Arlo Guthrie in Concert

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On Thanksgiving Day in 1965, Arlo Guthrie began writing his epic saga, The Alice's Restaurant Massacree. Based on actual events in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, the song became a record, the record became a major motion picture, and Arlo became a cultural hero, inspiring a whole generation to social consciousness and activism. Forty years later, the song has morphed to become part of American culture. It is the story of the triumph of the little guy, surviving a time of insanity, not through wisdom but through littering.

He "retired" the song in the early nineties, but Arlo will sing Alice again. His return appearance to Ithaca's State Theater is part of the Alice's Restaurant 40th Anniversary Massacree Tour.

Even without Alice, Arlo has continued to entertain audiences all over the world, keeping alive the rich traditions and social values that have become synonymous with the '60s. As he says, "Freedom, Peace, Justice - the usual stuff." In recent years, Arlo has spent nearly ten months of the year on the road, frequently accompanied by his son Abe, who plays keyboards and provides additional vocals. [Abe, along with Gordon Titcomb, will join Arlo in Ithaca.]

Arlo is a natural-born storyteller. He ties his shows together with witty anecdotes and thought-provoking ideas. Included on the 40th Anniversary program will be Arlo's favorites, including City of New Orleans, The Motorcycle Song, Coming Into Los Angeles, and traditional songs he feels everyone knows, songs which identify us as part of a continuing movement.

Opening the show, and at times accompanying Arlo, will be The Mammals. Their music is an infectious mix of social commentary and fiddle-banjo-guitar artistry. They are, "acoustic traditionalists, to be sure, but the subversive sort," says the Washington Post. Writing original takes on current politics and playing driving traditional standards like John Henry, (a song Tao Rodriguez-Seeger could have learned at his grandpappy's, Pete Seeger, knee) the Mammals redraw the boundaries of old-time music.

Tickets are available at the Ticket Center in Clinton House and, if any are left, at the door.

For information about the concert, contact

• Outtasite Productions at 607-273-4497.

Author:	Ted Crane
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