For Pete's Sake, Sing!

Ithaca, New York

May 3rd, 2009

in the Small Pavilion at Stewart Park
on shore of beautiful Lake Cayuga
(click here for a map)

Ithaca New York's celebration
of Pete Seeger's 90th birthday!
A day full of songs and celebration.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this day such a great day!

Thanks to Marty Luster and Fullis Conroy we have some marvelous photos of the event!
Click on the picture below to see the whole gallery:

For Pete's Sake, Sing!

Also check out our birthday song to Pete in this YouTube video:

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“When my songs turns to ashes on my tongue
When I look in the mirror and see I’m no longer young
Then I’ve got to start again the job separating false from true
And then I know, I know I need the love of you...”

These words were crafted by the thin man with the long neck banjo - that banjo inscribed with the words “This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender.” Almost hidden in the introduction to the popular Rise Up Singing songbook are these words by Pete Seeger. “A singing movement is a winning movement. We’re putting a world together before it blows itself apart. Over the years you’ll find the magic made by the right song at the right place at the right time.”

Our Celebration...

On May 3, 2009, Pete Seeger turned 90 years old. That’s something to celebrate! In the Finger Lakes of Upstate New York, in the Stewart Park Small Pavilion on the southern shore of Cayuga Lake we celebrated his birthday with six hours of songs, stories...and a marvelous dish-to-pass.

We had a large card everyone who came could sign (and if you look at the photos, you'll see quite a few people did!), which we sent on to Pete, and donations were taken--both to help cover the cost of the pavilion rental and to raise money for Loaves and Fishes, The Village at Ithaca, and the Cayuga Floating Classroom... Pete’s types of charities. Thanks to everyone who chipped in!

For Pete's Sake, Keep on Singing!

“Just when I thought all was lost, you changed my mind,
You gave me hope (not just the old soft soap).
You showed that we could learn to share in time (you and me and Rockefeller!).
I’ll keep plugging on, your face will shine thru all our tears.
And when we sing another little victory song
Precious Friend, you will be there (singing in harmony)
Precious Friend, you will be there.”

The coordinators:

and

Thanks for the help!