FOLK CITY: The Exhibit opens in New York

If ever there was a good (no, GREAT) name for an exhibit touting the one-of-a-kind homogenization of Greenwich Village art, poetry and music from the mid 20th Century, it would have to be FOLK CITY. 

The name was first coined in May of 1960 by a trio (perhaps a duo) of New York Times music critic and Gerde's watering hole supporter, Robert Shelton and Charlie Rothschild.

Safe to say, Mike Porco, my grandfather and the owner and operator of Gerde's Restaurant, did not think of it himself. He never took credit for the name. All he did was keep the place running on all cylinders for 20 years after music became the focal point there on W. 4th and Mercer.

Porco always referred to Gerde's as 'us' and that 'we' discovered a lot of talent. There was no "I" in Gerde's. Mike also continually gave credit to Charlie Rothschild for coming up with the name itself and for taking over the booking duties after Izzy Young vacated that post in May of 1960.

Charlie may have never envisioned such a grand tribute to the phrase FOLK CITY back then. But here it is! Today was the day for the opening of a spectacular collection of artifacts, manuscripts and art that made up the Village scene.

Better yet, the collection of LIVING ARTISTS AND PEOPLE in attendance for the opening made the whole extravaganza simply astounding. I am fortunate to call many of Mike Porco's friends my own. And I was there, too. Grandpa would be proud that his flesh and blood experienced and enjoyed the mere mention of he and his club in such a prestigious exhibit.

A newly retired guitar with a few autographs

Me and Betsy Siggins-Schmidt

John and John

John and Izzy

Bob and Charlie Rothschild

Marc Silber, David Bromberg and me

Leadbelly's guitar

Noel Stookey, Fred Hellerman, Tom Paxton

Strugglin' Downhill with John Cohen

THE HOOT is a great concept. It's a community-based Folk Fest (aren't they all?) spearheaded by Mike+Ruthy, the fantastic songwriting duo from West Hurley, NY. Both have Roots and Blues in their soul and have made a great career with their skills. As friends of my own, I've watch them morph into local stars and visionaries while they raise a family together and produce infectious records. LOCAL is the key word here since West Hurley is a stone's throw from Woodstock and its surrounds.

The Hoot takes place in the Winter and Summer at the Ashokan Center where Ruth's father, Jay Ungar is music honcho. Of course, Jay and Molly are national treasures in their own right, and the family connections spread far and wide throughout the community. The 'community' includes folks like my daughter, Angelina, and me. We were there this weekend along with, what seemed to be, the ENTIRE Ulster County community. Frigid weather didn't stop hundreds of families and other music lovers from all around descend on Ashokan to enjoy several intimate performances, both in the great hall and in the intimate Pewter Shop: a small cabin where it's standing room only.

I'll post pictures from yesterday's highlight for me- A front row seat to watch friends of mine play with a friend of my grandfather, Mike Porco. John Cohen is known by thousands of Greenwich Village aficionados as Folk Revival original and one who was at Gerde's in 1960 when music first arrived. To see him performing with tomorrow's Folk Music preservationists was certainly a treat.

Amy Helm stood behind me as we watched the Downhill Strugglers: John Cohen, Eli Smith, Jackson Lynch and Walker Shepard.

Be sure to check out the trailer for the Folkumentary under construction.

It's about Mike Porco and Gerde's Folk City:

SNEAK PEEK of GERDE'S documentary August 22nd

The crowd funding campaign on Indiegogo will be over in a couple of days. If you want a $100 t-shirt, that's what I will give you. 

However, if YOU or SOMEONE you know wants to put their foot in the door and help me take Positively Porco to the finish line in style, NOW is the time!

Yes, I'm making it easy for someone to get an Executive Producer credit. All they have to do is join the club (and foot the bill). The door is open.  

My quest at the moment is to bring in professionals to make Positively Porco a world class film. I've been doing it all myself: The filming, the transcribing, the editing, the thinking…not that I want a pat on the back, I want a team!

With the right people, the sky is the limit. Wide theatrical release and world-wide unit distribution is the goal. Anything less will SUCK! Why bother? Do not connect me with producers who do not produce or people who are 'yeller about their mustard.' The meek shall inherit shit.

It's not your ordinary documentary. Yes, it will educate the world in the ways of the Porco clan, and yes it will educate Folk enthusiasts all about Gerde's, but the inspiring message will make you cheer. Musicians have a place in this world. Always have. Always will. The 'less' famous are all part of the whole. Someone watching this will one day change the world with a song.

Positively Porco is about Family with a capital 'F.' There's no secret handshake. No swearing in. No dress code. Dig?

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For those of you lucky enough to be within 100 miles of Ashokan, New York, you're invited to see a DIRECTOR'S CUT of Positively Porco on Friday, August 22nd at THE SUMMER HOOT.

I'll be there showing a clip entitled ''THE FIFTH PEG: Izzy Young brings music to Gerde's Restaurant.''

I'm the 11:15 act. The entire lineup is right here.

I'm honored to say that a couple of Mike Porco's friends will be performing that weekend. David Bromberg and John Cohen will be featured along with my friends and hosts Mike+Ruthy, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Robert Sarazin Blake, DB Leonard, Elizabeth Mitchell, Amy Helm and many others.

'The Hoot' series shows no signs of ever taking a hiatus. Here's another ground floor opportunity for you to experience a festival in its early years. Don't think twice!

Buy tickets. Stay the weekend. Folk yourself silly. It's beyond music.

AND you will get to witness a Positively Porco clip in a form NEVER to be seen again! Parts of it will have to be cut to make room for the rest of the greatest #Folkumentary you may ever see. 

Here are some images from the 'chunky-style' video about the origins of FOLK CITY: