We are extremely excited for this year’s FEST, returning to NYC for the 40th anniversary of the FEST and commemorating the 50th anniversary (to the date) of the arrival of The Beatles in America!This year’s FEST will be EPIC. Visit: http://www.thefest.com/Among the musical guests who will be joining us are Donovan, Peter Asher, Chad and Jeremy, Billy J. Kramer, The Smithereens, The Nutopians, Mark Hudson, Birds of Paradox, Mark Rivera, and of course Liverpool – our incredible house band, viewed as the best Beatles Tribute Band in the World.
In addition to our tremendous lineup of musical guests, this year’s NYC FEST will feature The Cavern, a brand new ballroom that will be a place to rediscover The Beatles through a mixed bag of modern interpretations: young rock bands who admire The Beatles, fashion designers, hip hop artists, dancers, young performers, spiritual thought leaders and DJs playing into the night as it turns into the Rave Cave.
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Schedule of Events
Click here for the events schedule for NYC FEST 2014 —> SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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The Cavern (New)
Introducing for the New York City FEST: The Cavern is a modern spectacle of music, fashion, and art that will feature lots of magical performances. Paying homage to the birthplace of Beatlemania, and in turn becoming the birthplace of things to come – holding true to the roots The Beatles planted along the way. The family tree of Beatlemania expands into vines of fashion designers, branches of new rock n’ roll bands and electric dancing leaves, extending from vinyl and synthetic DJ booths, falling and filling the Cavern’s shaking dance floor with the stuff stars, like our Boys, are made of.
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JFK Salute the Moment (New)
On February 7th at 1PM in 1964, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr stepped off PanAm and into the screaming hearts of thousands of fans. And that was just at the airport. They turned left at Greenland, right into a press conference that won over the cold jaded hearts of prestigious journalists. After a romp through Central Park on Saturday, they hopped on stage at the Ed Sullivan Show at 8PM Sunday and played to millions upon millions of Americans, gathering around the TV, falling in love with The Beatles. We will recreate and remember those fab moments to the minute, starting with a magically mysterious bus ride out to JFK Airport!
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Good Ol’ Freda
Good Ol’ Freda held its public premiere at the Chicago FEST this past August, garnered a long standing ovation, and led to an emotional Q&A session (after which we screened it again by popular demand)! Freda Kelly was the original National Secretary of The Official Beatles Fan Club. In 1962, she was hired by Brian Epstein to be the Beatles secretary when she was just 17, and she continued to work for the boys for the next 10 years. She became like family to the Beatles families, and shes never told her story, not even to her kids, till now. We are very honored to have been part of this process to getting the wonderful film to the big screen, and to bring Freda to New York so we can view it all together now. We will show it in the Empire State Ballroom on early Saturday afternoon, and an encore presentation in the video room on Sunday. Good Ol’ Freda is being released on DVD and BluRay on December 3rd.
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Giant International Beatles Marketplace
The Giant International Beatles Marketplace is not one, but Two Ballrooms filled with vendors from as far away as England and all across America, full of an astonishing array of Beatles merchandise. If there’s a Beatles item you’re searching for – no matter how rare – odds are that it’s here. For sale will be collectibles, recordings, videos, clothing, books, photos, posters, art, & more.
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Beatles 60s Dance Party Look-Alike And Dress-Up Contests
The Annual Friday Night Dance Party to the sounds of a Liverpool concert always gets the weekend off to a high flying start, even more so in this 50th Anniversary Year! Do that hippie hippie shake, it’s a great way to meet new Beatle people and let your inhibitions out the (bathroom) window. The Party is an optional 60s dress-up night. Find something you haven’t worn for decades – or perhaps something you scoop up at a vintage shop or costume store – and get into the era. Prizes awarded for the Best Outfits. We also have a Look-Alike Contest as well as lots of Door Prizes and Live Music
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Beatles Auction
Beatles Auction is held on Saturday afternoon. Anyone is welcome to bring their rare items to enter on the day of the show. We cannot guarantee everything gets in but we will try our best to accommodate. Ken Dashow, Roger Berkley and Mark Lapidos handle the auctions, where some great bargains can be found. If you have any unique items for the auction, please let us know when ordering your tickets
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Beatles Museum and Art Contest
Over 50 years of Beatles History is traced here through pictures, articles and some memorabilia. We have done our own version of remastering (and updating) the Museum. Our popular Kids Art Korner is back – it’s a place where youngsters can create Beatles art on site, and have it displayed as well! Crayons, papers, and markers are provided. The Annual BEATLES ART CONTEST is where you can show off your creativity in an environment that your Beatles artwork can be most appreciated – by other Beatles fans! Don’t be shy, bring your artwork this year, or create a new piece just for the contest. Prizes are awarded in three categories: Professional, Amateur, & 16 Years or younger. Ribbons are given to all who enter.
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Gretsch George Harrison Exhibit (New)
For the first time, we present this amazing display, which includes rare & unpublished photos of George provided by the estate, Gretsch CUSTOM SHOP Prototype #1 of George’s original Duo Jet™ guitar, Video loop of the “Making of the Harrison Tribute Duo Jet™ Guitar”, Copy of handwritten “I.O.U.” signed by George to Mr. Hayward for the balance due from the purchase of the original Duo Jet™, Gretsch private collection of George Harrison related memorabilia, Proclamation to George Harrison for his contribution to the legacy of Gretsch guitars sign by company president, Fred Gretsch. Plus, a personal letter from the Harrison estate signed by Dhani Harrison, and more!
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Beatles Videos/Author Presentations
There are so many exciting activities going on at any one time at THE FEST that sometimes fans need to stop by our VIDEO ROOM to sit back, relax, and float downstream with a wide variety of Beatles and Solo Beatles material, running for most of the weekend. Host Ron Cuoco, as always, has some surprises for this year! There will also be some Author Presentations taking place here.
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Battle of the Beatles Bands
The Battle of the Beatles Bands is always one of the highlights of the weekend! This year it will be a little different. There will be tryouts in the Cavern Club Room on Sunday afternoon. Each group will play one or two Beatles or solo Beatles songs. At the end of the tryouts, we will announce the 2 or 3 bands that will vie for the crown on the Empire Ballroom. The audience is the judge of this exciting and fun contest, held on Sunday. To enter, you must sign up by January 17th either by phone (1-866-THE FEST), email (bands@thefest.com) or by mail when ordering your tickets. All you need to bring are guitars, chords, drumsticks, and your admission tickets.
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Beatles Sound-Alike Contest
The contest takes place on Saturday and is open to all individuals and duos (trios must enter the Battle of the Bands). Martin Lewis heads the tryouts on Saturday in the early afternoon, with the finalists playing the Empire State Ballroom Stage later that afternoon to determine the winner.
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Live Beatles Trivia Game Shows & Name that Tune
Tom Frangione is the Host for both the Live Trivia Game Shows and Name That Tune Competitions each day. Questions range from very easy to quite difficult and it’s how quick you recall the answers that makes the difference. Brush up on your trivia, as all contestants are picked from the audience. There will also be some competitions for the younger fans in attendance. Al Sussman, who has been writing a majority of the Trivia Questions since our first FEST in 1974 will assist Tom.
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John Lennon New York City Photo Exhibit with Bob Gruen & Allan Tannenbaum
Bob Gruen, Photographer and Author of John Lennon: The New York Years, will be sharing his memories of John and displaying his iconic work. Bob became good friends with John and Yoko when they first moved to Greenwich Village in the early 1970s. His photos were the best of the couple and individually that spanned the decade.
Allan Tannenbaum, Photographer and Author of John & Yoko: A New York Love Story will be talking about his experiences as one of the few who had access to John & Yoko in late 1980.
Bob and Allan will be setting up an amazing Photo Exhibit with new images and formatted pieces.
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Eric Cash Exhibit – Beatles Fine Artist
Internationally acclaimed artist Eric Cash is back again this year at the FEST displaying and selling his traditional style oil paintings. His work has been promoted on Ken Dashow’s BREAKFAST WITH THE BEATLES since 2012, and he continues to be one of the most well known Beatles artists going. He will be featuring new works along with his children’s book, Once Upon A Time in Liverpool, that he illustrated and co-produced with Beatles author Judith Kristen.
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Beatles Recording Studio
This fun and popular feature is geared for the singer in all of us. Your vocals and/or instruments can be mixed over a sound-alike bed of over 150 Beatles songs, complete with a variety of special effects that include changing the key to suit your voice! Recording sessions can be scheduled on the spot at the FEST, or in advance by going to tjplusproductions@gmail.com.
Tom McGinniss, musician and recording engineer, has been with us for 23 years and brings a wealth of experience to help you sound your best (he sings, plays 12 instruments and teaches music)! From the beginning vocalist to the seasoned performer, Tom will make you feel comfortable and you will leave with a CD that you will love! Most of his customers are repeats. To see what Tom does, go to http://tjplusproductions.com/fest/fest.html.
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Beatles Puppet Shows
Puppeteer Bob Abdou is back for his 16th year at the FEST, being appreciated by fans both young and old with his Beatles Puppet Shows all 3 days. Bob promises new puppets for 2014 and a blast for kids and adults of all ages with lots of audience participation.
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For the Little Child
As more second generation Beatles fans are having children, we are expanding our show to include more activities geared to the 12 and under crowd. Here are the events in headline form. The fuller descriptions are found in the activity details.
1. Puppet Show with Bob Abdou – All three days
2. Children’s Concerts with mr. Ray (Sunday)
3. Beatles Parade – Saturday afternoon
4. Kid’s Korner Art – All weekend in the Art Museum
5. Kid’s Trivia Contest
6. Kid’s Name That Tune
7. Kid’s Beatles YogaShare:
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Ray Andersen
Ray Andersen is better known as mr. RAY to countless kids and families in the tri-state area. As a former member of Meat Loaf, Ray has been writing and performing for children for over 16 years. He returns for his second year as the host of our Children’s Concert on Sunday. If you plan to bring the young ones along, this is another event to bring the music and the magic of The Beatles into their lives.
Ray also performed Give Peace a Chance at the UN in 2009. Please visit mrRAY.com.
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Marc Rubinstein – Pig Light Show
For those old enough to remember the Fillmore East, an important part of the shows was the Joshua Light Show. Marc Rubinstein was mentored by Joshua and progressed to the Pig Light Show. Marc will be adding visual spice to Liverpool’s concerts.
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The Ashram
How has The Beatles’ message and spiritual teachings transcended to today, 50 years later? Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream to find your inner light in The Fest’s first-ever Ashram. Learn about the Transcendental Meditation technique, the spiritual avenue popularized by The Beatles on their well-known trip to India to study with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Also on their trip to India was PRUDENCE FARROW, the subject of Dear Prudence, who will be telling her story in the Ashram over the course of the weekend. DONOVAN, who taught The Beatles some new guitar tricks on this very same trip, will speak about Meditation and The White Album in the main ballroom on Sunday. Throughout the weekend, the room will feature today’s yoga and mindfulness innovators as they share their practices of yoga, sound healing, poetry and words of wisdom. CLICK HERE for Ashram leaders and schedule.
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Walking Tour of NYC Beatles Sites (New)
Susan Ryan will be the hostess of the Saturday Morning 8:30AM Walking Tour of famous Beatles/John Lennon Sites. This is open to the first 40 people who sign up. $30.00 per person. Since it is the middle of winter, Susan will meet in the lobby and you will all take the subway up to Strawberry Fields and the Dakota, take a stroll down to the Plaza Hotel, and then head to The Ed Sullivan Theatre. Along the way, Susan will be telling stories about their first U.S. visit and places they remembered! If this walk fills up, we will add another walk on Sunday morning.
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Celebrity Art with Neal Glaser
Neal Glaser of Celebrity Art started with us 16 years ago as a traveling John Lennon Art Show and now is the exclusive distributor for Paul McCartney’s Artwork and the publisher of Ringo Starr’s Computer Art. Showing at The Fest, this is the only exhibit that features the signed artwork of John, Paul and Ringo all together. This is an incredible showcase of The Beatles’ multiple talents. Come see this one-of-a-kind exhibit and maybe walk away with a hand signed Beatles masterpiece. Shown here is an exclusive Signed Ringo ‘Starr On’ Limited Edition of 30 pieces.
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Tribute to Sid Bernstein
Legendary concert promoter Sid Bernstein, who organized the Beatles’ landscape changing concert at Shea Stadium in 1965, passed away last August. Sid was the first Special Guest at the very first FEST in 1974. We’ll be honoring Sid at this year’s FEST.
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FAB4FREE4ALL
This online weekly Beatles Discussion Group is always very enlightening and with special guests as well. Last May, they hosted a Wings Over America Screening at the Dome Theatre at the Roosevelt Air Field and it was amazing. Mitch Axelrod, Rob Leonard, and Tony Traguardo are the hosts and they will bring a 1964 appropriate topic to the FEST. www.fab4free4all.com
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Modern Drummer’s Drum Symposium
In Ringo’s honor, we have partnered with Modern Drummer to bring all our drumming fans a weekend of beats like never before. Discussions on Ringo’s drumming style, live coaching from drumming stars including Steve Holley, and a photo session with Ringo’s photographer, Rob Shanahan.
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Q104.3 Lounge
Stop by the Q104 Lounge and Meet the DJ’s., see surprise guests, and more!
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Door Prizes
On Saturday and Sunday, prior to Liverpool’s concerts, there will be a variety of great Beatles door prizes handed out at random to FEST attendees.
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Panel Discussions with Beatles Authors and Experts
Over the past 40 years of the FEST, we’ve been piecing together the story of the Beatles guest by guest. That will continue this year, as our Beatles authors and experts discuss the Fab Four and the lasting impact they’ve made on society.
Viva Cafe & Viva Herbals in an interview with founder, Tony Iracani