As part of the Count Basie Theatre's recent screening of nine classic films to mark its nine decades of existence prior to closing in June for a four-month renovation, I enjoyed the Oscar-winning documentary film, Woodstock, one evening in May.  Being a HUGE music fan and having never seen the film from start to finish, I was overwhelmed by the experience, not only of seeing it on the big screen accompanied by one of the most vital soundtracks of any motion picture in the past 50 years, but also by The Experience itself.  It was then that I realized two things: a) Bethel, NY, is not very far from Red Bank, and b) I really needed to get out of town...at least for a night!

Being more than a little hooked on instant information, I hopped online later that evening and was overjoyed to discover that not only could I visit the actual site on which the culture-changing festival took place in 1969, but that in recent years, cable magnate (and Sullivan County native) Alan Gerry purchased 2,000 acres of property in the vicinity and preserved it, and also founded the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts there, and as part of the complex, has built a first-class performing arts center hosting acts like those one might see at the icky PNC venue down thisaway, complete with covered pavilion plus lawn seating (capacity: ~15,000).  And just when I thought it couldn't possibly get any better, I also discovered that on June 3 (less than a month away!), The Museum at Bethel Woods was scheduled to open, featuring the following exhibits:

The Museum at Bethel Woods explores the unique experience of the Woodstock festival, its significance as the culminating event of a decade of radical cultural transformation, and the legacies of the Sixties and Woodstock today. Through personal stories and profiles, immersive multi-media exhibit displays and experiences, engaging programs, and educational events, The Museum will encourage inter-generational dialogue about important ideas and issues relevant to today. It will also help preserve the historic site on which the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair took place. The Museum at Bethel Woods is an impressive facility with over 10,000 square feet of permanent exhibit space, a special exhibit gallery, Events Gallery and museum retail store.

I decided the only way to play this would be to see a concert, spend the night, and then do the museum the next day.  I was also determined to try and catch an artist who had actually performed at the original 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Fair.  It turns out that other alumni have already done so, including Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, and Crosby, Stills and Nash.  And sure enough, I checked this year's lineup, and Joe Cocker was scheduled to open for the Steve Miller Band on Sunday, July 13.  Perfect!

I excitedly told some friends and they all eagerly jumped on board, so with that, last weekend, we hopped into Kathy's Prius and made the pilgrimage to Bethel, NY, a short 2½ hour drive from Red Bank.  After checking in to our el cheapo Super 8 motel rooms in Monticello, we drove the short (15 miles) distance to the Town of White Lake, Village of Bethel, and entered the hallowed grounds for a most excellent pre-show tailgate party.

While the sun shone for most of the afternoon, by close to gate time, clouds began to overtake the sky, and with our lawn seat tickets firmly in hand, we couldn't help but ask ourselves the million dollar question: Would it rain?  We wandered inside close to showtime, rented ourselves some chairs (high or low, take your pick for 5 bucks), set up shop at the top of the lawn, and sure enough, it began to pour about two songs into Joe Cocker's set, and didn't let up the entire time!  It was awesome.  We all looked at each other and said, "I guess it wouldn't be Woodstock if it didn't rain, right?"  

I had plenty of raingear, including a giant poncho I'd purchased recently, but one of us had just a jacket with no water resistance whatsoever, no hat, no umbrella, and a long cotton dress to boot.  She was completely drowned, but like most of us, remained in excellent spirits, as it was a warm summer rain.  Plus, those who'd had enough could take refuge under a large nearby concession tent.

Does this image look a bit familiar...evoking another time, another place, another album cover?

On Monday, we visited the Museum, which was as interesting as you might imagine.  While two hours is the recommended tour duration for most people, we took nearly four, as we had a tendency to read every panel, watch every video clip, and interact with every display.  Highly recommended.  

And just before we departed for the easy ride home, we paid homage to the area of the grounds where the original stage and audience field had been, and inspected the monument permanently installed there a few years back.  To me, this was the true highlight of the visit: to be where they had been.  To me, this is sacred soil, on an easy par with Paris' Père Lachaise Cemetery, the Dakota sidewalk on Central Park West, or Abbey Road Studios.  For those three fateful August days nearly 40 years ago, THIS was where it all took place.

You can just imagine those thousands of people on the hill, can't you?

You can see where the stage was; it's that mound of grassless dirt just above the monument and beneath the trees in the picture below:

For someone like myself for whom music is so meaningful, it was really a special trip.  It will surely be interesting to see what events--authorized or other--crop up in recognition of next year's 40th Anniversary celebration.  I may just have to set my soul free once again in 2009!

P.S.:

As an aside: Overall, the Woodstock trip was a cheap little mini vacation.  We got a special four-pack on the concert tix, so they were only $25 each, the museum was only $15 ($13 at the door but we bought online), the hotel was $65 (each), and the gas and tolls was only $5 each (thanks, Prius!).  If I didn't eat or drink (hehehe, fat chance!), it would have only been $100.  But we BYO'd most of our food and drink anyway, only having one meal up there: lunch at the Museum Bistro, and that was only ten bucks.

P.P.S.:

Not bad photos for a BlackBerry camera phone, eh?