Early action at Bethel Woods

By FRITZ MAYER

BETHEL, NY — There seems to be one must-see concert at Bethel Woods every year. In 2007, it was Crosby Stills Nash and Young. In 2008, it was Bob Dylan. In 2009, if you don’t count the teenie boppers who turn out in their thousands for the likes of the Jonas Brothers, the must-see concert might likely be the Dave Matthews Band.

Matthews won’t be bringing the band’s signature fusion of funk, jazz, rock and rhythm and blues until August 5, but on March 13, when tickets went on sale online and at the Bethel Woods box office, a line of about 40 souls braved the chilly weather to make an early purchase. This sort of activity is standard operating procedure in more urban settings but it was a first for Bethel Woods.

At the head of the line was Jessie Stabile who lives not far from the arena. He said he arrived at 5:30 a.m. because he always leaves early for work, and that’s where he thought he was going. Instead, he wandered off to Bethel Woods where he bought tickets to the summer concert to give to his wife as a birthday present.

Also upcoming this year, rock fans who stop by the facility this spring will have a chance to check out some new memorabilia at the Museum at Bethel Woods. Beginning on March 28, a traveling exhibit will be on display with iconic rock items, such as the guitar that Pete Townshend, guitarist and songwriter of The Who, smashed at the Woodstock concert in 1969, and a red velvet vest worn by Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s. The exhibit runs through May 30.