Woodstock producer to speak

Rock music writer and producer Artie Kornfeld, who along with Mike Lang created the legendary Woodstock Music & Art Fair in 1969 reportedly from “an idea that came at 2 a.m. in the morning after a bumper-pool game and a few joints,” will speak at the Jewish Community Center’s Gotthelf Art Gallery at 7:30 p.m. March 10.

“Never did I think that what started as an idealistic conversation among friends would become part of history,” Kornfeld has been quoted as saying. Rolling Stone magazine describes Woodstock “as one of the top moments that changed the history of rock ‘n’ roll.”

“On the weekend of Aug. 15, 1969, an estimated 500,000 people from all over America descended on the 600-acre dairy farm of Max Yasgur, in Bethel, N.Y., for a three-day concert, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. On Monday, Aug. 18, they all melted back into America after witnessing legendary performances by (among others) The Who, Santana, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joe Cocker, Sly and the Family Stone, Jimi Hendrix and, in only their second live show together, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

“Despite delays, the danger of electrical shocks and general backstage anarchy, Woodstock pulled off the ultimate magic act of the 1960s: turning utter rain-soaked chaos into the greatest rock festival ever and the decade’s most famous and successful experiment in peace and community,” Rolling Stone Magazine wrote.

Kornfeld will share his rock stories and musical insight. A co-producer of Woodstock at age 26, Kornfeld has continued in the music business for some 40 years and worked with many of rock ‘n’ roll’s most famous icons.

His visit coincides with the opening of “Jews Rock! A Photographic Celebration of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Jewish Heritage.” The evening will be moderated by Dirk Sutro, publicity director of UCSD’s Department of Music and former host of “The Lounge,” a nightly arts and culture program on KPBS-FM public radio, and author of the book “Jazz for Dummies.”

Both photographer Janet Macoska and Kornfeld will participate in a book signing after the program.

• When: 7:30 p.m. March 10
• Where: Gotthelf Art Gallery at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla
• Tickets: $15-$18; (858) 362-1348