Village Voice Celebrates 50 Years

Nation's Largest Alternative Weekly to Publish Special Issue Commemorating 50 Years of Award-Winning, Independent Journalism

NEW YORK–Oct. 26, 2005–Fifty years ago today, The Village Voice burst onto the scene in New York City defending truth, exposing the powerful and taking the unpopular point of view. Five decades later, what began as “a Greenwich Village weekly” is now the nation’s largest alternative publication. To mark the occasion, the Voice will publish a special issue highlighting significant historical and cultural moments from the past 50 years.

The Village Voice maintains the same tradition of no-holds barred reporting and criticism it has always embraced, winning nearly 200 editorial awards (including three Pulitzer prizes), earning a reputation for groundbreaking investigations, and as the premier expert on New York’s cultural scene. Always ahead of the curve, writing and reporting on local and national politics, with opinionated reviews and comprehensive entertainment listings, the Voice remains the authoritative source for all New York has to offer.

To celebrate 50 years this special issue contains:

— Excerpts from content published over the last five decades from some of America’s finest writers including: Norman Mailer, Allen Ginsberg, Jonas Mekas, Andrew Sarris, Jack Newfield, Nat Hentoff, Susan Brownmiller, Edward Albee, Jerry Rubin, Vivian Gornick, Jill Johnston, Greil Marcus, Philip Roth, Karen Durbin, Gary Giddins, Pete Hamill, James Wolcott, Lester Bangs, Teresa Carpenter, Roberta Smith, Guy Trebay, Nelson George, Stanley Crouch, J. Hoberman, Joyce Carol Oates, Donna Gaines, Gary Indiana, Michael Feingold, Toure, and Mark Schoofs

— A mix of original essays: Nat Hentoff on the history and spirit of the Voice, Jarrett Murphy on the history of Voice ownership, Wayne Barrett on city politics, J. Hoberman on film, Robert Christgau on music, Michael Feingold on downtown theater and the rise of Off-Broadway, Michael Musto on NYC nightlife and Ellen Willis on feminism.

— 50 Village Voice covers reproduced full size, with an interactive slideshow on villagevoice.com

— A historical timeline posted on villagevoice.com featuring major milestones for NYC and the Village Voice over the last 50 years

— Plus, a special email address (50th@villagevoice.com) created for readers to share personal anecdotes about the Voice to be published on villagevoice.com

The Village Voice 50th Anniversary – Celebrating five decades of fearless journalism, comprehensive entertainment coverage, critical reviews, and classified listings. On stands and online Wednesday October 26.

Contact: The Village Voice
Jessica Bellucci, 212-475-3300 x15052
jbellucci@villagevoice.com