"Festival" Film Showing at the Adirondack History Museum

Thursday, August 14, 7:00 pm

Festival is a groundbreaking documentary that captures the essence of the Newport Folk Festival between 1963 and 1966, chronicling a pivotal moment in American music history. Through a blend of performance footage and candid interviews, the film showcases the raw energy, passion, and social undercurrents that defined the folk music revival of the era. The documentary presents an eclectic mix of artists, from folk legends like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul and Mary to blues icons such as Son House and Mississippi John Hurt. The performances, filmed in stark black and white, capture both the intimacy of solo ballads and the communal power of group performances. The film also highlights the growing tensions within the folk community—most famously when Dylan "went electric" in 1965, shocking traditionalists and signaling a shift in the genre. Beyond the music, Festival offers a glimpse into the audience and culture surrounding the movement, featuring fans, aspiring musicians, and festivalgoers who discuss their deep connection to folk music and its role in the turbulent social changes of the 1960s. Lerner’s cinéma vérité style immerses viewers in the atmosphere of Newport, where music, politics, and personal expression collide. 

Directed by Murray Lerner, 1967 (restored re-release 20170, 97 mins.

Free admission/Doors open at 6:30