Ariel Horowitz

i grew up backstage on the road with my mom @amy_horowitz — in her (ongoing!) multifaceted career as an activist/organizer, scholar, and music producer, she has worked with many artists, among them the legendary Pete Seeger.

one night, my mom was assisting at a concert featuring Pete, my auntie @hollynearofficial, Ronnie Gilbert, and Natalie Merchant, among others. my usual backstage routine comprised coloring and playing pretend with whoever would indulge me: lighting guys, stage crew, other kids if i was particularly lucky. when i got a bit older, I’d often practice violin if the backstage area was soundproof enough, and sometimes later on when i stopped sounding screechy, I’d be even luckier and get invited for a walk on performance — no charts or sheet music, i just sat in the band and learned how to improvise alongside the artists by ear. 🎻

this particular night, i was quite little, so no violin in tow yet, but i found myself listening from the wings during the final song. at the curtain call, Toshi Seeger told me (more like gave me a loving shove 😅💙) to go onstage with the artists. i was nervous because I didn’t know the song — Pete’s “Where Have All the Flowers Gone”, but Ronnie took my hand once I got out there and told me “watch me and grab the words out of my mouth,” while Pete led the audience in a singalong. It was a powerful moment in my young life: I got to actually be a part of how a song can bring people together in real time.

this past weekend, I got to sing and play “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” (the first time since I sang it onstage all those years ago with Pete) alongside my wonderful fellow artists @jessicameyermusic @amandagookin @hollynelsonviolin @louisbass @sybarite5 at the @walla_walla_cmf, on a program featuring music from Mahler and Britten to Radiohead. What a special weekend filled with laughs and great tunes. ❤️

it’s a very painful and terrifying time, and most of us are (rightly) angry and activated. I’d like to think that in spite of this, or perhaps because of it, uncle Pete would be so happy to know that we’re still singing and playing his song altogether. 💙