Pete Seeger, an American folk musician and activist who died in January at age 94, once told the House Unamerican Activities Committee, “I make my living as a banjo picker — sort of damning, in some people's opinion,” while refusing to name people for whom he had performed his music.
Pete Seeger in 1955 (courtesy Library of Congress).

Seeger’s remarkable 75-year career will be the focus of a day of activism, education and music at Bellarmine University on Sunday, October 26. “For Pete’s Sake: A Call to Action” is sponsored by Bellarmine’s Faculty for Social Innovation, the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and the Bluegrass Bioneers.

The free event takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the George G. Brown Center’s Frazier Hall. [campus map]

The event is a musical and educational tribute to honor Seeger’s life and legacy, applying his vision to today’s social justice issues in the areas of peace, civil rights, civil liberties, environmental justice and fair labor practices.

The event includes: 

  • Teach-ins on a variety of topics.
  • An activism fair with 40 participating non-profit and activist organizations from across the region.
  • A screening of the speakers at this month’s National Bioneers Summit Conference.
  • A Pete Seeger tribute concert featuring local musicians, starting at 3 p.m. in the Wyatt Center for the Arts.
Local musician and activist John Gage will host an impressive lineup of musicians to memorialize Seeger’s music, including the Troubadours of Divine Bliss, kRi & Hettie, Carol Kraemer, Misha Feigin, Fernando Moya and John Paul Wright. The show will be recorded as part of the Kentucky Homefront radio series broadcast by Louisville’s WFPK 91.9 FM.

For updates and a full list of participating organizations, visit the event’s Facebook page.

For more information, contact Dr. Curt Bergstrand at 502/272-8145 or via email.