The former Robert Zimmerman brought a certain fame to the area during his years as a Woodstock family man – and then left, never to return. But you can be sure that Dylan’s legacy lives on locally; his annual birthday celebration is large enough to benefit Family of Woodstock and attract a full cadre of local talent to celebrate the master at the Bearsville Theater this Saturday night, May 24.
In its sixth outing, the Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration this year also honors the departed John Herald: another folkie great who actually made Woodstock his home for decades. Set to play on what is Dylan’s 73rd birthday, the roster for the evening includes the sort of wildly diverse slate that is Woodstock’s music scene. Jazz master Don Byron will be there, along with Donald Fagen of Steely Dan fame, Paul Green’s Rock Academy kids, Jonathan & Grasshopper of Mercury Rev, song legend Jules Shear, Charles Lyonhart, who will team with Brian Hollander on a John Herald tribute, and members of the Saturday Night Bluegrass Band, Happy Traum (an old pal of Bob’s) and other local legends with long recording histories, including Marc Black, Sarah Fimm, Connor Kennedy, Jerry Marotta, the Duke McVinnie Band, Tim Moore, Scott Petito, Sin City and Adrienne Reju.
Funds from the evening will benefit Family’s hotline and food pantry and the John Herald Fund, which helps local musicians pay for car repairs, dental surgery, medical care, utility bills, rent and schooling. “I’m so happy that proceeds from the concert and raffle will benefit Family of Woodstock’s Crisis Hotline and the John Herald Fund,” says event producer LuAnn Bielawa. “What better reason to ask such phenomenal musicians to donate their time than to raise money and awareness to help musicians and others in Ulster County who are in need?”
Be sure to sign up early; this show sells out every year.
Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration to Benefit Family of Woodstock, Saturday, May 24, 8 p.m., $25+, Bearsville Theater, Route 212, Woodstock; (845) 679-4406, www.bearsvilletheater.com.
Join the family! 
