Woodstock festival site now home to free music, arts and education for area youth

Bethel Woods continues to expand educational programs Bethel — Those who participate in the arts also engage in positive civic and individual activities which contribute to a vibrant community - qualities the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts strives to further cultivate. According to Kathreen Francis, a legislative aide in the Michigan State Senate, researching the benefits of arts education, "improved self-esteem, perceptions of school and respect for others are other positive benefits of art exposure". Examples of cultural experiences include: World Stage Series is an annual series of cultural performances for a variety of audiences. These performances are free, or are priced very affordably, in order to make the events accessible to as many people as possible. The World Stage Series offers youth and families several performances this fall with the goal of empowering youth to be positive, engaged members of their community and the world, by fostering a respect for themselves and their talents as well as exploring the diversity in the world. Performances include: The Brawner Brothers Band on Oct. 14 Minas: Brazilian Adventure on Oct. 22 Brother Joscephus & the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra, Nov. 13. Admission is free but a reservation and ticket are required. To reserve a ticket, go to www.bethelwoodscenter.org/community/youthandfamilies.aspx. Interactive Field Trips offer low cost admission to the Museum at Bethel Woods with educational and arts programs appropriate for classes K - 12 grade. Some of the programs students can experience are: Time Travelers!, Explore the Sixties, Revolution Evolution, How is History Made, Teach Your Children, We're All Playing in the Same Band, Behind the Scenes at Bethel Woods; Peace, Love and Competition, and a Tour of the Historic Site. Coming next year Bethel Woods will launch a summer camp for area youth that will explore facets of the performing arts, and will pilot the concept with an opera camp to be held in summer 2012. The camp will be targeted at youth ages 8-13 regardless of their previous experience with the performing arts. Opera camp will provide youth an in-depth exploration of this genre, helping to make this classical art form fun, accessible, and relevant to the lives of youth today. In the Opera Camp at Bethel Woods, young people will have first-hand experience at every aspect of putting on an opera, from singing to choreography, to set design and costuming. As Bethel Woods evolves from a young not-for-profit into a magnificent concert venue and world-class museum, future plans include expanding on these programs, with additional in-school arts education initiatives. For more information about music, arts and education, contact Margaret Hughes, education@bethelwoodscenter.org or call 845.295.2097.