By Mabel Pais
“….(Arlo’s) concerts are “a magical cornucopia of well-crafted songs, homespun humor, and stories of the past,”
– Modern Guitars Magazine
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents “ArloGuthrie– Alice’s Restaurant”Back By Popular Demand Tour on Sunday September 29th at 3:00 p.m.
ALICE’S RESTAURANT
Folk music icon ArloGuthriebrings his new tour, an unforgettable concert that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the big-screen “Alice’s Restaurant”LP.
Back in 1967, a 19-year-old ArloGuthriereleased “Alice’s Restaurant,which included “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,”an 18-minute folk song that helped foster an entire generation’s commitment to social consciousness and activism. In 1969, esteemed director Arthur Penn turned “Alice’s Restaurant” into a now classic movie in which Guthrieplayed himself. That same year, Guthrieperformed at Woodstock, where he showcased “Coming into Los Angeles,”another of his timeless hits, featured on the multi-platinum soundtrack to the “Woodstock” concert film.
THE CHURCH – THE GUTHRIE CENTER
In 1991 Arlo purchased the old Trinity Church. It was Thanksgiving 1965 that events took place at the church which inspired Arlo to write the song “Alice’s Restaurant”. Named for his parents, The Guthrie Center is a not-for-profit interfaith church foundation dedicated to providing a wide range of local and international services. Its outreach programs include everything from providing HIV/AIDS services to baking cookies with a local service organization; an HD walk-a-thon to raise awareness and money for a cure for Huntington’s Disease, and offering a place simply to meditate.
The Guthrie Foundation is a separate not-for-profit educational organization that addresses issues such as the environment, health care, cultural preservation and educational exchange. The center hosts a wide variety of activities including The Troubadour Series which brings entertainers from all over the world to perform during the summer. August 2018 – Arlo & Family began to live stream his “Talkin’ Series” so that people everywhere could enjoy the shows wherever they were. Guest artists, friends and family joined Arlo onstage for these special performances, with music, discussion and some archival material displayed on the “Far Back Machine.” The shows are available through FaceBook.
Photos / Courtesy, NJPAC.
In the decades since, Guthriehas remained an undisputed hero of American folk music. “An hour and a half in the presence of ArloGuthrieis like receiving the most enjoyable and authoritative master class on 20th-century American folk music one could possibly have,” says ‘The Independent.’ His concerts are “a magical cornucopia of well-crafted songs, homespun humor, and stories of the past,” says ‘Modern Guitars Magazine.’
For this “Alice’s Restaurant” tour, Guthriewill be joined by longtime collaborators Terry “A La Berry” Hall (drums), Steve Ide (guitar, vocals) and Carol Ide (vocals, percussion). The evening will open with a performance by Arlo’s daughter, singer-songwriter Sarah Lee Guthrie.
For more on Arlo Guthrie, “Rising Son Records” (RSR) and The Guthrie Center & Foundation, visit arloguthrie.com
For Tickets to see ArloGuthrievisit the NJPACBox Office or NJPAC.org or call 888.GO.NJPAC(888.466.5722).
ABOUT NJPAC
For more information on NJPAC, visit www.njpac.orgor call 888.GO.NJPAC(888.466.5722).
Get Social! Follow NJPACOnline:
Website: http://www.njpac.org/
Twitter: @NJPAC
Hashtag: #NJPAC
Facebook: facebook.com/NJPAC
YouTube: NJPACtv
(Mabel Paiswrites on the Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness. She can be reached at mabelep1406@gmail.com)