Historic Newton Presents Arlo Guthrie & Guthrie Family Reunion

NEWTON, Mass. - Sept. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- "The Guthries are the first family of American folk. They practice what Woody preached." -Vanity Fair

". . . the biggest treat was the encore, one of Woody’s last lyrics, written when he was in the hospital in the early ‘60s, with the music added later by Arlo, a little-known but beautiful, spiritual song called 'My Peace.' And the audience left in peace, knowing that Guthrie music is alive and well, and that the legacy is in good hands."-Robert Price, New Jersey Herald

Newton, MA--Historic Newton will present "Arlo Guthrie & Guthrie Family Reunion" on Friday, November 21 at 7:30 PM at the 585-seat theatre located inside the architecturally acclaimed Newton North High School, 457 Walnut Street, Newton, MA 02460.  Plenty of free parking is available. Reserved-seat tickets for this fundraising concert are priced at $95 and $65. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.historicnewton.org.  For more information and sponsorship tickets starting at $175 which include VIP seating and after-show reception with Arlo Guthrie and the family, call:  617-796-1450.

Folk music icon Arlo Guthrie is not only coming to Newton, but he is coming with three generations of Guthries for an exclusive Boston-area appearance called "Guthrie Family Reunion." This highly unique event leads up to an upcoming prestigious Carnegie Hall concert.  Arlo carries on the Guthrie Family legacy as he shares his timeless stories and unforgettable classic tunes.  As a celebrated artist in American music, his artistic presentations help bridge an often-divided world through his powerful spirit of song. "The Guthrie Family Reunion" brings his singular voice as both a singer-songwriter and social commentator to the stage, alongside his beloved children and grandkids.

Legendary folk icon and eldest son of America’s most beloved singer/writer/philosopher Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie will gather three generations of Guthries to perform Woody's songs as well as new material written by various family members. "Guthrie Family Reunion" features Arlo alongside his son Abe, and daughters Cathy, Annie and Sarah Lee Guthrie support by singing songs and accompanying on acoustic guitars. Sarah Lee's musical partner and husband Johnny Irion will lead songs and lend his stalwart guitar playing.  The youngest generation of Guthrie kids, ranging in age from 7 to 22, will join in the fun on select songs for a rousing celebration just before Thanksgiving week.

More About Arlo Guthrie

Arlo Guthrie has been known to generations as a prolific songwriter, social commentator, master storyteller, actor and activist. Born in Coney Island, New York in 1947, Arlo is the eldest son of Marjorie Mazia Guthrie, a professional dancer with the Martha Graham Company and founder of The Committee to Combat Huntington's Disease, and America's most beloved singer/writer/philosopher/artist Woody Guthrie. Arlo has become an iconic figure in folk music in his own right with a distinguished and varied career spanning over fifty years.

Growing up Guthrie, Arlo was surrounded by such renowned artists as Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Ronnie Gilbert, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott to name only a few. Not surprisingly, Arlo drew from these influences and he in turn became a delineative figure bridging generations of folk. He and Pete Seeger created a legendary collaboration that was sustained for over forty years. The last Pete & Arlo show was in November 30, 2013 at Carnegie Hall, only a few months before Pete passed away at the age of 94.

In 1965 a teenaged Guthrie performed a “friendly gesture” that proved to be fateful. Arlo was arrested for littering, leading him to be deemed “not moral enough to join the army.” Guthrie attained international attention at age 19 by recounting the true events on the album Alice’s Restaurant in 1967. The Alice’s Restaurant Massacree, an 18 minute and 20 second partially sung comic monologue opposing the war and the backward reasoning of authority, has become an anti-establishment anthem and an essential part of Thanksgiving on rock stations worldwide. Alice’s Restaurant achieved platinum status and was made into a movie in 1969, in which Arlo played himself, by the esteemed director Arthur Penn. The year 1969 also brought Arlo to the rock festival of the ages, Woodstock. His appearance showcased Arlo’s chart-topping Coming Into Los Angeles, which was included on the multi-platinum Woodstock soundtrack and movie.

About Historic Newton:

Historic Newton encourages inquiry about and exploration of the history of Newton, Massachusetts within the context of the wider American story. The organization oversees the preservation of Newton’s three Historic Burying Grounds and operates two museums: the Jackson Homestead and the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds. At its sites, Historic Newton collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits historic artifacts of local significance. In addition to programs for school groups, Historic Newton offers public programs in the form of seminars, workshops, tours and a book club.  Proceeds from Arlo Guthrie & Guthrie Family Reunion will go to support the work of Historic Newton.

For more information about Historic Newton, go to: www.historicnewton.org.