Pete Seeger's Big 90th Birthday Bash at Madison Square Garden!

New York, New York, May 3rd, 2009

Pete's Big Birthday Bash! Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, May 3rd, 2009

All Aboard the Pete Train.
On an early May evening at Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City, the people came to celebrate a birthday. And was it ever a party! Pete Seeger turned 90 and close to twenty thousand of his closest friends showed up to pay tribute and sing out loud. Oh yeah, and about 50 performers, including Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, Arlo Guthrie, Kris Kristofferson, Richie Havens, Tom Paxton, Tom Chapin, Bela Fleck, Ani DiFranco, Del McCoury, Roger McGuinn, Steve Earle and a host of others.

There was also a Congressman, an actor or two, a legendary director, and a Grouch. Oscar the Grouch that is, who appeared on stage surrounded by trash bags as he and Tom Chapin sang a rousing version of a song that speaks for itself, “Garbage”, only it was written many years ago, long before the current Green movement. Oscar must have thought he was at a roast when he said, “He's only 90?! I thought he was 100!” Guess Oscar can get away with that. The Congressman was John Hall, also known as the singer from the group ORLEANS. Oh yes, and there was a letter from a certain President Barack Obama, read by the inimitable Norman Lear, wishing Pete a most Happy Birthday.

The evening opened with a documentary excerpt, and lights outlined to look like the Clearwater's sails, followed by Pete playing a Native American flute that rang through the Garden like a whistling wind upon the river. Next was an introduction song by the Native American Indian Culture Alliance, including Bill Miller and David Amram. The stage was set for an incredible night to come, and we didn't have to wait long. John Mellencamp was next, singing “If I Had A Hammer”, and a second original song that he said was inspired by Pete. Imagine that.

When Bruce Springsteen emerged at the end of the second sent and sang “The Ghost of Tom Joad”, he spoke about what it was like to sing with Pete at the Concert for the Inauguration on that bitter cold day in January. On their way there, Pete shared stories of his 90 years, and Bruce said to him, “Pete, you outlasted the bastards, man!”

One of the most inspiring parts of the evening was listening to musician after musician talk about how Pete had influenced them. I felt very close to that emotion. Pete has been a big influence to me as has my mother, who also sang in a folk trio in the 50's in NYC! I recently did a music program sponsored by the Philadelphia Folksong Society in a Philadelphia elementary school, and outlined the program by teaching the children about Pete Seeger. Bruce Springsteen said it best when he spoke of Pete's influence not only in music, but in activism and his outlook on life. “Despite his Grandfatherly demeanor, he (Pete) is a creature of stubborn defiance and nasty optimism.”

Pete has built his life around song, activism, sharing, learning, and teaching. His love of the Hudson River was the other reason for the gathering. The storied Sloop Clearwater is also celebrating a birthday. Launched 40 years ago, she has been sailing up and down her golden river. Built on a wing and a prayer, donations and volunteers, Pete's dream of building a replica of a River Sloop came true. As Arlo so eloquently described, even when scores of naysayers said it couldn't be done, Pete never wavered and for the last 40 years, the Clearwater has sailed the Hudson, educating thousands of children and adults about why it's so important to keep the river clean. The annual Hudson River Revival Festival, fondly referred to also as “Clearwater” is held every June on the banks of the Hudson. Thousands attend to hear more than the great musical line-up. They also come to hear about the river.

Ok, back to the show.
The second half of the concert opened with famed Director Norman Lear reading an excerpt of President Obama's letter to Pete. How would you follow that? With Pete leading the audience in “Amazing Grace”, that's how! He taught the entire audience how to sing harmony by assigning a different note to three giant sections before him in the stadium. then he raised up his arms and everyone hummed a beautiful three part harmony. Just before the start of the song, Pete exclaimed, “There's no such thing as a wrong note as long as you're singin!”.

There were classics galore throughout the night. Roger McGuinn singing the classic and perhaps most main stream Pete song, “Turn Turn Turn”. Joan Baez singing a solo of “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” John Mellencamp singing “If I Had A Hammer”, and on and on, captivating the crowd and giving a new definition to the term, “you could hear a pin drop”.

Speckled within the songs, actor Tim Robbins told some stories. One was about Pete in the winter of 2003. On a freezing cold January day, in the lead up to the start of the war in Iraq, Pete stood on a corner near his home in Beacon, NY, with a handmade sign that simply said, “Peace”. There were no cameras, there were no reporters. Just Pete. Being Pete. Pete's wife Toshi was also honored in the program, as a segment of a documentary spoke about their amazing relationship, and how Toshi has stood with Pete at every step.

A shout out to the stage crew, sound crew, and whoever was stage managing and ferrying people to and fro. The evening flowed like a river. The night ran unbelievably smoothly, especially for all the parties on stage. There were certainly over 100 at times, with the house band, and the NYC Labor Chorus joining in left and right, and it was seamless. Prior to the show, we were discussing how they would ever be able to get through all those performers without having a 7 or 8 hour concert. Our friend Jimmy nailed it on the head. Performers were grouped together in a myriad of ensembles, and it was an incomparable menu of music in an incredible array of combinations. Imagine. all at one time on stage: Arlo Guthrie, John Hall, Tony Trischka, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Or how about Emmylou Harris, Guy Davis, Billy Bragg, Joan Baez, Toshi Reagon, Bernice Johnson-Reagon, actress Ruby Dee, and Bruce Cockburn, singing “We Shall Overcome”. Indeed.

And of course, there was the encore. The end of the night was like a new beginning. As anyone may have guessed and hoped, every performer, including Springsteen and his wife Patty Scalfia, joined the honoree on stage for the quintessential folk song by Pete's friend, Woody Guthrie, “This Land Is Your Land”. And Pete didn't slow down for a minute as he joyfully corralled the audience in song. This was the finale, and it seemed to end there. As the audience began to pour out, the stage began to fill up again, and the crowds stopped where they stood, eyes and ears focused back to the stage, just in time to hear Pete's grandson Tao lead the way in the first of three encores. He called Pete to the stage, as well as the rest of the family, including Pete's OLDER brother of 95, who remarked, “I'm 95, but Pete's gonna live to be 100!” He proceeded to sing along too. And speaking of singalongs, the evening wasn't complete until we all joined in in an amazing and spontaneous rendition of HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the man of the evening. I can hardly wait for the DVD.

One could only imagine what this night meant to Pete. It would be near to impossible to go into all of the reasons why; perhaps it would take 90 years. Being the true giving soul that he is, it's likely that he was more excited by what the night could DO, for the river, for the songs, for the people of the world, than for his own glory. As the famous Margaret Mead quote reads, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Well, when nearly 20,000 people come to celebrate one of those “one people”, it's a true testament to the proof that it is indeed time. As a footnote to that, there is a movement to get Pete nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. (website below).

There were moments galore at every turn of the evening; too many to mention. But one of the treasures of the night came in the very last seconds of the very last encore. One that I'm sure Pete would look at as a bridge to the future. From the mouths of babes, literally. Ruthy Ungar (daughter of fiddler, Jay Ungar) and her husband Mike Merenda, along with Pete's grandson Tao are longtime members of THE MAMMALS, a great and rockin' band. Ruthy and Mike have a baby named Will, and Ruthy brought the baby out to the stage with her for the last encore. At the end of “Goodnight Irene”, she put Will up to the microphone, and he sang, sang, sang! For Pete's legacy. For Pete's sake, that says it all!

Take some time to learn about Pete and the Clearwater effort to save the river: www.clearwater.org
Nominate Pete for the Nobel Peace Prize: www.nobelprize4pete.org


THE PROGRAM:
Mini-doc about Pete and the Sloop Clearwater

Pete opens show solo playing a Native American flute

Native American Ensemble, including BILL MILLER, and DAVE AMRAM

JOHN MELLENCAMP – “If I Had a Hammer”, “Hey Jesus” (original song inspired by Pete)

Actor TIM ROBBINS & NYC Labor Chorus

ANI DEFRANCO and BRUCE COCKBURN – “Which Side Are You On”, from the 1930's by Florence Reese

TOM MORELLO (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE), TOM PAXTON, ERIC WEISSBERG,

MICHAEL FRANTI, PATTERSON HOOD – “Dear Mr President”

ABIGAIL WASHBURN, TOSHI REAGON, BERNICE JOHNSON-REAGON, GUY DAVIS, JACOB SILVER, PATTERSON HOOD, ERIC WEISSBERG, NYC LABOR CHORUS - “Oh Freedom”

BILLY BRAGG, DAR WILLIAMS, MIKE MERENDA, RUTHY UNGAR, LENNY PICKETT, MOLLY MASON - “Union Maid”.

PETE, STEVE EARLE, TAJ MAHAL, TOSHI REAGON, WARREN HAYNES, TAO RODGRIGUEZ - “Up and Down the River”.

STEVE EARLE, WARREN HAYNES, GUY DAVIS – Blues (Didn't get the name).

EMMYLOU HARRIS, TEDDY THOMPSON, MCGARRIGLE FAMILY, JAY UNGAR, SPARRO DAY - “The Water is Wide”.

BRUCE COCKBURN, THE MCGARRIGLE FAMILY, INCLUDING RUFUS WAINWRIGHT – (missed the song title)

DOCUMENTARY EXCERPT

BELA FLECK, TONY TRISCHKA – 3 song banjo medley of songs they learned from Pete, followed by a banjo version of Happy Birthday!

TAJ MAHAL, TOM MORELLO - “Big Muddy”.

JOAN BAEZ - “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”

TIM ROBBINS – Short talk about Pete.

RUBY DEE, accompanied by BELA FLECK – reading the Pete Seeger poem, “The Torn Flag”.

TAO RODRIGUEZ-SEEGER, BEN BRIDWELL, TYLER RAMSEY, PATTERSON HOOD, WARREN HAYNES, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND - “Bring 'Em Home”.

BRUCE COCKBURN, JOAN BAEZ, EMMYLOU HARRIS, GUY DAVIS, BILLY BRAGG, TOSHI REAGON, ANI DIFRANCO, RUBY DEE, BERNICE JOHNSON REAGON - “We Shall Overcome”, (first set finale).

(Second set):
NORMAN LEAR – Letter from Barack Obama.

PETE, TAO, JACOB SILVER - “Amazing Grace”.

TOM CHAPIN ENSEMBLE, AND OSCAR THE GROUCH - “Garbage”.

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, ANI DIFRANCO - “There's a Hole in the Bucket”

TOMMY SANDS & HIS IRISH BAND - “Little Boxes”.

TIM ROBBINS, MILES ROBBINS, MCGARRICLE FAMILY, RUFUS WAINWRIGHT, TONY TRISCHKA, JACOB SILVER, CASEY DRIESSE - “Michael, Row the Boat Ashore”.

RICHIE HAVENS - “Freedom/Motherless Child”.

JOAN BAEZ, SCARLETT LEE MOORE, JAY UNGAR & MOLLY MASON, MIKE MERENDA, RUTHY UNGAR, LARRY LONG, JACOB SILVER - “Jacob's Ladder”.

ARLO GUTHRIE, DEL MCCOURY. JOHN HALL, TONY TRISCHKA, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND - “Oh Mary, Don't You Weep”.

ARLO GUTHRIE, RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT, TAO, MIKE & RUTHY - “Takes a Worried Man to Sing a Worried Song”.

BEN HARPER, ELLEN VERDRIES, SUE CHASE – “Gather 'Round the Stone”.

PEGGY SEEGER – Letter to her brother Pete.

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT, RICHIE HAVENS, TAJ MAHAL, WARREN HAYNES, KELLER WILLIAMS, TAO, MIKE MERENDA, JACOB SILVER - “Maggie's Farm”.

ROGER MCGUINN, BEN BRIDWELL, TYLER RAMSEY - “Turn, Turn, Turn”.

ARLO, EMMYLOU, TONY TRISCHKA, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, TAO, JACOB SILVER - “Victory Song/Precious Friend”.

DAVE MATTHEWS - “Rye Whiskey”.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, TOM MORELLO - “The Ghost of Tom Joad”.

EVERYONE! - “This Land is Your Land”

ENCORES - “Well May the World”, “This Little Light-o-Mine”, Goodnight Irene.

PHILLY & SUNDANCE. Sports and film.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to interview two filmmakers whose films have ties to Philadelphia. The challenge is, I didn't have the chance to see either film. Having said that, it was a pleasure to speak with both directors, and what's life (and writing) without a bit of a challenge.

It all started this way. Last week, the press office here at Sundance offered to look up whether any films had a Pennsylvania connection, as I thought that would be great to write about. We couldn't find anything at the time, but it was still early on in the festival. As the week went on, I found things on my own.

BIG FAN: Robert Siegel, Director & Screenwriter.
Also Screenwriter of THE WRESTLER.


LisaBeth with Robert Siegel.

I stopped into some of the publicists rooms, and when I walked into one and asked if they represented any films with Pennsylvania connections, a journalist from NEW YORK MAGAZINE and the publicist both looked at me quizzically, and without missing a beat and in complete unison said, 'Funny you should ask!". Well, we all decided it was kismet when they told me that they were representing the film BIG FAN, about the ongoing rivalry between Philadelphia Eagles fans and NY Giants fans. Imagine my luck and surprise, and further delight when the filmmaker was there, and with a short wait would be available for an interview. The surprises and delight continued....as I was waiting my turn (after the NY mag journalist), I was reading the press package for the film, and lo and behold, the filmmaker and screenwriter, ROBERT SIEGEL also wrote the screenplay for the acclaimed film, THE WRESTLER. Further, he is originally from Long Island, (this writer's roots), AND to put the icing on the cake, he was also the editor in chief of THE ONION for several years. One of the first things Robert commented on when we sat down and spoke was my various Obama wear.

And onto the film....

Shot on location in various places in and around Philadelphia, Staten Island, and environs, Robert shared some stories about filming. They did some shots of Geno's and Pat's and also some scenes around Passayunk Avenue, but when they were shooting the final scene, they had to go elsewhere. The film climaxes at a South Philly bar, but because of budget, they used a sports bar in Staten Island, and transformed it to look just like a South Philly bar. Robert shared that the bar was covered in NY Giants memorabilia, and that they got quite the stares as they began to cover it with all things Philadelphia Eagles. It all worked out though, and Robert remarked that Philadelphia was really good to them.

With regard to THE WRESTLER, Robert said parts were also shot in Philly, and he was specific to mention the famed New Alhambra arena in South Philly as a Philadelphia icon. He mentioned that he loves Philly, but at the same time, seems to know and understand the unique reputation of the fans that completely immerse themselves in their sport, and has experienced their crazy and wild ways.

I asked Robert about any crazy stories that happened during the filming. He shared this one from a day in Staten Island...

They were using a house that belonged to the grandparents of Nick, the Associate Producer. A lovely elderly Italian couple from Staten Island, Sevario and Maria agreed that they would allow their house to be used for one day. No big surprise that one day wasn't enough, but it was enough for Saverio and Maria. On to plan B, as Robert tried everything to convince them to extend the time. First he tried to bribe them with Grappa, and though they all had a great time drinking together, the answer was still NO. Then Nick called to say they would be going to the track and that they would have a 5 hour window to sneak in. Of course, the door was locked, so plan C involved a friend of Nick's (whose identity shall remain nameless, but let's just say it was a cool nickname). He boosted Robert up to a little window on the second floor, Robert entered, fell about 10 feet, and they were in! They shot the scene, and in true sit-com style, Saverio and Maria got home before the shoot was complete, and it was a comedy act trying to keep them from realizing what was happening!

On a closing note, I asked Robert about the timing of BIG FAN coming out as THE WRESTLER is garnering great acclaim. Not expecting or asking for sympathy, he shared that he had worked on both projects for four or five years, and that he did wish they had been a bit more spread out at this point. It was a very honest statement, but don't worry, Robert Siegel is very humble and appreciative of having not one, but two films out and being seen by fans, both of sport and film.

THRILLER IN MANILLA: John Dower, Director & Screenwriter.

The rivalry between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier is well known. They fought three times, with the final confrontation in the Philippines in October, 1975. This director tells the story from Joe Frazier's point of view, and sheds him in the light of an unsung hero.

About 80% of the film was shot in Philadelphia, and when I spoke to John Dower, he was very focused on the fact that the city of Philadelphia tends to celebrate the fictional boxing character of Rocky Balboa rather than the celebrated true life icon of Joe Frasier who is still alive and well.

Listening to the authenticity in John's voice, I feel it is my civic duty to express John's words here in hopes that the people of Philadelphia may be listening and will help to spread the word to celebrate and support Joe as he walks into his later years. Though he's only 65, he has had some health challenges, and is facing the possibility of having to sell his famous gym. This makes the Rocky Statue even more ironic sounding, and makes for a great challenge to boxing fans to save Joe's gym.

The film was shot very much in the North Broad Street area of Philly, and also in several gyms in and around the city. Dower was specific to mention how these gyms have been a safe haven for kids to go and be off the streets, and that they should be supported.

I asked John how Joe Frazier felt about the popularity of Rocky, considering that it was Joe who ran up the steps and was the inspiration for the scene in the slaughterhouse, and so much more. He said that Joe is a big hearted guy, who is kind of a realist.

Interesting factoid....several of the characters in the film still live in North Philly, the most famous being GEORGIE BENTON. An acclaimed boxer in his own right, Georgie is the only surviving member of Frasier's corner guys from the fight in Manilla.

In closing, I asked John about his Sundance experience overall. He said, "If you're a documentary filmmaker, Sundance is a dream come true."

Thankfully there are people like John Dower to tell the stories.

IN THE LOOP of satire.

The director and some of the cast of IN THE LOOP (sans James Gandolfini)

War & satire. What a combo. In the words of Sundance senior programmer John Nein, "If it weren't so funny, it would be terrifying."

At a time when it seems like we might actually experience some transparency in Washington, along comes the film IN THE LOOP. It's about a farcical lead up to war, and the players that completely mess things up in a modern day screwball comedy. The director, Armando Iannucci, weaves a stellar script with souped up and curse filled improv in this hysterical romp of transcontinental zaniness, internal corruption, and overtly blatant transgressions by senior officials in the US and UK government. Only it's all fictional. To echo that point, the audience doesn't know any details about who the war is between, what it's about, or how it really came to be. On the heels of the Bush administration, the satire seems all too real. Here's hoping that things really will change and that this kind of overt corruption is behind us.

And to add to the satire, the director injected a snarky comment as he was introducing the film. He talked about watching the Chief justice forget the words to the oath of office, and that it caused him to write down the name of his film just in case. During the Q & A, when asked what inspired him, Iannucci responded, "Isn't it obvious? I thought long and hard about the events leading up to Iraq, and decided you can either cry or you can laugh". That's the genesis. He went on to say that they were very clear to be anonymous in the present day, but with the implication that a fabricated war could happen again.

It's nearly impossible to watch this film and not really feel like you're a voyeur into this wacky world of Washington and the UK. With picture perfect recreations of the White House, the State Department, and the UN, the filmmaker also admitted during the intro that he was able to gain access to the State Department by showing his homemade BBC identification card.

There is such an interwoven mountain of content in IN THE LOOP, when the director said that the editing was really when the story was told, it made a lot of sense. Mostly filled with relatively fresh faces (for the US anyway), there is one quite well known face. James Gandolfini plays a General, and in his supporting role, casts a brilliant addition to this already wonderful, albeit thought provoking satirical film.

SUNDANCED!

THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD.

David Courier (Senior programmer), Mike Bonanno, & Andy Bichlbaum

The Yes Men Fix the World? And all this time I thought it was the women.

In this rapidly CHANGING political climate and WEEK of history in the making, a film like THE YES MEN is certainly timely if not amazing in the 'gotcha for the good guys' sense. Fearless filmmakers and popular protagonists Mike Bonanno & Andy Bichlbaum create a brilliant dance of exposing corporate corruption. Giving the old concept of "candid camera" a whole new meaning, Mike and Andy perpetuate elaborate schemes to infiltrate company meetings and live BBC television to conduct their righteous mischief.

Their tactics range from holding companies accountable to creating farcical projects for gullible CEO's. On the 20th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster, they managed to get on the BBC, disguised as a spokesperson for Dow Chemical to announce that Dow was taking full responsibility and would be putting 12 billion dollars toward restitution. As the audience watches the sheer audacity of these two heroic characters, the scene takes the expected turn of, "uh oh, what now". The gradual reality sweeps the screen as the media begins to realize it was all a hoax. So the inevitable question came up during the Q & A....what about the people of Bhopal; weren't they angry and upset when all was said and done? Watching the film will tell all, but suffice it to say, after the initial and grand disappointment, the citizens of Bhopal were grateful to be in the news again after 20 years. And that maybe, just maybe someone would be listening.

I asked Mike and Andy where they watched the inauguration, and it turns out they were out on Main St., and just as mesmerized as the rest of us. I asked what they thought of Obama's speech. Andy said, "He gives us all the courage to fight for things." I concur and hope THE YES MEN continue that fight!

Other cool factoids:

• They were able to get clearance for everything in the film including Haliburton!
• Over 300 pieces of film were cleared in just a month and a half!
• When asked how they acquire credentials, they simply said, "We lie."
• Feeling their work was not yet complete, they created a fake (and VERY real looking) New York Times and distributed 100,000 copies all around New York City. Dated July 4th, 2009, the upper left hand box read, "All the news we hope to print, and the lead story reads, "War in Iraq Ends". You shoulda seen the look on people's faces as they took it all in.

SUNDANCE PICTURES, Here, there, & everywhere!

Lotsa assorted Sundance photos! The cute couple is....Stacie Jones with the filmmaker Craig Brewer (Hustle & flow, Black Snake Moan). The young gentleman is JOHNNY SIMMONS from the film, THE GREATEST, which is getting big buzz around Sundance. Other cast members are Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan.

GOOD MORNING MR. PRESIDENT. ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP?

Pix from Inauguration Day at Sundance!

The really really happy gal is Stacie Jones from Toronto at the MOMENT of celebration!!!! Oh yeah, and that's LisaBeth in those glasses.

Good Morning from Sundance on the first full day of the Obama Presidency. I was able to switch my work schedule so I could relish the moment yesterday with all people Sundance. And it didn't disappoint. Tears of joy and hope, American Flags, conversations, smiles, laughter, amazement, and eyes and ears glued to the plasma TV's that the amazing tech crew set up out on Main St.

If you've never been to Park City, Utah, picture New Hope + Manayunk, with a twist of Media. The downtown part of Park City is filled with shops, restaurants, cafe's and all that good stuff of a wonderful small town, plus no shortage of ski and sport boutiques of course. Considered one of the best places to ski, there is even a ski lift ("the city lift") that literally goes directly over the downtown.

Setting the scene: Inauguration morning:
A beautiful and crisp day, people gathered around outside on the lower part of Main Street to share in the glory of the event. There had been word that some of the actors who were at Sundance left to attend the inauguration, and that offered a bit of a buzz of the who's and when's. And speaking of buzz, you could feel it in the air. With portable heaters and hand warmers being distributed, people continued to arrive and there was palpable camaraderie and optimism all around. It was rather surreal to be here at a film festival watching the first African American President being sworn in. It almost felt like a movie, but thankfully it wasn't. It's real. It's here, and the thousand or so people watching the moment together knew it. Hugging friends and strangers was the norm, as was all the talk of what happens next.

It wasn't the mall in DC, but in every way, watching the inauguration at the Sundance Film Festival brought it's own uniqueness. Coupled with the amazing films and documentaries appearing here, we can all know that the arts are alive in telling stories, telling truths, and being a witness to moments past, present, and future.

More later....