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Woody Guthrie

Sunday, September 11, 1-3:30pm., Nocterra Brewing Company, 41 Depot St., Powell, Ohio

He personified American folk music so let’s celebrate his 110th birthday.

When the Depression of the 1930s threw millions of Americans out of work and into poverty, Woody Guthrie told us their stories through song. He saw migrant workers slaving for pennies, penniless hobos riding in empty railroad boxcars, and the infamous Dust Bowl windstorms of Oklahoma stealing the land out from under the farmers.

Always for the underdog, Guthrie challenged America to right wrongs and to live by its ideals of hard work, compassion, equal opportunity, and fairness. His songs made us laugh, cry, remember, and question.

And so, in memory of all that Woody did, on September 11, a month after the 110th anniversary of his birth, Columbus will recall this common man troubadour. Together, we’ll sing some of his famous and unknown songs, hear details of the highs and lows of his life, and enjoy a visit from the spirit of Woody “himself.”

The songfest will be led by six veteran Columbus Folk Music Society performers: Phil Hart, Teresa Schleifer, Jeff Putnam, Maury Falkoff, Steve Rolfe, and Bill Cohen. In addition to featuring songs that Woody wrote and sang, they’ll also spotlight some tunes made famous by other folk music icons that were inspired by Woody. Among them: Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, and Malvina Reynolds.

In the spirit of Woody Guthrie, admission will be free. But we’ll also be asking for $10-$15 donations to help produce next May’s Central Ohio Folk Festival, since it’s carried on his legacy of spreading folk music for more than two decades now.

Please bring family, friends, and co-workers to help us celebrate this icon of American folk music.

Ray’s Hog Pit food truck will offer delicious creations during this event for purchase.

For more information, contact Bill at 614-263-3851 or at <BillCohen@columbus.rr.com>.

Hosted by Nocterra Brewing Co. and Columbus Folk Music Society.

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