7th Annual Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration
Marking His 74th Birthday
An All-Star Evening of Music
to Benefit Family’s Crisis Hotline and John Herald Fund
Sunday, May 24th, 2015
Bearsville Theater
291 Tinker St, Woodstock, NY
On Sunday, May 24th some of the finest musicians in the Hudson Valley will join together for the 7th Annual Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration, interpreting the songs of Bob Dylan. The concert is a benefit for Family of Woodstock’s Crisis Hotline and the John Herald Fund for musicians in need, and will take place at the Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY, doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm. Performers confirmed at press time include: Happy Traum, Cindy Cash dollar, Jules Shear & Pal Shazar, Jerry Marotta, Marc Black, Sarah Fimm, The Stacks, Lindsey Webster, Eric Redd, Zach Djanikian, Tim Moore, Kyle Esposito, Sin City with more special guests to be announced.
2015 marks the 50th anniversary of Dylan’s album, Bringing It All Back Home, which is considered by some to have been the spark that ignited the music of the 1960’s -marking the moment that Dylan became electric. Not only was Dylan’s sound breaking new ground but some say the artwork on the album sleeve changed the concept of album art. Shot in the foyer of Blithewood manor across the river at Bard College, thecover features Dylan looking straight ahead and Sally Grossman, wife of Dylan’s manager Albert Grossman, lounging in the background. Among other things, Albert Grossman built the Bearsville complex which includes the Bearsville Theater (he’s buried on the grounds).
During the late 60’s and early 70’s, flocks of young people descended on the area in search of the mythical Woodstock Nation of song and legend…many of them also seeking Bob Dylan, who lived in Woodstock with his young family.As more hippies began to settle in Woodstock, some residents started complaining and police began patrolling the Trailways bus stop, intimidating and often turning them away. Lots of kids turned up looking for Dylan. Kids were sleeping on lawns, using drugs, getting arrested and sent to jail. Bob Dylan writes in his 2004 memoir, Chronicles, Volume One, “Road maps to our homestead must have been posted in all 50 states for gangs of dropouts and druggies…”The constant disruptions led Dylan to flee with his family to New York City.
It was during (and because of) those turbulent times that Family of Woodstock was born. Formed by a group of volunteers committed to helping those who had lost their way and led by founding member Gail Varsi who told police, “If there’s a problem -c all me – 679-2485.” That was in 1970 and it’s still the number for Family of Woodstock’s Crisis Hotline& Walk-in Center at 16 Rock City Road in Woodstock.
Family of Woodstock’s motto is: “Any problem under the sun”. Among the services they provide are: suicide prevention; child care services; HIV/AIDS services; domestic violence services for the abused, their children and their batterers; 24-hour hotline and walk-in centers in Ellenville, New Paltz and Woodstock; services and shelters for homeless adults, families and teens; food pantries; transitional living programs, as well as advocacy and assistance in family court and with domestic violence cases in criminal court.
“Unfortunately, the times haven’t changed much when it comes to people in need” says Crisis Hotline Program Director, Tamara Cooper. “Last year’s concert raised much needed funds for our 24-hour program at 16 Rock City Road in Woodstock, and we are so grateful to all of the musicians and everyone involved in putting this benefit together.”
The Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration has sold out 6 years in a row. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.bearsvilletheater.com or by phone: 845-679-4406. Ticket prices are: $100/Golden Circle (includes 5 raffle tickets); Reserved: $65/$45; General/Standing: $25. Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win prizes including a signed photograph of Bob Dylan by famed Woodstock photographer, Elliott Landy and a signed poster by Milton Glaser. The Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration is sponsored by Radio Woodstock 100.1
Bio’s and other information can be found at the musician’s respective websites:
Happy Traum www.happytraum.com
Cindy Cashdollar www.cindycashdollar.com
Jules Shear & Pal Shazar www.shear-shazar.com
Jerry Marotta www.jerrymarotta.com
Sarah Fimm www.sarahfimm.com
The Stacks www.thestacksmusic.com
Lindsey Webster www.lindseywebstermusic.com
Eric Redd www.ericredd.com
Marc Black www.marcblack.com
Zach Djanikian www.facebook.com/zach.djanikian
Kyle Esposito
Sin City
