Woodstock’s 40th Anniversary Unites Musicians and Fine Artists for World Peace

2009-06-19 13:47:55 - Woodstock is turning 40 this year, and one of the premiere commemorative festivals this summer will be in America’s heartland, near Davis, Oklahoma.

Davis, OK June 18, 2009 --

WoodFest Productions LLC, headed by Dave Weisser, will produce a 3-day outdoor event titled WoodFest ’09 in association with Musicians and Fine Artists for World Peace (MFAWP) at the 60-acre Washita Hideaway from August 14-16, 2009, a weekend which matches that of the original and legendary Woodstock concert in New York forty years ago.

Weisser, who hails from Broken Arrow, OK, says the event will present the best of today’s tribute bands immortalizing key artists of the ‘60s era such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Santana, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Grateful Dead, and Stevie Nicks.

"Simply put, Woodstock was the best concert of all time and so much more. The government had so completely alienated the youth, and through some magic combination of events, that shared alienation became the very center of a whole new movement, truly of-, by- and for the people," says Weisser. (www.woodfest09.com)

The difference with this event, Weisser says, is that this time it’s for the kids. The WoodFest ’09 team has set a goal to raise $100,000 for children’s charities, via ticket sales and sponsorships. Currently on board are Brookside Studios and Media Development, and Geek Rescue.

The association between WoodFest ’09 and MFAWP was initiated by a flower child in Hollywood, consultant/writer Suzanne J. Graeber. Following finalization of the association with Woodfest ’09, MFAWP founder Alan Moore said, “Woodstock was a statement to the world that humanity had evolved and was coming together through peace, love and spirituality. It is beautiful that an event whose original intent was to make money became the largest free festival in history."

Moore confirms that in addition to top tribute bands, the festival will also feature appearances by some of the 3000+ members of MFAWP (www.myspace.com/Musiciansforpeace). Most notably, singer/songwriter Essra Mohawk, who was connected with the original Woodstock, who sang with The Jerry Garcia Band, and who was the first woman in Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. Additional artists are still being invited to the event, and will be announced on the organizations’ respective websites as they are confirmed.

Mohawk shared, “I’m really looking forward to WoodFest ’09! It’s time to bring back that peace-loving spirit that was born in the glorious ‘60s; it’s time to manifest the dream we all shared then. There is no better time than now to bring music, art and peace to children and people of all ages who are hungry for a better, kinder world. Music has the power to move the world, open hearts and lift spirits, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen at WoodFest in Oklahoma on August 14-16, 2009.” (www.essramohawk.com)

Moore, who also founded the Butterfly Gardeners Association in 1993, will conduct a commemorative Butterfly Release at WoodFest ’09, as he did in 1997 at the Woodstock Reunion in Bethel, New York. Moore promotes butterflies as messengers of peace and harmony, and utilizes them as peace education tools for children. Moore has conducted numerous symbolic butterfly releases, most recently last November, when he and conceptual artist Daniel Dancer of Oregon turned two hundred kids at Presidio Middle School, SF, into a Mission Blue butterfly in the school courtyard as part of a living painting.

"What was called 'flower power' back then is evolving into 'butterfly power' now and being embraced by even more people than embraced the peace and love generation of the ’60s," says Moore. "When Joni Mitchell wrote the lyrics to her Woodstock song, 'By the time we got to Woodstock, we were half a million strong and everywhere was song and celebration. And I dreamed I saw the bombers riding shotgun in the sky, turning into butterflies above our nation,’ it was more than inspirational, it was truly prophetic," Moore adds.

WoodFest ’09 will also feature exhibits that promote the Green movement and Environmental Awareness. Tickets sales info and event details are available on the WoodFest ’09 website after June 16th, 2009.

Event Details:
WoodFest ’09 Music & Arts Festival
August 14-16, 2009
The Washita Hideaway
Davis, Oklahoma
I-35 (exit 51) and Hwy 77, NE corner
Website & Ticket info: www.woodfest09.com

Event Contacts:
Dave Weisser
Executive Producer
WoodFest ’09
Woodfest Productions, LLC
918.994.7404
(www.woodfest09.com)

Alan Moore
Founder & Director
Musicians & Fine Artists for World Peace
415-424-7238
www.butterflyspirit.org

Press Contact:
Beth Hilton
The B Company
Davis, OK
310-560-8390
bethhilton@thebcompany.com
www.thebcompany.com