Poughkeepsie Journal, Feature >>
The Hudson Valley and New Orleans, you might say, share several similarities.
Both regions played pivotal roles in the evolution of American history. Both have been dramatically shaped by water — the Hudson River and Atlantic Ocean in our region and the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico in New Orleans. And both have given birth to some of the richest culture in the world.
The Hudson Valley can boast very proudly of the Hudson River School of Art, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair held in August 1969 and the community of musicians that continues to define our area with gigs at historic venues such as The Chance in Poughkeepsie and the Bearsville Theater in the Town of Woodstock.
And, put quite simply, there is no city in the world more closely identified with jazz than New Orleans. But the city in Louisiana is also known for the funky, rhythm based-swamp sounds of the Neville Brothers, who carved out a musical identity that is hard to corner, in terms of a description.
These two regions of the country are set to come together this weekend when Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk performs at Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival, the annual fundraising festival held by Clearwater, the Beacon-based environmental organization.
The Clearwater festival — the organization was founded by Dutchess Junction folk singer Pete Seeger and the festival will feature many bands — is set for Saturday and Sunday at Croton Point Park, on the Westchester County Hudson River shore.
Along with the music, the festival features information on environmental initiatives, social issues and sustainability issues affecting Hudson River communities, boat rides, activities for children, crafts and fine art, and more.
“I’m hip to him,” Neville, who was born and raised in New Orleans, and is the son of legendary musician Aaron Neville, said of Seeger. “He’s done some amazing music — absolutely. He’s a kind of troubadour. That’s a whole other reason for being up there. It’s a special thing.”
Along with Dumpstaphunk, Seeger and Lorre Wyatt, Mavis Staples, Kris Kristofferson, Son Volt, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Jill Sobule and David Amram are among the many musicians scheduled to perform.
06/14/13 >> go there