Judy Collins to Perform: A Rare Opportunity

Special to the Journal

by Anita Sandler

Synchronicity happens. Judy Collins was one of my folk heroes. In the 60's it was the voices and sounds of folk music that was the backdrop and soundtrack of our lives...and I chose Judy over Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell. It was her voice...like an angel’s...with high pitched perfection... her no nonsense straight from the heart vocals and her choice of songs that represented the side of good and beauty and clarity that inspired me to sing and to write songs.

Judy Collins is not only a singer’s singer, she is one of the decades most memorable vocalists and most respected spokesperson of a generation. So, how did folk icon Judy Collins (who usually plays in venues of no less than 5,000 people) end up playing a second concert in our own 300 seat Dorset Playhouse is part synchronicity part who you know. A friend of the Founder of Clear Path International which was founded in Seattle and now based in Dorset, knew Holly Collins, Judy’s sister...and one thing led to another and here’s Judy in Vermont for the second time in 2 years. The first concert was such a magical transforming evening that Judy asked to do it again...requesting to be joined again by the Dorset Church Choir who accompanied her in 2004.

The concert will benefit Clear Path International, an organization born out of wanting to make the world a better place. They reach their philanthropic help, loving arms and compassionate energy all the way to Vietnam, Cambodia, the Thai-Burma border and most recently to Afghanistan serving the victims, survivors and the families of landmine and unexploded bomb accidents. Since the end of the Vietnam War, more than 6,000 people, mostly children, have died in Vietnam alone as a result of accidental explosions. Every week someone still gets hurt or maimed, at least 4,000 maimed for life. In Cambodia more than 2 million land mines wait to claim their next victim. Since 1970 approximately 80,000 Cambodians have been killed and roughly 40,000 maimed. Yes, the numbers are staggering. Clear Path initially sponsored the removal of land mines and unexploded bombs, but now concentrates their efforts on helping accident survivors and their families with medical care, economic support, therapy, scholarships, direct and indirect medical and social services as well as equipment support for hospitals.

I asked James Hathaway, one of the founders of Clear Path, how he and the others deal with their anger over the injustice of all he sees...he told me...’Anger gives way to sadness. It’s complicated to place blame. There is too much ahead to look behind.’ Hathaway sees Clear Path’s work as a-political and they see themselves as social activists, simply Americans helping those that need help. They have received help this year for the first time from the State Department’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement who will match up to $60,000 in contributions to Clear Path until the end of 2006 ....so your ticket to see Judy Collins or your monetary contribution will actually be doubled.

For Judy, coming to Vermont, singing with The Dorset Choir and raising money and awareness for an important cause such as Clear Path is a magical combination. Like other folk singers of her generation, she was drawn to social activism. She represents UNICEF and is an advocate for Suicide Prevention. She marched for civil Rights in the 60's and protested the war in the 70's. In 1994 she went to Vietnam which she called ‘a transforming experience.’ So her ties with the mission of Clear Path are close and personal. She was raised to believe one person could make a difference and she has definitely lived by that rule. Most of the music she has created and continues to create she sees as ‘music of hope and healing that lightens the world and speaks to the heart... a voice that helps us heal’. She also believes in the healing and spiritual power of live performance and continues to share her voice and spirit performing 50 to 60 concerts a year all over the world, a staggering schedule for anyone (and even more amazing since Judy’s in her mid 60's!).

Judy will be singing many of the songs she’s made famous...her Grammy winning “Both Sides Now” and “Send In The Clowns”, along with “Amazing Grace” and many favorite Christmas Classics. The Dorset Church Choir will accompany her the entire performance and will open for Judy. Jane Wood, Music Director of the Choir, started the group in 1993 and it has grown from 6 to 25 singers. They have played many different venues, but Jane feels that the musical experience of singing with Judy and working with her Music Director, Russel Warden, has been, not only one of the most amazing experiences they’ve had, but one of the most fun. The idea of putting the choir together with Judy was the inspired idea of James Hathaway who said that Judy was thrilled to be asked to do the Concert the first time and said it was such a fantastic experience she offered to come back anytime.

The date is December 17th at the Dorset Playhouse... doors open at 6:30 for ‘A Judy Collins Christmas in Vermont : A Benefit for Clear Path International’. This is truly a rare opportunity to see a performer of Judy Collins’ stature in such a personal setting as The Dorset Playhouse...and to be able to donate in this way to such an important cause as Clear Path, makes this evening all the more special and not to be missed.

The presenting sponsor for this event is Vermont Store Fixtures of Danby. There will also be a raffle at the Playhouse of local products to Benefit Clear Path. Tickets can be purchased and donations made by calling 800-595-4849 or online at www.cpi.org.