For those of us of a certain age (graying, balding, thickening) and political persuasion (left leaning) annual Pete Seeger concerts were a rite of childhood, a chance to see absent friends and to bask in the dynamic force of Pete's personality and musical energy. As we've aged many of us have kept up and renewed the Pete Seeger watch at the Clearwater Great Hudson River Revival Festival each June.

Now, Pete is 90 years old and a Madison Square Garden Concert is planned for May 3, 2009. The concert starts at 5 PM both to accommodate us Alter Kockers who can't stay out late and to allow an unending list of musicians to perform in Pete's honor. In my, somewhat eccentric, circle rumors of ticket sales were flying long ago and schemes were concocted to get seats or the best seats, or seats together. Performers and (as it turns out, of course) American Express card holders got first dibs on Monday March 23. Clearwater activists and members were allowed to order with a secret code (swordfish?) beginning on Wednesday. It's been a frenzied affair. People trading tickets, buying extra etc.

More than 40 artists are performing including Pete, Bruce Springsteen, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Dar Williams -- the list goes on and on. Check it out for yourself.

Now that I've got mine, I invite you to buy tickets too. General public ticket sales start on Monday March 30 at 9 AM on Ticketmaster. . But I suspect that anyone who's a native New Yorker will be able to finagle an early ticket purchase if they want to.