This year’s Great Hudson River Revival (Clearwater Festival), the country’s oldest music and environmental festival, takes place June 18 and 19 at Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, and carries the theme “Clearwater Generations.” “The idea behind Generations comes from a desire to honor Pete Seeger’s vision and Clearwater’s mission – to inspire, educate, and activate the next generation of environmental leaders,” said Steve Lurie, Festival Director, “We are emphasizing this theme by featuring classic Clearwater artists performing with their own next generations.”
Each day the Festival will close with “Generations” sets featuring performances by Pete Seeger and Tao Seeger; Arlo Guthrie and Sarah Lee Guthrie; Peter Yarrow and Bethany Yarrow; Bernice Johnson Reagon and Toshi Reagon; John Sebastian and Ben Sebastian; Tom Chapin and Jen Chapin (Tom’s niece and Harry Chapin’s daughter); Jay Ungar and Ruthy Ungar Merenda; David Amram and Alana, Adira, and Adam Amram; plus other special guests. In addition, the “Generations” artists will perform their own sets throughout the weekend.
Lurie has also programmed an outstanding lineup of headline talent that speaks to both the classic Clearwater community as well as the younger generation. Performing on seven bio-diesel and solar-powered stages over the course of the weekend are Drive-By Truckers, The Indigo Girls, Martin Sexton, Josh Ritter, Suzanne Vega, Jorma Kaukomen, Billy Bragg, The Low Anthem, John Sebastian, Janis Ian, The Felice Brothers, Red Horse (Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka and Eliza Gilkyson) Chris Smither, and folk music icon and Clearwater founder, Pete Seeger, plus many more.
Unlike other music festivals, Clearwater’s Festival is truly a family-oriented festival, and kids 12 and under get in free. The Family Stage will offer its own version of headline talent, including Dan Zanes with Elizabeth Mitchell, Peter Yarrow, Tom Chapin, David Amram, The Nields, Sarah Lee Guthries & Johnny Irion, Sara Hickman, and many others.
In addition to the great musical artists, the Festival offers Story Grove with superb storytellers, Juried Crafts Fair, Green Living Expo, Activists Area, Working Waterfront with sails on small boats and tallships, including Clearwater and Mystic Whaler, and environmental education exhibits with opportunities for hands-on learning experiences. A Festival favorite, Circle of Song, creates a music space where the audience becomes the performer and the sing-a-long reigns supreme, whether it be sea shanties or gospel.
The festival is wheelchair accessible and most stage programming is staffed with American Sign Language Interpreters.
On Friday, June 17, the night before the Festival, Clearwater will host a very special fundraising event for its educational programs featuring musical icon and activist, Jackson Browne. The evening will include a waterfront reception, intimate performance with Browne, an evening sail on the Hudson River, and a weekend pass to the Festival. Individuals who wish to attend this event can do so by making a donation of $1,000 or more. Tickets are only available by contacting Ann Mellor at the Clearwater offices at Ann@clearwater.org, or call (845) 265-8080 ext. 7119.
Inspired by Pete Seeger’s desire to clean up the river over forty years ago, the Great Hudson River Revival initially helped raise the funds to build the sloop Clearwater, which has since become a world- renowned floating classroom and a symbol of effective grassroots action. Today, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater is a non-profit organization that sails at the forefront of the nation’s environmental challenges. All proceeds support Clearwater’s environmental research, education and advocacy efforts to help preserve and protect the Hudson River and its tributaries, as well as communities in the Hudson River Valley.
Tickets for the Great Hudson River Revival are on sale at www.ClearwaterFestival.org, or call (845) 418-3596.
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