Press Release -- Words And Music At The Maverick
AUGUST 1, 2001: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODSTOCK LAND CONSERVANCY and MAVERICK CONCERTS INC. TO SHARE THE BENEFITS OF THE WOODSTOCK POETRY FESTIVAL’S MAIN EVENT, “WORDS AND MUSIC AT THE MAVERICK” ON SATURDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 25TH
One of the premier events of the first annual Woodstock Poetry Festival has been designated as a benefit for two of the community’s most beloved not-for-profit organizations, the Woodstock Land Conservancy and Maverick Concerts, Inc. The event at 8pm on Saturday night, August 25th, entitled “Words and Music at the Maverick”, is one of dozens of readings, receptions, book signings and related events that will bring together some of this country’s best-known poets alongside more than 40 local poets.
Featured that Saturday evening will be Robert Creeley & Friends, as well as celebrity readings of many works of the “Original Maverick Poets,” harkening back to its earliest gatherings of poets, musicians, artists and craftspeople of every stripe. “Sharing the proceeds from this event with these two groups was a natural choice for me,” said Festival founder and organizer Laurie Ylvisaker, herself the granddaughter of one of the Maverick’s more celebrated personalities, the poet/novelist Henry Morton Robinson. “The Maverick has always been a special place for me, and the Woodstock Land Conservancy has dedicated itself to preserving and protecting many of those special places that make Woodstock home.”
In fact, it was her family’s dedication to both these organizations that led to a major success story late last year. After her family purchased seven and a half acres surrounding the Maverick concert hall, they gave the land to Maverick Concerts, Inc. in honor of the Robinsons and “all the creative people whose spirits still infuse the Maverick”, to quote Nelly Robinson, daughter of Henry Morton Robinson at the time of the gift. In turn, the Maverick granted a conservation easement on the land to the Conservancy. To quote the easement document itself, it is the Maverick’s express intention to keep the land “in its ‘Forever Green’ open, undeveloped and scenic state as a natural and protected environment to be used for its cultural and educational activities….” A small portion of this land closest to the concert hall will be used for parking, and the balance will remain forested. It is envisioned that at some point in the future, nature trails and small clearings with benches or open-air shelters may be built, for the enjoyment of generations of concertgoers to come.
“Just as it was a thrill to receive the conservation easement from the Maverick last year, it is equally exciting to share the benefits of this wonderful event with the Maverick,” said Michael DeWan, President of the Board of Directors of the Woodstock Land Conservancy. “I love to cite the results of a recent survey by the Woodstock Comprehensive Plan Committee: the top three answers of 933 respondents to the question “What attracted you to Woodstock?” were 1) its natural surroundings, 2) the arts, and 3) cultural events and a sense of community. This event brings together all these elements that are nearest and dearest to the hearts of so many of our neighbors. We at the Conservancy are especially mindful of our part in protecting the very woods around the Maverick where so much history was made and so much artistic energy exploded – and will continue!”
“This gift from the Woodstock Poetry Festival – supporting our work this way - truly epitomizes the deep connection between artistic expression and the natural world that inspires it,” said Cornelia Rosenblum, President of the Board of Directors of Maverick Concerts, Inc. “Laurie’s vision - to reinvigorate the celebration of the spoken word in natural settings throughout the community, as was begun decades ago at the Maverick - is a great gift in itself.”
Founded in 1988, the Woodstock Land Conservancy is a non-profit organization committed to the protection and preservation of the open lands, forests, wetlands, scenic areas and historic sites in Woodstock and the surrounding area. Over the years the Conservancy has hosted a number of events on our various properties featuring poets, singers, historians and other performance artists. Maverick Concerts, Inc. is a New York not-for-profit cultural and educational organization, dedicated to presenting a wide range of musical and artistic events at the Maverick, a concert hall listed on the National Register of Historic Properties.
For more information about the Woodstock Poetry Festival, taking place from August 24-26, 2001, go to www.woodstockpoetryfestival.com.