Bethel Woods Brings Art Into Schools With Virtual Programming

Bethel Woods will continue making art accessible to all. In an effort to meet the needs of learners in a time of social distancing and hybrid schooling models, the Center's E3: Engage. Experience. Explore. program is now being offered to classrooms, homes, and/or learning pods, delivering high-caliber performances through a virtual platform for the 2020-2021 school year.

"Our E3 Artist-in-Residence program provides an opportunity for students and members of the community to engage with artists from around the world, participate in customized workshops, and view inspiring performances," Suzanne Morris, Senior Director, Museum Education and Creative Programs.

From Monday, November 2nd through Saturday, November 7th, The Story Pirates, an educational media organization dually-based in New York City and Los Angeles, will transform students' original stories into wild sketch comedy musicals. Featuring professional actors who will show these dreamers just how amazing their ideas are, The Story Pirates celebrate the ideas of young people and create confident, literate students equipped with a variety of tools for written, verbal, and artistic self-expression. A schedule for the residency includes:

Monday, November 2nd: Local & Regional Schools, Pre-Registration Required

During this school-day performance, a master class writing workshop will bring teaching concepts to life, followed by a musical sketch comedy show featuring stories by students and performed by professional artists.

Tuesday, November 3rd - Friday, November 5th: Local Schools, Pre-Registration Required

The Story Pirates will offer a creative writing session, leaving students with the tools to start writing and the excitement to let their imaginations take the lead.

Thursday, November 5th: Public, FREE with Registration

One hour long after-school creative writing workshop.

Saturday, November 7 th: Public, FREE with Registration

Bethel Woods @ Home - which brings the sense of exploration and curiosity of on-site programs to the home - presents Story Creation Zone, a FREE, family-friendly virtual show, streamed live and based entirely on kids' ideas made up on the spot! This is available through a private video Zoom with chat so kids can interact with teaching artists and help discover and imagine "what happens next" in the collaborative story.

The following month, Bethel Woods will welcome Soul Inscribed to the historic site. The New York-based, six-piece band creates a mix of hip hop poetics and soulful vocals, enhanced by a blend of jazz, funk and dub instrumentals. The group will spend a week working virtually in classrooms motivating children to write more and express themselves creatively. Soul Inscribed will also perform a FREE virtual concert for the online community during their residency. This program models artistic skills combined with the power of collaboration, improvisation, inclusion, expression and community contribution, to celebrate the power of music as a universal language. Soul Inscribed invites all present to join them as ambassadors for creativity, tolerance and social good. A schedule for this week includes:

Monday, December 14th: Local & Regional Schools, Pre-Registration Required

This special school day assembly will introduce middle school learners to the work of Soul Inscribed with a short music history lesson on how hip hop has changed and influenced music through the ages, a reflection on the history of Woodstock performers mixed with lessons on beat boxing, beat making, songwriting and break dancing with Ken Fury.

Tuesday, December 15th - Thursday, December 17th: Local Schools, Pre-Registration Required

Teaching Artists will offer a performing arts learning master class in beat box, break dance, beat making and song writing - all centered on the power that music and movement have for self-expression.

Wednesday, December 16th | 6 PM : Public, FREE with registration

As part of Bethel Woods @ Home, Soul Inscribed will delight guests in an evening of hip hop and soul live from the Event Gallery.

Additional virtual learning opportunities through the Center include Explore the '60s. Bethel Woods educators will bring the decade to life through an online learning program in the 2020-2021 school year, where grades K-12 can choose an adventure centered on the Woodstock Music and Art Fair or Artful Activism of the 1960s. Each 50-minute program includes a teacher planning consultation, customized pre and post-virtual visit activities, and resources for continued exploration. Program cost is $150 per class and tuition assistance is available.

The Museum at Bethel Woods has been modified for guests' safety and features outdoor exhibits including Meet Me At Woodstock - an augmented reality tour that uses authentic stories and sounds to immerse a visitor in the sights and surroundings of the 1969 Woodstock festival. A schedule for The Museum is as follows:

Thru November 1: Open 7 days a week; 10 AM - 5 PM

November 2 - 22: Open Thursday-Sunday; 10 AM - 5 PM

November 23-January 3, 2021 (during Peace, Love & Lights)

Open Monday-Wednesday; 5 PM - 10 PM*

Open Thursday-Sunday; 10 AM - 10 PM*

*Includes holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day

For more information on ticketing, event programming, or to purchase tickets, please visit BethelWoodsCenter.org

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