Phish in Watkins Glen, NY

Phish – the American rock band noted for its originality and the exploration of music across genres is in Watkins Glen for a three day, July 4th weekend celebration. The band is noted for music which blends elements of jazz, alternative rock progressive rock, hard rock, funk, folk, bluegrass, and more.
Many local residents are excited about the concert for even more than the music. This is because Phish will urge fans to join and contribute to the Coalition to Protect New York – a grassroots organization opposed to hydrofracking, a natural gas drilling method feared by many New Yorkers because of its potential to contaminate water.
The controversial drilling method has not been permitted in New York but the moratorium expires in July and thus it could be permitted as early as this summer. Hydrofracking involves using high volumes of water and chemicals to extract the gas from the Marcellus Shale which runs through the southern tier and north into the Finger Lakes region.
Coalition volunteers will give out handouts and flyers at the concert.
Local anti-fracking filmmaker Jeff Andrysick and his wife, Jodi, from Steuben County, will donate 150 copies of their latest movie, “Water Isn’t Water Anymore” to the coalition for the concert.
Phish fans are traditionally committed to social issues and environmental responsibility. Many believe that the concert will be an opportunity for more people to learn about the dangers of fracking and what opponents are doing to prevent it from overwhelming our state.