Bethel Woods announces summer concert series

August of 2009 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, one of the seminal events of the 1960s. Leading the nation in commemorating this cultural milestone will be Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (www.BethelWoodsCenter.org) located in Bethel, NY at the site of the 1969 Woodstock festival. The Center includes an outdoor concert pavilion and an award-winning museum.

Every season, the Center celebrates the spirit of the 1969 festival with both diverse concert performances and The Museum at Bethel Woods, which explores the unique experience of Woodstock and the 1960s.

This year, to mark the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, Bethel Woods will host a season of top-notch concerts and events, and invites the world to join the celebration. The year-long celebration makes Bethel Woods the ideal travel destination for music fans, concert-goers, history buffs, families, baby boomers, educators and schools, regional residents and travelers.

This season, Bethel Woods is proud to announce a diverse summer concert line-up, which includes:

The 2009 Pavilion Stage SUMMER Concert Schedule:

Sunday, June 14 at 7pm
Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago
Ticket prices: $110 - $60 reserved; $40 lawn; $120 lawn 4-pack
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Saturday, June 27 at 8pm
Bad Company and The Doobie Brothers
Ticket prices: $95.50 - $49.50 reserved; $20 lawn
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Saturday, July 11 at 8pm
New York Philharmonic with Fireworks!
Bramwell Tovey, Conductor
Denyce Graves, Mezzo-Soprano

Bizet
Selections from Carmen:
"March of the Toreadors"
"Habanera" (Denyce Graves)
"Seguidilla" (Denyce Graves)

Saint-Saens
Selections from Samson and Delilah:"Bacchanale" and "Mon Coeur s'ouvre a ta voix" (Denyce Graves)Berlioz
Le Corsaire, overture, H. 101 (Op. 21)Ravel
Bolero

Ticket prices: $105 - $45 reserved; $25 lawn; $10 lawn for Youth/Students under 18
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Thursday, July 16 at 7:30pm
Big & Rich featuring Cowboy Troy and James Otto
On sale May 9 at 10am
Ticket prices: $59 & $40 reserved; $25 lawn; $75 lawn 4-pack
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Saturday, July 18 at 5:30pm
The Bob Dylan Show starring Bob Dylan and His Band, John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson and Family
Concert ticket prices: $125 - $55 reserved; $35 lawn

Monday, July 27 at 8pm
Tom Jones
Ticket prices: $85 - $38 reserved
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Friday, July 31 at 8pm
Peter, Paul & Mary
Ticket prices: $69 - $25 reserved
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Saturday, August 1 at 8pm
The Original NY Doo Wopp Show:
The Five Satins, The Drifters, The Planotones, The Harptones, The Duprees, Sheps, Reunion & special appearance by Gary U.S. Bonds
Ticket prices: $65 - $35 reserved; $25 lawn
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Wednesday, August 5 at 7pm
Dave Matthews Band with special guest Donovan Frankenreiter
Ticket prices: $40.50 lawn
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Wednesday, August 12 at 7pm
O.A.R. with special guest Matt Nathanson
Ticket prices: $35 reserved; $20 lawn
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Saturday, August 15 at 5pm
Bethel Woods Music Festival starring
HEROES OF WOODSTOCK
Levon Helm Band, Jefferson Starship, Ten Years After, Canned Heat, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Mountain, Tom Constanten and Country Joe McDonald
Concert ticket prices: $69 & $40 reserved; $19.69 lawn
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.
Woodstock® is a registered trademark of Woodstock Ventures, LC and is used under license.

Friday, August 21 at 8pm
Loggins & Messina with special guest POCO (special appearance by RICHIE FURAY)
Ticket prices: $89 - $29 reserved
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Saturday, August 22 at 8pm
Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra
Keith Lockhart, Conductor
Featuring special guest Arlo Guthrie & his music
Ticket prices: $85 - $40; $25 lawn; $10 lawn for Youth/Student under 18
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Thursday, August 27 at 8pm
B.B. King & Buddy Guy
Ticket prices: $70 - $35 reserved
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Saturday, August 29 at 7:30pm
Brad Paisley with special guests Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne
Ticket prices: $55.50 reserved; $31.50 lawn; $99 lawn 4-pack
Concert tickets may be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, by phone at 800.745.3000, or from Ticketmaster.

Saturday, September 26 at 12pm (noon)
County-Wide Picnic Day: A Sullivan County Bicentennial Event with local band showcase, village/town displays, family activities, food, picnics encouraged
Ticket prices: Free admission with donations requested at the gate


THE MUSEUM AT BETHEL WOODS:

The award-winning Museum at Bethel Woods will also honor to the 40th anniversary of Woodstock by hosting several special exhibits throughout the 2009 season. Admission to all exhibits listed below is included in the regular museum admission. Exhibits include:

PERMANENT INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA EXHIBIT: The Story of the Sixties and Woodstock – This exhibit includes 20 films and new footage from the festival, and 5 interactive productions including a “legacy booth” where visitors can leave their personal story or experience about Woodstock, the Sixties or the museum in audio, video and/or text format. These stories become part of the permanent museum archive and can be referenced by other visitors. The exhibit also features reproductions of typical Sixties psychedelic painted school bus and VW Beetle, artifacts, and a nine minute panoramic recreation of the three day festival. This exhibit is Bethel Woods’ permanent exhibit and is open during all museum hours.

OLD SCHOOL: The Museum at Bethel Woods Custom Chopper built by Orange County Choppers – The Museum has commissioned the well-known Orange County Choppers to build a commemorative Woodstock-themed motorcycle. The bike was featured on the April 16th episode of TLC’s “American Chopper”. This special exhibit will be open until January 3, 2010. However, the exhibit will close from June 1 - June 11, 2009 during an exhibit changeover.

ROCK HEROES: Woodstock-Inspired Selections from the Hard Rock International Music Memorabilia Collection – The Rock Heroes exhibit combines instruments, clothes, and memorabilia connected to artists who performed at the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. This special exhibit will be open from March 28 - May 31, 2009.

GIVE Peace A Chance: John and Yoko’s Bed-In For Peace – The museum will serve as the premier United States venue for this exhibit commemorating the 40th anniversary of the famous couple's poignant call for world peace. Through stories and unique photographs -- many never seen before -- this exhibit will offer visitors a seat on the edge of John and Yoko's bed at Montreal's Queen Elizabeth Hotel in 1969. The exhibit will feature more than 20 large-format framed photographs by Gerry Deiter who was on assignment for LIFE magazine during that time, as well as 15 text panels, and additional installations to support the exhibit. This special exhibit will be open from June 12 - September 7, 2009.

Museum Ticket Prices and Hours of Operation:
Ticket Prices: Adults-$13; Seniors 65 and up-$11; Youth (ages 8-17)-$9;
Child (ages 3-7)-$4; Children 2 and under – free admission with an adult.

2009 Spring HoursThursday, March 19 - Friday May 22, 2009Open Thursday - Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00pm

2009 Summer HoursSaturday, May 23 - Monday, September 7, 2009Open seven days a week, 10:00am to 7:00pm

2009 Fall Hours
Thursday, September 10 - Sunday, January 3, 2010Open Thursday - Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pmSpecial holiday open hours Columbus Day, Monday, October 12, 2009, 10:00am - 5:00pm and Monday, December 28 - Wednesday, December 30, 2009, 10:00am - 5:00pm. Open year-round with advanced reservations for school groups, group tours, and special private events.

Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Museums tickets will be sold each day until one and one-half hours before closing time on regular open days and until one hour before concert start time on typical concert days at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts performing arts pavilion. Please call ahead to verify museum hours on concert days. Tickets may be purchased at the Bethel Woods box office, at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Museum admission may also be added to your purchase of any Bethel Woods concert ticket.

Generous support for The Museum at Bethel Woods is provided by The Chapin Estate.

The Rock Heroes exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the VALLONE family of companies.


Harvest Festival:
The Center continues its annual celebration of the bounty of the county with uniquely themed events on seven consecutive Sundays this year.
Sundays from August 30 - October 11, 2009 - 11am – 4pm
Free admission: A $2 per car fee will be charged for parking.
In addition to weekly special events and live performances, on-site activities include a farmers market, craft village, festival foods, pony and wagon rides, corn and hay mazes, children’s area featuring arts and craft activities, and more!
Harvest Festival Themes:
Sunday, August 30 Harvest Wine Festival
Sunday, September 6 Alpaca Festival
Sunday, September 13 Taste of Sullivan County
Sunday, September 20 Earth Day In Autumn
Sunday, September 27 Mountain Music Festival
Sunday, October 4 Chili Day in October
Sunday, October 11 Rustic for the Home


BUS SERVICE:

Coach/Shortline Bus Direct Routes to Bethel – It will be easier than ever for visitors to get to Bethel Woods. Beginning this summer, Coach/Shortline will offer direct buses to Bethel Woods on concert days. Buses will depart from Port Authority NYC, Ridgewood, NJ, and Middletown, NY. Roundtrip fares from $16 to $50. Visit the concert pages at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org to learn more and to purchase your ticket.


SPECIAL OFFERS:
Visit the Special Offers page at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org for details about these and other special offers:

HAIR – The Museum at Bethel Woods has joined forces with legendary musical, HAIR, now on Broadway, to provide fans with the ultimate 1960s experience. The HAIR production will give one Museum visitor a weekend getaway to New York City via an online contest. Contest ends May 31, 2009. In addition, HAIR audience members will receive $1 off the Museum admission price from now through July 31, 2009. Discounted tickets can either be purchased online or at The Museum.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex – Visitors to The Museum will now be able to get a more complete sense of the history of rock and roll at a discount. Bethel Woods visitors will receive a $6 discount on tickets to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in New York City. Rock Annex visitors will also receive a $1 discount on tickets to The Museum with proof of purchase. The offer ends December 31, 2009.


SEASON COLLABORATIONS INSPIRED BY THE 40th ANNIVERSARY:
The Museum’s exhibit and artifacts can also be found in various upcoming television specials, DVD’s, and books celebrating the anniversary:

Woodstock: Three Days The Rocked The World (Sterling/July 2009) A day-by-day, act-by-act account of everything that went down on Yasgur’s Farm in August 1969. With interviews and quotes from those who were there—the musicians, the fans, the organizers—and a wealth of photographs and graphic memorabilia, this is the ultimate celebration of a landmark event in modern cultural history. Edited by Mike Evans & Paul Kingsbury, Foreword by Martin Scorsese, in association with The Museum at Bethel Woods. For more information please visit www.sterlingpublishing.com

Back to the Garden (Simon & Schuster/August 2009)
On the fortieth anniversary of Woodstock, renowned New York City disc jockey Pete Fornatale brings the iconic rock concert to vivid life through original interviews with Roger Daltry, Joan Baez, David Crosby, Richie Havens, Joe Cocker, and dozens of headliners, organizers, and fans. The Museum at Bethel Woods contributed its archive of Woodstock-related interviews.

Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music The Director’s Cut 40th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition (Warner Home Video/June) – The 4-hour director’s cut of the 1970 Oscar®-winning documentary about the landmark music event will be released in a spectacular new Blu-ray and DVD Ultimate Collector’s Edition (UCE). The rare performance footage features 18 new performances as never before seen from 13 groups. A third hour of bonus material includes a featurette gallery showcasing interviews with Martin Scorsese, producer Michael Lang, Michael Wadleigh, Hugh Hefner, Eddie Kramer (the concert's original chief on-site engineer and producer-engineer for Jimi Hendrix). Some museum artifacts are also included in this special edition.


About Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and The Museum at Bethel Woods:
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, a $100 million outdoor performing arts center and complex is set within 2,000 bucolic acres in Sullivan County. This world-class cultural destination is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Sullivan County and the surrounding region by promoting economic development and interest in the region through arts, education and culture. It features a Pavilion Stage with 4,500 seats under cover and another 10,500 on a natural sloping lawn; the Terrace Stage, a 1,000 seat Roman-style amphitheater; The Museum at Bethel Woods, and within the museum building, a 300-seat Events Gallery, all of which present a diverse selection of popular artists, orchestral performances, community events, music and arts education opportunities.

The Museum is dedicated to the study and exhibition of the social, political and cultural events of the 1960s, including the Woodstock festival, and the legacies of those times. Special exhibits are rotated throughout the season to provide additional insight into the decade. The Museum Shop features a great selection of Sixties and Woodstock-inspired gift items; The Shop is open during museum hours, and online shopping is available all year at ShopBethelWoods.com.

For more information on Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and The Museum at Bethel Woods, please visit www.BethelWoodsCenter.org. Follow the Center and The Museum on Facebook and Twitter.