SHERIDAN OPERA HOUSE: PETER YARROW & FRIENDS IN CONCERT

19 Dec SHERIDAN OPERA HOUSE: PETER YARROW & FRIENDS IN CONCERT

Peter Yarrow

In some special cases, so what?

The old tricks are still good enough.

Case in point: the line-up for the 12.12.12 benefit concert at the Garden for victims of Sandy, the British royal family – of 1960s rock ‘n roll: The Stones, Paul McCartney, The Who. They still rock.

And while we are on the subject of the ’60s oldies but goodies, can we talk about Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary fame?

Peter Yarrow, a part-time Telluride local, performs in concert with friends. The concert takes place Thursday, December 27, 8 p.m., at the historic Sheridan Opera House, part of the line-up of the Sheridan Art Foundation’s Holiday Concert Series.

Peter, Paul & Mary debuted in 1962. Over what became the group’s now legendary career, the trio won five Grammys, produced 13 Top 40 hits – of which six hit Top 10 – as well as eight gold and five platinum albums. Peter, Paul & Mary achieved that rarefied level of commercial success without compromising the group’s values of humanity, hope and activism. Doing that, the group continued a centuries-old tradition of people raising voices in song for the sake of freedom: personal, social and political; musical icons such as Woody Guthrie, the Weavers and Pete Seeger.

And the beat goes on.

Remarkably, four generations of children have now grown up loving and listening to Peter, Paul & Mary and it is Peter who keeps on keepin’ on.

Peter’s children’s book (and CD) of “Puff, The Magic Dragon” sold one million copies (and counting) and hit #1 on Publisher’s Weekly. Its success led to the publishing of four other children’s books, including his self-penned late-60’s hit, “Day Is Done,” which also made it to Publisher’s Weekly‘s hit parade.

The books are an add on to Peter’s dedicated efforts to bring folk (message) music back into the mainstream by exposing children to the genre on a broad scale in homes, summer camps, churches and synagogues, and schools. In turn, the books and their free-to-educator songs also advance Peter’s current advocacy: summoning the magic of music to help create safe, bully-free school environments.

Twenty-two thousand schools in America now use the “Don’t Laugh At Me” Program (DLAM) of Operation Respect, a non-profit founded by Peter and world-renowned educator Dr. Charlotte Frank over a decade ago to help create a strong school community that assures children and youth a safe, welcoming, environment free of bullying, ridicule and teasing.

Expect the unexpected when Peter performs, alone or with daughter, Bethany Yarrow and her virtuoso cellist musical partner, Rufus Cappadocia  or with Paul Stookey.

Peter famously brings an audience together in song, creating a caring community in a way only folk singers can.

Peter Yarrow & Friends: family entertainment at its finest in the company of a musical legend.

To learn more, click the “play” button and listen to our chat.