For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: GUEST,Smithsonian Folkways
Date: 02 Oct 09 - 01:32 PM

Smithsonian Folkways is excited to announce the October 27th children's music release, Go Waggaloo, from Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family. The album features Sarah Lee Guthrie, her husband Johnny Irion, their two daughters, and a host of other family and friends including her father Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Pete's grandson Tao Rodriguez Seeger. Go Waggaloo continues the Guthrie song-making tradition forged by Sarah's grandfather, Woody Guthrie.
        The album includes three previously unrecorded songs written by Woody Guthrie and set to music for the first time by Sarah Lee Guthrie. The album mixes traditional folk with subtle uses of modern technology, including drum machines, loops, and cell phone recordings.
For information about the album or to preorder visit http://www.folkways.si.edu/albumdetails.aspx?itemid=3238
Watch a video about the making of the album   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZJmfw1Zzn8&feature=channel_page

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: mark gregory
Date: 10 May 09 - 09:01 AM

... The Irish Times

'HALFWAY through his 90th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, Pete Seeger urged everybody in the 18,000-strong audience to join in an a cappella version of Amazing Grace.

"There's no such thing as a wrong note as long as you're singing it," he said.

Fifty of the biggest names in American music, including Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez and Kris Kristofferson, joined Seeger onstage for the 4½-hour event. It had less the feel of a concert, however, than of a giant sing-along with a group of old friends.

Seeger has been singing and campaigning on behalf of progressive causes for almost 70 years, standing with trade unions and migrant workers in the 1930s and 1940s, opposing the Cold War in the 1950s, marching for civil rights and against the Vietnam war in the 1960s, joining the struggle against South African apartheid in the 1970s, and focusing on environmental activism ever since.'

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Janie
Date: 09 May 09 - 07:53 PM

Looking forward to it, Dani, though my voice seems permanently damaged and I don't know if it will work well enough for me to join in much.

Thanks for organizing this!

Janie

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 09 May 09 - 11:07 AM

Not having had time to put anything together in time for Pete Seeger's birthday, I am reluctant to let another week pass without marking it with some singing.

There is a gathering tomorrow (Sunday 10th) at 4:30 at Gold Park in West Hillsborough, North Carolina.

We'll sing anything once, and anything that sounds good twice!

Just bring your voice, an instrument if you want, music if you need, and a song or three you learned from listening to Pete.

See you there!

Dani

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: mark gregory
Date: 09 May 09 - 02:12 AM

Reviews keep appearing in the press:

this one in The Huffington Post:

Outlasting the Bastards: Learning and Applying the Pete Seeger Lesson

'... the huge, almost five hour long Clearwater Benefit concert in a sold-out Madison Square Garden that featured nearly a hundred of our country's best folk and jazz musicians all singing and playing their hearts out in tribute to the first 90 hard-lived and hard-fought years that have made the musical activist legend. There's no way for me to describe this experience in words and no way to improve on the musicians' various tributes but Bruce Springsteen's words did encapsulate well the Seeger secret of success: the "stubborn, defiant and nasty optimism" that Pete needed to stand on conscience in the darkest of hours with those like Paul Robeson and Martin Luther King; to truly believe "we shall overcome" and the "stubborn, defiant and nasty optimism" which has ultimately allowed him to "outlast the bastards".'

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: mark gregory
Date: 06 May 09 - 11:42 PM

then there's Billboard

'Pete Seeger's grandson, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, whom many first saw during their historic singalong of "This Land Is Your Land" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before the inauguration of President Obama, led the rousing call to disarm "Bring 'Em Home" with Tyler Ramsey and Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses, guitarist Warren Haynes, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band Horns Section. Joan Baez delivered one of the most wrenching performances of the night, the folk spiritual "Jacob's Ladder," in an unvarnished arrangement that daringly put on display some of her voice's time-worn nuances. It was one of the most riveting moments of the night and true to the essence of Ms. Baez.'

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: mark gregory
Date: 06 May 09 - 06:36 AM

also from Bergen Now

'Actor Tim Robbins told the audience that at this birthday party, nothing would make Pete happier than to hear everyone singing along. Learning about the history of some of the songs, learning how to harmonize during Pete's "Amazing Grace", listening to Peggy Seeger describe some fun moments in her life with Pete and the touching tribute she shared with the audience, made it an event hard to forget.'

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: mark gregory
Date: 05 May 09 - 08:46 PM

More Reviews of Clearwater Concert

Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp Salute Seeger's 90th (Rolling Stone)

Pete Seeger celebrates 90th with musician pals (LA Times)

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 05 May 09 - 03:49 AM

I was at the Rochester Sweeps in Rochester Kent, UK on the Sunday, where I performed some Seeger covers. Black Girl, Midnight Special, John Henry, Run, Come See Jerusalem. There may have been one or two others but I cannot remember them.

Hope you had a happy birthday Pete.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: mark gregory
Date: 05 May 09 - 01:11 AM

Pete Seeger Celebrates 90th With a Clearwater Concert

By JON CARAMANICA
Published: May 4, 2009

New York Time review of Madison Square Garden concert

"Mr. Seeger led the crowd in "Amazing Grace," calling out lines in a spooky, hole-filled, appealingly weathered voice. It was one of several brawny, moving exercises in mass vocalizing: "We Shall Overcome," "This Land Is Your Land," "Well May the World Go," "This Little Light of Mine."

Ninety years after Mr. Seeger's birth, 50 or so years after the height of the folk music movement, 40 years after the civil rights movement, and 104 days after the swearing-in of the country's first black president, those songs no longer sound defiant or expectant, but instead matter-of-fact."

Democracy Now tribute to Pete Seeger May 4, 2009

"Legendary folk singer, banjo player, storyteller, and political and environmental activist Pete Seeger turned ninety on Sunday. More than 18,000 people packed New York's Madison Square Garden Sunday celebrate the man, the music and the movement."

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 02 May 09 - 06:29 PM

Thanks, Becky. For a moment I was reminded of the day we were passing through Tucson a few years ago. Outside a supermarket little girl gave me a flyer about a "Creation Festival". I understood what it was about when I took a good look. There was a big Jesus Fish eating a little Darwin Fish on the logo.

Thanks, Peter I'll add another coloured marker on my map.
Interesting clusters of markers I have now.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Peter T.
Date: 02 May 09 - 10:49 AM

Toronto's event will be Sunday night, May 3rd, at the Leah Poslun's Theatre, on Bathurst north of Sheppard, hosted by The Travellers and a bunch of other highclass people.

There is a CBC Radio 2, Inside the Music Special, Saturday at noon, on Pete.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 01 May 09 - 09:01 PM

Ooops -- The Tucson Folk Festival is http://www.tkma.org, not tkam.org, which is a church!

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Barbara
Date: 01 May 09 - 01:15 PM

And if you need any suggestions about what to sing, here's a song Malvina Reynolds wrote for and about Pete in 1961. Her daughter Nancy posted it last week on her blog, where the dots are, too.
First Amendment Banjo
Blessings,
Barbara

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 11:53 PM

Tucson Folk Festival - Pete Seeger Song Tribute workshop, 3 pm, Sunday

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: mark gregory
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 07:21 PM

In today's Australian

Pete Seeger is unlikely to have thought he'd find himself serenading a
US president-elect. After all, whenever he found himself in the
vicinity of the White House through the decades, it was invariably to
picket or protest.

Yet on the day before Barack Obama's inauguration last January, just
as the We Are One concert at the Lincoln Memorial was drawing to a
close, Bruce Springsteen invited a white-bearded figure in a knitted
woollen cap to step out from the shadows. "Lead us, Pete," he
implored.

And lead Pete did, in a manner familiar to all who have seen or heard
him perform, turning the celebration into an uplifting singalong of
Woody Guthrie's This Land is Your Land, a song that became well known
despite "never being played on radio or sold", Seeger says. It found
its way into school repertoires, but without its most potent verses.
"How wonderful to rhyme 'tried to stop me' with 'private property',"
he says. "Only Woody could have thought of that." Anyhow, "nobody said
you couldn't sing them" at the Lincoln Memorial, so he did.

Click here to read the full article

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25410026-16947,00.html

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: mark gregory
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 08:37 AM

Here's the latest list of events in Australia
check http://unionsong.com/seeger90.html for updates

cheers
Mark

---------------------------------------------------------

ABC Music Deli
Friday 1 May 8.05pm
Sat 2 May 4.05 am and
Sunday 3 May 4.05 pm

Paul Petran's Music Deli (ABC Radio National) is doing a tribute to
Pete Seeger this week the program airs Friday 1 May 8.05pm, Sat 2 May
4.05am and Sunday 3 May 4.05 pm

Bernard Carney and the Working voices choir will be featured doing
some Pete Seeger tributes and as the Birthday coincides with May Day
will also be 'Singing for Pete's Sake' at the May Day rally in
Fremantle WA

---------------------------------------------------------

Illawarra Folk Club
Pete Seeger tribute night
Saturday 2 May at 7.30pm
City Diggers Wollongong, NSW

The main guest will be Maurie Mulheron who wrote the play about Pete
called 'One Word We'. There will be a swag of other performers as
well.

----------------------------------------------------------

Camp Eureka Working Collective Inc
Sing along for Pete
Unitarian Church 110 Grey Street, East Melbourne, Victoria
5pm Sunday 3 May for a cup of tea first, followed by the singalong at
5.30pm till 7.30pm
The door charge will be $10, $8 conc and children free.

This idea started in Melbourne and is beginning to catch on around the
globe. It is early days yet but there are concerts or singalongs
planned in Copenhagen Denmark and country Victoria in Corryong and
Mallacoota, in Melbourne and many places in the USA.

Leading the singing will be Judy Small, the Melbourne Trade Union
Choir, David Lumsden and others.

----------------------------------------------------------

Sing for Pete's sake!
The Top End Folk Club at the Railway Club
Darwin NT
Sunday 3 May 5.30pm
Entry by gold coin donation

Pete Seeger, singer, songwriter, musician and activist turns 90 on
Sunday 3 May, 2009. To celebrate Pete's life and his great influence
there are community concerts being held all over the world. Pete was
committed to getting people to sing. He said, "not everybody can talk
at the same time, but everybody can sing at the same time". He had it
in his heart to believe that music used for social benefit could
change the world. In so many important ways Pete gave us a model of
joy and human connection.

So everywhere around the globe, as a tribute to Seeger, let's sing for
Pete's sake!

The Top End Folk Club has its regular session at the Railway Club
every Sunday from 2 - 5pm, sing for Pete's sake begins after that,
around 5.30pm

----------------------------------------------------------

Australian Peace Committee (SA) Inc.
Prince Albert Hotel
254 Wright St, Adelaide
Sunday 3rd May from 3pm
$2 donation

Everyone is invited to help us to celebrate Pete's 90th birthday.
Please bring along your friends and your instruments and voices to
join in singing his songs. [Singing is not a requirement! You can just
listen to others if you prefer to] Food and drink is available from
the bar. We ask for a $2 donation to help cover our costs. We have
booked the large room upstairs, and appreciate it if you will let us
know you are coming so we [and the hotel] can make necessary
arrangements.

Starting at 3pm -- The Australian Peace Committee invites you to come
and celebrate the birthday of one of the world's long-time, dedicated
and effective peace workers.

Folk singers perform -- sing-along with Pete's songs -- video "Wasn't
That a Time!" -- food and drink available from the hotel's bar /
kitchen

Please RSVP so we have an idea of numbers: [e-mail]

----------------------------------------------------------

Sing for Pete's Sake, Leura, NSW
Various musicians around the world are organising concerts called 'For
Pete's Sake, Sing!' The idea is to have people singing on May 3 in
whatever way they can. The concerts are a spin-off from a grass-roots
campaign to put Pete forward for a Nobel Peace Prize
(http://www.nobelprize4pete.org/).

The Fagans will be singing at a house concert at Leura, at the home of
Greg and Lynne Hudson (Spooky Men's Chorale) and the contact for
tickets is Lynne Hudson (0408977643).

----------------------------------------------------------

Corryong, Vic
There's a sing along in Corryong organised by Jan

----------------------------------------------------------

Mallacoota, Vic
In Mallacoota, in eastern Victoria, Jean is making sure they sing for
Pete's sake.

----------------------------------------------------------

Penshurst, Vic
Joy is the mover and shaker for the Penshurst sing along in the western district

----------------------------------------------------------

Denver, Vic
(population about 50, location Central Victoria)
Peter is leading the singing for his namesake.

---------------------------------------------------------

Download flyer (pdf)

Tom Mann Theatre 136 Chalmers Street
Surry Hills NSW (near Central Station) 3 shows only
Friday 12 June 8pm, Saturday 13 June 8pm, Sunday matinee 14 June 2pm

Tickets $25 (concession $20) Bookings: MCA-TIX Phone [phone] or
online http://cms.mca-tix.com.au/

Returns by popular demand to celebrate Pete Seeger's 90th birthday the
songs & story of pete seeger and friends a musical biography by maurie
mulheron directed by frank barnes with jim conway pat craigie liz
frencham greg leisner jeannie lewis monique piwonka maurie mulheron

This show chronicles the life, times, friends and music of one of the
world's most influential and progressive musicians, Pete Seeger. Once
America's most boycotted, banned, blacklisted and picketed singer in
history, Pete not only survived but at 90, still records and performs
including at the recent Obama Inauguration Lincoln Memorial Concert
with Bruce Springsteen.

Come along and hear Pete's story as well as the songs that have
enriched the lives of millions around the world including If I Had a
Hammer, We Shall Overcome, Turn! Turn! Turn!, Where Have All the
Flowers Gone, Goodnight Irene, Little Boxes, Midnight Special and lots
more.

One Word...WE! was last seen at Sydney's New Theatre where it played
to capacity houses each night. Original cast with special guest, Jim
Conway.

----------------------------------------------------------

Loaded Dog Folk Club
Annandale Neighbourhood Centre
79 Johnston Street, Annandale
Saturday 27 June 8pm

Maurie Mulheron and friends

http://www.theloadeddog.org.au/

And as is known by all good folk from Manchester to Maine to Melbourne
- you don't get a finer harmonies in the chorus than you do at The
Loaded Dog.

---------------------------------------------------------

DVD Pete Seeger: Live in Australia -- Release Date: 2 July 2009 --
download coupon (pdf) $24.95

Pete Seeger is a beautifully filmed 105 minute concert showcasing one
of the most provocative figures in music history.

In 1963 Pete Seeger, blacklisted and barred from American television,
he fled the persecution of his homeland and embarked on a 10 month
world tour. One of his first stops was Australia where he was welcomed
with open arms and sold-out performances.

This DVD not only presents a full concert filmed in Melbourne but also
includes 55 minutes of bonus footage from various other Australian
television appearances. Witness how one man, armed only with a banjo,
a guitar and the power of song, captures the hearts and minds of a
nation. Australian perspective booklet notes by Warren Fahey.

SPECIAL FEATURES * Pete singing and discussing the songs of Lead Belly
(also features 3 rare performances by Lead Belly filmed in 1945). *
Interviews and performances on Australian news programs. * 16-page
booklet featuring liner notes by Seeger biographer David K. Dunaway. *
Rare photographs, home movies and memorabilia.

----------------------------------------------------------

If I Had A Song
Star of the Sea Theatre ­ cnr Collingwood St and Iluka Ave. Manly, NSW 2095
Saturday 22 August 7.30pm
$17.50 / $12.50

If I Had A Song: A celebration of the music of Pete Seeger featuring a
host of performers and rare visual footage. Singing along is
mandatory.

---------------------------------------------------------

http://unionsong.com/seeger90.html

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: eddie1
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 12:40 AM

For a couple of months now, my radio partner in crime, John Stannard and I have been putting together a 3-hour programme entitled, "For Pete's Sake Sing" going out between 1000 & 1300 hrs (UK time)today, Thursday, on Blast1386, the radio station of Thames Valley University here in Reading, England.

Sods Law has intervened by putting down the website and it won't be up until Friday! Damn and blast!!!! And I'd even found a version of "The Bells of Rhymney" by that well-known traditional American folksinger, Cher!

Well, John & I have decided to do it all again in a couple of week's time.

Meanwhile, Readifolk, the local FC are having a "For Pete's Sake Sing" night on Sunday at 8.30 in RISC in London Street, Reading.
It would be great to see some local Mudcatters there.

Eddie

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 12:25 AM

Hildebrand reminds me that Pete's book went through many printings in several colours begining as a few mimeographed pages for friends.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 12:20 AM

That book was popular here too. We are going to mention it during our event. Thanks, Frank we'll make that a special mention.
Fred, thank you. I'll pass on your details to Marie for her list.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Stringsinger
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 11:39 AM

Some day Pete will be recognized as one of the leading players of the five-string banjo
and principal popularizer of the instrument prior to Earl Scruggs.

His little red banjo instruction book was a bible for the beginning five-string banjo student and has sold consistently over the years. It deserves an important mention.

I heard Pete's banjo on Odetta's memorial service at the Riverside church and it still
sounds great and unique. No one (I mean it) can play banjo like Pete.

Frank (an acolyte and fan)

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: GUEST,Fred Bailey
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 09:46 AM

And the Central Ohio Folk Festival will feature a sing-along for (with?) Pete and all of his friends in the Columbus Area on Sunday afternoon, to close out our 13th annual bash.

Join us to honor a true hero of the music and of the people, clear around the world.



http://www.cfms-inc.org/central_ohio_folk_festival.htm

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 06:07 AM

That's great, Virginia. I've got your location on my map and Marie has you on her list too.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 05:57 AM

On 3rd May I will be in Rochester Kent at the Sweeps Festival. I definitely will put in a couple of Seeger standards.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 05:53 AM

Hello cobber, Marie's information says it's being run by "Peter". Don't know which Peter this is. I'll ask her about more details and get back.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: cobber
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 09:27 PM

Hi Joybell
Where's the one in Denver (Central Vitoria). That's only about 5k up the road from me. I was planning to go down to Melbourne but that could easily be changed.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Stringsinger
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 11:02 AM

What's so important about this is that Pete was responsible for much of the folk music
revival and the interest in participation in it. He was a one-man PR firm for it. These national events are an outgrowth of Pete's philosophy that music is not an exclusive club
and there is the "law of the commons" that says folk music belongs to all of us. (This "law" is not a popular concept among Libertarians whose philosophy often runs counter to the idea of shared "commons".)

Pete as a catalyst for encouraging creativity and new voices can't be underestimated.
If his birthday celebration can be used to bring musical communities together, this is
a wonderful thing.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Clay Eals
Date: 26 Apr 09 - 10:59 AM

Here are links to two great pages about our Seattle celebration of Seeger's 90th:

Here:
http://www.westseattleherald.com/2009/04/22/features/pete-seegers-life-be-celebrated-admiral-theater.

And here:
http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=16028.

Please spread the word, not just about the Seattle event but also all over the other Seeger 90 events around the world. Seems that every day new events are being organized for that day!

Clay Eals
1728 California Ave. S.W. #301
Seattle, WA 98166-1958

206-935-7515 (home)
206-484-8008 (cell)

[e-mail]
http://www.clayeals.com

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 07:40 PM

Yes, that would be wonderful. I'd like pictures of that -- seeing as how we can't be there.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Donuel
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 04:48 PM

I'd like to see thousands of singing people lining the shores of the Hudson river, the river that Pete literally saved.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: mark gregory
Date: 23 Apr 09 - 04:41 AM

Sydney celebrations

Sunday 3rd May - 2pm - Sing for Pete's Sake - Pete Seeger 90th Birthday Singalong at Kings Cross Food & Wine Fair
An opportunity facilitated by Warren Fahey. If an indoors venue can't be found, then Warren suggests the small plaza in Roslyn Avenue opposite the Piccolo Bar.
As Warren says: "This is a free event and not sponsored by or part of any other event. It is simply a way of publicly acknowledging Pete Seeger's extraordinary work and his love of impromptu singing.
People are organising similar events all over the world on that same day. There will be no stage, no sound system, no signage, no payment - no nothing........ Just music and song."
People interested:include: Walters & Warner, Miguel, Christina, Len, Mark Gregory

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 22 Apr 09 - 10:00 PM

Well the list is growing.
Preparations out here are going well. Victoria, Australia has 5 or maybe 6 events for the State.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Clay Eals
Date: 18 Apr 09 - 06:40 PM

Everyone:

I'm thrilled to announce that in addition to our previous lineup (see my previous posts), we have Peter McKee and his four-piece group, Clallam County, as guest performers for the Seattle celebration of "For Pete's Sake: Sing!" Peter's group will play an original tribute composition, "Pete Got Us Singing," and join in on other classics. Peter, a longtime banjoist, brings Pete Seeger's signature instrument into our mix, and his group has played the Northwest Folklife Festival an astounding 28 years in a row.

If any of you know friends or family in the Seattle area, please encourage them to mark our "For Pete's Sake: Sing!" event on their calendar. It will be Sunday, May 3, with a 4 p.m. showing of the acclaimed documentary "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song," and a three-hour hootenanny of more than 30 songs, plus 1997 video clips of Seeger at Folklife, that begins at 7 p.m. For more details, see the poster at http://thehistoricadmiraltheater.com/index_files/Page1277.htm or contact me, the organizer and emcee.

This will be a once-in-a-lifetime event!

Clay Eals
1728 California Ave. S.W. #301
Seattle, WA 98166-1958

206-935-7515 (home)
206-484-8008 (cell)

[e-mail]
http://www.clayeals.com

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Clay Eals
Date: 14 Apr 09 - 11:16 AM

Marie:

Happy to send along photos and other evidence of our Seattle event. Thanks for getting this big ball rolling. Can you please e-mail me offline so that I can keep you posted about pre-May 3 progress directly? Thanks in advance.

Clay Eals
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 11:08 PM

It's such a pleasure, Marie. I was so moved by the South African family too.
I'll send along photos and an account of our event.

We are making a birthday card for Pete as well -- with a photo of all of us and messages.

At the moment I'm collecting posters from people who have them available to put around the walls -- along with a series of maps.

Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: GUEST,Marie Goonan (Guest)
Date: 12 Apr 09 - 02:22 AM

Thank you for allowing me to be a guest on your site. It is absolutely wonderful to hear what is happening around the world and especially in the USA.

In Melbourne, Australia where "For Pete's Sake Sing" idea began, in my lounge room actually after watching The Power of Song DVD, the celebrations are multiplying. In country Victoria in Corryong and Mallacoota and Penshurst and probably Denver in central Victoria too, they are going to sing for Pete's Sake! Singalongs are being organised in Melbourne, capital city of Victoria, and in Perth, capital city of Western Australia, and Adelaide capital city of South Australia too.

The Australian National Folk Festival is on over Easter and it is expected that we will hear of more sing alongs.

We are now beginning to ask our Australian "For Pete's Sake Sing" participants to Email two or three photos of their event and up to 100 words which we will put on a CD for Pete. I notice that you do not put Email addresses in your threads but I would be happy to have mine used if people would like to join in the photos/100 words idea. Although the Dayton, Ohio event sounds as if it should be videoed in its entirety.

This has moved me the most. A family in South Africa sent an Email to say that their family of three generations will be "singing along with Pete Seeger's cds to celebrate the day, and to acknowledge how his songs kept quite a few of us sane and actively opposed in the bad old days of apartheid. If you are sending him a message, please include us."

Thank you everyone and especially to Joybell who is supporting and helping me via Email

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 11 Apr 09 - 03:50 AM

Hello Clay from both us Hildebrands
Thank you for the list.
And thanks, Andymac yours is on my map too.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: GUEST,Andymac
Date: 11 Apr 09 - 01:49 AM

Add Scotland to the list: the Girvan Folk Festival "The life and times of Pete Seeger" Sunday May 3rd.

I'm sure that the many singing sessions at the festival that weekend will be filled with songs writeen by or made famous by the great man himself. I know I'll be singing some as like some others here have said, I may never have met him but he's had a profound influence on more of my life than I realise.

Andymac (OK..I will go and sign in now...)

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Clay Eals
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 11:33 PM

Everyone:

Many of those posting to this list have asked for information about other "For Pete's Sake: Sing!" events on May 3. I'm helping organize one here in my hometown of Seattle. Below I'm pasting the press release for the event. Below that, I'm posting a list of cities and links where there are other such events, including the well-known, high-profile one at Madison Square Garden. If anyone wants the poster for our Seattle Seeger event, just e-mail me, and I'll be glad to e-mail it to you! Sorry for the length of the message below, but I trust it's information that will be appreciated. Spread the word!

Clay Eals
1728 California Ave. S.W. #301
Seattle, WA 98116-1958

[phone] home
[phone] cell
[e-mail]
http://www.clayeals.com

=====

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Seattle to Celebrate Seeger's 90th
Admiral Theater throws a 'Hootenanny' for Icon

SEATTLE, Wash. (April 3, 2009) — Joining in the national celebration for Pete Seeger's 90th birthday, The Historic Admiral Theater will host an evocative, multimedia, hootenanny to honor the career and influence of this legendary humanitarian often called the "father of folk-music."

The May 3 event — entitled "For Pete's Sake: Sing!" — takes place at West Seattle's landmark theater on Sunday afternoon and evening and includes a film documentary followed by a hootenanny of Seeger and Seeger-related songs. Anchoring the concert will be the nine-piece Seattle band, Tom Colwell & The Southbound Odyssey. Seattle author and historian Clay Eals will serve as emcee for the event.

Seeger popularized the word "hootenanny" after he visited Seattle in the late 1930s while travelling with fellow folk songster Woody Guthrie.

A portion of the proceeds from the May 3 show will benefit the Northwest Folklife Festival, for which Seeger performed in 1997.

"Northwest Folklife is proud to join the efforts of the Admiral Theater, Clay Eals and Tom Colwell in celebrating Pete Seeger's 90th birthday," says Robert Townsend, executive director of Northwest Folklife. "The Northwest has been one of the centers of the folk music revival, and Pete's visit to the Northwest Folklife Festival in 1997 inspired another generation of community music-makers."

The May 3 event features the award-winning 2007 documentary, "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song," which screens at 4 p.m. The concert will follow at 7 p.m.

Seattle's Seeger event takes place the same day as dozens of other Seeger tribute concerts all over the country. The most prominent such show is scheduled at New York City's Madison Square Garden and features a stellar lineup of headliners, including Bruce Springsteen, Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Kris Kristofferson, Roger McGuinn, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Tom Paxton, along with Seeger himself.

"Our goal is to pay tribute to Seeger by being a part of this national collaboration," says Dinah Brein-McClellan, director of entertainment for the Admiral Theater. "The documentary is a stunning summary of Pete Seeger's long and inspiring life, and the hootenanny that follows will be a perfect way to carry on the Seeger tradition."

Colwell, a gifted singer and guitarist with a wide repertoire of Seeger and Seeger-related songs, was a fixture of the Seattle folk scene and toured nationally in the 1970s. In the 1980s and 1990s, he continued his music-making for retreats and other large gatherings and reconstituted a band in recent years to provide musical support for events to promote the award-winning 2007 biography "Steve Goodman: Facing the Music."

Eals, a longtime journalist, is the author of the Goodman biography, which sold out its first printing of 5,000 copies and is in its second printing. In his eight years of research for the Goodman book, Eals twice interviewed Seeger, along with more than 1,080 sources including many of the same musicians who are performing at the Seeger event in New York City. He will bring his knowledge of the folk scene to the Admiral Theater event in weaving stories with the music.

In true Seeger-esque fashion, Brein-McClellan, Colwell and Eals are seeking to broaden the participation in Seeger's 90th to involve selected musicians who may want to join them onstage for a song or two at this once-in-a-lifetime event. Those interested in joining the May 3 slate should e-mail their interest, a word (brief) about their association with or memory of Seeger and what song(s) they might like to bring to the hootenanny to Tom Colwell at [e-mail], Dinah Brein-McClellan at [e-mail], or Clay Eals at [e-mail].

The event will feature other unique elements, including the screening of never-before-seen footage of Seeger's 1997 Northwest Folklife Festival performance.

Admission for the film only is $8. The hootenanny is $10. A special discounted $15 ticket covers both events.

Tickets can be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets in advance or on May 3 at the theater.

# # #

For additional information contact:
[e-mail]
206- 938-0785

=====

Seeger90 events so far:

New York, NY
http://www.seeger90.com

Seattle, WA
http://www.thehistoricadmiraltheater.com/

Huntington, NY
http://fmshny.org/concerts.htm

Telkwa, BC
http://tools.bcweb.net/smithers/events.shtml?x023&cmd%5B59%5D=x-77-14023

Ithaca, NY
http://www.jimharpermusic.com/forpetessakesing.html

Richmond, VA
http://www.thecamel.org/

Rockville, MD
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/2396756/

Boston, MA
http://www.fssgb.org/fssprty.shtml#pete

Bellingham, WA
http://www.lindasongs.com/pages/itinerary.htm

Knoxville, TN
http://www.sparkyandrhonda.com/schedule.html

Dayton, OH
http://www.daytonpeacemuseum.org/PETEFLYER2.pdf
(great poster!)

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 09 Apr 09 - 12:24 AM

Eric -- May I put your location on my map too, please?
Our local hall is about the same age as yours but it's so far from anything and the nearby town has a lovely tea-room, next to the hall, -- so we'll meet there.
Song sheets are a good idea.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: GUEST,Eric Anderson
Date: 08 Apr 09 - 05:09 AM

There will be an event at the newly renovated Round Lake Hall in Quick near Smithers in northern British Columbia.The hall is three years younger than Pete. Starts at 1pm. admission free. Song sheets provided.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 04 Apr 09 - 12:51 AM

Hello Kate. May I put Dayton Ohio on my map? I'm in Penshurst in Victoria Australia. Midway between Warrnambool and Hamilton. That should give you the location for us. I'd be so pleased to be on your map.
Another idea we are using is the showing of the short film "To Hear Your Banjo Play". It shows Pete with Woody Guthrie and several others and a lot of wonderful old scenes of workers, trains, singers in the mountains ... It was made in 1947. It's freely available as a download.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: GUEST,Kate Johnson
Date: 03 Apr 09 - 12:26 PM

Joy--Great idea! I'd like that too.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Joybell
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 06:25 PM

Marie -- sometime could you put a list of places on here. I'd like to have a map at our event showing where the other groups are celebrating.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Eve Goldberg
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 06:05 PM

I got tickets to go to the concert at Madison Square Hall on May 3rd - the general tickets went on sale on Monday at 9 am, and by 9:03 all I could get was nosebleed section. But I'll be there!

My aunt sings in the New York Labour Chorus so she'll be singing in the concert -- how could I miss that?

Peter, what's going to be happening in Toronto?

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th, May 3
From: Peter T.
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 03:20 PM

I think something is going to happen in Toronto.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: GUEST,Kate Johnson
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 03:01 PM

From Dayton, Ohio...

The Dayton International Peace Museum (www.daytonpeacemuseum.org)is putting together a For Pete's Sake, Sing! concert at the Kennedy Union Ballroom, University of Dayton on May 3rd, 2-6 p.m. EDT. There will be birthday cake and punch, a multimedia exhibit on Pete's life and work, which will afterward be mounted at the Museum, and a traditional, "Pete-style" audience sing-along (including Happy Birthday to Pete). This event is generating a LOT of enthusiasm among local musicians and peace people.

Peace,
Kate Johnson
Education and Event Coordinator
Dayton International Peace Museum

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: Stringsinger
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 06:17 PM

I think that every day should be a Pete Seeger day in that there should be folk music
all the time.

For Pete's sake, let's sing every day every where.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: Joybell
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 06:50 PM

Crowhugger -- that's wonderful. Marie will be so pleased her wonderful idea is spreading. Some will be tiny -- just a few people, some bigger.
I'd like to have a map at my little event to tie in all the people around the world. Where are you, Crowhugger? If you don't mind giving out your location.

So far Marie has confirmation of events in South Africa, Denmark, Country Victoria, Australia. She will be organizing one in Melbourne. Also there are the events listed by Pamela from Ithaca.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: Joybell
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 03:37 AM

Ok -- I see now an intermingling.
Back again Marie

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: Joybell
Date: 30 Mar 09 - 03:34 AM

Funny -- This thread has been doing strange things.
refresh
Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: Crowhugger
Date: 25 Mar 09 - 09:14 PM

For me it'll be For Pete's Sake Ring Day -- May 3/09 will be the annual fundraising concert date for one of the handbell choirs in which I ring. This year's theme is rhythm, and I'll definitely be ringing one out for Pete.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 11:49 PM

I need to go to Folk College first.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: Joybell
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 05:57 PM

Pamela, we'll think of all of you as we sing here in the bush in Australia.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 05:19 PM

See the above for news of events in Boston, Washington DC, and other places around the Northeast USA...

Energy is gathering for the For Pete's Sake Sing in Ithaca, NY.
We'll be in Stewart Park, right on the edge of Cayuga Lake.
A web site has been mounted and we're getting an email list together.
Should be a great time - join us if you're in the Finger Lakes.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: eddie1
Date: 24 Mar 09 - 04:17 AM

As the topic "For Pete's Sake Sing!" has come up again, perhaps I should revive this.

Eddie

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: Joybell
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 06:18 PM

Hall booked.
Open invitation to anyone able to come to Victoria, Australia -- in the Western District.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: GUEST,EBarnacle on a friend's computer
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 10:46 AM

Pete, Tao, Arlo, Bruce S., et al will be giving a concert that weekend to celebrate in NYC. Tickets will be on sale tomorrow.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 02:03 AM

Because it's a Sunday, we can have a special on our radio show, Folk on Sunday, here in NZ.
Robyn

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 10:22 PM

Thanks and welcome, Marie!

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: Joybell
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 08:37 PM

That was so quick. Thanks, Marie. I can contact Marie for anyone who is interested.
And there's a concert in Penshurst, Victoria, Australia.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: GUEST,Guest Marie Goonan
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 08:19 PM

American singer-songwriter Pete Seeger turns ninety on Sunday 3rd of May this year. People around the world are being encouraged to get together and sing in groups, large and small, in homes or halls, to celebrate his lifelong contribution to making the world a better place through singing, music and activism. Folk can simply get out records and/or CD's and sing along on the day but let the organisers know that you are doing this.

This idea started in Melbourne and is beginning to catch on around the globe. It is early days yet but there are concerts or singalongs planned in Copenhagen Denmark and country Victoria in Corryong and Mallacoota, in Melbourne and many places in the USA.

If you want more information about Pete Seeger's achievements and about the For Pete's Sake Sing Singalongs Email Marie.   If you let Marie Goonan know she will add your happening to the list.

Subject: For Pete's Sake Sing Day - Pete's 90th
From: Joybell
Date: 21 Mar 09 - 08:07 PM

Marie Goonan, of Melbourne, Australia, will come in and tell us all about her idea for Pete Seeger's 90th birthday.
Here you go Marie
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Feb 09 - 06:43 PM

Hi all! The Folk Song Society of Greater Boston (Massachusetts, USA) will be participating in this world-wide celebration by having a Pete-themed singing party from 3-6pm at Doyle's Cafe' in Jamaica Plain. Everyone is welcome to join us!

More info will be on our website soon: www.fssgb.org

---

Threads combined. Most of the messages below are from a new thread.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 07:35 PM

I'll be in San Francisco for a few days, intersecting with May 3. Anything going on there for Pete's Sake?

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: GUEST,Sue the Borderer
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 04:06 PM

Hi VirginiaTam

I shall be at Rochester Sweeps in May (dancing with Exmoor Border) and would be honoured to join with you in singing This Land.

Sue the Borderer away from home

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: Fidjit
Date: 13 Feb 09 - 11:16 AM

Working on something similar here

Chas

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: KathWestra
Date: 12 Feb 09 - 11:23 AM

I'll see if I can drum up some FSGW support for having the monthly Open Sing (actually on Friday evening the 1st) be a "For Pete's Sake Sing!" topic. Great idea!

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Feb 09 - 10:31 AM

May 3rd will be the Sunday of Upton Folk Festival (links from here)

I will see if the organisers have any views on celebrating. Worth a try.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: Joybell
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 08:00 PM

I'll be checking in with Marie next week -- in Melbourne. We'll do something out here in the Western District of Victoria, but I don't know what yet.
True-love, like many here, went through that time in the States. Plays down the risks he took. Came close to being killed in Mississippi.
Yes -- I want to organize something.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 11 Feb 09 - 03:43 PM

So, another week has passed... is anyone planning For Pete's Sake events?
If you're in the region of Ithaca, New York, stop by Stewart Park
anytime from 12 Noon to 6pm for singing and sharing food.
We'd love to have any traveling troubadors... or, inspire others to do the same.

peace, Pamela

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: GUEST,Pamela from Ithaca
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 09:12 PM

What a fabulous idea! I've got it in my calendar and will host a
singing party here in Ithaca, NY (USA). Pete Seeger and the Sloop Clearwater
were an integral part of my growing up along the Hudson. My parents took me to the folk
picnics up and down the river, long before the big Clearwater Festival started.
I had the rare experience of seeing Pete and his banjo multiple times every summer.
I listened to The Weavers records until I wore the grooves down, and then
I listened some more. It's not a stretch to say that I wouldn't be who I am
without Pete in my life... and now his grandson Tao. To see him sing at the
Inauguration was a heart opening thrill. And yes, I knew exactly what it meant.
There were still folks in my town who remembered ( and took part in)
the Peekskill Riot.

peace, Pamela

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: Pistachio
Date: 05 Feb 09 - 12:12 PM

Forgiven!
at least it'll go back to the top now... and lets' keep it there!
Hazel

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 10:41 AM

oops

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 02 Feb 09 - 10:38 AM

For Pete's Sake Sing

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: mkebenn
Date: 01 Feb 09 - 04:39 PM

Thank You, I'm in. Mike

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: The Sandman
Date: 01 Feb 09 - 03:57 PM

thanks, I enjoyed it .Pete Seeger , a Hero .

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: Pistachio
Date: 01 Feb 09 - 03:41 PM

Brill, what a great idea. Message passed on.
H.x

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: eddie1
Date: 01 Feb 09 - 07:50 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: GUEST,Andymac
Date: 31 Jan 09 - 05:32 AM

I've never seen Pete Seeger in concert but have found him to be a profound influence on my singing and politics for a long time. I should be at the Girvan Folk Festival that weekend and I know there is a talk and show by Alastair Hulett planned on Pete Seeger for that weekend.
Hopefully it'll be on that day but I am certain there will be many of "his" songs (although I am convinced they are everyone's in reality) sung that weekend.

Andymac
(too much of a hurry to comment to bother logging in)

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 31 Jan 09 - 01:43 AM

Last night on BBC4 I watched documentary Folk America - which had details about the McCarthy era and how it impacted Pete Seeger among many other folk singers.

On the heels of seeing that documentary, this YouTube video had me weeping. Remembering the struggle those singers experienced. Exposing the inequity and singing about the social struggle is the foundation and frame upon which folk music is built.

I am an American now living and folking in the UK. In US schools when I was a child and teen in the late 60s through mid 70s we were taught the safe version of This Land. But never taught what any of it meant or why it came about. There was no link to the life of Woody Guthrie, the Dust Bowl, The Great Depression, Migrant Workers, no history to accompany this song. What a pity. I hope they are teaching it in the schools today. AND I hope they are teaching ALL of the verses.

Re For Pete's Sake - Sing! day. I will be at Rochester Sweeps in Kent, UK. I will try to remember to mention it in sessions there and perhaps sing This Land.


Thank you Eddie for starting this thread.

Tamara

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: KT
Date: 31 Jan 09 - 01:07 AM

Thanks for the link, Eddie! I loved it. Great idea!

KT

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: Joybell
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 11:01 PM

We're in. One way or another. What a wonderful idea.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: GUEST,guesty
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 10:26 AM

Brilliant idea. I loved that video.
Showed it to my children, as my parents played me Pete's records when I was a child.
A privilege.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: EBarnacle
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 10:24 AM

I'll ask some of Pete's friends to join in.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: Maryrrf
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 10:21 AM

What an inspiring video - it almost makes me wish I'd been at the inauguration.

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: breezy
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 07:27 AM

Great idea

Subject: RE: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 06:10 AM

Thanks for this! It's on my calendar, let's get the word out!

Dani

Subject: For Pete's Sake - Sing!
From: eddie1
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 05:53 AM

Before you read any further, please do give this a look and listen.

This Land Is Your Land

I'm not American but watching this was a mind-blowing experience and brought a lump to my throat. Whatever you might think about the idea of Pete being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, you must accept his status as a stalwart for folk music, the power of song and love of his fellow man.

On 3rd May 2009, Pete will be 90. Linked to the campaign for the Nobel prize is a move to have that date designated "For Pete's Sake - Sing!

"Marie Goonan, an activist in Melbourne, Australia, suggested that May 3, 2009, Pete's 90th birthday, be designated as "For Pete's Sake, Sing!" with concerts coordinated around the world. She is producing a concert in Melbourne, another is being planned in Copenhagen, Denmark, and several are planned in the US of A. Big production is not the issue: just imagine what a thrill it would be to know that thousands of people around the world are coming together on one day to join voices for peace, justice, the environment, and honor to a model of personal integrity."

Some of you may already have plans around this but if not, why not get involved. Suggest to your local folk club that they could have a For Pete's Sake - Sing! night on or around 3rd May. Contact your local radio station about a programme featuring Pete and his songs,
Even just include a few of Pete's songs in your performance if you're gigging around that date.

As Marie says above, it's not about big productions - it's far more about the folk world coming together to recognise someone who has given us so much.

For me, I'm devoting the whole 3 hours of my radio programme, "On The Road Again" between 1000 and 1300 UK time on Thursday 30th April to songs of Pete Seeger. Blast1386


Readifolk, the folk club here in Reading, England have set the evening of 3rd May for a concert of Pete's songs.

I'm sure there will be those who disagree with this idea but I hope there will be lots who do!

Eddie