Woodstock 'father' Artie Kornfeld comes to LFJCC March 10

SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– The Gotthelf Art Gallery, part of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus, has announced An Evening with Artie “The Father of Woodstock” Kornfeld, March 10, 2010 at 7:30pm.  Tickets are $15-$18 and are on sale now.

Rock music writer & producer Artie Kornfeld (who along with Mike Lang) created the legendary Woodstock Music & Art Fair from an idea that came at 2am in the morning after a bumper pool game and a few marijuana joints.  

“Never did I think that what started as an idealistic conversation among friends would become part of history” and what Rolling Stone magazine describes as one of the top moments that changed the history of rock ‘n roll.

“On the weekend of August 15th, 1969 an estimated 500,000 people from all over America descended on the 600-acre dairy farm of Max Yasgur, in Bethel, New York, for a three-day concert, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair.  On Monday, August 18th, they all melted back into America after witnessing legendary performances by, among others, the Who, Santana, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joe Cocker, Sly and the Family Stone, Jimi Hendrix and, in only their second live show together, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.  

Despite delays, the danger of electrical shocks and general backstage anarchy, Woodstock pulled off the ultimate magic act of the 1960’s: turning utter rain-soaked chaos into the greatest rock festival ever and the decade’s most famous and successful experiment in peace and community.”  Rolling Stone Magazine.  Artie Kornfeld will share rock and roll stories and musical insight.  A co-producer of Woodstock at the age of 26,  Kornfeld has continued in the music business for over 40 years and worked with many of rock and roll’s most famous icons. 

fKornfeld is coming to La Jolla to celebrate the opening of Jews Rock! A Phototgraphic Celebration of Rock ‘n Roll’s Jewish Heritage.  A great deal is known about the contributions of Jewish actors, comedians, politicians and others.  More than 60 years after the birth of rock and roll, the importance of Jews in the evolution and popularity of this genre of contemporary music is a joyous discovery that deserves recognition.  Rock ‘n roll as an art form matters.  Being Jewish in rock ‘n roll matters.  Jews Rock! reveals key Jewish icons through the award winning photographs of photojournalist Janet Macoska.   Macoska, will also share highlights she has witnessed from behind her camera. 

The evening will be moderated by Dirk Sutro, the publicity director for UC San Diego’s Department of Music.  He is the former host of The Lounge, a nightly arts & culture program on KPBS-FM public radio, and is the author of the book Jazz for Dummies.

 Macoska and Kornfeld will participate in a book signing after the program.
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Preceding provided by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture