Bethel Woods: beyond rock ’n’ roll

Center now offers diverse programs

By Angie Hund | Manor Ink

Bethel, NY – “The most important thing for Bethel Woods is having the community embrace it,” said Eric Frances, the CEO of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Earlier last month, Manor Ink spoke to Frances about the large variety of activities Bethel Woods has to offer the community this summer, how it weathered COVID, his feelings about being CEO and the organization’s plans for the future.

“This is going to be the biggest season we’ve ever had, with 29 shows,” Frances said. He has served as the center’s CEO for two years, but had worked as CFO since Bethel Woods presented its first concert series in 2006. He was named to the top job on the cusp of the pandemic, and had to go dark with no concerts in 2020. “After COVID, nothing can rattle me,” he said.

Bethel Woods’ 800-acre campus includes a Pavilion Stage amphitheater with a seating capacity of 16,000, an intimate 422-seat indoor Event Gallery, the award-winning Museum at Bethel Woods and a Conservatory for creative learning programs. Recently, it added a smaller Horizon Stage to showcase emerging artists. It has also upgraded several houses on the property to host residential staff and multiple educational programs.

The organization is nonprofit and depends on memberships, voluntary contributions, grants and sponsorships to supplement ticket sales and program fees. It has 50 year-round, full-time employees, but that number grows to between 800 and 1,000 people working in the concert season. About 300 volunteers, including 20 highly trained docents who are actual Woodstock alumni, also support the $15 to $20 million operation.

A historic site diversifies

Located on the grounds of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, Bethel Woods celebrates its history in part by inviting original festival artists back, many of whom became famous because they played at Woodstock. Frances asserted that all living artists from 1969 have returned at least once.

Now the organization’s goal is to offer diverse musical genres each season. The concert line-up, however, depends significantly on when artists are available based on their travel plans.

Bethel Woods carefully tracks its audiences. Most come from Sullivan and Orange Counties. Some artists draw from much larger areas. “The 50th Anniversary of Woodstock drew audience members from all 50 States,” said Frances. With huge artists such as Steely Dan, Dave Matthews and Phish booked for its 2022 season, Bethel Woods remains a popular venue for rock ’n’ roll.

This summer the center offers several affordable shows for budget-conscious families to come and enjoy. In addition, they give out regular concert tickets to nonprofit organizations so that they can distribute them directly to families that might not otherwise attend. Along with those efforts are weekly children’s summer programs that include fine art and learning to play musical instruments.

The new Horizon Stage also provides a showcase for aspiring artists.“We think it’s important as part of our history, since Woodstock featured unknown artists and gave them a chance,” said Frances.

Tackling problems, addressing issues

Criticism has emerged about the organization’s lack of accessibility in the past. But Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Susan Russ assured the Ink that they’ve significantly improved on this. “Every venue is now readily accessible, including a monthly day when all events address sensory as well as physical limitations that people may have,” she explained.

When the pandemic began, Frances decided to keep his staff fully employed. “We are, at the end of the day, a very close knit, family-based organization, and it was just the right thing to do. And, you know, I’m thankful the board made that decision,” he said.

During lockdown hardships, the organization created events that would be safe for the community. The holiday light shows were expanded and “Peace, Love and Pumpkins,” a Halloween walk-through with carved pumpkins, was launched. Outdoor dinners with museum curators and other speakers were also offered.

Frances shared ideas currently percolating for future activities as well. This year, for example, the pumpkin event will have special nights with spooky effects for brave-hearted souls. “I’d love to see an ice skating rink and I’d love to see sledding on the field in the near future,” he said.

According to a 2021 economic impact study, Bethel Woods has contributed over $700 million to Sullivan County’s economy. A property the size of New York City’s Central Park, Bethel Woods Center for Arts is a gift to our community that keeps on giving.

Bethel Woods Summer schedule

For information and tickets to these shows, visit bethelwoodscenter.org/events/concerts.

JULY

• Friday, July 1, 7 p.m.: Dead and Company

• Saturday, July 2, 7 p.m.: Doobie Brothers

• Sunday, July 3, 7 p.m.: Steely Dan with Aimee Mann

• Tuesday, July 5, 7 p.m.: Josh Groban

• Friday, July 8, 7 p.m.: Train with Blues Traveler

• Thursday, July 14, 7 p.m.: Chicago and Brian Wilson

• Friday, July 15, 7 p.m.: OneRepublic with NEEDTOBREATHE

• Tuesday, July 19, 7 p.m.: Alanis Morissette

• Wednesday, July 20, 7:30 p.m.: Dave Matthews Band

• Friday, Saturday, July 22, 23, 7:29 p.m.: Phish (two day passes available)

• Sunday, July 24, 7:30 p.m.: Backstreet Boys

• Saturday, July 30, 8 p.m.: Norah Jones

AUGUST

• Thursday, Aug. 4, 8 p.m.: Jimmy Buffett

• Saturday, Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m.: Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone

• Sunday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m.: Foreigner

• Saturday, Aug. 13, 4:30 p.m.: Outlaw Music Festival with Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Zach Bryan

• Sunday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m.: Backroads Blues Festival with Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Christone Kingfish Ingram

• Friday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m.: Brandi Carlile

• Saturday, Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m: Phil Lesh

• Sunday, Aug. 21, 7 p.m.: Santana with Earth Wind and Fire

• Tuesday, Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m.: Encanto: The Sing Along Film Concert

• Thursday, Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m.: The Beach Boys