(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Folk Music Society presents a celebration of the legacy of Pete Seeger with Professor Allan Winkler on Friday, April 19, 2024 at Christ Congregation Church. The event begins at 8:00pm.

Pete Seeger (1919-2014) is one of the most influential figures in American folk music. Singing first with the Almanac Singers, then the Weavers, and finally on his own, Seeger found himself in the forefront of every important social movement of the past 70 years. In the 1950s, he found himself under attack during the "Red Scare" for his radical past. In the 1960s, he became the minstrel of the civil rights movement. Toward the end of the decade, he turned his talents against the war in Vietnam and, like many of its critics, drew fire from those who attacked his dissent as treason. Finally, in the 1970s, he led the drive to clean up the Hudson River, and lent his voice to the growing environmental movement. Pete Seeger wrote or popularized many of the landmarks of the folk song movement, including "If I Had a Hammer," "Turn Turn Turn," and "Where Have All the Flowers gone?"

Allan Winkler is a retired History professor and a performing musician. Over a 50-year period, he taught at Yale University, the University of Oregon, and Miami University of Ohio, with year-long stints at the University of Helsinki in Finland, the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and the University of Nairobi in Kenya. He is the author of To Everything There is a Season: Pete Seeger and the Power of Song (New York, Oxford University Press, 2009).

Professor Winkler's presentation for the Princeton Folk Music Society is scholarly, focusing on Pete Seeger's participation in every major reform movement in the 20th century. But it also is founded on Pete's belief that music is meant to be sung, and on his commitment to getting audiences to join in singing these wonderful songs. In the course of the evening, we will sing many of Pete’s best-known songs, including “We Shall Overcome,” “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy,” and “Sailing Down My Golden River.”

Tickets $25 in advance or at the door. Ample free parking. For advance ticket sales, live-stream access and more information, go to www.princetonfolk.org. Christ Congregation Church is located at 50 Walnut Lane in Princeton, New Jersey.

"Winkler's book is obviously a labor of love.... The book is carefully written by a scholar who identifies with Seeger and his causes.... But of greater significance is the encouragement that Winkler gives his readers to listen and sing along with Seeger's music." – History News Network

The Princeton Folk Music Society has encouraged the growth of folk music in Central New Jersey for over 59 years. As they continue to explore new ways of presenting and promoting folk music while ensuring a Covid 19-safe environment for their audiences, their concerts this season will available for viewing by live streaming, as well as on-site in Princeton. They welcome everyone to join them, in person or virtually for their concerts.

 

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