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For Immediate Release
America’s Largest Annual “Green” Festival, The Clearwater Festival,
Announces Musical Headliners For 2008
June 21 And 22 At Croton Point Park
Environmentally Concerned Musicians Promote Seeger’s Vision
of Education and Activism Through Song
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY, April 17, 2008—One of the country’s first “green
festivals”, the Clearwater Festival - The Great Hudson River Revival,
has announced this year’s roster of musical performers. Continuing the
legacy of Festival founder and legendary folk singer Pete Seeger, all of
the performances were selected because they share Seeger’s philosophy of
using the “power of song” to promote environmental awareness and action.
The annual Festival will be staged on the shores of the Hudson River in
Westchester County, June 21 and 22, on the weekend of the summer
solstice.
“The musicians in this year’s Festival all have in common Seeger’s
passion for both the environment and music,” remarked Ron Aja, Outreach
Events Director. “They are also great entertainers. From
Grammy-nominated Reggae bands to local performers, they bring an
exciting weekend of music, dance, storytelling, and family fun.”
Aja noted that the Festival has significantly stepped up its efforts to
reach its “Zero Waste” goal by arranging to collect all food waste for
composing. “We were the first major festival to develop the concept
more than 42 years ago with the Litter Picking Committee, and today it
is an integral part of our efforts to make our event a model for all
other Festivals to follow,” said Aja.
Clearwater is also using recyclable products and encouraging visitors to
bring their own water, minimizing the environmental impact on the site.
As well, the five performance stages are all powered with 100%
sustainable energy that includes solar and bio-diesel.
Outstanding Musical Line Up
Offering a blend of Contemporary, Traditional and American Roots music,
artists include:
- Pete Seeger, legendary folk singer, activist, and founder of the
Clearwater organization.
- Skatalites, a Grammy-nominated ska and reggae band from Jamaica.
Originally formed in 1964, the group has charted a number of Top Ten
hits in the UK.
- Felice Brothers, a new group that is on the fast track to
international success. Its gritty Americana sound has been compared to
that of a young Bruce Springsteen.
- Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, a quirky quartet
reigning from the Hudson Valley. The group has been featured in both
the New York Times and the CBS television show, Joan of Arcadia.
- R. Carlos Nakai, the world’s premier performer of the Native
American flute. He uses his Navajo-Ute heritage as a source of
inspiration and growth.
- Cheryl Wheeler, a writer of both emotional and humorous songs, who
continues to gain more and more recognition with each new album.
- Happy & Artie Traum, a duo of brothers whose debut album was called
“one of the best records in any field of pop music” by the New York
Times.
- Kevin So, a first generation Chinese American whose passion for
singing and playing piano and guitar has won him praise and helped him
to build a substantial fan base coast to coast.
NEW! Circle of Gospel
A unique performance concept by Pete Seeger, Circle of Gospel reflects
Clearwater’s ongoing efforts to diversify its musical offerings and
encourage audience interaction. Three gospel groups will take center
stage simultaneously under a large tent, with three audience groups
facing them. Each choir will take turn singing, with the other choirs
and audience members responding to their refrains. The singing will
“circle” the tent for the entire program. Among the groups performing
will be The Six of Us, an a cappella group of six women from
Poughkeepsie; Just Voices, an a cappella group of four men from
Wappingers Falls, and The Higher Ground Band, a seven-member group from
Wappingers Falls that does gospel with a Caribbean flavor.
The festival will also feature hands-on environmental education
workshops and exhibits, including the Green Living Expo, where
companies, firms and organizations showcase green products or services.
Returning this year is also the activist area, where visitors can get
information on many of the community’s important environmental groups.
Early Bird Savings on Tickets
Tickets purchased in advance qualify for a special early bird discounts.
Tickets for Clearwater members purchased before April 21 are $25/day
and $40/weekend; before May 19, they are $30/day and $45/weekend.
Tickets purchased by the general public before April 21 are $30/day and
$45/weekend; before May 19, they are $35/day and $50 or the weekend.
Tickets at the gate on the day of the Festival are $40/day and
$55/weekend. Children under 12 are free. Membership discounts are
availably instantly to those who become members. Tickets can be
purchased at
www.clearwaterfestival.org
or by calling 1-800-67-SLOOP.
Tickets will also be available on-site the weekend of the festival.
Clearwater Environmental Short Film Competition (CESFC)
The top ten winners of the CESFC will also be featured at this year’s
festival. The CESFC is a national competition for new filmmakers,
songwriters, musicians, and poets who are asked to share their concerns
and interests for the environment through original videos up to three
minutes in length. The deadline for entries has been extended to May 15th. Applications can be
downloaded at
www.clearwater.org/competition
“The Clearwater Festival is a celebration of the Hudson River and its
waterways. It continues the tradition of Pete Seeger, who has done so
much to protect and help restore one of the country’s most historic
rivers,” noted Jeff Rumpf, Executive Director of Clearwater.
A leading advocate for the environment, Clearwater has been credited for
helping to pass some of the country’s most influential environmental
legislation, including the Clean Water Act. For more information about
the Clearwater Festival or to join its mailing list for updates on
Festival events, performers and ticket discount opportunities, visit
www.clearwaterfestival.org
or call 1-800-67-SLOOP.
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