Tickets are now available for the Dublin Beatles Festival, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the only Dublin performances of the world’s most influential rock group with four fab days next month from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th November. The festival presents more than 20 Irish and international bands in city centre venues along with other exciting Beatles inspired events.
The Beatles played only two gigs in Dublin on Thursday 7 November 1963 at 6.30pm and 9pm in the Adelphi Cinema, Middle Abbey Street (now Arnott's Goods Inwards). Beatlemania was brand new and nothing like it had been seen in Ireland at the time. Authorities were at a loss when ecstatic crowds of thousands took over nearby streets. The Beatles continue to inspire millions of people worldwide. Contemporary musicians in each new generation cite the band’s influence, and their reach into design, film, art and fashion is as relevant today as it was in the 1960s. The Dublin Beatles Festival will inspire and share that incredible influence through the music of John, Paul, George and Ringo, and through public interviews, plays, fairs, walking tours and more.
Opening Chords in the Ballroom of The Gresham Hotel, where The Beatles stayed on Thursday 7 November 1963, features the cast of Get Back: The Story of The Beatles performing the original set of songs played by The Beatles in the Adelphi Cinema, Middle Abbey Street exactly 50 years to the day.
Also featured are songstress Vyvienne Long and musician Jon Ward performing evocative Beatle covers. Audience members and all Beatles and local history fans will have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of The Beatles as this performance will be followed by a free walking tour of other city-centre venues visited by The Beatles 50 years before, including live music performances in Cassidy’s Hotel and the Oval Bar.
Other highlights include internationally acclaimed Irish Beatle artist Georgina Flood drawing a new Beatles portrait live in the Grand Social, the Ultimate Beatles Quiz which will entertain everyone from radio sing-a-longers to fevered fanatics in the Workman’s Club on Sunday 10th November.
More information on the festival can be found at www.dublinbeatlesfestival.com
