was in the news. That little music festival (www.wood stock.com) had come to town, and along with an impressive line-up of performers, more than 400,000 …

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Past-present-future

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Forty-six years ago this week, Sullivan County was in the news. That little music festival (www.wood stock.com) had come to town, and along with an impressive line-up of performers, more than 400,000 fans showed up to spend three days cavorting in the fields of Yasgur’s farm, unwittingly making history that reverberates to this day. Arlo Guthrie was here, along with Ravi Shankar, Sly & The Family Stone, Joe Cocker, Joan Baez, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and The Who. More than 25 acts were on the bill—some long forgotten (who is Keef Hartley?)—while others went on to achieve international stardom. And every once in a while a few return to the original site, which we now know as Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

It’s fun to reminisce, and I’m pretty sure that I’ll stop by The Museum (www.bethelwoods.org) for auld lang syne, but time marches on, whether I want it to or not. Undoubtedly, there will be some old hippies on the roads, hitch-hiking along Route 17B en route to pay their respects, and things will be hopping on Dr. Duggan Road (www.facebookcom/Hectors-Inn). Camera at the ready, it’s likely I’ll pop over to the farm (www.facebook.com/Yasgur-Road-Productions) and say “hi” to some old friends, after stopping at the monument to greet on-site interpreter Duke Devlin, who tours present-day performers around the grounds, regaling them with stories of the festival that changed the face of music history forever. Last Friday, Duke escorted some present-day stars on the grounds at Bethel Woods, and I had the opportunity to take in their sold-out show at the Pavilion last Friday night. Country sensations Frankie Ballard, Thomas Rhett and Florida Georgia Line are making new memories for the mobs of fans who showed up to tailgate and sing along with the chart-topping guys, and you can check out the photos at www.facebook.com/theriverreporter.

With a tip of the hat to history, I can’t help but notice the slew of events currently underway. Determined to take as much in as time will allow, it’s likely that the Wonder Dog and I will be spotted in Monticello, NY on the 16th, where thousands are expected to celebrate the third annual Bagel Festival, which grows bigger every year. With live music all day, and more than 100 street vendors lining the streets, the festival promises to be a good time, although I’m unsure how many old hippies will be attending.

Capitalizing on the rich history of the Upper Delaware River region, another festival will be taking place over in Ferndale, NY inside an old stone courtyard where a hay barn (in the sixties?) once stood. The fourth annual Flashburn Festival will be taking place Friday to Sunday, where father and son sculptors Zac and Barry Shavrick will be hosting visitors to their outdoor gallery. There, they will be treated to late night DJs, live sculpture demonstrations, roasted corn and a bonfire set against the backdrop of a truck painted by famous pop artist Kenny Scharf. While it’s unlikely that the dog and I will be camping out in the mud, it appears that others will, and one can contact Zacshrick@gmail.com for more information regarding the schedule of events.

Also on the bill for this weekend are the Hudson Valley International Film Festival (dot com), “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Rivoli (www.scdw.net), a Mid-Summer Artists Reception in Port Jervis (www.upfrontgallery.com), a show by the Margolis Brown Adaptors (www.nacl.org) in Highland Lake, NY, and “42nd Street” tapping its way into Forestburgh. Believe it or not, I’ve only looked at the tip of the iceberg, as the emails flood in with notes regarding the art exhibits, concerts (www.shandalee.org), plays and street fairs that have me planning future naps, in order to feel refreshed. There’s even a “Group Hug” on my events page, scheduled for this Saturday to take place promptly (guess where?) at 3:15.

Sometimes, we just have to say goodbye (so long, Tom Kane—we’ll miss you) to the past and move forward. I don’t love it, but accept the fact that time waits for no one. Honoring those who have passed before us is important (IMHO), while being present is a challenge, since I seem to always have one foot in the future, looking ahead to the next adventure. Few can predict what waits for us around the bend, so with baited breath, I’ll soldier on through the good, the bad and the ugly. As the old song says, “The best of times is now. As for tomorrow? Well, who knows?”

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