Woodstock Revisited

Wed., Aug. 12, 6-8 p.m., free (registration required), Penn State Great Valley, 30 E. Swedesford Road, Malvern, 610-648-3219, sgps.psu.edu..

by Lauren Fleming

[ think tank ]

Forty years after Woodstock, the festival's reputation is as sexy and druggy as ever. But is that accurate?

As part of the summer education series at Penn State Great Valley, Woodstock Revisited is a chance for people who went to the fest to come together, dress up like it's the '60s again, and tell attending youngsters how it really went down. Sociology professor Michele Hax and author Joanne Hague are officially slotted to speak at the event, but anyone can share their stories. "We're trying to stimulate thinking in people [who were there], along with those who might romanticize that time period," says coordinator Suzanne Cruit. "And talk about other things, like the Vietnam War."

With troops fighting overseas today and the youth still heavily influenced by music, Hax, a contributor to Susan Reynolds' book Woodstock Revisited (Adams Media), will discuss whether events during the late '60s mirror those going on now. "There are similarities with current times, but the differences are striking," she says. "The Woodstock festival occurred during a time of massive social unrest, yet half a million kids remained peaceful. ... One could hardly imagine that happening today, which is why almost every attempt to replicate it has been unsuccessful."

Although serious issues will be on the table, Hax's goal is to get different generations talking, even if it's about more lighthearted topics. Here's hoping Bonnaroo comes up.

Wed., Aug. 12, 6-8 p.m., free (registration required), Penn State Great Valley, 30 E. Swedesford Road, Malvern, 610-648-3219, sgps.psu.edu.