Woodstock in 2009

Ever since I can remember, stories of Woodstock was told all around me by adults in my life. My perception was that this event or events were all about smoking marijuana and listening to meaningful music that produced a peaceful atmosphere. Since I was born in the late 70s, the era of Woodstock was behind my time, and the actually history of the event was not explained to me.

As an adult in the 21st century, I questioned the idea of Woodstock and why it was such a cultural event in our history and began to do a little research, finding out the the original festival was supposed to be held in Woodstock, New York, and later held at a dairy farm in Bethel, New York. This Woodstock Festival was also only supposed to be a way to save up money to pay for a recording studio that two men wanted to start. After attempts to have this festival in Woodstock, they were banned from the town and ended up holding the events at the dairy farm owned by Max Yasgur.

Each attendee was supposed to pay a ticket price, but since all their inexperienced vendors were bailing out, there was not going to be a police force, and gates were not yet set up, the event ending up being free. There was an expected amount of people to attend the festival, but that was exceeded 10 times over, with that same amount being turned away from the events due to lack of space. News had traveled so fast that the Woodstock festival was free, thousands of people were ready to come and enjoy the events. Many famous singers attended this festival, and we still listen to them today, like Janis Joplin and The Who.

Although the organizers lost out on a lot of money, they made history. History that set the stage for films to be made about the festival like this year's film, 'Taking Woodstock', by Ang Lee. After being seen at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival in March, it was out in theaters by August. The film portrays the events before the actual Woodstock Festival was born, and gave history to the men that organized the it. 'Taking Woodstock' gives light to the struggles and hardships involved in the making of the festival, and what happened to them after the festival. Some of the actors include, Demetri Martin, as Elliot Taber, and Jonathon Groff as Michael Lang.

The reviews for the movie were a 50 - 50 for both sides. Some saying that the comedy aspect of the film and the history behind the events were the right touch for the film, where as some focused more on the cultural aspects about people being gay, Jewish, or freaks. Either way you choice to take the film, the audience will be enlightened by the fact that the Woodstock festival itself had a history, that then made the history.

Today's "Woodstock" is nothing as it was in the 60's, and can never be reduplicated. The times were nothing like they are today, full of thousands of people wanted to feel at peace, free to do what ever, and joined by many more who wanted to do the same. 2009 can only sit back and wish that they could redo history, and enjoy the moments of peace, love and rock 'n roll.

Even after viewing the photos of the actual event in 1969, it brings chills to my spine, to see so many people in one place, sitting in groups, without violence and problems like they would be in 2009. Although it was thought that hippies were out of the norm and should be turned away for their marijuana smoking, nakedness, and love for music, life was happy and peaceful. Things that are hard to come by nowadays.

Sources:

www.wikipedia.com, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock_festival

www.wikipedia.com, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taking_Woodstock