Peace, love and music for a while in Laguna Woods

By Daniella Walsh

Laguna Woods’ Clubhouse 2 turned into an oasis of peace and love on June 28 in a world not exactly awash in either.

Coming 56 years after the historic Woodstock Music and Art Fair in upstate New York, Laguna Woodstock was again organized by the Boomers Club, this year for at least the 16th time.

More than 1,300 wristband-wearing music fans in tie-dyed garb and recreated hippie gear gathered on the patio dance floor, in the clubhouse and on the front lawns under canopies brimming with food and libations and groovy vibrations, the sweet, pungent scent of pot wafting over the scene.

Jimi, the guitar-playing skeleton, was back at his post under a tree, and strung-up bras danced in the breeze with a sign designating the underwired losers for burning.

Sign-carrying “protesters” snaked through narrow paths decrying the war in Vietnam and various issues of social justice.

Kevin Kennedy, a seven-year resident of the retirement community, was a kid in Oklahoma when Woodstock shook the nation’s elders.

“It did not have much of an impact on me when it happened,” he said. “I’m catching up now.”

Dressed in an approximation of the hippie garb, he said he likes to dance, listen to music and smoke pot.

“I have peace in my heart,” he said.

With peace and love as the fest’s leitmotif, Maryann Bamberger and her husband of 48 years, Steve, wore shirts with the original Woodstock logo. They said they have attended the Boomers’ Woodstock festival every year.

“This was our time. I still listen to all the songs of Woodstock – Jimi Hendrix,” she said. “People should have more love in their hearts; there’s so much hate now.”

Kathi Fox, a 19-year resident, also has attended the local Woodstock every year.

“Woodstock was our era. Music and watching people bring back memories from 1969,” she said. “My daughter was born that year and a man landed on the moon. We were young and hopeful. We wanted peace and love – we wanted to dream.”

Joining her was Gaye Thomson, who said she came for the music and the dancing.

“We come for the atmosphere, to watch people dance and enjoy themselves,” she said.

On the front patio of Clubhouse 2, throngs of folks, ranging from teenagers to those more than old enough to have been at the original Woodstock, danced to music by the 1969 Tribute Band, The Trip, Family Style, Funk Station and AbSOULute.

Inside, vendors touted their wares: tie-dyed bell bottoms resembling skirts, handmade jewelry and other accessories completing an on-the-spot hippie look. Food and drinks were for sale. As for the pot, it was strictly bring your own.

In the coolest corner of the building, festivalgoers lined up to have their fortunes told through Tarot cards.

Gloria Martinez, at Woodstock for the first time, said she came to have her fortune told “just for fun.” Dressed in regular clothes, she said she forgot the hippie guise.

“I graduated from college in ’67 and had my first kid in ’69. I watched Woodstock on TV,” she said.

As for peace and love, she and her husband had done a stint in the Peace Corps.

“I loved the concept of bringing peace to so many people. We need that now,” she said.

When Teresa and Jeff Casta crossed onto the dance floor, it was evident that Jeff had his own interpretation of a post-hippie look: He had fashioned his long beard into a colorful five-point star.

“That took a lot of hairspray and colored spray,” he said, calling it “a tie-dyed beard.”

Even though the couple has lived in the Village for six years (his grandparents and parents had also been residents), it was their first time at Woodstock.

“I grew up in Connecticut and actually almost went to Woodstock,” he recalled. “We love how the music has translated into today; we grew up with it. It’s still relevant today.”

“As is love and peace,” added Theresa.

Boomers Club President Howard Fox shared his enthusiasm for this year’s festival.

“Everyone really enjoyed the music this year, and the variety of vendors and food was another success,” he said.

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