Pete Seeger’s vision and desire to clean up the Hudson River in the 1960s prompted a series of riverside concerts to help raise funds to “build a boat to save the river.” The banjo case was laid open to accept contributions, and this was the start of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater that also laid the foundations for the Great Hudson River Revival.
This year’s Great Hudson River Revival will honor Pete and Toshi Seeger, cofounders of the festival and organization. Performers to pay tribute include Norah Jones with Puss N Boots (Jones, Sasha Dobson, Catherine Popper); singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright; alternative country/swing band The Mavericks; jam band moe.; guitarist and singer Richard Thompson; Martin Sexton; Josh Ritter; David Bromberg’s Big Band; Dar Williams; soul diva Bettye LaVette; indie jazz/soul band Lake Street Dive, and ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro.
The Clearwater Festival takes place June 21 and 22, at Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson.
Purchase tickets at ClearwaterFestival.org or 877-435-9849. Clearwater members receive a 20 percent discount with advance purchase. Kids 12 and under free. Gates open at 9 a.m. both days.
