Booked venue on 40th anniversary weekend may be reason to delay the concert.
A Woodstock Story News Release
April 17, 2007
Woodstock Organizer Michael Lang has announced an interest in holding the New York installment of the Woodstock 40th anniversary at Prospect Park. Lang is still in the process of gaining sponsors for the free concert, which will be an environmentally-friendly outing, and progress is being made.
“It’s big, it’s convenient, there’s public transportation, and Brooklyn’s cool,” said Lang. “I’d love to do it, but it’s been a very tough year.”
Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe confirmed that the city of Brooklyn is engaging in talks with Lang about Woodstock 2009.
Prospect Park was chosen as the most viable location for the concert due to the lack of space in Central Park. The concert is speculated to take place in the Long Meadow in Prospect Park. Lang hopes to recruit Woodstock 1969 veterans such as Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, as well as contemporary musicians that fit the Woodstock description including Dave Matthews Band and Phish.
After Woodstock 1999, Lang has expressed a change in the lineup by means of a more chill ticket. Lang mentioned that he has met with the NYPD about security precautions, but is not worried. Other sites that were scoped out included Coney Island and Flushing Meadows in Queens, but both were ruled out due to size constraints.
The only wave of uncertainty in the location is that Prospect Park is already booked for the planned date of August 15. Lang says that it would be worth it to reschedule if necessary and that Prospect Park is still his first choice.