Community Sing-a-Longs and Radio Specials in Celebration of the Life, Spirit and Music of Pete Seeger

Community Sing-a-Longs and Radio Specials in Celebration of the Life, Spirit and Music of Pete Seeger

This compilation began when members of NEFolk and Folklore posted notice of three "Community Sing-a-Longs in Celebration of the Life, Spirit and Music of Pete Seeger" in early February in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It has expanded to include radio specials. Check back often, new events are being added.

COMMUNITY SINGS

Community Sing-a-Longs in Celebration of the Life, Spirit and Music of Pete Seeger

Friday, February 7, 7pm.

Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

Pete Seeger, one of America's best-loved folksingers, an untiring activist, environmentalist, and an inspiration to many, passed away on January 27th, 2014. 

Folk Life Studio and members of the Cape Ann folk-singing community invite all to an open community sing-a-long to celebrate the life, spirit and music of Pete Seeger. 
Come as you are! Bring a song or a story, a snack or non-alcoholic beverage to share if you wish. 
Acoustic musical instruments are welcome, too! This will be a participatory evening, as what could be a more appropriate way to remember and honor Pete? 
We'll start at 7 to be more accessible to families with young children. Song sheets will be available. Spread the word! Bring your friends! Bring your family! There is no charge for admission.

Organizer contact info and additional info can be found in the Facebook event.
Added 1/31 11am.

WINTER HOOT
2/7-9/2014
The Ashokan Center
477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, New York 12461
http://www.homeofthehoot.com/
The festival ends with a tribute to Pete.
I would not be the least surprised if The Mammals came out of hibernation.
w/ Mike and Ruthy
Deep Chatham
The Paul Green Rock Academy
The Sweetback Sisters
Connor Kennedy
Jay Ungar and Molly Mason
The Stacks
Arc Iris
Gustafer Yellowgold
Rushad Eggleston
Heather Masse w/ Roswell Rudd and Rol Strum
Elizabeth Mitchell & Friends
Family Square Dance w/ Kristin Andreassen
Square Dance w/ Red Dog Run
Square Dance w/ Molecricket
+ Fiber Flame art activities, local food + beer, massage balcony, environmental fair, blacksmithing demos, kids zone + more

Seeger Sing A Long

Sunday, February 9, 7pm

Ashburnham Community Church, Main Street, Ashburnham MA

"Come participate in a Seeger Sing A Long on February 9, 2014 at the Ashburnham Community Church on Main Street and Chapel! Time is 7:00 p.m. a little later than we'd hoped but early enough for the young ones to come for awhile. We'll have lyrics available for those who don't know the words. No charge, but donations accepted. Will be split between NCSC, Fredericks Piano Collection and the church. Guitars, banjos and mandolins are welcome! Acoustic only though.

Contact Pat Stewart through NEFolk and Folklore for more information.
Added 1/31 11am.

PETE SEEGER MEMORIAL CONCERT AT SANDYWOODS
Friday, February 14 at 7:00pm

Sandywoods Center for the Arts in Tiverton, Rhode Island

7 pm to 10 pm
FREE, but donations for the musicians are greatly appreciated
Bring your own beer, wine, food, chocolate, flowers, etc.
Sandywoods Center for the Arts
43 Muse Way, Tiverton, RI
www.sandywoodsmusic.com
FEATURING:
BILL HARLEY
www.billharley.com
SALLY ROGERS & HOWIE BURSEN
www.sallyrogers.com
ATWATER-DONNELLY
(Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly)
www.atwater-donnelly.com
ART TEBBETTS
http://arttebbetts.com/
JOHN FUZEK
www.johnfuzek.com
JOYCE KATZBERG & JIMMY WARREN
www.joycekatzberg.com
Pete Seeger, singer, songwriter, banjo player, and folk icon, passed away on January 27, 2014 at the age of 94. He spearheaded an American folk revival and spent a long career championing folk music as both a vital heritage and a catalyst for social change.
Please join us on February 14th as Bill, Sally, Howie, Aubrey, Elwood, Art, John, Joyce, and Jimmy honor and pay tribute to Pete Seeger.
"A good song reminds us what we're fighting for."

Organizer contact info and additional info can be found in the Facebook event.
Added 1/31 11am.

Pete Seeger Memorial Sing-Along
Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, 3:00 pm
Sponsored by First Parish Church of Stow & Acton
FPC Sanctuary
353 Great Road, Stow, MA
Come join us for a few afternoon hours of singing some of Pete Seeger's beloved songs. In the spirit of the tradition he championed lyrics will be provided so everyone can sing along Bring copies of 'Rise Up Singing' if you have them.
Everyone welcome! Bring kids, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors - and, please, guitars, banjos, mandolins, autoharps if you play!
Added 2/8

Family Sing-a-long of Pete Seeger Chidren's Songs and Stories
Saturday, February 15, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester
A free family sing-a-long of Pete Seeger's children's songs and stories with singers Rose Sheehan and John Hicks.
Sorry, no contact info, just a Facebook link.

Added 2/9

Singalong Celebrating Pete's Life and Vision 
Sunday, February 16, 7pm
First Congregational Church165 Main Street, Amherst MA
"We are planning a similar singalong celebrating Pete's life and vision on Sunday, Feb. 16th, 7pm, at the First Congregational Church165 Main Street in Amherst.  Musicians / songleaders will include Charlie King, Sarah Pirtle, Annie Patterson, Peter Blood, Jay Mankita, Paul Kaplan, and others.  Bring copies of Rise Up Singing if you have one.  Free admissoin: we will be singing together and telling stories to honor & celebrate Pete.
For more information contact: Alan Sax alancsax@gmail.com or Annie Patterson rasongbook@gmail.com."
Added 1/31

Pete Seeger, the inspiration for the Rise Up Singing book
Friday, February 21, 7:30pm
UU Church of Wakefield, 326 Main Street, Wakefield
From Maddie Sifantus "We will be focusing on Pete Seeger, the inspiration for the Rise Up Singing book, at our next session which is Friday, February 21 at 7:30 PM at the UU Church of Wakefield, 326 Main Street, Wakefield center. One of our attendees is a banjo player, Ed Britt, who knew Seeger from NY. It will be awesome to have him there! the more the merrier."

Tribute Concert
Saturday, February 22
Falcon, Marlboro, NY
(A tribute to Pete Seeger)..."whose timeless tunes include, “If I Had a Hammer.” Happy Traum, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, David Bernz and Jacob Bernz, and Bethany Yarrow and Rufus Cappadocia are among those scheduled to perform. Bethany Yarrow is the daughter of Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary fame. Those attending are asked to bring food for a potluck dinner.
Admission is free. Call 845-236-7970 or visitwww.liveatthefalcon.com for information."

Remembering Pete Seeger with songs and stories
Folk Song Society of Greater Boston
Saturday, March 15, 2014, 2:00pmFirst Parish of Watertown35 Church St., Watertown, Massachusetts 02472"Join us – this event is free of charge and open to the public. Voices, instruments, songbooks and children are all welcome! Snacks for the break are always welcome! This venue is handicapped accessible."


Added 2/12

Pete Seeger Celebration Sing-Along
Peoples' Voice Cafe, New York City
Saturday, April 12
There will be a Pete Seeger Celebration Sing-Along at the Peoples' Voice Cafe in New York City on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Peoples' Voice Cafe is located in Community Church of New York at 40 East 35th Street between Park and Madison Avenues in Midtown Manhattan. Doors open 7:30 PM. Show time 8:00 PM.

RADIO SPECIALS

Saturday, February 1, 8am
My Back Pages
Barnes Newberry
Community radio WMVY, Martha's Vineyard
http://www.mvyradio.com
"...on My Back Pages we will celebrate the wonderful Pete Seeger who left us on the 27th. I've been reading and hearing comparisons to Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan for a few days now, and while they may be valid in some ways I don't think anyone could touch the influence that Pete has had on generations of people through his music and his actions. Plus, he was always accessible and friendly in his associations with his fellow man (woman and child!). He truly was a giant of a man in so many ways. We will start the show with Pete and the final hour tomorrow will be all Pete, including various duets and cover songs.
Please join us at 8am right here @mvyradio and thanks for listening!"

Sunday, February 2, 3pm
WFDU-FM celebrates the life and music of PETE SEEGER
http://www.wfdu.fm/
Ron Olesko, Bill Hahn and special guest host Rick Nestler pay tribute to Pete Seeger on WFDU-FM from 3 to 6pm. Listen in at 89.1FM in the NYC area or streaming at www.wfdu.fm . The program will feature tributes from a number of Seeger's friends including Tom Chapin, Sonny Ochs , Gene Shay, Joe Jencks, Rik Palieri, Paul Kaplan,Maryellen Healy, Jon Stein, Thom Wolke, Vincent Cerniglia, Angela Page, Mick Lane ,Mark D. Moss , Fred Gillen Jr. and many others.

Monday, February 3, 9:30am
The Old Songs' Home
Bob Weiser, producer and host
Community radio WOMR, Provincetown
Streaming at http://www.womr.org/
"We'll hear a bunch of Pete Seeger songs on Monday, in part thanks to the generosity of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings." http://www.folkways.si.edu/PeteSeeger
Updated 2/2: "we'll honor Pete Seeger with the help of several people who knew him. Sharing their stories will be Allyson Bizer Knox of Bourne (worked on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater before moving to Cape Cod), physicist and musician Steve Kaplan (one of my oldest friends going back more than 50 years), and Seeger photographers John Economos and Maxine Smith (see below). Your music requests are welcome! log on or tune in to WOMR starting at 930 am. www.econosmith.com"

econosmith

www.econosmith.com

Folk musicians, acoustic musicisians, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

Tuesday, February 4, noon
Lost & Found 
WMBR, 88.1fm, streaming at wmbr.org
Produced/hosted by Eli Polonsky 
Tufts University music professors, ethnomusicologist Rabbi Jeffrey Summit, music technology expert Paul Lehrman, and their group including Tufts music faculty members Ben Krakauer, Beth Bahia Cohen and guests, are scheduled for a return engagement with host Eli Polonsky live in the studio from approximately 12 Noon to 12:30 PM EST to perform socially-conscious "topical" folk and acoustic music of the 1960s and '70s originally by artists including Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Pete and Peggy Seeger, John Prine, Nina Simone, Tom Lehrer, Tom Paxton, and other important songwriters of the day, and discuss how their music reflected and affected the great changes that were taking place in society during that time, as well as parallels today. 
This group will be presenting "More Songs You Should Know (And That Still Matter)", a concert and discussion of socially-conscious folk music of the 1960s and '70s, on Thursday, February 6 at Tufts University's Granoff Music Center, 20 Talbot Avenue in Medford at 8:00 PM. This years concert will include a special dedication to the music and legacy of Pete Seeger. The concert is free and open to the public. More information is available at http://as.tufts.edu/music/musiccenter/ or at 617-627-3679.

Thursday, February 6, 7pm
The Folk Revival
Nick Nobel, producer and host
WICN, Worcester
"streaming live online around the world at wicn.org * on the air in central MA at 90.5 FM"
"Four hours of music with host Nick Noble, featuring a tribute to the late, great Pete Seeger; tracks from CDs newly arrived at the station, and an in-studio visit from Craig Sonnenfeld."


On Demand

Out of the Woods - Show #199 - WSCS-FM - 1-30-14

From Jon Colcord This week we join the rest of the world in remembering the life and legacy of the great Pete Seeger. Local listeners who tuned in early got to hear even more songs from Pete as I prepared for the rest of the show, and this version includes all of this(glitches included). The'official' show normally has to fit into the usual 3-hour slot, but we can cheat a little bit here. Plenty of great songs from Pete and many friends... Here's the show:
https://archive.org/details/OutOfTheWoods-Show199-Wscs-fm-1-30-14

If there are other community events or radio specials, please ask the organizers to post info in NEFolk and Folklore and/or in its sister Yahoo group. I will update this blog entry with additional information as it becomes available.

The above information is correct as of when it was entered. As all events are subject to change, please confirm with the organizers before heading to one.

TO MY OLD BROWN EARTH - R.I.P. Pete Seeger

TO MY OLD BROWN EARTH

To my old brown earth
And to my old blue sky
I'll now give these last few molecules
of "I"

And you who sing
And you who stand nearby
I do charge you not to cry

Guard well our human chain
Watch well you keep it strong
As long as sun will shine

And this our home
Keep pure and sweet and green
For now I'm yours
And you are also
Mine

— Words and music by Pete Seeger, 1958

 free download from Paul Winter.

When is a folk festival not a folk festival?

Note: Whenever the word "folk" appears in this article it is used in context with the definition set by the National Endowment for the Arts, "Traditional arts are those art forms that are learned as part of the cultural life of a group of people whose members share a common ethnic heritage, language, religion, occupation, or culturally united geographic region. Folk and traditional arts are shaped by the aesthetics and values of a shared culture and are passed from generation to generation, most often within family and community through observation, conversation and practice."

Writing this generated images of Pete Seeger wielding a fire axe, but it is something that has been bothering me for quite some time and I had to let it out. The see was planted by something the late Jack Hardy several years ago said to me walking the grounds of the Falcon Ridge "Folk" Festival - "(this festival is) a bunch of pop singer-songwriters trying to be rock starts, and doing a piss-poor job of it."
Is it appropriate to incorporate the word "folk" into a festival's title when the music presented is not folk? I understand festivals book certain artists outside the core genre for their popular appeal in order to draw day patrons, the revenue from which is gravy, but if over time the music presented shifts from folk to pop, is it appropriate to retain the word "folk", or better to re-brand?

Let's put this into another context. The MG brand has been purchased by a Chinese company who are manufacturing and marketing a sedans as "MG". See

A Chinese MG? Not cricket, say Britons, who stay away in droves

Here is a photo of the classic MG, designed and manufactured at the 

1954 MG TF

2013 Chinese MG6 sedan

Concept MG SUV

Just as the Chinese usurped the MG brand name, turning a small sports car into sedans and SUV's, certain so-called "folk" festival promoters have usurped the word "folk" and are booking mass-appeal pop artists, their motivation being the bottom line, to draw day patrons. It may be clever marketing, but as long as there are folk artists not booked and displaced by popsters, it certainly is not cricket.
 

The precedent for renaming festivals that have dropped or reduced folk presence certainly exists. Before it was terminated, the "Boston Folk Festival" was re-branded as the "Boston Music Festival." When its focus moved away from bluegrass to "Americana", the Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Festival became the "Ossipee Valley Music Festival."

Should one expect a sedan or SUV from the MG company? No!
Should one expect bluegrass at a blues festival? Nae!
Should one expect rock music at a classical concert? Never!
Should one expect pop at a folk concert? Certainly not.

At any festival containing a music genre in its title inevitability there will be some cross-over and some edge-pushing, but pop concerts should be so labeled and marketed. "Folk" is not pop festival marketeers' word to usurp.

1. Non-folk artists appearing at the NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL: "Amanda MacKinnon Gaiman Palmer, sometimes known as Amanda Fucking Palmer, is an American performer who first rose to prominence as the lead singer, pianist, and lyricist/composer of the duo The Dresden Dolls" -Wikipediato is a featured artist. Is she a folk artist? Apparently the producers of the Newport Folk Festival think she is, as she and several others popsters, including Feist, Jim James, the Lumineers, Milk Carton Kids, Shovels and Rope...you know, Boston's NPR music stations' playlist are on the bill.

Amanda MacKinnon Gaiman Palmer, sometimes known as Amanda Fucking Palmer

See the complete Newport Folk Festival Lineup

The Newport "Folk" Festival claims this is folk music.

Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra: "Want It Back" Official 

Published on Jul 10, 2012

Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra's official music video for "Want It Back" from the new album 'Theatre Is Evil' coming September 7 (OZ) / 10 (EU) / 11 (US)! Video filmed on and around Brunswick Street in Melbourne, Australia in March 2012. Pre-order the album (on vinyl/CD/digital) at http://bit.ly/AFPshop, and get concert tickets at http://bit.ly/AFPshows.
-VIDEO-
Producer / Editor / Director: Jim Batt
Artist: Curran James
Stylist / Hair & Make-Up: Anthony Cleave
1st AD / Lighting: Joel Loxton
Production Assistant: Lauren Beck
Special Thanks To: Ghita Loebenstein, Claire St Claire, Kim Boekbinder, Rick Mereki and Andrew Suttar
For more on AFP...
Official Site: http://bit.ly/AFPweb
Twitter: http://twitter.com/amandapalmer
Facebook: http://facebook.com/amandapalmer
For More On Jim Batt:
Website: http://jimbatt.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/battsignal
© 2012 8ft. records

The Newport "Folk" Festival claims this is folk music.

The Milk Carton Kids: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Published on Jul 17, 2012

Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale get a lot done with subtle gestures, but there's real sophistication to the three gorgeous, harmony-rich folk-pop songs they recently performed in the NPR Music offices.

Set List:

"Michigan"
"Stealing Romance"
"I Still Want A Little More"

For more videos and to subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts video podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts.

The Newport "Folk" Festival claims this is folk music.

Shovels & Rope - Birmingham

Published on Feb 22, 2013

"Birmingham" is the first single from O' Be Joyful, the debut album from Shovels & Rope. Produced by The Moving Picture Boys, this video was shot in the band's home city of Charleston, SC.

2. PHILADELPHIA "FOLK" FESTIVAL: "Todd Harry Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. Hailed in the early stage of his career as a new pop star, supported by the certified gold solo double LP" -Wikipedia

Is Todd Rundgren a folk artist? Apparently the producers of the Philadelphia Folk Festival think so, as he is billed, in capital letters no less, as their Saturday headliner.
http://www.pfs.org/event/saturday-main-stage-concert-mavericks-todd-rundgren-pocket-black-prairie-more-08-17-2013-1600

Todd Rundgren

See also "BIG news everybody! Joining us at the 2013 Philadelphia Folk Festival: Todd Rundgren..." What the Folk? from 6/6/13.

The Philadelphia "Folk" Festival claims this is folk music.

Todd Rundgren - Hello Its Me

Live in 1973, with a pre-recorded backing track

Marketeers and branders are clever people, they will do apparently do anything (except consult with and respect ethno-musicologists) to usurp a word and fill the corporate coffers, but don't hold your breath expecting these popsters to be booked into Clifftop or Harry Smith Frolic or Lowell or other folk festivals.

A believer in truth in advertising, I would have more respect for the Philadelphia and Newport festivals to re-brand themselves as "Philadelphia Pop Festival" and "Newport Pop Festival."

Or here's a novel idea, Philadelphia and Newport could return to their roots and let Amanda Plamer and her fellow travelers find bookings at Bonnaroo and similar pop festivals.

Thanks for allowing me to vent, I feel much better now and am heading to the Lowell Folk Festival.

Rest in Peace, Toshi Seeger

Pete Seeger speaks with attendees at an event at Dia:Beacon April 11 to celebrate Pete Seeger's release of a new audio book. In the background is Seeger's spouse, Toshi Seeger, who died Tuesday night. / Karl Rabe/Journal file

Rest in peace, Toshi.

I learned of her passing a few mintes ago from Suzy Thompson, who wrote. "Toshi Seeger, R.I.P. She was a huge influence on me, though she never knew it. Years ago, around 1980, I played at the Clearwater Festival and noticed Toshi Seeger was picking up trash. The queen of the whole festival and she's picking up trash off the ground!!! When we have the BOTMC String Band Contest (a much much more modest event) I always help pick up the trash at the end, and I always remember Toshi when I do that. What an inspiration. My heart goes out to Pete."

I met Toshi and Pete once at the Beacon town hall, where they had been summoned to receive a lifetime achievement award from the town government.
After all the "whereas" and "therefors" Pete lead a group of kinds, the council members and the dozen or so in the audience in a few songs.
Then it struck me, I am going to meet Pete and Toshi, what am I going to say?
In the lobby Pete beat me to it.
He stuck out his hand, shook it firmly and said, "I saw you in the front row singing loudly, YOU are the yeast that makes the bread rise!"
I was flabbergasted.
Toshi looked on, with a coy smile on her face.
Later in my bunk aboard the Mystic Whaler I read the introduction to Sing Out, which concludes, "YOU are the yeast that makes the bread rise!"
I'll give that one to Pete.
And to Toshi for not giving away Pete's secret.
 
RIP Toshi.

Toshi Seeger by Gene Deitch

Coverage
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20130710/NEWS01/130710026/Toshi-Seeger-wife-folk-legend-Pete-Seeger-dies for the new from the Poughkeepsie Journal
http://singout.org/2013/07/10/toshi-seeger-passes/

Added 7/16/13, from

Photo by Econosmith.com Toshi Seeger, Clearwater matriarch and wife and partner to Clearwater founder Pete Seeger for almost seventy years, passed away Tuesday, July 9, at home. Toshi Seeger's efforts and influence were key to the founding of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater over 45 years ago, and also to its continued evolution as an environmental organization serving the Hudson River Valley today. Toshi's contributions to Clearwater over the past four decades are countless and she will be missed by all. Clearwater extends its deepest condolences to Pete Seeger and to the Seeger Family. ...Read More Click here to read Toshi Seeger's Obituary from the Poughkeepsie Journal    Please share your memories and reflections on the Clearwater Memorial webpage in the comments section, or to visit the Clearwater Facebook page and post your comments A time to hug, a time to kiss A time to close your eyes and wish. Toshi-Aline Ohta Seeger co-founded Hudson River Sloop Clearwater with husband, musician and activist, Pete Seeger in 1966. Toshi was involved with Clearwater in multiple ways from the organization's beginnings and helped to steer the various folk concerts and events, including Pumpkin Sail and the early incarnations of the Clearwater Festival. She was active in the development of what has been known as the Great Hudson River Revival for 35 years, a music and environmental festival that welcomes over 20,000 visitors to Croton Point Park in Westchester County, NY each year. Read more...    If you would like to make a memorial donation, please click here to visit our donations page and select "In Memory of Toshi Seeger" in the drop-down menu in the Gift Designation area.   Hudson River Sloop Clearwater 724 Wolcott Avenue Beacon, NY 12508 845.265.8080 www.clearwater.org Preserving and Protecting the Hudson River. Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders.