Dissident Folk Festival 2007

Subject: Dissident Folk Festival 2007
From: Suffet
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 11:55 AM

Greetings:

From what I have heard so far, the Second Annual Dissident Folk and Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, October 13, 2007, from 1:00 to 11:00 PM, in Beacon, New York. The venue is the same as last year, the Howland Cultural Center at 477 Main Street. This time around, it will be a one-day rather than a two-day festival. Admission for the day will be just $10.

The list of performers has not yet been finalized, but among those already confirmed are Bev Grant and the Dissident Daughters, Gwen Laster, the Voices for Peace Chorus (led by Danielle Woerner), Redwood Moose, Chris Ruhe, Zenote Sompantle, George and Julius, Bruce Markow, MacDougal Street Rent Party, Thom Joyce, Robert Milby, Sana Shabazz, Arianna DeJesus, The Flames of Discontent, and Mel and Vinnie. Anne Price and I will open the festival with a special presentation of Woody Rediscovered, our program of Guthrie's less known songs. Later there will be a special tribute to Bertolt Brecht led by Jennie Litt and David Alper.

Oh, I have it on good authority that Beacon's best known 88 year old banjo picker will be there again, as he was last year, but his name cannot be announced until the day of the event.

For additional information, please call 845-831-4988.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Dissident Folk Festival 2007
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 12:00 PM

I would love to be at this one.

Mick

Subject: RE: Dissident Folk Festival 2007
From: Suffet
Date: 02 Jul 07 - 01:00 PM

Time to refresh this thread.

Subject: RE: Dissident Folk Festival 2007
From: SharonA
Date: 02 Jul 07 - 02:52 PM

Better than a Dissonant Folk Festival, to be sure....

Subject: RE: Dissident Folk Festival 2007
From: Suffet
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 09:22 PM

SECOND ANNUAL DISSIDENT ARTS & FOLK FESTIVAL
Saturday • October 13, 2007 • 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Howalnd Cultural Center
477 Main Street • Beacon, NY 12508
845-831-4988
$10 all day admission. • Click for website!

SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES
1:00          Doors open
1:15 – 1:20    Opening remarks by John Pietaro
1:20 – 2:20    Anne Price & Steve Suffet: Woody Rediscovered - Guthrie's Less Known Songs
2:20 – 2:50    Presentation: Mel & Vinnie: New Orleans Today
3:00 – 3:20    Voices for Peace
3:20 – 3:50    Redwood Moose
3:50 – 4:00    Arianna DeJesus (poet)
4:00 – 4:30    MacDougal Street Rent Party
4:30 – 5:00    Zenote Sompantle
5:00 – 5:10    Robert Milby (poet)
5:10 – 5:40    Thom Joyce
5:40 – 6:10    George & Julius
6:10 – 7:10    Dinner break
7:10 – 7:40    Chris Ruhe
7:40 – 7:50    Guest speaker (TBA)
7:50 – 8:20    Bruce Markow
8:20 – 8:30    Sana Shabazz (poet)
8:30 – 9:00    Bev Grant and the Dissident Daughters
9:00 – 9:20    Short break
9:20 – 10:30   Solidarity Songs: a Tribute to Bertolt Brecht
9:20 – 9:30      Intro statement about Brecht by John Pietaro
9:30 – 10:00    Jennie Litt & David Alper
10:00 – 10:30    The Flames of Discontent
10:30 – 11:00    Gwen Laster Jazz Ensemble

Subject: RE: Dissident Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,John Pietaro
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 12:36 AM

Hey All,

One quick note from the organizer of this event:
This year I have expanded both the scope and the name of the fest---The Dissident Folk & Arts Festival. This is because I would hope to continue to feature folk/protest music while simultaneously allowing for a wider view of exactly what "Protest Song' is. So, in addition to having powerful sets by the likes of Bev rant and the Dissident Daughters, the MacDougal St Rent Party, Chris Ruhe and the other folk-oriented performers, there will be some Modernist sounds, Jazz and world music. Remember, the Left celebrated Proletarian music expanded by daring harmonies, in the 1920s and early 30s; Hanns Eilser was the hero before Woody Guthrie. So with that in mind, Eisler's music (as well as Kurt Weill's) will be included in the evening salute to Bertolt Brecht. Progressive cabaret duo Jennie Litt and David Alper will offer a set of Brecht and then my own band, The Flames of Discontent, will perform a set of this brilliant music, too. We are excited about the possiblities. Following the Brecht tribute, the fest's finale will be the Gwen Laster Jazz Ensemble. Gwen is a highly acclaimed violinist who's performed and recorded with countless Jazz greats as well as contemporary pop musicians. This year, the fest will open with a couple of workshops (I thak Steve Suffet for this suggestion as well as providing one of the workshops in question), so we expect a very full day. Honestly, I cannot say that "Beacon's favorite banjo player" will be there---Pete maitains a busy schedule, he's tring to complete a book, and told me a few months ago that he cannot commit to this. But who knows, he may surprise us again. For more info you can go to my website www.flamesofdiscontent.org

I hope some of you might be able to join us. Sure, its upstate New York----as an old City boy (up until 3 yrs ago), I recall how far away it all seemed. But Beacon also offers about 2 dozen galleries, an internationally celebrated contemporary art museum, two great coffee houses and wonderful restaurants and shopping. All that and Woodstock is only about 45 min away. Hey, its worth the climb!

In Solidarity,
John

Subject: RE: Dissident Folk Festival 2007
From: Suffet
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 10:38 PM

Time to refresh this thread. Wonderful festival. Beautiful region, especially as the autumn leaves begin to display their colors. Only $10 for entire day.

Be there!

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Dissident Folk Festival 2007
From: GUEST,John Pietaro
Date: 02 Oct 07 - 09:50 PM

Hey Everyone..

I am in the process of trying to get the word out on this year's DISSIDENT FOLK & ARTS FESTIVAL as we are rapidly approaching the date, and so wanted to put up the final info for all of you here. Please feel free to fwd this info to others.

Forgive me if some of this info is redundant, but some aspects have been changed somewhat. Hope those of you in the New York area can come by and join us as we offer music, poetry, discussion,networking, and a photography exhibit in protest speak of war-mongers, corporate corruption and "the Decider"....


THE DISSIDENT FOLK & ARTS FESTIVAL 2007 –

******************************************************
Presented by John Pietaro and the Howland Cultural Center- ******************************************************

The second annual Dissident Folk Festival -- now under the expanded name of The Dissident Folk & Arts Festival--returns to Beacon's Howland Cultural Center on October 13 of this year. This festival celebrates a diverse view of protest song and poetry, offering works of social change, labor, peace and pride through many genres. Special segments this year include A TRIBUTE TO BERTOLT BRECHT in the evening and two afternoon events--a workshop on WOODY GUTHRIE and a presentation on NEW ORLEANS TODAY. A guest speaker will be Steve Gold, a candidate for Beacon's mayor. The evening will close off with a rousing performance by the renowned Jazz violinist Gwen Laster and her ensemble. Protest photography by John Economos and Maxine Smith will also be on exhibit and the performances will run throughout the day.

*******************************************************
Last year's Dissident Festival was the first in this series of annual topical music concerts. It featured brilliant sets by the likes of Malachy McCourt, Pete Seeger, Bev Grant and numerous others from acoustic music to the edge of avant folk, to pop, blues, world music and more. There were also special tributes to both Woody Guthrie and Paul Robeson. (see below for press excerpts about the 2006 Festival). ********************************************************

The organizer began the Festival as a means of presenting cultural workers--artists who focus on activism through their art—in a large-scale setting. This is the only such Festival of its kind and it is scheduled to be an annual event at least through the end of the Bush Administration. Our progressive mission is not covert; we are promoting peace, equality, labor and immigrant rights. Another goal of this Festival is to break the image of the protest singer as a "white guy with an acoustic guitar" exclusively. The Dissident Folk & Arts Festival insists on bookings that are never homogenous in sounds, look, age, culture or style. The imagery onstage is as expansive as the content of the songs and poems. The cultural workers speak!

**********************************************************************

-SCHEDULE-
1:00 – Doors open 1:10 – opening song by THE FLAMES OF DISCONTENT 1:15 - opening remarks by event organizer/MC John Pietaro

1:20 – 2:20 - WORKSHOP: "Woody Rediscovered" (STEPHAN SUFFET & ANNE PRICE)
2:20 – 2:50 - PRESENTION: "New Orleans Today" (MEL & VINNIE)

MUSIC/POETRY:
3:00 – 3:20 – Anti-War Choir VOICES FOR PEACE led by Danielle Woerner
3:20 – 3:50 – Roots Duet REDWOOD MOOSE
3:50 – 4:00 – Poet ARIANNA DEJESUS
4:00 – 4:30 – Protest Ensemble THE MACDOUGAL ST. RENT PARTY
4:30- 5:00 – Mexican Revolutionary Musician ZENOTE SOMPANTLE
5:00 – 5:10 – Poet ROBERT MILBY
5:10 – 5:40 – Singer/Guitarist THOM JOYCE
5:40 – 6:10 – Radical Labor Song Duet GEORGE & JULIUS
6:10 – 7:10 – DINNER BREAK
7:10 – 7:40 – Activist/Musician/WVKR Air Personality CHRIS RUHE
7:40 – 7:50 – Guest Speaker STEVE GOLD, activist/politician
7:50 – 8:20 – Alternative-Folk Singer/Songwriter BRUCE MARKOW
8:20 – 8:30 – Activist Poet/Author SANA SHABAZZ
8:30 – 9:00 – Legendary Folkie BEV GRANT & THE DISSIDENT DAUGHTERS
9:00 – 9:20 – BREAK

9:20 – 10:30- SOLIDARITY SONGS: A TRIBUTE TO BERTOLT BRECHT:
(9:20 – 9:30 –intro statement about Brecht - John Pietaro
9:30 – 10:00 – Progressive Cabaret Duet JENNIE LITT & DAVID ALPHER
10:00 – 10:30- Alternative Protest Band THE FLAMES OF DISCONTENT)

10:30 – 11:00 – FINALE: Celebrated Jazz Violinist GWEN LASTER ENSEMBLE **********************************************************************
Festival specifics…
WHEN? -SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13TH, 2007 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM

WHERE? HOWLAND CULTURAL CENTER 477 MAIN STREET, BEACON NY 12508 845-831-4988 www.howlandculturalcenter.org

ADMISSION? $10. (all proceeds will be donated to the Howland Center's geo-thermal heating system project)

----FOR MORE INFO PLEASE SEE WWW.FLAMESOFDISCONTENT.ORG----