Since opening in 2006, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts continues to please and attract a diverse crowd as it expands its offerings. Since its first year when nine concerts were offered, more than 600,000 guests have attended outdoor concerts at the $140 million venue, which has grown its list of offerings to 25 this year. From the nifty ”™50s to the New York Philharmonic and Woodstock-era mini-revivals, it is aiming to offer something for everyone.
Doo-wop fans packed the seats and lawn July 9 to listen to Buddy Holly”™s original Crickets, along with The Drifters and The Chantels. The crowd of approximately 7,000 ”“ with some fans coming from as far as Austria to see their 50s favorites ”“ nearly doubled the next evening”™s show with country singer Tim McGraw.
While Bethel Woods”™ museum remains a mainstay for first-time visitors at its entrance, founder Alan Gerry, as promised, built on to the original theme.
He told HV Biz in 2006 that the museum, a tribute to the Woodstock era and the original concert held at Yasgur”™s farm, was not enough to keep the museum vibrant.
“You have to have a new show and always have something fresh, Â something that will keep it interesting and unique and make people want to come back and revisit it.”
Gerry”™s staff has accomplished that goal, from John Lennon and Yoko Ono”™s 1970”™s “bed-in” exposition to an introspective look at the Vietnam War and those who fought in it.
Currently, a photographic exhibition of Bob Dylan and The Band when they toured in 1973-75 and a second show, Strange, Kozmic Experience, artifacts from the ”™60s generation, is on display through August, attracting teens who love retro as well as AARP members who enjoy remembering when white go-go boots and “Make love, not war” buttons were in abundance.
Its gallery offers educational programs as well as small, intimate concert settings, weddings and private events. To date, more than 163,000 people have participated in events, including museum education programs for students and teachers, youth and family programs, community involvement and its annual fundraiser, Bethel Woods”™ Harvest Festival. The event has attracted more than 100,000 people and raised $137,000 for nonprofits in Sullivan County.
Getting to the venue off Route 17 is not as hectic as it was in 1969 and be prepared to find plenty of yard sales along the way. The Dancing Cat Saloon, which opened in 2010, is hoping to get its distillery and wine-tasting gallery opened before the end of the summer.
Plans for a hotel are still in the talking stages, but many of the people who are regulars at Bethel Woods stay at Villa Roma, Honor”™s Haven, which offers a shuttle bus, and local bed and breakfasts. Monticello Casino is off Exit 104 on Route 17, and many of its weekend visitors make it their first stop before heading to the 2,000-acre performing arts center. Tailgating parties are in vogue in the parking lot since the concert gates do not open until 5:30.
Bethel Woods will cap off its 2011 season with a Labor Day weekend show with Elton John, which sold out in a record 58 minutes. Whitney Schlott, executive assistant to Chief Operating Officer Darlene Fedun, said working in Bethel Woods is an “amazing experience … we have a great audience, whether it was for our Phish festival or for the Doo-Wop Revival. Our audience has been wonderful, and they don”™t leave disappointed. It”™s really a thrill to see them charged up when the show they”™ve come to see gets started. We”™ve got a lot of volunteers who love working here. It”™s really a hub for culture and the arts.”
