Woodstock 1969\u2019s Co-Producer and Co-Founder Michael Lang announced recently the return of the legendary Woodstock Music & Arts Fair for its official 50th anniversary celebration. Woodstock 1969 was billed as \u201c3 Days of Peace & Music,\u201d and 50 years later, Woodstock 50 will give generations of fans the opportunity to join together in the festival\u2019s foundational intent of harmony and compassion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three-day event will take place from Friday, Aug. 16 through Sunday, Aug. 18 in Watkins Glen \u2013 located in Upstate New York. Lang has put together a world-class team for curation and onsite festival production. Woodstock 50 will be the only authorized commemoration of the iconic 1969 festival and will feature an amazing lineup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To commemorate the movement that defined a generation of youth, a limited number of discounted pre-sale tickets will be available to college students ages 18-25, by the end of January. The lineup and general on-sale information will be announced over the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s time to put the speculation to rest and officially announce that Woodstock 50 is happening,\u201d said Lang, adding, \u201cThe original festival in \u201869 was a reaction by the youth of the time to the causes we felt compelled to fight for – civil rights, women\u2019s rights, and the antiwar movement, and it gave way to our mission to share peace, love and music. Today, we\u2019re experiencing similar disconnects in our country, and one thing we\u2019ve learned is that music has the power to bring people together. So, it\u2019s time to bring the Woodstock spirit back, get involved and make our voices heard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 1,000 acres of greenfield at Watkins Glen International and the surrounding area will make for ample space for attendees to enjoy in revelry and community, and expansive stages primed for one-of-a-kind performances. The festival grounds will also feature lodging experiences for tents, RVs, vans, and more premium camping options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe original site in Bethel is wonderful, but much too small for what we\u2019re envisioning,\u201d said Lang. \u201cWatkins Glen International gives us the ability to create something unlike any other commemorative event and something uniquely Woodstock,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watkins Glen International also has a place in music festival history as the home to Summer Jam in 1973. \u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful location and an ideal site,\u201d said Lang, noting that when he first saw it, he felt \u201can immediate emotional connection to the land.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The festival will have three main stages, bringing together more than 60 of the biggest names and emerging talent in rock, hip hop, pop and country. Music fans can expect current artists and unique collaborations, but also tribute performances breathing new life into some of Woodstock\u2019s iconic moments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt will be primarily contemporary talent, but the legacy acts will be represented and honored,\u201d said Lang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in true Woodstock form, a key element of the 50th anniversary festival will be matching music with purpose \u2013 specifically sustainability and advocacy. Nonprofit and cause-driven organizations will be a big part of the experience, with programming and activations onsite, including screenings, panels and art installations. Highly curated \u2018neighborhoods\u2019 will feature more intimate and unique experiences \u2013 with art forms from music to comedy, spoken word to film and amazing food offerings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Woodstock 50th Anniversary will be about sharing an experience with great artists and encouraging people to get educated and involved in the social issues impacting everyone on the planet,\u201d said Lang. \u201cIt\u2019s so inspiring to see young people today channeling their passion into causes they care about. That\u2019s something that\u2019s always been a part of Woodstock\u2019s mission, and it\u2019s a big focus at the 50th festival.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lang will be working hand-in-hand with Schuyler County and local and state agencies to bring Woodstock 50 to life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to offer heartfelt thanks in advance to the State Police, Sheriff\u2019s Department and the entire Schuyler County Administration, State Department of Health, and of course the governor of this great state, which has embraced the Woodstock legacy,\u201d said Lang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added, \u201cWe feel we have the right team in place and look forward to working with all of the agencies to create a successful and historic event for the state of New York and Schuyler County.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Woodstock 50th anniversary logo was created by award-winning Los Angeles-based artist Kii Arens. Arens\u2019 artistic career began when he became Michael Lang’s assistant for the 1994 Woodstock Festival. He has created poster and branding work for Coachella, The Hollywood Bowl, and hundreds of musicians across all genres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Woodstock 50th anniversary is being produced under license from Woodstock Ventures. Woodstock Ventures was founded by Michael Lang, Joel Rosenman and the late John Roberts. Together, the co-founders, along with Artie Kornfeld, produced the historic 1969 Woodstock Festival. Kornfeld will be rejoining the team to celebrate and put together Woodstock 50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n