What Happens in the Swamp, Stays in the Swamp.

Comments (0) By Jamie Laughlin Thursday, Mar 27 2008

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Growing up in mid-century New York, Elliot Tiber was just another struggling artist. Then, Woodstock happened. Throughout the ´60s, Elliot had been struggling to keep his family’s farm/hotel in White Lake afloat by organizing small music festivals with his revolving cadre of fellow out-of-work entertainers. The efforts, although admirable, were financially unsuccessful. The Tibers were facing foreclosure and the farmhouse was crumbling around them, so when Elliot discovered that Woodstock needed sacred ground to transpire, he promptly offered up his property for one dollar and the stipulation that all of his artist friends be hired to help. @body:When the organizers arrived via helicopter to survey his potential plot, however, they discovered that instead of firm soil, the Tiber estate was swampland. With some quick maneuvering Elliot redirected the rental deal towards his friend Max Yasgur’s farm. And the rest is history, right? Kinda. There’s a Woodstock story that’s never been told, until now. It’s a new film called Ticket to Freedom: Woodstock, and it’s premiering at Cinema Paradiso (503 SE Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale) this evening. The docu-comedy is Elliot’s brainchild, and it follows all of the sordid behind-the-scenes scandals and mini-sagas that had to take place for this historic music festival to have occurred. Crooked politicians, media chaos, acid trips, and what wound up happening on Tiber’s land (AKA Woodstock annex/psychedelic triage unit) all make up a more complete look at an iconic affair. And, as Fort Lauderdale’s newest N.Y. transplant, Tiber will be on hand to introduce the film (and to sign copies of his new book Taking Woodstock) this evening at 8 p.m. General admission for the movie alone will run you $8; entry to both the film and the reception can be had for $25. Call 954-525-FILM, or visit www.fliff.com.
Tue., April 1, 2008