Impressed with Baez' music and social convictions, Nancy drove cross-country and arrived in Big Sur in 1961. She was attending Boston University when she met Joan Baez. The festival was founded in 1964 by Nancy Carlen. The festival was later considered by some as the antithesis of the commercial Woodstock, but it was originally seen by the artists an antidote to the Newport Folk Festival. Celebration at Big Sur featured many performers who had played only four weeks earlier at Woodstock from August 15–18. ![]() Richard and Mimi Fariña performed for the first time at the festival, which led to a recording contract.Īt the September 1969 festival, a documentary film was made. ![]() Carlen purposefully kept advertising to a minimum to help keep crowds small. The second-to-last year was held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. It was held except for one year in front of the pool at the Esalen Institute on the Big Sur coast. All proceeds benefitted Baez's Institute for the Study of Nonviolence.Ĭarlen intended it to be a friendly and low-key event that allowed artists to relax after their long summer concert series. The audience paid $3.50 to $5.50, depending on the year. All of the artists were paid union scale, about $50. Well-known acts included Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, the Beach Boys, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Country Joe McDonald, John Sebastian, Kris Kristofferson, Arlo Guthrie, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Taj Mahal, Dorothy Morrison with the Edwin Hawkins Singers, and Julie Payne. ![]() Carlen was a good friend of Baez, and they decided to invite other artists, which turned into the first festival.īaez performed at all seven events. ![]() Nancy Jane Carlen (1941-2013) was working at the Esalen Institute when Joan Baez was asked to lead workshops on music. The Big Sur Folk Festival, held from 1964 to 1971 in California, was an informal gathering of prominent and emerging folk artists from across the United States.
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