Scenes from The Clearwater Festival: Great Hudson River Revival. Festivalgoers
enjoy music along the shores of the Hudson River. [Photos by Augusto Menezes]
The banks of the Hudson River at
Among the anticipated musical highlights on Saturday are performances by acoustic guitarist extraordinaire Leo Kottke, the naturalistic, world-jazz sounds of the Paul Winter Consort, and a Woody Guthrie tribute featuring the festival’s founder, folksinger-songwriter and activist Pete Seeger, along with the Hudson Valley’s Hope Machine, Rick Nestler and Vanaver Caravan.
Bruce Cockburn, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Leo Kottke
Folks from north of the border will be featured on Sunday — including Bruce Cockburn, the politically charged Canadian folk-rocker, whose career spans five decades; Buffy Sainte-Marie, a Native American singer-songwriter and social activist, whose song “Universal Soldier” was an anthem for the peace movement; and alt-country rockers Cowboy Junkies, who will close out the night on the Rainbow Stage. Traditional multi-instrumentalist Bruce Molsky and his band, along with banjo player Tony Trischka, also are slated to perform on Sunday afternoon, as is the rootsy Americana trio Red Molly. And Pete Seeger will join the Raging Grannies as they sing their hearts out to “Put an End to War.”
A number of artists will be performing solo or as part of song circles and song swaps both days, including Hope Machine and the harmonic duo Aztec Two-Step. Visitors on both Saturday and Sunday also can enjoy the rousing South African rhythms of Sharon Katz & the Peace Train and the gypsy jazz sounds of the John Jorgenson Quintet. A dance tent also will be going full-swing both days with various types of music, while storytellers will be weaving tales and telling yarns at the Story Grove all weekend.
The Clearwater Festival is designed to be educational, as well as entertaining, and to focus attention on protecting 
our environment. “Wouldn’t it be nice if addressing environmental challenges were fun?” muses New Jersey troubadour Spook Handy, who will be performing at the festival throughout the weekend. “Wait a minute! It is fun. And the Great Hudson River Revival exemplifies this attitude,” he continues. … “What I love above this festival and about Clearwater in general is the spirit of celebrating this gift we call Earth – enjoying its beauty and bounty in a responsible, renewable way. How do you do that? Through education, community and celebration. This is what this festival is about.”
Produced by and benefiting the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc., a nonprofit, member-supported organization launched by Pete Seeger and others to preserve and protect the Hudson River and its tributaries, the festival celebrates environmental activism and education. It features a Green Living Expo, waterfront activities, environmental workshops and exhibits, and booths run by educational and activist organizations. The Sloop Clearwater and Schooner Pioneer will also be there during the weekend, affording visitors the opportunity to sail on the Hudson.
Clearwater Festival tickets are $40/day and $55/weekend in advance. At the gate, ticket prices will be $5 higher. For more information and to order tickets, visit www.clearwater.org/festival.html.
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