Pete Seeger: The Power of Song

Tuesday, May 3, 7pm

Tickets:  $10 members/ $12 nonmembers

May 3 would’ve been the 100th birthday of folk pioneer Pete Seeger.  To celebrate, Fogartyville Community Media and Art Center will present a screening of the award-winning documentary Pete Seeger: The Power of Song.  The event will be hosted by local singer/songwriter Robert Killian.  Killian previously served on the Clearwater and proceeds from this event will go to support the mission of the Clearwater to educate and motivate new generations of environmental leaders to preserve and protect our earth!  

Clearwater was founded by Pete Seeger, legendary musician, singer, songwriter, folklorist, activist, environmentalist, peace advocate, and one of the most influential people of the twentieth century. In 1966, in despair over the pollution of his beloved Hudson River, Seeger announced plans to “build a boat to save the river.”  At the time, the Hudson was rank with raw sewage, toxic chemicals and oil pollution; fish had disappeared over many miles of its length. Seeger, along with many other concerned individuals, believed a majestic replica of the sloops that sailed the Hudson in the 18th and 19th centuries would bring people to the river where they could experience its beauty and be moved to preserve it. Inspired by that vision, the organization began with the launch of the sloop Clearwater in 1969 —a majestic 106-foot long replica vessel.

In Pete Seeger: The Power of Song, Director Jim Brown documents the life of one of the greatest American singer/songwriters of the last century. Pete Seeger was the architect of the folk revival, writing some of its best known songs including Where Have All the Flowers Gone, Turn, Turn, Turn and If I Had A Hammer. Largely misunderstood and criticized for his strong beliefs he was picketed, protested, blacklisted, and, in spite of his enormous popularity, banned from commercial television for more than 17 years. Musicians including Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Natalie Maines, and Peter, Paul and Mary appear in this intimate portrait and discuss Seeger’s lasting influence on the fabric of American music.