Celebrating a hundred years of Woody

Woody Guthrie's legend lives on, with a conference and concert marking his L.A. legacy.

Few musicians have had broader influence than the late Woody Guthrie, an American folk hero who inspired generations of music-lovers and activists. To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of Guthrie’s birth, University of Southern California is hosting “Woody Guthrie’s Los Angeles: A Centenary Celebration” this Saturday, April 14.

The free conference will feature scholars, musicians and writers who will focus on Guthrie’s Depression-era rise to fame in Los Angeles through a series of discussions, interviews and performances. The conference is a collaboration of the Grammy Museum, the Woody Guthrie Archives and four universities.

Reservations are required for the event, which begins at 8 a.m. with coffee and pastries and concludes at 5:15 p.m. after Bob Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum, interviews a “special guest.” It all takes place in Bovard Auditorium at USC— directions are available online.

Following the event will be a concert tribute to Woody Guthrie at Club Nokia. Featured artists include Jackson Browne, Crosby and Nash and Kris Kristofferson. Tickets to the concert range from $39.50 to $99.50 and may be purchased online.

Posted 4/12/12